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Fall Television Analysis: Hits and Misses

October 9, 2008 -

Lots going on in my life right now. Tumultuous times, my friends. This would be why there haven't been too many posts. I'll give a "my life" update at some point soon, but for now you'll have to settle for my take on this fall's TV lineup.

There were so many seemingly good shows coming out this fall that I began to feel nervous - how would I ever manage the time to watch them all? As it turns out, I now have only three must-see shows, and two shows I'll watch if I happen to have time. I'm including "House" in the watch-if-I-have-time category although it's not listed below. That said, here are my fall 2008 TV hits and misses.

Fringe - Hit. I nearly decided not to start watching this show, but Linda seemed interested, so we gave it a go. Best new show this season. As long as it doesn't pull a "Lost" and ask four times as many questions as it answers, it could really go places. The insane doctor with a cow in his lab is a fantastic character. I'll admit that the show strains believability at times, but I wasn't looking for hard Science Fiction when I went in. It's all good.

True Blood - Miss. Just another cheezy vampire story. The psychic southern belle thing isn't doing it for me, and vampire stories were never my favorite. While it's not terrible, it didn't grab me. Linda's still watching it though.

Sarah Connor Chronicles - Hit. My expectations for this show before I'd seen it were about the same as my expectations for Knight Rider. Very very low. But I love the first two terminator films, so I decided to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. And the most recent two episodes raised the bar in a big way. This is now my second favorite show on TV.

Knight Rider - Miss. I'll admit that I had close to zero expectations going in, but come on. How ridiculous can you get? I can nearly watch this show as a comedy.

Dexter - Hit. This was my most anticipated show, and it does not disappoint. Season three of Dexter is just beginning, but I'm already totally absorbed. This is one of the few shows that I'll always watch live, because I just can't wait to see it.

Heroes - Miss. And how. The first season of Heroes was amazing. Season two wasn't quite as good, but I gave them a pass on that because of the writers' strike. Season three is ass. Pure unadulterated ass. Who wrote this garbage? Sylar is a Petrelli? And Noah Bennett is willing to work with him? Mohinder is The Fly? Nathan is a religious nutjob having delusions of a dead Linderman? Hiro suddenly became stupid and irresponsible? Evil Peter/Good Peter? I can't watch this crap anymore.

Comments on Fall Television Analysis: Hits and Misses
 
Comment Thu, October 9 - 3:21 PM by John Jackson
Hey Greg- this is in reference to an issue you commented on months back about your garage door not closing. Check out the above website, my neighbor made these for me and they work great.
 
Comment Thu, October 9 - 3:32 PM by Sven
I agree with you on most of the shows. Fringe: It is surprisingly good. Capturing atmosphere, good actors, good char's - a straight "A" from me.
True Blood: I never got myself watching the second episode. The first one was so bad. I don't even think it's worth commenting.
Sarah Connor: I am still watching the first season... I can't comment on the second.
Knight Rider: It sounded so stupid, I didn't bother to watch.
Dexter: The second season is now beeing aired in Germany, so I wait for Miriam to catch up and we'll watch the 3rd season together... eventually
Heroes: MMmmhh I agree to some point. I am dissapointed and the story gets me lost at sometimes. Still, I like the show and hope it'll get better soon.
 
Comment Thu, October 9 - 3:46 PM by Greg
Sven - cool that you're able to get Fringe in Germany as it airs. Glad you're getting Dexter too - that show is really really well-written. I too hope that Heroes gets better, but I don't have high hopes.
 
Comment Fri, October 10 - 11:03 PM by pmd
I saw the pilot for Life on Mars last night. I did like it but I wasn't blown away. I'll probably keep watching this one.
 
Comment Sat, October 11 - 4:33 PM by Keith
I caught the second episode of knight rider.. Kitt did look good as a mustang. But the transformer change over as well as the ability to become a submarine like in James bond was stuoid...Will watch it just for the bordem factor.

True blood...Same as knight Rider..I need something to put me to sleep.

Sarah Conner cronicles still is good.

Fringe is just too out of it for me but i do like the dynamics of the characters... not a full follower of the show.


Starwars clone wars:the series which is like 5 episodes is good, but watered down to the point of being stupid with good graphics. Androids are funny as hell and the clones are as dumb as rocks...about combat tactics..



I gave up on Charlie Jade...

Supernatural is good.

smallvile is still good, with the justice league possiblities in the future story lines...

 
Comment Sat, October 11 - 11:59 PM by pmd
Keith,

My people want to know how that Firefox spell check is working out.

 
Comment Mon, October 13 - 2:08 PM by keith
Tell your people that do to the financial situation of my bank account always being at negatives that I had to fire all my people... which means i took them out into the back yard and fired crossbow bolts at them...they are all dead now...And now all I see are dead people, maybe i should get back to reality....NAWWWWW.

In rush typing with the last message on laptop that I accidentally was using IE, and not Firefox.
 
Comment Mon, October 13 - 8:28 PM by pmd
Keith,

You haven't changed since I met you in '91... Except you finally broke down and got a bank account. Gratz!