TV Mad Man

Sunday night, almost the work week but some nice things to end the night with….

The Cape – 9/8c on NBC

NBC is still in deep trouble, with a looming change of hands with Comcast still in limbo with the Justice department, NBC is just airing what they have which tonight presents a new hero. The Cape, centers around Vince Faraday (David Lyons) a framed cop that turns to a life as a underground vigilante to help save his town and his son. I have seen the two-hour premiere, while it was not as horrendous as some are saying, it is nothing to tell your friends about. Geeky word of note: Summer Glau is the female lead, does that count for anything?

Bob’s Burgers – 8:30/7:30c on FOX

Another series debuts tonight after what is to be a epic battle ending with a Packers victory against the Eagles. FOX is most successful with Sunday animation and Bob’s Burgers joins the fray, with a comedy about a family struggling to open a successful joint. The premiere is funny if you like what they are already offering but when I don’t, nothing really substantial is available.

Brothers and Sisters – 10/9c on ABC

The 99th episode. I still remember the day I saw the premiere of ABC’s new family drama, that had heart, emotion, and great drama plus lots of wine. Now after five years, the show has aged but still holds a glimmer of its season one look. Tonight, Nora helps Holly make decisions on her post-amnesia life and Saul reunites with Jonathan (Richard Chamberlin).

Real Housewives of Atlanta – 10/9c on Bravo

Verdict on the new season? For me, mixed, while I enjoy NeNe’s escapades and Sheree’s new personality, the way-over-the-top Kim, still bugs me. Let’s hope on tonight’s road-trip with Kandi she can keep it together enough to give us just a little drama.

In the final day of what is staying on my television, I decided to put Fridays and Sundays together because well, I don’t watch much. Do you? I don’t see much on to grasp my attention, and I am curious to see what you say.

On Fridays, I am only watching two new series, NBC’s about to be canceled School Pride, which has a wonderful message just a mediocre execution, and Blue Bloods on CBS, which is one hell of a cop drama. Blue Bloods, as I have said before mixes an almost right level of procedural to family, similar to watch they do on The Good Wife, and its quality has stayed in tact throughout. My only wish, lets get some more family drama in here to give some depth to the secondary characters.

On Sundays, The Amazing Race is waning, which is quite a shame after 17 seasons, and I almost feel that the upcoming spring addition should be its last. I cannot believe I am saying this, but we have traveled the world with Phil for long enough. On ABC, Brothers and Sisters, has had somewhat of a resurgence, getting its creative juices flowing with Rebecca’s departure for Justin as well as giving new life to Kitty but most of all Nora. Sally Field has breathed new life into the matriarch, and after saying this should be its swan song, I am singing the praises.

Are you watching anything more? Still sticking with Desperate Housewives or FOX comedies? Sound off below.

With all the family drama talk coming about from NBC’s growing wildly good Parenthood, ABC’s Brothers and Sisters has taken a bit of a hiatus. Just as it happened last year, it is back with a two-hour event, in this year’s we flashback to the 1980′s and help solve the mystery of Narrow Lake and what exactly Dennis York (Peter Gerety) is up too.

I have the seen the episodes which air tonight starting at 9/8c and it is some of the better hours the show has ever done. With each of the flashback actors, like Kay Panabaker as Kitty, and Anna Wood as Sarah, are all perfectly cast and get the nuances of the regular actors. The episode takes us from Nora, who is scared for some reason of York, trying to convince her children to sell the family company to York, but then turns into a touching story and a wildly fun road trip by Patricia Wettig’s Holly Harper and Nora.

The real gem in the episode, however, is Matthew Rhys, who plays Kevin. I cannot tell you how he wraps into this business drama, but he plays the troubled character wrapped in his family, and his surrogate, who may or may not be able to give them a kid. It is so spectacular to watch him work especially along Sally Field in some of the best and heartfelt scenes of the series.

Brothers and Sisters (9/8c on ABC) I admit has gone downhill over its four-year run, but these hours showed me what I loved about the show in the first place, good family drama.

Olympics are ending, television is coming back, new episodes, new stars, and new shows will be entering the airways this week and beyond.

Closing Ceremonies – 7/6c on NBC I have been for the last two weeks mostly glued to the Olympics, for better or for worse, and tonight the 2010 games end and the countdown to London begins. NBC coverage can be frustrating to us on the west coast but I have enjoyed the talent and events they play at certain times. I can only hope that tonight’s event is co-hosted by the wonderful Mary Carillo like previous years, but have been unable to confirm that. Following the 3.5 hours is…

The Marriage Ref – 10:30/9:30c on NBC What looks like a hilarious program in a special sneak preview. The Marriage Ref is from Jerry Seinfeld, and features a panel of celebrity judges that range from Tina Fey to Maddona who judge actually couples problems. A 30 minute preview with Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, and Kelly Ripa airs after the ceremonies, and a fine comedian Tom Papa serves as the “Ref.” At first I was hesitant of this new concept series, but throughout the weeks I have come around. It will settle into its regular time slot, Thursday at 10/9c.

Brothers and Sisters – 10/9c on ABC Family drama will be very present on the site this week thanks to NBC’s new family series Parenthood, but the staple right now is still going over on ABC, and while the season of Brothers and Sisters has had its highs (Kitty’s cancer) and the low’s (Justin’s school life), I am still enjoying this year the most since Season 2 and tonight’s episode is no different. Whenever Nora and Holly (Sally Field and Patricia Wettig) get together you do not know what to expect and fans of the battling duo will be very happy tonight along with the political side as Kitty and Buffy (Cheryl Hines in a perfect southern role) as that becomes a staple in the series to come. The biggest draw for many however is the return of Gilles Marini, who plays Sarah’s french lover Luc who we saw last week as the artist of the painting that Sarah received without knowing. He is a gem on the program and I hope he continues to be a bright light (SPOILER ALERT: Gilles will become a series regular next year, so we will be seeing a lot more of him.)

Wednesday and Thursdays are packed full of fun television including some buzzworthy dramas and comedies, here are my thoughts as some wind down, and some are gearing up, plus my take on a Sunday fave.

The Middle/Modern Family/Cougar Town – I’m laughing. All the time, and that is all that matters with these three renewed for year two, superb comedies. With The Middle, their key to success has been in the Heck kids who especially in the biggest episodes to date. Brick (Atticus Shaffer) in particular with his delivery just makes it so so funny, and then Axl and Sue who are so unique in his approach on girls and her trying to fit in.

Modern Family just rocks and after “My Funky Valentine” officially became my favorite comedy on TV. In a combination of hilarity, sweetness, and uniqueness it just works. The one thing that in every episode which each story is synchronised to the others in that episode from latin housekeepers and dog butlers that are somehow intertwined by mannerisms and dialogue. That is a testament to the cast and that writing that is so so Emmy worthy. (Sorry Glee.)

Cougar Town is one brilliant town and it is not for Jules (Courtney Cox) only but for the supporting players that make each half-hour from Ellie’s views on life to Bobby, Andy, and Grayson’s night out, and Travis maturity with his mother (Did you know he is really 25?). The show has twindld in the ratings but I hope an upcoming recurring role from Sheryl Crow can change that, plus where is Barb, and Rachael Harris? I miss them. All three comedies return on March 3rd to ABC.

Leverage – Leverage to me is one of the funniest shows on TV in a long while. The past few weeks with Nate’s ex-wife (played by the absolutely wonderful Kari Machett) coming back into the picture when she did not want him was fun, and the finale has started and I can say it finishes on a huge win. The last hour airing this Wednesday marks the return of some old favorites in a surprising turn, Jeri Ryan exits for now, and a cliff hanger till the summer that you will really want to know about. The best thing about the second half of the season was to see a pregnant Gina Bellman as Sophie in ever-changing outfits and locations from Africa to the super cliché in Eiffel Tower in the background Paris. Just fun.

Human Target – 12 million to 8 million is not the best thing to hear, however, it is very early for the action drama on FOX. I have not been enthralled by the series but last week’s episode “Run” which was originally the second episode showcased big action and story and that is what I like and want to see. The story they have introduced about Chance’s first case with a mysterious woman named Katherine is intriguing as well as Guerrero’s “side-projects” but if they are not in the mix each week I feel it will be lost in the action.

Lots to come as this drama is just finding its footing and the survival will all depend on FOX’s development slate and other performers like the dying Past Life and new entry Code 58 in the spring.

Burn Notice – Is it just me, or has this second half of the season been way uneven? This past Thursday’s episode has been the only one that I truly enjoyed. I feel like the action mixed with the character reactions have not been gelling together. The season is ending on March 4th and it will mark the return of some old pals that will change the game, and I can only hope it changes for the better.

Survivor – AMAZING TELEVISION. The two-hour première of Heroes vs. Villains was some of the best TV I have seen all year. Conflict, romance, injuries, tribals, survival, that were all so captivating to watch. Jerri and Coach’s romance was repulsing but so fascinating. I love the idea of reliving some of our favorite challenges from earlier years and I have some ones in my mind that I hope that do like the giant ball challenge from Guatemala and more. Just superb reality competition. More after the jump…. (more…)