Fall TV Roundup, Week 2


The new fall season continues this week, mostly with NBC trucking out it's new wares. The second episodes of "Go On" and "The New Normal" hit the air Tuesday, and on Wednesday audiences were treated to a sneak peak of the Peacock's other new comedy, "Guys With Kids." All I can say about NBC's fall slate is... ugh...  Shows are indexed below by night of the week and by time (MDT).

Tuesday Nights:
Go On — 8 p.m. on NBC
I think my wife summed up my feelings on this show Tuesday night when, after struggling through the episode, she said "I want to like it." It seems like it should be amusing. I like Matthew Perry. I want to like this show. It's just not... funny. There is nothing to laugh at. In fact, it's mostly sad. It feels like some good people were cajoled into this experiment to see how much good will America would extend a comedy that fails to produce a single joke. I can't think of a single joke that landed in two episodes. In fact, whatever slim glimmer of hope existed following its premier was extinguished in this episode. Matthew Perry deserves better, and so does America.
Pilot Grade: C; Second Episode: D

The New Normal — 8:30 p.m. on NBC
Ugh. This comedy from Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler seems bent on riding out cliches, many of which are offensive, and meandering through what feels like a political statement. It had mildly more amusing moments than "Go On," but it also had more offensive moments. This show has a high ick factor for me, and it's overly weird. It's like the weirdest, most uncomfortable moments of "Glee" stretched out into a 30-minute sitcom without music. And that's not good. Not to mention, sandwiched between "The Voice" and "Parenthood," it's hard to see how "Go On" and "The New Normal" fit from a programming standpoint.
Pilot Grade: C-; Second Episode: D

Wednesday Nights:
Guys With Kids — 7:30 p.m. on NBC
This show will follow "Animal Practice" on Wednesday nights. It's the fourth of NBC's new comedies and got a sneak preview Wednesday before it "premiers" for real on Sept. 26. Don't hold your breath. You can wait. This show is mildly disappointing — and I say mildly because I thought it would be stupid. It is, but it's also boring. Hence the mild disappointment. NBC is the proud network that aired "Friends," "Seinfeld," "Frasier," "Mad About You," "Cheers," and "Scrubs." The past two seasons, the network has aired a slew of new sitcoms, and none of them have risen above the level of mediocre. It's just sad. This is a mediocre concept to begin with, and it's done in a flat way. There is nothing compelling here, the show just simply exists. About the kindest thing that can be said is that the show isn't offensive.
Pilot Grade: C-

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more