My TV schedule has become this thing I barely recognize. I’ve dropped so many shows recently. Although, to be honest, it still not as light as I’d like. See what I mean! Who is this person who wants a light TV schedule?!
(Don’t worry, I pinched myself and I’m still me.)
But this post isn’t about how brutal I’ve gotten about slashing shows I used to love, it’s about the new shows I like. I wasn’t overly excited about this season at all and that’s probably reflected in just how few new shows have made it onto my list. But, even still, I’m kind of surprised by which ones I ended up liking. Besides the new show that’s really an old show, I don’t think any of these were really on my radar. The previews for Once Upon A Time looked horrendous and Revenge didn’t seem like my sort of show at all. Funny how things change once you’ve actually seen a few episodes…
Hart of Dixie — Look, I still don’t quite buy Rachel Bilson as this bad-ass doctor from NYC. But, then, that’s kind of the point. For one thing, no one else in Blue Bell buys her in that role either so at least I know it’s intentional. The writers know that it’s something they have to prove to us. Plus, as it turns out, Zoe Hart (Bilson’s character) isn’t quite as bad-ass as she believed. Oh, she’s good at what she did in NYC but there’s still a lot she has to learn. And here’s where we get to what I love about the show… She gets it. Sure she fights it and lets the cockiness sneak back in but she’s also quick to adjust how she does things once she realizes she’s wrong. The show reminds me of a cross between Gilmore Girls and Everwood. In other words, it’s a throw back to the type of WB shows I used to love and I dig it.
Happy Endings — I know, I know, it’s not technically a new show. But I haven’t blogged about it yet and so few people saw it last season that it’s basically new anyway that I’m counting it. What can I say? I love this show. Probably because watching it feels like I’m hanging out with my friends. This is how we joke around and talk. In that way it reminds me of how How I Met Your Mother used to feel in its earlier seasons. (I’m one of the few who still love HIMYM but it’s morphed into a show more about finding love than the wacky things you do with your friends.) Plus, it makes me laugh every week. Every. Week. Can’t ask for more than that from a half-hour comedy.
Revenge — This show is delicious. I have no idea how they’ll keep it going for multiple seasons but nor do I care. I’m too busy reveling in it right now. From the start, this show worked for me in a way that Lone Star never did. By that I mean, what Emily is doing is wrong but her motivations are clear and I understand her choices even if I don’t agree with them. And I like that there’s someone on the show who will tempt her away from those motivations. I don’t know that she can ever come back from what she’s done but I’m eager to find out.
Once Upon A Time — This show was made for me. I love fairy tales and I love this mixing of them with the modern world. That in itself is not unique but I like the way they’ve set it up here. It feels appropriately fairy tale-ish in its own right. And it’s fun to try and figure out who each person in town represents. If I have any complaints it’s that some of the kitschy names for things in the town are a little too on the nose. I like it in theory but wouldn’t it just prove the boy’s story is true? Of course logical adults don’t want to believe they are actually fairy tale characters but, if you’re getting hit over the head with fairy tale references, at some point you might wonder…
Leftovers
And, finally, though I am still watching New Girl and Suburgatory, I haven’t decided if I want to keep them around permanently. Something about New Girl doesn’t quite work for me. I like the premise and I enjoy the relationship between the roommates but it also seems to be a lot of schtick that I don’t find all that amusing. Whereas while I do laugh quite a bit at Suburgatory and generally find the father/daughter relationship to be sweet, I just don’t care about the majority of the characters. There’s something a little too broad about the suburbs humor. It doesn’t make me want to tune in each week to see more of it.
What new shows have you kept around?
I am with you. I was totally surprised by Revenge and Once Upon a Time. I really thought I would watch one or two episodes and be done. But I love them both!
I was in love with Hart of Dixie from the get go. It’s a sweet show that doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not and I am really getting drawn into ALL the characters. I even liked Lemon this week! She might have made me shed a tear. I don’t remember. I shed a tear somewhere…
I will be honest, Happy Endings was not on my radar last season until it was over but I really love it now. It’s crazy and I always bust a gut laughing. I love Max and Penny!
Same with you on your leftovers. I am watching both. Maybe on the same night, maybe later in the week. I laugh and enjoy them both but I’m not sure I would miss them.
I seem to have dropped alot from my “must watch” schedule and moved it to the “catch up On Demand on a Sunday” schedule. Like 6y episodes at a time.