It might be the bleak midwinter when the air is so cold it hurts our faces, but it’s also time for new TV shows. And that pretty much makes everything better, no?
Yes, pretty much.
Also, important note before diving into my [equally important] thoughts on mid-season TV premieres . . . Remember that time I started a TV blog? Wouldn’t that graphic up there have been GREAT for it? Yeah, I thought so, too.
Too bad that blog kind of flopped. And I hadn’t seen that graphic then anyway. ANYWAY.
I watched three new TV shows this week, so it seemed like this is the right time to talk about all the new TV goodness heading our way this month!
First, the shows I’ve watched.
- Galavant: I was so very excited for this show. As I commented on Facebook, I’ve been waiting for it since I saw the very first preview – OR FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE. Wellllll, I don’t think this is what I’ve been waiting my whole life for, but it was pretty funny. Galavant is a fairytale musical spoof, and it stars Lassiter from Psych as BY FAR the funniest character (the king). It also features John Stamos as a guest star, which is never a bad move. For eight episodes I will thoroughly enjoy it. And when Once Upon a Time returns, I might possibly be sad when those fairytale characters both do not sing and take themselves extremely seriously. (Sundays on ABC)
- Agent Carter: I wasn’t sure if this would be for me, since I didn’t love the first Captain America movie, still haven’t seen the second one, and have not watched Agents of SHIELD (the other Marvel TV show) at all. But then there’s the part where it’s a female hero and . . . wait, no, that was it. I watched it for that reason only, and you know what? I LOVED IT. To be clear, I don’t love Chad Michael Murry WHATSOEVER. I swear it’s like he’s playing dress-up and pretend. But maybe I’ve watched A Cinderella Story too many times to see him as anything other than a high school student secretly in love with Hilary Duff. Either way, I like this show a lot. (Tuesdays on ABC)
- Hindsight: So there’s time travel and 90s nostalgia. Um, why WOULDN’T I watch this? I don’t know, maybe because it’s on VH1? Whatever. It is, and I watched it anyway – and YES, I liked it. YES, I added it to my DVR. YES, it might’ve been better as a Hallmark movie, but I don’t care and will watch it for now. If you’re about my age, you’ll probably like it, too. And wish you still had a big flannel shirt.
There’s one show I haven’t watched that I find intriguing . . . based on the commercials . . . which were made to intrigue me. That’s Empire. Did anyone watch that one? What did you think?
And then there are not-new premiering shows:
- Downton Abbey: I stopped watching this a few seasons ago when I read a spoiler about a main character dying. THIS IS WHY SPOILERS ARE THE WORST. (And, you know, also why I should probably not read so many entertainment websites. Whatever.) But many of you still love this show and are watching it, so feel free to discuss in the comments (without spoilers, DUH). Or berate me for no longer watching. Whatever floats your boat. (Sundays on PBS)
- Parenthood: I can’t handle this show. It is TOO MUCH REAL, HARD, HONEST STUFF. Too much with the emotions, and I just can’t. Linda Holmes of NPR agrees, so obviously I’m right. But I realize some of you are made of hardier stuff than me and will watch this to the end. Which is coming up soon. You’re crying now, aren’t you? Not so tough now, are you? (I’m kidding. Anyone who can handle this show is way tougher than me. Way.) (Thursdays on NBC)
- Suits: Fine, fine, nothing special about this season premiere. But I love this show and can’t WAIT to see who gets LITT UP now that Louis (Litt) has been made partner. (Who else watches this one?) (Wednesdays on USA)
- Parks & Recreation: Oh man. Now I *am* going to cry! I adore this show. It is super funny, but the characters? I JUST LOVE THEM. And they love each other. And the actors seem to love each other. And they have fun making this show, and I am definitely going to cry at all the parts of this last [short] season! (No, that photo is not from the upcoming season. But I found it and couldn’t resist it. I mean, come on! Balloon Leslie and Ben?!) (Tuesdays on NBC)
And, last a few shows coming up later this winter/spring:
- Fresh Off the Boat: Will this be funny? I have no idea. I saw a preview that made me chuckle, and I read an article that promised it would be great. But I’m not sure. Thoughts? (Wednesdays on ABC)
- The Odd Couple: This will not be good. I’m sure it will not be. I can’t even find a trailer. Or any actual information other than that it stars Matthew Perry. But since I seem to be incapable of NOT watching any show with Matthew Perry, I will be watching anyway. (Thursdays on CBS)
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Created by Tina Fey, this show . . . no, that’s it. The rest of it sounds iffy – girl escapes from cult and tries to make it in New York City, sold to Netflix by NBC for two seasons. Basically, I think Tina Fey is very smart and funny, so I’ll check out this show for that reason alone.
Hi, I have been reading {meaning: lurking on} your blog for several months now and I don’t know if I have ever commented but I wanted to say “hello” and let you know I have been enjoying your posts!! I am a “keeping it real” kind of person so it is so nice to read your posts and hear an authentic voice. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading, Rebecca! And a big YES to keeping it real!! :) Happy Friday!
Galavant was a bit of a let down but I agree about Lassiter stealing the show. I’ll probably continue to watch because I need something to fill the hour until OUAT comes back. I haven’t watched Empire yet but I’m thoroughly intrigued by it. I’ll probably give it a go. So happy Downton Abbey is back on!!!! I stopped watching Parenthood a few years ago- the Bravermans were way too co-dependent. I couldn’t handle their dysfunction anymore- it made me want to offer them group therapy.
You’ll have to let me know what you think of Empire! I’m not sure I want to add an hour-long drama to my life right now, but the commercials make it look so good! (I did read Linda Holmes’ review of it, though, and she didn’t seem overly impressed.)
I’m watching State of Affairs, The Good Wife, and Parenthood (although last night’s is still on my DVR …). Although I’m also looking forward to Justified, Covert Affairs, and Blacklist coming back soon. Oh, and I’m watching Blue Bloods on Netflix, which I think you already know. :)
Uh-oh, I have some bad news for you. Covert Affairs was just cancelled. The season that just ended was the last one… :(
UM, WHAT?! It was just on this fall. I thought they were just taking a holiday break …
I didn’t think you were telling me lies, but, I just looked it up on Google. I’m so sad. I won’t know whether Auggie leaves the agency or if Annie accepts that marriage proposal. Talk about going out on a cliffhanger … cliffhangers, plural! Dang.
I had to laugh. I would’ve looked it up, too! :) But yes…definitely not the best place to end. I’ll admit I was getting bored with this show, but I wish it would’ve been wrapped up better. Plus I missed Annie and Augie together. :(
Watching CHOPPED on Food Network whenever I can … which is kind of odd since I’m not a big fan of cooking.
Sigh.
And I love that Downton is back even though I read the spoilers.
Not much else on these days for me. Leaves me more time to read. And put my feet up with my man.
More time to read is always a good thing!
Guilty, I watched “Empire.” And I actually liked it some..if you can get past some of the crude language and violence, it is really well written, full of strife. I liked it. Though I must admit, I can’t wait for “The Blacklist” to return. I love love and I mean LOVE that show!!!
Okay, that’s it, I must get caught up on Blacklist!!
I don’t watch much TV at all. I haven’t watched any of these shows but was seriously looking at the preview of Agent Carter! Don’t we all love a tough ‘I can do it all’ woman! :)
One show my whole family has watched recently is “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”. It is the absolute BEST show I’ve ever seen in my whole life and I’m a 63 year old grandma!!
We have three generations watching this show and we all adore it! It is very well written, fabulous actors(4 main characters), great plots and some shows have twists. It has good teaching, a good moral show and they even slip scripture in at times, but you would have to know the Word to hear it. Several of the shows have set our eyes ‘glistening’ as well. The original shows (which we bought and downloaded) are 1 hour shows. They now have 2 hour shows that will begin sometime this month – January. My daughter and 2 grandchildren (16 and 11), who live with my husband and me are totally into these shows! We can’t wait each evening to watch the next show we have downloaded!!
You will not want to miss these shows! Anyone reading this – watch for “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”!
I’ve never heard of this show, Susan! I’m going to look it up right now!
I was directed to your blog from We Are THAT Family, and I have attempted to subscribe via email but it says this option is no longer available. Can you help?
Roberta, I’m so sorry about that! I added you and am off to fix my subscription widget!!
Nothing about “Hart of Dixie”??? Or did it not qualify because it technically started before Christmas? You got me hooked Mary! Don’t leave me alone with the Zoe and Wade will-they-won’t-they tension! What will become of Lemon? Will Annabeth continue to be awesome? Will Lavon continue to talk about himself in the third person? You must tell me what you think!! ;)
Sorry, Kimberly! :) I forgot Hart of Dixie because it wasn’t on the mid-season lists I was looking at – probably because of that random December episode. As for Zoe and Wade, if they DON’T I’m going to lose my mind. Enough, already!!
Mel likes “Galavant” too. I haven’t seen it. How cute are those balloon people!! And I recognize that guy next to Matthew Perry — he’s Ned in “17 Again” (love that movie)!
Yes, they must have liked working together enough to sign up for a show together!