Another year of renewals, pick-ups and cancellations have officially come to an end as the new television season starts for 2012-2013. Mostly 90% of the new fall shows have already premiered and I'm beginning to pick and choose which ones I'll be following. I don't have DVR so it's either watching live or online (or with my handy mobile apps that I downloaded beforehand).
Last summer I created a post about the five shows I was excited to watch premiere - three of those shows got cancelled (I'm not bitter). Though, I was hesitant to write this feature but I'll see if it has the same outcome again. Based on the five big U.S. networks, five new programs stood out to me at a glance. I've watched the first few episodes of each show below and have been impressed so far.
Arrow (The CW)
Arrow is the television adaptation of the DC comic-book superhero, The Green Arrow. It isn't the first time I've watched a superhero television show, let alone The Green Arrow. The character of Oliver Queen appeared on The CW's Smallville for a couple of seasons when the show was still on the air. It was a great show, though I caught up with the storyline periodically from time-to-time. From all of the previews I've seen and Arrow's first episode, Arrow looks to be a really great show. It's dark, gritty and includes cast members I enjoy like Katie Cassidy and Willa Holland.
Sherlock Holmes is hilarious (I can't help it). This new modern day adaptation of the Scotland Yard investigator takes place in New York City with Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson. There have been several crime solving duo television shows in the past and Elementary provides a fresh take on the concept. Neither lead characters are police officers, their setting isn't the police station and there isn't a blatant comedic foil. Being a drama/mystery type of show, there will be "case-of-the-week" episodes with a new case to solve. I'm not sure if there will an "arc" or a recurring villain but with only two episodes airing so far, we'll see how the season develops.
Nashville (ABC)
Another music show. Hey, I like musicals and theatre! Nashville focuses on the trials of performing in country music and the career of two very different stars: Rayna James (Connie Britton), the 40-year-old superstar who's star is falling and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) the current sensation on the scene. I'm not the biggest country music fan but Nashville does stand out as something I'd really like to see beyond the first episode. Both lead actresses are amazing in the pilot and combine this with Glee and SMASH, I'll have three very different music shows - one teen (Glee), one theatre (SMASH) and one showbiz (Nashville) storyline.
The Mindy Project (FOX)
Three episodes have already aired and I absolutely like The Mindy Project. Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling) plays a quirky OB/GYN who is looking for true love and is obsessed with romantic-comedies. I never watched The Office but I've heard good things about Mindy Kaling and this show did not disappoint. It has that New Girl vibe to it and could be a nice watch for someone that can relate to the main character's dating life.
666 Park Avenue (ABC)
Apparently this show is based on a book adaptation (which is surprising as I usually know these things beforehand). 666 Park Avenue is a supernatural-drama that takes place inside the halls of a New York City apartment building. Soap opera dramas like this are great to follow for the twists and turns but after two episodes, I'm interested to learn more about the building's history. Maybe I'll pick up the book to read the full story before they make changes?
Beyond just these five shows, there are a lot of others that I'm excited to see. Plus, there's always the mid-season replacements to catch something brand new in January.
Already have your fave new shows for the season? Share your comments below and let me know what programs you’ll be tuning in!
Today marked the first day of the end for low-rated fall shows. What many might have already suspected, CBS officially cancelled Made In Jersey by pulling it after two episodes. The legal drama, which starred Janet Montgomery as Martina Garretti, focused on her life as an attorney in a New York City law firm.
While Made In Jersey didn't outperform in its two episodes, its Friday night timeslot was expected to provide some leeway before a cancellation notice. Friday nights are generally regarded as a weak ratings night - networks are more understanding with the low numbers.
Made In Jersey will now join a list of programs that hold their record as the first show cancelled each fall season. Last year's was the 60's inspired drama The Playboy Club, which was cancelled by NBC after three episodes.
Did you expect Made In Jersey to be cancelled? Sound off in the comments and let me know what you thought of the show.
Two years ago when I still in school, I volunteered for We Day as a Parking and Transportation volunteer. It still remains one of the funnest and most inspiring days I've had as a volunteer. This year, my friend Kemeny, who has worked with Free The Children and Me To We, invited me along to this year's event.
We Day is always such an inspiring moment. I received another book (which I really need to read the previous two) and come together to be the change.
Now I really want to start volunteering again!
The season is over and a winner is crowned. Three months have just flown by and with the exception of maybe one rare week, Big Brother 14 was an eventful season. Whether you liked the blindsides or the mist, the final three performed well for a Big Brother season. In a landslide final vote, 21 year old engineering student Ian Terry defeated 28 year old Catholic school teacher Dan Gheesling by a vote of 6-1. Rounding out the finals is Danielle Murphree who was evicted in third place.
Instead of the usual posts, I'll critique the final three and their performance from the whole season. Let's start from jury and work my way up...
Danielle (Third Place)
Emotional gameplay at its finest. Danielle crumbled underneath the pressure and she fell for every lie that was thrown at her. I'm not sure if winning the game was on her agenda compared to finding a boyfriend. The men dominated this season in challenges and only Danielle was the one who proved to play somewhat on the same level playing field. For the choices that she made, Danielle would have never won the final vote. Many considered her to by the sidekick who followed Dan and proving otherwise would be an uphill battle. Though, I give credit to where credit's due. Her name was thrown around MANY times for eviction, she was an early personality target and nearly the last person evicted on Dan's team. She learned how to play the game well and I wish she played it without Dan at one point. Then we really could have seen if she could sink or swim.
Dan (Second Place)
The strategic mastermind could arguably be the best player this season. He started on a rough patch with Jody and Kara being evicted back-to-back and nearly was eliminated himself when Danielle almost was voted off. Once he joined as a houseguest, Dan became a new man and started creating alliances and breaking them with ease. Many of the key power moves made this year were by Dan and he will go down as one of the best players. Unfortunately for him, he lost in the final vote and it's partially due to his attitude. Dan in season 10 was MUCH more likeable than this Dan. He never had to get his hands bloodied last time around but now his ego this time rubbed the other houseguests the wrong way. It proved his undoing because a personal jury is an angry jury.
Ian (Winner)
The not-so-shocking winner of Big Brother 14. He came for the experience but he's leaving with half a million dollars. Ian's gameplay wasn't showcased like some of the bigger veterans, he performed as well as one of the big power players and made big moves. He had social, strategic and a physical game that proved to win over the jury. Most times when the finale comes down to two people, there's one clear standout but both Ian and Dan proved they deserved the title.