CliqueClack’s mid-season report card: the cable networks

Just as programs on the Big Four and a Half networks are taking a break for the holiday, the same thing is happening on cable. Unfortunately, some of these shows have been on break since the late summer-early fall. While we’ve been missing them to death, the good news is that many, including Leverage, Psych, White Collar, Damages, and Burn Notice, are about to return to complete their seasons.

Therefore, as we did with the networks, and with the help of the fine men and women of CliqueClack, here is the mid-season report card for cable programs. Be warned, there will be entries for shows that just ended their season or are about to end. Just ignore the technicalities of it all… you’ll sleep better at night.

Greek (ABC Family)

Aryeh S. – Not back to where it was when it started, but leaps and bounds ahead of the prior outing in the spring. I wonder where this is going when the senior class graduates: B

Make It or Break It (ABC Family)

Aryeh — surprisingly enjoyable show… I hate Lauren, but the rest of the cast is great and left me invested: B+

Mad Men (AMC)

Bob Degon — The third season kept up the amazing quality of the best of show on television. The season finale was one of the greatest hours of television, from start to finish, that I have ever seen: A+

The Prisoner (AMC)

Keith McDuffee — I’d give it lower than a ‘C’ if it wasn’t for the production quality. Otherwise it was a huge disappointment. It’s OK for a show to make no sense, but it should at least lead to a LOT of post-series discussion
and analysis. I’m pretty sure all we heard were crickets when this series ended: C

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)

Keith – The Seinfeld stuff gave it better than a C or B-. Otherwise this show is getting tired and needs to end or… I dunno, but it’s just the same shit every week: B

Californication (Showtime)

Aryeh — Three stumbles, but wow! The finale was awesome: A

Dexter (Showtime)

Deb McDuffee– It doesn’t quite make an A+ like it would have in the first few seasons, but I still love Dexter and I love the John Lithgow arc. Not so sure about Dexter the family man: A-

Sanctuary (SyFy)

Brett Love – Getting rid of Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) might have been the worst decision any show made in the first half of the season. Worse, that stupidity was then compounded with pointless episodes. Magnus and Will in a pool for an hour? As the good Amy Pohler (the one from SNL, not P&R) would say, “Really, Sanctuary? Really?”: C-

Ruby T– I find it entertaining, but too safe. It tends to fall short of my expectations. Ashley Magnus was replaced with a weak character, Kate Freelander. While I didn’t like Ashley as one of the heroes, I think she could have been interesting if they’d allowed her to develop as a villain: B-

Stargate Universe (SyFy)

Brett– It’s keeping my interest, and the showdown between Rush and Young was a good way to end the first half of the retarded Syfy split season. It just hasn’t grabbed me like SG1 and Atlantis yet. It still feels like the show is trying to figure out what it is. They have done a pretty poor job fleshing out all of the characters. At this point, I can’t say I’m actually attached to any of them: B-

Jane Boursaw – I like it well enough. Didn’t have any experience with the other Stargates, and it’s sucked me in enough to want to keep watching and find out what happens to Rush: B

Ivey – Count me in the “Newbie that likes it camp.” I’m proud of being a SG noob, though. I’ve thought very little of the first two series, but I’ve been impresses so far. Perfect? No, but the best scifi show on these days: B+

Ruby T. – I don’t like most of the characters, and as a result I don’t care if they live or die. I feel like SGU is trying way too hard to be dark and edgy (fail!). One of the defining characteristics of Stargate has always been humor, which this show really lacks. I’ve seen some good moments, which is why I’d give it a passing grade. I’m going to continue watching to see if it improves: C

Dark Blue (TNT)

Aryeh — Great show, great renewal decision. Just hoping Jaimie and Dean do NOT get together: A-

Leverage (TNT)

Aryeh – Season 2 was far from season 1’s quality. Or maybe the luster had just worn off: B-

Bob – Certainly not up to the quality of the first season. There have been some awesome episodes and some that were just okay. Hopefully the addition of Jeri Ryan, even if it’s only for a few episodes, will inject some life into this fun series: B-

Deb – I still love it, but it doesn’t wow me quite as much as the first season. I miss the flashbacks and I think there are less quotable lines. Still such a fun hour of TV though: B+

Burn Notice (USA)

Aryeh — I’m not sure I even fully remember last season, but Burn Notice has always been consistently good: B+

Deb – Love it! It’s got everything — action, romance, awesome cons, quirky characters, and an intriguing back story: A-

Psych (USA)

Aryeh — This has never been as good for me as it was in its first season, but Shawn and Gus are always lots of fun: B

Deb – FUN!  I think this season has even stepped it up a bit by going deeper into Shawn’s life and his relationship with his dad, and also putting him in more real danger than he’s ever been in before: A-

Keith — Just consistently good fun. The episodes seriously get better every week: A

White Collar (USA)

Aryeh– The minus is for how it ended the installment. Otherwise, no complaints beyond the cast shuffling (bring back Marsha Thomason!): A-

Bob – Another fun, if unspectacular USA show. It’s a fun watch, but I think it would be better off airing in the off-season. I give them some bonus points for bringing the awesome Natalie Morales onto the show: B

Deb – I’m really enjoying this show. I love the chemistry between main characters and this show’s got it. Plus, I love the banter: A-