Television Premieres and Notables: May 19-25, 2014

Monday, 5/19

Bones (Fox; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.

Warehouse 13 (Syfy; 8 pm CST). Series Finale.

The Bachelorette; ABC. 8:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.

The Maya Rudolph Show; NBC. 9:01 pm CST. Special.
Maya Rudolph teams up with Lorne Michaels and other SNL friends to host her very own variety show-style special.


Tuesday, 5/20

I Wanna Marry Harry; Fox. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I am not positive if this is the real premise, but it looks like Fox got a bunch of nitwits to be on TV who think they have a show at marrying Prince Harry.
Because, you know, a British prince has no other way to meet women...

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

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (El Rey; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.


Wednesday, 5/21

Modern Family (ABC; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

The Americans (FX; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Thursday, 5/22

Gang Related; Fox. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.


Friday, 5/23

Hannibal (NBC; 9:01 pm CST). Season Finale.


Sunday, 5/25

Mad Men (AMC; 9 pm CST). Mid-season Finale.
Yes, even Mad Men is doing the final split-season thing that has become popular.
See the final round of eps (still under the same "season") next spring.

Television Finales, Premieres, and Notables: May 12-18, 2014

I'm still reeling over some recently-announced cancellations (Almost Human, Trophy Wife, Community, and the one that hurts the most: The Neighbors), so I don't feel too bad about these other shows coming to an end for the season or the series.

But, like TV has done for decades: some go, some come back, and there's always something new waiting in the wings to get their shot.

I'm looking forward to cleaning-out the DVR and catching my breath. Of course, networks and cable netlets don't give us too much of a break anymore.


Monday, 5/12

The Blacklist (NBC; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed

Castle (ABC; 9:01 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed


Tuesday, 5/13

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC. 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
It started a little slow/sloppy, but, really, many many shows do.
But the fantastic Clark Gregg really held it together until it found its feet-- and with the help of the game-changing Captain America: The Winter Soldier events-- it has become a must-see show like so many other Joss Whedon creations (not to diminish the contributions of the day-to-day creators, but this has always been touted as a Joss project).
Betrayals, secrets, the "peeling onion" storylines; things looking like one thing and becoming something else later.
It's still a more tame show (and I don't mind; I like having something I can watch with my tween-age kids), but there are flashes of terrible things that will probably give nightmares (an exposed brain of a conscious person, the Deathlok project victim, a murdered person stuffed in a ceiling and dripping blood below it).
And, man, Gregg is awesome. Even without all the above, I'd watch simply because if him.
So if you missed it or didn't stick with it after the first half-season, try to hunt it down over the summer.
Renewed

Glee (Fox; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Another uneven season-- but at least I didn't hate it outright like I had other seasons. (Why do I still watch? There is just enough flashes of greatness or just enough pathos to keep me at least coming back, even though the love I had for it from the first season is all but forgotten.)
The next season is the final one, I believe, so I guess I'll stick with it. Maybe I'll be surprised.
I do have to give props to them acknowledging Cory Monteith's death-- and getting us to give a shit about these characters again; at least for a little bit.
Renewed

The Originals (The CW; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed

NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed

Riot; Fox. 8:00 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Steve Carell helps bring the international comedy game show Slide Show to the States.
I don't completely understand it, but it has to do with teams of comedians/actors doing improv on a stage that is tilted at a 22.5 degree angle.
Or maybe that's the sole gimmick, and there's nothing more to understand about it...

The Goldbergs (ABC; 8:01 pm CST). Season Finale.
Thankfully, this great, fun show avoiding the ax.
Renewed


Wednesday, 5/14

Arrow (The CW; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
No sophomore slump with this show.
Intense, twisty-and-turny, and jaw dropping.
Renewed

Suburgatory (ABC; 7:30 pm CST). Season Finale.
This season felt "off", but it won't get a chance to right the ship because...
Cancelled

Nashville (ABC; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed


Thursday, 5/15

The Big Bang Theory (CBS; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Every time I try to get out, it pulls me back in.
Not as "dumbed down" as recent seasons had been (since the move to Thursdays), but not as clever as it used to be.
Renewed

Grey's Anatomy (ABC; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed

Reign (The CW; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed


Friday, 5/16

Kitchen Nightmares (Fox; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

Hart of Dixie (The CW; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed


Saturday, 5/17

Saturday Night Live (NBC; 10:30 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed for a 40th season...


Sunday, 5/18

Bob's Burgers (Fox; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
This show has really grown into one of the more clever shows on a network.
Renewed

The Good Wife (CBS; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Renewed

I am going to aspire to have an obit like this written for me...

Television Premieres and Finales: May 5-11, 2014

Monday, 5/5

24: Live Another Day; Fox. 7 pm CST. Series Return.
Jack's back!
This is one I feel bad for missing originally (kept recording them-- and then the seasons kept building until it got too intimidating to finally start).
So I decided to jump on with this short season-- until I started reading the reviews saying this isn't the strongest comeback.
Maybe I'll wait a month. If I hear things got better, I'll try it OnDemand or later on DVD.

The Tomorrow People (The CW; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Sure, it's a typical CW show: hot, young people doing young, hot things-- but it did have a pretty nice mythology going for it, and it also had a near-ludicrous number of surprises that resulted in interesting cliff-hangers nearly every episode.
I liked it. Wasn't my favorite, but it keep me watching.

Bates Motel (A&E; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.
Geez-- over already? I haven't even started watching the season yet...

Louie; FX. 9 pm CST. 4th Season Premiere.


Tuesday, 5/6

Pioneers of Television (PBS; 7 pm CST [check local listings]). Season Finale.

New Girl (Fox; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
This show had its sophomore slump a year too late.
Hopefully they turn it around next year...

Small Town Security; AMC. 10 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.


Wednesday, 5/7

Catfish: The TV Show; MTV. 9 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.


Thursday, 5/8

Two and a Half Men (CBS; 8:01 pm CST). Season Finale.

Maron; IFC. 9 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.


Sunday, 5/11

Once Upon a Time (ABC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.

Rosemary's Baby; NBC. 8 pm CST. Mini-series Premiere.
Just what this Mother's Day needs: a reimagining of the 1967 novel and 1968 film based on it; starring Zoe Saldana.

Penny Dreadful; Showtime. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.

Revenge (ABC; 9:01 pm CST). Season Finale.

Television Premieres and Notables: April 28-May 4, 2014

Monday, 4/28

The Following (Fox; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.


Tuesday, 4/29

Playing House; USA. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.


Wednesday, 4/30

It took a couple of episodes for me to "get it", but I want to give a recommendation to watch Billy on the Street (Fuse; 10 pm CST). That show makes me laugh out loud frequently with Billy Eichner's bombastic, abusive confrontations with people. Keep an eye out for the repeats with Neal Patrick Harris and with Joel McHale. Insane and hilarious.


Thursday, 5/1

Vikings (History; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Sunday, 5/4

In The Simpsons' (Fox, 7:00 pm CST) 550th episode tonight, Homer finds himself in a Lego-ized world.

Resurrection (ABC; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.

Just in time for Prom

Television Premieres, Finales,sand Notables: April 14-20, 2014

Monday, 4/14

Warehouse 13; Syfy. 8 pm CST. 5th Season Premiere.

Mom (CBS; 8:30 pm CST). Season Finale.

Bam's Bad Ass Game Show; TBS. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.



Tuesday, 4/15

Pioneers of Television; PBS. 7 pm CST (check local listings). 4th Season Premiere.

Celebrity Wife Swap; ABC. 8 pm CST. Season Premiere.

Fargo; FX. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Doubtful it'll live up to the film, but that's a pretty high bar.
But it has a pretty good start in the acting department with stars Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton.

Awkward; MTV. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.


Wednesday, 4/16

Unusually Thicke; TVGN. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Alan Thicke finally gets a reality show.


Thursday, 4/17

Community (NBC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.

The Crazy Ones (CBS; 8:01 pm CST). Season Finale.

Parenthood (NBC; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Saturday, 4/19

Billy Crystal 700 Sundays; HBO. 8 pm CST. Special.

Orphan Black; BBC America. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
And, if you missed season one, watch the marathon that begins at 8 am that'll bring you up to speed.
I haven't watched it yet, but I plan on catching up by the time S2 gets rolling because I've heard good things...

Sex Sent Me to the ER; TLC. 8 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
I'm only mentioning it because I like the series title.
Do NOT watch this over Orphan Black.


Sunday, 4/20

Signed, Sealed, Delivered; Hallmark. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A look at postal detectives.

Devious Maids; Lifetime. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere.

Salem; WGN America. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
WGN gets in the game with its first scripted drama.
It's about the thing Salem's most famous for...

Television Premieres and Notables: April 7-13, 2014

Monday, 4/7

Inside Comedy (Showtime; 10 pm CST). Season Finale.


Tuesday, 4/8

Justified (FX; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.


Wednesday, 4/9

The Tom and Jerry Show; Cartoon Network. 4:40 pm CST. Series Premiere.

Deadbeat; Hulu. 11 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Tyler Labine stars as a paranormal medium who completes ghosts' unfinished business for them.


Thursday, 4/10

Suits (USA; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

Alaska State Troopers; National Geographic. 9 pm CST. 6th Season Premiere.


Friday, 4/11

The Neighbors (ABC; 7:31 pm CST). Season Finale.
It's gonna be an even longer summer now (and ABC had better bring this back).


Saturday, 4/12

Comedy Underground With Dave Attell; Comedy Central. midnight. Series Premiere.


Sunday, 4/13

Nurse Jackie; Showtime. 8 pm CST. 6th Season Premiere.

Californication; Showtime. 8:30 pm CST. 7th Season Premiere.

Mad Men; AMC. 9 pm CST. 7th Season Premiere.

Years of Living Dangerously; Showtime. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.

Not many will get it; but those who do will know it's awesome...

Television Premieres, Finales, and Notables: March 31-April 6, 2014

Monday, 3/31

How I Met Your Mother (CBS; 7 pm CST). Series Finale.
The end is here for a show I really loved early on in its run. I liked the actors/characters and the scripts quite a bit (I especially loved how the plots played with time and circled-back on themselves; not unusual nowadays, but practically unheard of nine years ago).
But as the show drug on, it started to lose itself a bit. This season has been a bit of return to the unknown and surprises. That was another thing I liked: it was unpredictable; something not many CBS comedies are.
The show really never was about the mother for me, but I do like they took time to bring her into the show this season. She seems like a good fit for who Ted has become.
So, yeah, I'll miss this show-- even though I know it's time for it to be done.

Friends With Better Lives; CBS. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
I don't know much about it other than it stars James Van der Beek and Kevin Connelly.


Tuesday, 4/1

Lab Rats; Disney XD. 6 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.

Cougar Town (TBS; 9 pm CST). Season Finale.

Inside Amy Schumer; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. 2nd Season Premiere.


Wednesday, 4/2

Trip Tank; Comedy Central. 9:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.


Thursday, 4/3

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC; 7 pm CST). Season Finale.
Don't expect it to come back next year...

Community (NBC; 7 pm CST) gives us a another odd episode; this time, the gang is animated G.I. Joe style.

Short Poppies; Netflix. 11 pm CST. Series Premiere.


Friday, 4/4

Unforgettable; CBS. 7 pm CST. Mid-season Premiere.

Raising Hope (Fox; 8 pm CST). Series Premiere.
Like many quirky shows, the shine has been dulled a little over the years, but it really hasn't been because of the actors. I'm especially going to miss Martha Plimpton and Garrett Dillahunt, who absolutely killed in their roles.

Continuum; Syfy. 8 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.


Sunday, 4/6

Game of Thrones; HBO. 8 pm CST. 4th Season Premiere.
I really have to start watching this show...

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

Turn; AMC. 8 pm CST. Series premiere.
Espionage in the Revolutionary War era.

River Monsters; Animal Planet. 8 pm CST. 6th Season Premiere.

Cutthroat Kitchen; Food Network. 8 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.

Ax Men (History; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.

Silicon Valley; HBO. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Mike Judge brings us this show about a small group of programmers who design a game-changing algorithm and have to decide if they're going to sell it to the company they work for or or try to go on their own with it.

Veep; HBO. 9:30 pm CST. 3rd Season Premiere.