Television Premieres and Notables: December 23-29, 2013

Wednesday, 12/25

Doctor Who: Farewell to Matt Smith; BBC America. 7 pm CST. Special.
Smith wasn't "my Doctor" (the one who gets each individual fan into the series), but he was one who made me understand what The Doctor was (in his first appearance, when he called back some alien aggressors he had run out of town just to warn them against trying it again. Badass.) He's also the first "real-time" Doctor I've had as I watched Eccelston's and Tennant's runs on DVD.

But now Smith's tenure is over-- and he gets the send-off that the man who helped put Doctor Who into the stratosphere-- in terms of science fiction popularity-- deserves.

Yeah, I'm sure there will be some fluff here, but one of my favorite things about Smith is that he honestly loved the role-- and that is what made him so popular with fans as well as coworkers. I hope his entire run will be touched on from his entrance as the loony "Raggedy Man" to the tortured soul he became when he lost his companions to getting his mojo back trying to solve the mystery of his newest companion: Clara, the "Impossible Girl".


Doctor Who: Time of the Doctor; BBC America. 8 pm CST. Special.
The episode where Matt Smith takes his leave...

There have been giant, overreaching arcs during Smith's four year run; many of which will be tied-up tonight.

And, without getting too geeky (and because I don't understand it all), this story could also tie-up the 50-year history of The Doctor.  Executive Producer/head-writer Steven Moffatt has hinted that this Doctor's death would end the story that began in 1963 and somehow the new Doctor (who will be played by Peter Capaldi, who will be begin his run with this episode) will begin a new story.

I don't know. I do know it will be nothing that I am expecting (one of my favorite things about this show), and I do know it will be an emotional one. The Doctors don't walk off into the sunset, they die.

The brilliance of Doctor Who is that the show can continue-- even when the lead actor leaves. The character is designed to "die" and regenerate into a new body and personality, and the show goes on.

I'll miss Smith-- but I'm also very excited to see what Capaldi does with the role. That very short shot of his eyes in "Day of The Doctor" when he joined the others in fighting the Daleks gave me a big rush.


Friday, 12/27

Nikita (CW; 8 pm CST). Series Finale.
It's lame that this show just gets a six-episode season, but I do have to give The CW credit for bringing the show back and letting it have a solid ending.
 If you missed watching the series these past four years, go back and check it out.  It is one of the few that had a definite, constant forward momentum. Double-crosses, triple-crosses, deaths, bad is good/good is bad... This show kept us on our toes.

There is a shit-ton of awesome in this pic

These two always look like they're having fun...

Televison Premieres and Notables: December 16-22, 2013

Tuesday, 12/17

The Voice (NBC; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

Hardcore Pawn; TruTV. 8 pm CST. 8th Season Premiere.


Wednesday, 12/18

Mob City (TNT; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.


Thursday, 12/19

The X-Factor (Fox; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.

Naked and Afraid; Discovery. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.


Saturday, 12/21

Whale Wars; Discovery. 8 pm CST. 6th Season Premiere.

Superman 75th Animated Anniversary

Can't remember if I've posted this before. If I did, it's worth a repost because it's so damn cool.

Behind the scenes at the Superman Vs. Batman set

Walking Dead Mid-season spoilers.

Minor spoilers.
You've been warned...

Television Premieres and Notables: December 9-15, 2013

Monday, 12/9

The Great Christmas Light Fight; ABC. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Families compete to make the most dazzling Christmas light show.

The Sing-Off; NBC. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.


Tuesday, 12/10

Sons of Anarchy (FX; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Sunday, 12/15

Survivor (CBS; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.

Homeland (Showtime; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

Masters of Sex (Showtime; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.

Television Premieres and Notables: December 2-8, 2013

Tuesday, 12/3

Shipping Wars; A&E. 9 pm CST. 5th Season Premiere.


Wednesday, 12/4

State of Play; HBO. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.

Mob City; TNT. 8 & 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
After getting pushed out of The Walking Dead, Frank Darabont started creating this series set in the early days of Los Angeles, where the mob and the cops are at odds with each other. It's got a film-noir vibe.
So, the cool thing is: its only a six episode season, and TNT is airing them back-to-back for three weeks in the dead month of December, so give it a chance.
Not only did Darabont create the series, but he wrote three scripts and polished the others-- and also directed four of the six episodes.

Best Ink; Oxygen. 9 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.

Kirstie; TV Land. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Kirstie Alley plays an actress who is surprised to meet a young man who claims to be the son she gave up for adoption years ago.


Sunday, 12/8

The Amazing Race (CBS. 7 pm CST.) Season Finale.

Dude You're Screwed; Discovery. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.