2013 FALL TV REPORT CARD
(PREMIERE WEEK 9/23-9/29)

Ok, guys, here it is. I have watched hours of TV this week, in some cases sifting through a bit of nonsense, both new and returning show-wise, and I’m STILL not done. But I am happy to share my preliminary findings with all my fellow TV heads out there, and decided to go with a YEA or NAY system, rather than letter grades this time around. So, here goes:

NEW SHOWS:

Mom

This show is so god-awful, giving it an F is an insult to the letter F.

Cheap jokes at the expense of addicts,
and taking teen pregnancy lightly is just NOT funny at all.

The Blacklist

Loved it.

James Spader is money in just about every role, and this one is no exception.
Directed by Joe Carnahan (Narc), this pilot was exciting and smart,
with a nod to Silence of the Lambs.

Hostages

Another home run!

The cast (Toni Collette, Dylan McDermott, et al) is phenomenal,
the tension is very real, and this is gonna be one hell of a 15-episode run.
I don’t see how they can get more than one season from it, but this one promises to be awesome.

Sleepy Hollow

I really enjoyed most of the pilot, before it turned into The Terminator.

Episode 2 seems to be steering the show in a “Monster of the Week” direction.
Not sure how I feel about that, but the characters are likeable enough to keep watching.

Dads

This was almost as bad as Mom.

I don’t even know where to begin; the laugh track after every line,
or the sheer desperation with which the entire cast utters their lines.
So terrible.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Joss Whedon has FINALLY done it again, after a few false start shows.

This one promises to be THE thrill ride of 2013. Great cast, good pacing, I’m in.

The Goldbergs

I didn’t know if I would like this one, but I did find myself laughing out loud frequently.

Again, that’s due to the cast and how well they work together.
Nice to see Jeff Garlin doing something, what with Curb Your Enthusiasm in limbo. 

Trophy Wife

Even though it wasn’t as bad as Mom, I turned it off after 11 minutes.

I couldn’t take it. Everything about it feels forced. I predict an early cancellation for this dud.

Back In the Game

This show has serious potential, despite treading the
“Estranged father/daughter” path that has been kind of overdone.

All it needs is to calm James Caan down a bit, and it should be OK.

The Crazy Ones

Admittedly, I tuned in due to my decade-plus love affair with Sarah Michelle Gellar.

She could read a soup can’s ingredients on-screen for 30 minutes and I wouldn’t care.
That said, this one had some very funny moments, and Robin Williams is well, Robin Williams.

Lucky 7

This one I really enjoyed, and that’s because of the flawed characters.

Every one of these lottery “winners” is toting around some serious emotional baggage,
so it will be interesting to see who cracks under the harsh glare of the spotlight.

The Michael J. Fox Show

Ok. This one also has serious potential.

The only problem is, in trying to be edgy, they employed a “kitchen sink” mentality
to the opening night two-episode run. If they can rein it in a bit, it could be great.
It did have some terrific moments, and Juliette Goglia as daughter Eve steals every scene she is in.

Masters of Sex

This show is terrific. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

If you have Showtime, I recommend you get into it.

I really have nothing to say about the returning shows, because I was very happy with all my favorites so far. The only things I haven’t gotten to yet are Revolution and The Mindy Project. I WILL say this, however: How I Met Your Mother was an absolute train wreck. And what makes it worse is the few (and I do mean few!) laughs there were didn’t come from ANY of the core cast members. They were from guest stars (Wayne Brady, Sherri Shepherd). That’s pretty sad. I just want to get through this final season and bury a once-great show properly.

What do you all think of the new shows, and/or your returning favorites? Share with us, please.