Bob:
Last week TV returned in full force! Well, nearly full force. There are still a few shows that I’m looking forward to having back. For the most part, however, TV is back. I know I was excited about a bunch of shows and many of them met expectations (and a few fell a little flat). So, let’s talk about our favorite things from last week’s premieres.
There are a few contenders in my mind. I was pleasantly surprised with the first episode of The Event, though I’m still a little skeptical about getting involved with another mystery show after the huge let down with FlashForward. I was happy to see a lot of the great comedies back on my set, including Modern Family, 30 Rock, and Cougar Town. In fact, I realized that I watch very few dramas on the networks these days. Most of my hour long viewing comes on cable.
I think my favorite part of last week, though, was the return of Community. Man, that show gets better with every episode, and this second season debut was no exception. I loved everything about it — the characters, the meta in-jokes, Betty White, Chang as a student (and as Gollum, even if 30 Rock already made that joke a couple years ago) — it all worked. I can’t wait for a full season of the gang at Greendale.
How about you?
Debbie:
As soon as I saw the topic you chose, two shows immediately popped into my mind, one of them being Community. I agree with everything you said, so I’ll talk about the other premiere that I completely adored: Castle.
It was hard to know where they’d pick up and how they’d get the team back together, but they did it with style, humor and great character moments. They’ve always had a way of creating fabulous character dynamics on Castle with little dialogue (unlike a show like Grey’s Anatomy, which is all about the mouthpieces) and lots of subtlety. The characters never need to say much, but we always know exactly where they stand with each other.
From Castle being a (not really) suspect (and the joke of him popping up at new murder scenes did not wear thin), to the team snubbing him because they were upset he didn’t call, it worked to entertain, tie up loose ends and get the rest of the season set up. Kudos to the Castle team for keeping it fresh yet giving us what we love about the show at the same time.
Bob:
Doing these posts I am always reminded of how different our viewing habits are. With that being said, I thought for sure you were going to go with Vampire Diaries. Did you leave it out because it premiered early, or did it actually slip your mind? I feel like you’re talking about it all the time with your middle school girl giggles and general squeeishness.
Debbie:
I left Vampire Diaries out on purpose because it wasn’t technically a part of premiere week, but it was a stellar premiere and makes the third show that I think really gave their all for their returning premieres.
And don’t start that “my viewing habits are better than your viewing habits” malarkey….
Bob:
Defensive much? I would never!
How about you, dear reader, what was your favorite part of premiere week?
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Sep 30, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
Fringe was the best premiere this season.
That is all.
Fringe and Supernatural.
I have to go with the guys above and say Fringe.
Running a close second for us was Stargate Universe which also ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger of astronomical proportions. (Don’t tase me, pun police!)
I do have to agree with both you quibblers in that Community just keeps getting better. Add in Betty White who is awesome just standing around and you’ve got a comedy supernova. Were it not for that show, we’d have no network comedies to watch, although I have hopes for Shit My Dad Says. Yeah, I said it! Big deal. The networks have enough balls to put the show on the air, have enough to fight the ridiculous FCC (/rant mode off)
Debbie is batting 1000 with her take on Castle. That’s a great show that I really didn’t think was going to amount to much and has become one of my favorite shows on the air today.
The Event premier was a little underwhelming for us, but intriguing enough to earn further viewing. We’ve yet to see the second episode, so I can’t speak to how we’ll feel about the show then, but unlike Bob (and most of America) we were completely hooked on FlashForward up to the last frame.
I already watch too much TV, but after seeing a clip video of the character Brittany from Glee and all the weird things she says I’m about ready to become a viewer. The problem there is I absolutely cannot stand musicals of any type. Were it a dramedy or a sitcom I could easily get into it, I’m sure, but not a musical. I got dragged to see Cats with a large group and 20 minutes in I was trying to figure out a way to commit suicide with my ticket stub. I’m not knocking musicals as a perfectly enjoyable method of entertainment, just trying to express how violently ill they make me.
I have to say Chuck or Community.
The Event pilot was a headache, but Ep 2 made it a little better. Undercovers would of been fine if it wasn’t for that annoying assistant. I refuse to watch Glee. The Office and 30 Rock were meh.