Thoughts on the new TV Season
While every show hasn’t had their season premiere yet, the new TV season officially got it’s start here in the U.S. last week. Some quick thoughts about the new shows I watched and comments on returning shows.
“K Street” – My favorite new show of the season. I need my Special K fix weekly. I’m an addict.
“NYPD Blue” – Good opener with the usual strong performances. We’re in to the trial of the IAD guy who tried to kill the Lieutenant. This is gonna get good.
“Ed” – Loved it. Good stuff. Ed and Carol hump. It’s what we’ve been waiting for. The question is, now that they’ve humped (twice as far as we know) will it get boring “Moonlighting” style?
“The West Wing” – Very mixed feelings. First episode without Sorkin and Schlamme. There’s a lack of language. Not as many words. Problem is the story that’s unfolding right now isn’t one that really lends itself to long speeches. I thought Goodman was actually quite strong, but the rest, I dunno. I’m gonna give it a few more weeks, but this doesn’t seem to be the Sorkin TWW I liked so much.
“Friends” – Ehhhh … kinda boring. Laughed once. Hrmmm …
“Coupling” (NBC) – Absolute crap. Lacks all the charm and funny bits of the BBC version. I laughed twice, but at jokes that were already used in the original. The guy who plays Jeff is horribly miscast. See, on the BBC version Jeff is a good looking guy who the ladies like, but he’s just really, really, really goofy. On the NBC version the guy is not seemingly attractive to the ladies, is not particularly hunky and isn’t all that goofy. The character of Jeff is what makes that show tick and they don’t got it. I’ll give it one more show.
“ER” – Liked it. Next week looks like it’ll be more better (I like saying more better).
“Alias” – Okay, so for years we thought James Bond was the real spy guy dude thing. Fuck him. He’s got nothing on Sydney Bristow. The conspiracy is huge again and everything is not what it seems, while it’s also exactly what it seems. You can’t believe anything and no one can be trusted. Damn fine premiere.
“The Lyon’s Den” - So, well, it’s interesting. Lowe is good, but the writing seemed odd at times. Some very obvious moments, some VERY awkward moments (the fight outside made no sense, the weird “The Firm” style conspiracies going on behind the scenes). I get the feeling they’re telegraphing the story a bit too much already, which is very bad. Also strange was the music by W.G. Snuffy Walden. It was very “The West Wing” like at times and I believe he worked/works on that show as well. “Ya know, we got Rob Lowe from ‘The West Wing,’ we should also get the guy who does the music for ‘The West Wing,’ then everyone will love it!”
I believe that’s all I’ve watched so far. “Third Watch” was on tonight, haven’t watched it yet. Also have three episodes of “Carnivale” on the TiVo that I haven’t watched. Is it worth it? Just waiting for the return of “24.” That’s going to be good. Painful good. Like that pee you’ve been holding for half an hour you finally got to let out good. My expectations are high.
