I have found a slew of new offerings on television in the three weeks since the fall season got underway. But tonight, television’s best show returns. And no, I am NOT talking about the Bauer Power Hour; 24 doesn’t return until January. And yes, I will shower the interweb with abundantly annoying 24 Talkbacks when that time comes. But tonight dear reader(s) LOST is back and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
In addition to LOST returning tonight, I have found many new offerings embedded in the television landscape over the last three weeks. I have sampled many new shows and for some of them, I am still sampling. I am a full-time student who also works full-time so I don’t have the time to sit and watch television all the time. Thankfully, there is DVR, probably the greatest companion to happen to television since The Price is Right. With DVR I am able to record any program I am interested in and watch it at my leisure. Even better though is that I can fly through commercials, trimming up to 15 minutes off of a single program.
But Ryan, I don’t have DVR. No problemo. If you don’t have DVR there is even another way to enjoy some great broadcast television programs in a more timely and convenient manner. ABC, CBS, and NBC now steam many of their programs online for free with limited commercials. Yesterday Fox jumped on the bandwagon with its announcement that you can now watch its shows free online via local Fox affiliates and Myspace via Fox on Demand in an attempt to keep viewers interested while they air the baseball playoffs and World Series for the next month.
So Ryan, what other shows are you DVRing?
Heros
Wow. I heard someone refer to this show as the poorman’s X-Men. To anyone who saw X3 and was let down this show is for you. The pilot was excellently executed and enough to bring me back. And the second episode…oh man. Heros is the first new show to leave me craving more and is the front runner for regular return engagments.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
I love this show but I fear that it won’t last long. The truly great shows never make it; just look at Arrested Development. But as much as I love this show, I do have one problem with it: we are led to believe that Matt (Matthew Perry) is writing all these brilliant comedy sketches but from what I’ve seen so far that is just not the case. Aaron Sorkin can write dialogue and intriguing stories, but he can’t write sketch comedy. It’s only a matter of time before that begins to cause problems. The ratings have already dropped more than 33% in three airings. Also, in three episodes, there have been two side plots about drug/alcohol arrests. Branch out baby. Regardless of what happens though, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was one of the finest television pilots I have ever seen.
Jericho
I love post-Apocolyptic stories. In this one, a small town witnesses Denver being H-bombed and panic ensues. The pilot was a little shakey but had an overall ominous tone to it. The second episode was an improvement but relied too much on action. I’m going to czech out the third episode because there is still potential but it might be my last if the writers don’t pick a direction and stick to it.
Ugly Betty
This new hour-long ABC comedy was entertaining though so much happened in the one episode I saw that it played more like a short movie than a pilot. They literally played out a season’s worth of storylines in an hour. I just don’t see where this could possibly go now.
In addition to the shows listed above, I’m also going to czech out 30 Rock,The Nine, and Dexter. And of course I am still watching….
Weeds
If you have Showtime I highly suggest taking a hit.
South Park
I’ve been watching for ten years. Why would I stop now?
The Office
Now that Arrested Development is gone, this is the funnisest (and most awkward) show on television.
Nip/Tuck
It’s like porn.
