Monday, 1/18
American Pickers; History. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Antique hunters sift through dumpsters to find "gold".
Super-- I can't wait for the onslaught of garbage-picking rip-offs that's sure to follow.
Life Unexpected; The CW. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A teen girl has a baby and puts her up for adoption. Fifteen years later, the baby (now a teen girl herself) reconnects with her (and the father), and an instant family (with "issues") is born.
This show is supposed to go back to The WB-style of drama (Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek, Felicity) as opposed to The CW style of teen shenanigans.
It's supposed to be worth checking out-- even with the Juno influences (teen girl who is too wise).
Big Time Rush; Nickelodeon. 7:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Yet another boy band TV show. This time, though, they're from Minnesota, so expect lots of cold weather and hick jokes because that's all the Midwest is known for in Hollywood...
Buried Life; MTV. 9:00 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I'm breaking my "no MTV" rule here-- but I like the premise of this show. Four guys travel together to help people fulfill their fantasies. Uh-- with hot tubs and threesomes? Possibly (we are talking MTV here)-- but I have read that this show is "uplifting". I'm willing to give the net the benefit of the doubt (even though I won't tune in, I'll at least mention it here).
My Life as Liz; MTV. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I'm breaking my "no MTV" rule here again-- but I've read that this sitcom isn't too bad. And, more importantly, a bit of a departure (non-trashy reality shows) for the network.
Be Good Johnny Weir; Sundance. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Reality series following the attempt of figure skater Johnny Weir to qualify for the upcoming Olympics.
Tuesday, 1/19
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel; HBO. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
The best (and only) news-style show I watch. Pure awesome.
Millionaire Matchmaker; Bravo. 9 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.
White Collar; USA. 9 pm CST. Winter Return.
Paranormal Cops; A&E. 9:30 pm. Series Premiere.
Real Chicago cops hunt for ghosts on their time off.
Wednesday, 1/20
Mr. Harris returns to complicate Christine's love life on The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS; 7 pm CST). I've really dug Blair Underwood's work on this show in the past, so I thought I'd mention it.
Being Erica; SOAPnet. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Thursday, 1/21
The Deep End; ABC. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Young lawyers traverse the dangerous waters of an L.A. law firm.
Food Tech; History. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
What goes into meals, as told by Bobby Bognar.
Burn Notice; USA. 9 pm CST. Winter Return.
Friday, 1/22
Dollhouse (FOX; 8 pm CST). Series Finale.
Caprica; Syfy. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Syfy finally airs the 2-hr movie that sets up the series (which continues next week).
Yes, this is a Battlestar Galactica "prequel" series (which should let you know it's great-- but also that there is a teensy bit of sci fi going on), but if what I saw on the pilot is any indication, not knowing anything about BSG will not hurt here (it may even help; BSG fans like me will be looking for Easter Eggs everywhere).
Anyway: this is sci fi of maybe 10-20 years in the future. It deals with a sort-of all-immersive social networking site and cybernetics. Things that could happen at any point on the not-so-distant future. It speaks very well of how our present society operates, and the challenges we will have to face soon.
But, mainly, it deals with two father's grief over losing their daughters and the different ways they cope with it.
I'll end by saying "check it out". It may take an hour or three to get rolling, but if it's anything like BSG, it will get rolling, and it will be very good. Don't let the sci fi (or the Syfy) scare you.
(And for those of you who are BSG fans-- the ending is cool [and scary] as Hell. Knowing that what is being worked on will end up nearly exterminating humans brings a very low-level dread to the subtext of the series.)
Spartacus; Starz. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Sex and violence abound in this retelling of the classic slave story.
No comments:
Post a Comment