TV Mad Man

Moving on to the middle of the week, where Wednesday presents a wide array of choices for me from reality to serious drama to the best comedy on television, but what are you watching?

ABC is the king on this night for me with all 4 of its comedies making me laugh, some more than others. The Middle, which is quickly becoming the season’s biggest half-hour behind Modern Family, has also grown creatively, getting out of the Patrica Heaton is the star mode to a real show for all of the family where Sue and Brick quickly take the lead as the best characters. The show is getting back to the roots of family comedy from the 90s but in a 2000s vibe of single camera.

The multi-cam comedy that follows Better with You, is starting to grow but it is limping along due to limited plots. The comedy could become something great as Friends did (it shares many of the same writers) if it introduces some new characters as well as gets out of the house and out of family stories. At 9/8c, Modern Family still and always will make me laugh week in and week out, while the real star of this hour for me though is Cougar Town. This is one hell of a comedy. The chemistry between everyone, the sharp writing, and pop culture references put this above the rest but down in the ratings. You need to watch.

On the other networks, I am still watching Survivor, but I think just because I am waiting for something interesting to happen, which hasn’t yet. Lack of characters are really pushing this season down while next season sounds A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, if you do not know what I am talking about. Look it up. Over at NBC, SVU continues to be a staple while LOLA is peddling along nicely. How good was Rebecca Mader by the way a few weeks back? She needs her own show.

Are you still watching ABC on Wednesdays, are you excited to get a new Shonda Rhimes drama on this night come January, and are you watching Top Chef: Just Desserts? Those people are pretty crazy, no. Also, to my surprise, Gail Simmons is a pretty great host. Sound off below.

With the new fall season starting, new TV is bring us the good, the bad, and the mediocre, but how do you sort out the good and the bad? Here is what to watch this fall, so you can see the best new friendships, new loves, new action, and new heart. Now, ABC accomplished their goal last season of creating a solid night of comedy, now our favorites are back with the addition of some familiar faces…

What ABC Says about their new comedy, Better with You:

Maddie and Ben have been dating for nine years. They know each other inside and out, a relationship marked by contentment and affection, seeing their commitment to one another as a “valid life choice,” something they proclaim often – and often loudly. Maddie’s younger sister, Mia, has been dating Casey for seven weeks. With a shared c’est la vie attitude, Mia and Casey are smitten with each other, and thrilled to explore the oh-so-many things they don’t know about each other yet. But when they announce they’re getting married and having a baby, it’s news that throws Maddie for a loop. Surprisingly, the girls’ parents, Vicky and Joel, couldn’t be more pleased. Married 35 years, they have recently adopted a carpe diem sort of philosophy, rather like Mia’s, cptfc maybe because they’re getting older and lost a good portion of their savings when the economy tanked. With three very different relationships tightly intertwined in one family, will it be free thinkers vs. over-thinkers, or will each couple begin to see things a little bit differently?

If there is one block currently on TV that I am looking forward to the most is ABC’s Wednesday nights. Last year, they launched four brand new comedies, three of which survived, one didn’t, and one became a phenomenon. Modern Family, or should I say, Emmy-winning Modern Family, continues to anchor the night at 9/8c with a brand new season which will feature Nathan Lane and give us a peek into Cameron (Emmy-winning Eric Stonestreet) family. Although I have not seen the premiere, I have heard that the producers are not changing much, and sticking with what works.

Continuing to follow at 9:30/8:30c is Cougar Town, which went from being just okay, to a brand new and wonderful program by the season’s end. Now, no longer show about Courtney Cox’s younger beaus, but rather a show about her friends, Florida, and wine. Lots of it. The first two episodes of the season play like they never left, the same wit, charm, and funny is present throughout and a guest like Cox’s old Friend Jennifer Aniston is hilarious in the premiere airing tonight as Jules’ new therapist.

The changes, however, are present starting at 8/7c, where returning The Middle launches the night, with those fabulously funny kids. I got to preview the first two episodes which showcase Patricia Heaton’s former mother-in-law Doris Roberts as Brick’s (Atticus Shaffer is brilliant) new teacher. Following The Middle, is a new multi-cam comedy Better with You. It stars the charming Joanna Garcia and Jennifer Finnegan, as sister in two different stages of love. Mia (Garcia) just got engaged to Casey (the new and funny Jake Lacy) who she has known for two months, while Maddie (Finnegan) has been in a committed but not married relationship with Ben (Josh Cooke) for nine years.

Better with You is a very traditional comedy, filmed in front of a live audience, it delivers many laughs but certainly does not give us anything amazingly creative, but with talent like Debra Jo Rupp and the wonderful nature of Garcia, I could not help but smile. ABC’s kicks of comedy tonight at 8/7c!

For the rest of the week, I am looking back at the past television season and doing some top 5′s for what worked in a ratings-challenged year. Up first are the new entries that graced the screen this year and in my book there were quite a few success to talk about:

1. Modern Family – For me, the new show that made me love TV more than anything this year was ABC’s truly original family sitcom. No new show was so widely love in my family as it really rang true in so many ways and most of all made me laugh every single week. Nothing can beat that pilot, that I have now most likely watched 50 times, and I just have a truly special place in my heart for it.

2. The Good Wife – My biggest surprise new show was easily The Good Wife because going in to the new year I knew it had a great script but I did not know such a big emotional edge would be present by the combination of great writing and its star Julianna Margulies. A show I looked forward to each week and will continue to for years to come.

3. Parenthood - Parenthood had a rocky life from deaths to recast to cancer, things were getting in the way for a wonderful cast and creator’s little show on NBC, but after the Olympics, Parenthood didn’t care about any of that and they put on one hell of a show. For the past 13 weeks, Parenthood got better and better and without my knowledge it seemed turned into a show I thought about a lot and cared for the characters a great deal.

4. Life Unexpected – Liz Tigelaar and her cast and crew deserve great things and when LUX was renewed at Upfronts I was so, so happy for them. The CW could have easily not believed in the Portland family drama but they did and could not be more grateful for having this heartwarming show on the air next year.

5. Glee – I think most people doing this would have Glee much higher on this list but I think if recent weeks are any indication I am putting it in the right place. When Glee, premiered for real in the fall, I was smitten, my friends and family were smitten, and each week it would be a trip to iTunes to buy the songs, and re watch episodes but now as the season is closing I could almost not care less. Plot holes, continuity, and bad writing have steered me away from a show I still want to be good as I like the actors and the music but I just need more respect to the viewers and I hope Ryan Murphy gives us that.

Just Missed the mark: Cougar Town, The Middle, and The Vampire Diaries - 3/4 of ABC comedy block was a highlight of the season for me and both Cougar Town and The Middle turned into shows I did not think I would like. Cougar Town is a entirely new show that when it started and The Middle reminds me of good old Home Improvement days. On the other hand, something so 2010 like vampires was made new again with Vampire Diaries and it was this year’s biggest guilty pleasure for me.

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…)

9.8c

ABC

The funniest show this year, and one hilarious half hour.

MODERN FAMILY!

Tonight’s episode of the family comedy feature two very special stars. First, Ed Norton who gives a great performance as a old 80′s band has been, and even funnier Elizabeth Banks as Cam and Mitchell’s old clubbing pal that could be back to kill Lily! What!? Just watch at 9/8c followed by a all-new Cougar Town with guests Alan Ruck, and one of funniest women around Rachael Harris!