New Television

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If you know me, you know I watch a lot of television. If you don't know me, you've just learned something.

Many TV shows are returning this season, but there are plenty of new shows doing what they can to get their foot in the doors of American homes this fall season.

It's my personal goal to give every new premiere at least one shot and here is what I know so far:

The Good

Journeyman - A surprise. I wasn't expecting much out of this, but it definitely hit the right spot with me. I found the wife to be annoying at first, but I'm coming around on her. (Man, that sentence doesn't read right to me, but it stays!) I still have a lot of questions about the show which I'm hoping get answered as things move along. Catch this one!

Dirty Sexy Money - The biggest delight of the pilot season so far. I didn't know what to expect from this show, but it's got Peter Krause, so that's a HUGE plus. It's also got a good murder-mystery plot going for it, not to mention the hilarious characters throughout. A must see!

Chuck - It's got everything a geek loves: computers, movie references, Adam Baldwin and oh yes... hot chicks! The second episode was a little all over the place in my opinion, but I have faith that they won't over-do it. Or maybe they will and it will somehow get better or at least even more entertaining to watch. Who knows?

Damages - This show has been on for a little while now and it's a solid drama. I can only hope this season ends with a bang and not with a loud thud. Glenn Close is solid, as usual. And there's Rose Byrne... which, well... is Rose Byrne! The season is almost over, so it's doubtful that any of you will be able to catch up.

Mad Men - Another show that has been on for a while but it deserves all of the love I can throw at it. Every episode is consistent, focused and gets the point across every single time. Some people feel like the show is a little slow and pondering, so don't expect things to run at breakneck speed. But it's definitely worth your time. Join the bandwagon! Good work (for once), AMC!

The Big Bang Theory - Mathematically I should hate this show. The fact that it comes from the creator of Two And A Half Men immediately qualifies it for hate. Everyone else I know hates it so far, but I think the two main guys have good chemistry. This show would definitely be better without the other two friends, especially if they excluded the guy that is completely full of himself and hits on the hot neighbor in different languages in every episode. The Indian guy had a funny moment in the second episode, so I'm willing to give him another chance. The other guy? It's going to take a miracle for me to turn around on him.

Kid Nation - Here's another show I should immediately hate but don't. It's complete (cute and fun) filler, but it has been interesting to see the obstacles that the producers have placed in front of these kids so far. I've been telling people that if adults were put in the same situations, they'd act the same way (which is childish). Actually... most of these kids act pretty mature, considering. The magic of editing!

Cane - I'll watch Jimmy Smits doing anything, including paint a wall. There's not much painting going on here, but the show so far is decent. A friend of mine described it at "The Godfather but with Cubans" and he's right on the money with that statement. The second episode helped relieve any concerns I had about this being a little too "soap opera" like.

The Bad

K-Ville - I feel bad about Katrina, but not that bad. Anthony Anderson... so serious!

Private Practice - What happened to Merrin Dungey? And who got to decide that Taye Diggs character would become a total pussy? (Especially compared to how his character acted in the Grey's crossover episode.) Addison needs to pack up her things and make her way back to Seattle Grace, no questions asked. I promise. We'll act like this never happened!

Gossip Girl - Watching what the "date rapist" will do next is worth wading through an entire episode. I'm pretty neutral on this show; it's not good and it's not bad for what it is. It stays, for now.

Life - I think everyone knows Damian Lewis as "that one guy in Band of Brothers" and it's good to see the guy getting some work. The pilot episode was a little concerning, but the second episode ironed out some issues I had with the main character. Here's hoping they stick with the documentary transitions. I like those a lot for some reason. I think a lot of questions will get answered as things move along, so here's hoping NBC sticks with this one because I think it's possible it can move into the "good television" category.

Moonlight - Good use of stuntwork, bad use of everything else. I'll give it another week, but this show probably won't survive the Fall 2007 TiVo season pass purge. CBS will probably keep it around past it's prime (much like it has done for everything else on its schedule).

Nashville - I tried keeping this around for filler, but I just can't. This had me fooled until I realized that it is The Hills and The Real Orange County but set in Nashville.

The Ugly

Cavemen - Do I even need to explain myself on this one? ABC took a worn out concept/joke and made it even more excruciating.

Big Shots - I had no want or desire to watch this. I recorded it and lucky I did, because my TiVo cut off the ending of Grey's Anatomy this past week and I had to undelete the pilot episode in order to see the rest of Grey's. Thanks, Big Shots... you did something good in my life!

Back To You - I wanted to like this show. I even tried to defend it because it had some decent drama at the end of the pilot episode. Then came the second episode. Season pass, deleted. Move on to bigger and better things, Kelsey!

Bionic Woman - This show has officially enter "so bad, it's so good" territory. Also... it's fun describing everything in the show by putting the word "Bionic" in front it. Like... "Bionic Sister" is cute.

The Unknown

Pushing Daisies - I recorded the "Pie-lette" (clever) but still have yet to watch it. Looks entertaining.

Viva Laughlin - Hugh Jackman... you better impress!

Life Is Wild - Another one of those shows that I'm sure I won't hate or like very much.

Samantha Who? - I know nothing of this show. I just know a friend of mine is anticipating it, so that makes it required viewing.

Reaper - I haven't been able to see an episode of this yet because of scheduling conflicts. Here's hoping The CW replays it over the weekend. So far it doesn't look like they are going to. (Like they do Gossip Girl on Sundays.)

American Band - I can't wait to see not just a single person thinking they can sing, but an entire group of people that think they can create music.

That's it for now... as things move along I'm sure opinions will change, season passes will get deleted and other shows will get picked up.

Be seeing you.