Fall TV

It is a well known fact that I love TV and watch more than I should. However, it is a little known fact that I use to have a TV blog where I reviewed current shows and relived some of my favorite classic TV moments. In honor of my bloggy past, I'm going to talk a little bit about the shows I'm watching this fall season.

Disclaimer: There are A LOT of shows on this list. Please don't think that all I do is sit around and watch TV all day. Clay and I are very efficient in our TV watching. We make great use of the DVR and On-Demand. I spend most of my time during the day at meetings, working on projects, or studying. I try to get all of my work done before 7. We usually spend from 7-9 on Tuesday-Thursday watching shows and then catch up on everything else on Sunday. I try not to be irresponsible with my hobby so please don't judge me.

Okay, now that I've explained myself, I'm going to scare you all with my ridiculously long list. If you don't watch TV or don't care at all about any of this. Feel free to skip it. You wont hurt my feeling!

First off, I have taken on the daunting task of adding 6 new shows to my fall line up this year. AH! I'll start with the new shows and put them in order from my favorite to least favorite.

My favorite new show of the season is ABC's Suburgatory.
Premise: A father decides to move himself and his daughter out of the city and into the suburbs of Manhattan after her finds condoms in her dresser. Now Tessa (Played by newcomer, Jane Levy) is stuck in a land where girls wear bump-its and velor track suits and moms call the police where their Shirley Temple doll collection is stolen. Think "Mean Girls" as a TV series. 
Why it's great: I love a fun, light comedy and ABC always delivers on that genre. The cast on this show is perfect and deliver every line flawlessly. Cheryl Hines is absolute perfection playing one of the typical suburb moms, Dallas.
Where it needs improvement: This show is pretty much spot on. I really have nothing to complain about.

Next on my list, is the CW's Ringer, staring Sarah Michelle Geller. 
Premise: Bridget is a recovering drug addict/Ex-stripper who witnessed a murder and is now running from the FBI. She seeks refuge with her estranged twin sister, Shibon. When Shibon kills herself, Bridget assumes her identity and all hell breaks loose. It's the classic switch-a-roo with a deadly twist.
Why it's great: SMG delivers a solid performance every week and all of the supporting characters are extremely compelling. The show always keeps me on my toes with various plot twists and turns.
Where it needs improvement: You have to suspend reality to believe this show, which can be annoying at times. Also, Shibon's step daughter is a really B and her storyline is pretty uninteresting.

Premise: TV producer (Christina Applegate) and lawyer (Will Arnett) are former party animals turned parents in this lovely NBC comedy. 
Why it's great: The cast! Arnett and Applegate are absolutely adorable and hilarious. Also, I clearly do not have children, but this show seems extremely grounded in reality. Yes, it shows how tiring and frustrating having children can be, but it also shows that people do it every day and do it well.
Where it needs improvement: Mya Rudolph is pretty dang annoying on this show and they use her way too much. You have such wonderful leads. Don't spoil it with an obnoxious supporting cast. Just because they were on SNL, doesn't mean they belong in the spotlight.

Premise: Jess, played by with adorable Zooey Deschanel), has recently broken up with her boyfriend and moved in with three strangers. The four new friends are now helping each other navigate through life and love together.
Why it's great: Zooey D is so quirky and wonderful. If you love awkward, quirky humor and breaking out into random song then you will love this show.
Where it needs improvement: The supporting cast could use a little help. Also, this isn't the shows fault, but Fox put a pause on airing the show during the MLB playoffs and I think it really hurt the show. It would probably be higher on my list, but honestly I haven't gotten to spend much time getting to know these characters over the past month.

American Horror Story

Premise: A dysfunctional family tried to get a fresh start by moving to LA. However, the house they move into is known as the murder house of old Hollywood and spooky things begin to happen once they are all settled in.
Why it's great: Once again, the cast. There are some real heavy hitter in this cast, which make the TV show feel live a movie. The stories are compelling and very creepy and for some reason I just can't stop watching it!
Where it needs improvement: The pilot episode was WAY too scary and sometimes I feel like the show is a little too creepy for me. Otherwise I give it an A+

Premise: It's the 1960s and ABC is trying to capitalize on the success of Mad Men by creating it's own period piece. This show follows a Pan Am crew around the globe and documents their stories and major world events of the 60s.
Why it's great: It's really not great. I don't know why I'm still watching it. I miss Mad Men.
Where it needs improvement: Where do I begin? The cast is a hot mess, although I do really like Colette, the fresh stewardess with a killer smile. Unlike Mad Men and Playboy Club, which organically incorporate major events of the 60s into their story line. Pan Am just throws them at you in hopes that they will stick. I'm sorry ABC, but this show just isn't going to cut it.

Wow, this took me much longer than I thought it would so I'm going to have to break this post up into two posts. I'll be back later to talk about returning shows and shows that I watched one episode of and said "forget about it!"