Month: October 2016

Fall TV 2016: CBS debuts ‘Man with a Plan,’ ‘The Great Indoors’ and ‘Pure Genius’

The last round of shows has hit your TV screens, all from CBS.

Here are the last three reviews of the fall 2016 season:

‘MAN WITH A PLAN’

8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS

Another “Friends” star is back on TV!

Matt LeBlanc stars in this CBS sitcom as a dad who is now the primary caregiver of his kids after his wife decides to go back to work.

It’s not laugh-out-funny, but LeBlanc will make you smile. He may be able to carry the show, and it’s a good role for him as he continues to grow beyond his Joey persona.

The sitcom has traditional touches, such as musical transitions between scenes, but it still feels updated as the kids are grounded by restricted technology use.

It’s still a fairly typical family comedy, but it doesn’t seem too stale. For now, anyway.

Grade: B

‘THE GREAT INDOORS’

8:30 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

In the realm of transitioning magazines and newspapers into digital media, this comedy hits home, with a battle of millennials vs. old-school at the forefront.

Joel McHale (“Community“) stars as a man raised in the 90s with no digital footprint. He doesn’t know how to adapt after being taken off of field reporting to train a new generation of digital-savvy 20-somethings who have to make work fun..and get trophies for “trying hard.” They’re also rarely seen without technology, even though they work at an outdoors menu (hence the title name play).

It’s all a little forced, but the show has potential to be funny. I’m just not sure I want to wait for that to happen.

Grade: B-

‘PURE GENIUS’

10 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

Dometic abuse, premature delivery, comas, life support…the premiere of this CBS drama sure packed in a lot of emotional drama.

Combining medical and technological advances, the staff at Bunker Hill tries to save lives in any way possible.

Bunker Hill is run by a tech app genius, and the doctors around him are skeptical but helpful.

It’s intriguing to watch technology and knowledge combine, but the pilot was overly packed with different plots.

Grade: B-

That’s it for the new broadcast TV shows. What are your favorites?

CBS’ ‘Mom’ shows the crazy side of family life

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on May 7, 2015, in honor of Mother’s Day. Season 4 of “Mom” premieres at 9 p.m. tonight.

Why do so many TV shows portray messy yet perfect families?

Even “Modern Family,” arguably one of the more realistic family sitcoms in the last 10 years, has happy endings every week.

The old saying is don’t go to bed angry, but is that reality? Not for all.

But “Mom” is different. It shows ups and downs and everything in between. And even though it’s a comedy, some episodes end with sad or frustrated characters.

The CBS show focuses on a three-generation family struggling to survive after the mother, Christy (Anna Faris) and grandmother Bonnie (Allison Janney), finally get sober. Its season two finale aired April 30, and the show was renewed for season three in March.

The former alcoholics are by no means perfect; in fact, they are far from it. They aren’t role models, but they’re trying.

On “Mom,” Christy’s daughter Violet (Sadie Calvano) is hostile toward her family because the two mothers are former alcoholics. Violet had a baby, which she gave up for adoption to give the child a better life, in season 1, and while Christy and Bonnie supported her, she struggled to move on in life. Then, Violet got engaged to an older professor in season 2, much to Christy and Bonnie’s dismay. They want better for Violet, but they haven’t provided enough reason to prove what’s better.

Christy’s son Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal) decides to live with his dad, who has turned his life around, at the end of season 2, which breaks Christy’s heart after she tried to turn her own life around by going back to school and getting a promotion at work.

Bonnie falls off the sobriety wagon after taking painkillers for a back injury, causing a riff between her and Christy, who celebrated two years of sobriety at the end of season 2.

They’re a broken and exhausted family. But the show provides laughter and heart as the family continues on in life.

They may yell or fight, but with love and support from friends (featuring Octavia Spencer and Jaime Pressly), they remember they are family, and continue to work through life’s challenges together.

So on Mother’s Day, even though it’s not easy, it’s important to remember that no one, not even your mother, is perfect.

Matthew Perry is back on TV; new show ‘The Odd Couple’ worth a watch

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on March 15, 2015.

Could we BE any more excited?

Chandler Bing, also known as Matthew Perry, is back on TV.

The actor has been part of many failed TV shows since “Friends” ended in 2004, but “The Odd Couple,” a new winter TV show airing on CBS, has a good chance of making it past season 1.

It helps that it’s a funny show.

Moments of the first two episodes made me laugh out loud, which is a major success for the show. And Perry’s comedic timing is excellent.

That doesn’t mean it’s a groundbreaking show, but “The Odd Couple” is based on the 1960s play of the same name, so you can’t expect it to stretch the boundaries of plotlines.

The comedy also stars Thomas Lennon of “Reno 911!” fame. Fun facts: Perry and Lennon were both in “17 Again,” and Lennon guest-starred on an episode of “Friends.”

Dave Foley, Lindsay Sloane, Yvette Nicole Brown and Leslie Bibb have also made appearances in the first two episodes.

Do I think “The Odd Couple” is the best comedy I’ve ever seen? No. But it’s definitely an improvement over some of the new shows of the 2014-15 season.

Now, for those of you desperate to see Chandler again, you’re out of luck.

But that’s part of the fun of the show.

Perry’s character, Oscar Madison, isn’t the nicest guy. He’s messy, uncaring and, at times, mean. He’s critical of his new roommate, Felix Unger (Lennon), who’s just trying to figure out his life after his wife leaves him.

“Lovable” is not a word to describe Oscar. But “growing” might be. A major point of the show’s makeup is Oscar and Felix’s friendship, which survives many disagreements. It’s obvious that both characters will grow during the show’s run.

And if you’ve ever had a roommate or lived in a dorm, you’ll probably find some of Oscar and Felix’s spats relatable.

I’ll admit I haven’t seen the play, so I’m not sure if/when the show will surpass the play’s resolution.

But I am sure that I’ll keep watching “The Odd Couple,” even if I’m not watching an older version of Chandler Bing on TV.

“The Odd Couple” airs at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, following “The Big Bang Theory.”

Get your laugh on with these 5 Halloween-themed TV episodes

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Oct. 31, 2014.

Costumes, jack-o’-lanterns and scares … it must be October.

While you can watch Halloween-themed movies, shows and more throughout the month (See ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween or AMC’s Fearfest), here are five TV episodes that will give you a laugh or smile instead of a scare.

The Slutty Pumpkin: Season 1, “How I Met Your Mother”

While the title of this “HIMYM” episode focuses on one costume, many other outfits also make an appearance, thanks to Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) and his desperate attempts to attract women.

Barney, being the ultimate player that he is, changes costumes throughout the night to continue hitting on the hottest girl at the party.

The episode focuses more on the lead’s character development, but seeing all the costumes makes the episode fun.

The One with the Halloween Party: Season 8, “Friends”

Rachel hands out money instead of candy. That’s not trick-or-treating!

Phoebe tells her twin sister’s fiance many negative things about Ursula, and then she ends up dating him for an episode. That’s not normal!

And then there’s Chandler in a pink bunny suit. And that’s just too funny.

In typical “Friends” fashion, the episode is full of laughs, and it’s the comedy’s only Halloween-centered episode.

And Then There Was Shawn: Season 5, “Boy Meets World”

Technically, this isn’t Halloween-centric, but the episode does have a Halloween vibe.

It parodies “Scream,” and you know it’s not really real. It’s more kitschy than anything.

Still, it’s entertaining to watch Shawn (Rider Strong) discover who the “killer” is.

Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Season 1, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Mostly taking place in a mall, this episode is worth watching for the parts when cousins Will (Will Smith) and Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) compete for a girl.

Oh yeah, and Aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert) gets lost in the music at a recording booth in the mall.

The Halloween Scene: Season 5, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”

This Melissa Joan Hart-starring show features many Halloween episodes, for obvious reasons.

In this Halloween-themed episode, Sabrina hosts a party when her aunts Hilda (Carolina Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick) are away. Which would be fine … if the portal to the Other Realm didn’t keep transporting monsters to her house.

But hey, at least she got to counsel Frankenstein and his bride, right?

What are your favorite Halloween-themed TV episodes?

‘The Odd Couple’: Reboot a pleasant upgrade of 1970s comedy

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on May 14, 2014. Season 3 of “The Odd Couple” premieres at 9:30 p.m. tonight.

In a time of reboots and sequels, “The Odd Couple” stands out.

Because for once, it doesn’t feel like a rehash.

“The Odd Couple,” now in its second season on CBS, isn’t just a modern update on the 1970s sitcom starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman. It has a slightly different focus.

Yes, there are similarities. Both shows are comedies about two men who are divorced/separated and live together. Same occupations for these friends, too: Oscar Madison (Klugman in the ’70s and Matthew Perry in the new version) still makes a living in sports, though it’s newspaper in the ’70s and a sports talk show host in the current version; and Felix Unger (Randall in the ’70s and Thomas Lennon in the new version) is a photographer. Oscar is still a slob, and Felix is still a neat freak.

Yes, they shouldn’t get along. And many times they don’t. But that’s where the similarities end.

The 1970s show is almost hyper-focused on the two men and their relationship. There is a set of core characters — a group of men who play poker at the shared apartment, and some lady friends here and there — but the times they’re seen are staggered.

In the CBS version, there are more characters in whom viewers can invest. Oscar’s assistant, Dani (Yvette Nicole Brown), provides some laughs by pointing out the obvious. There’s Oscar’s agent, Teddy (Wendell Pierce), and his friend Murph (Geoff Stults), who are foils to his personality: Teddy is tired of being tied down and Murph is always ready to party or goof off.

Plus, by the end of season 1, Felix has a girlfriend, Emily (Lindsay Sloane), who is also a bit neurotic. In the old version, Felix still spends time with his estranged wife.

Because the 1970s version is so hyper-focused on Oscar and Felix, a lot of the episodes revolve around their apartment.

In today’s version there are multiple apartments and the bar nearby. There’s more of a progressive story, while in the older version you can skip an episode and be fine.

Which is almost my biggest complaint, along with the long intro/theme song and same musical interludes over and over (the update put a funkier spin to the theme song and got rid of the interludes, though most shows don’t have those anymore). The episodes are almost too similar. They fight. They get angry. They make up. Repeat. It gets old.

Today’s characters have growth. Small growth, but still. It makes me care more for those characters; they’re learning how to live differently than before. Oscar even realizes he can’t party forever.

Because of the long gap in when these shows aired, the plots are very different. This concept, which originally was a Neil Simon play, has had time to breathe.

That’s not to say the 1970s version is bad — it was Emmy-nominated. But the shows have a different pace and focus, so it appeals to different people. Plus, there are plotlines and sayings that can be portrayed on TV that weren’t so OK in the 1970s, which Garry Marshall, an executive producer on the old version and an executive consultant on the new version of “The Odd Couple,” noted last year.

So for once, this reboot isn’t so bad. Thankfully.

Fall TV 2016: ‘Timeless,’ ‘Frequency’ examine time, skip ‘American Housewife’

October means more fall TV shows.

Here are my thoughts on the latest new shows, based on only the pilot.

‘CONVICTION’

10 p.m. Mondays on ABC

If Shonda Rhimes had her hand in “Conviction,” it would probably air on Thursdays instead of Mondays.

This drama has scandal, backdoor deals, politics, investigations…all under the umbrella of a newly created Conviction Investigation Unit. The CIU investigates claims of innocence by convicted people, but it’s not as nice as it sounds.

Set in NYC, the head of the CIU, Hayes Morrison (Hayley Atwell, “Agent Carter“) is a former first daughter, and the district attorney hires her as a bargain after she’s arrested. And guess what? They have chemistry, because of course they do.

The show is a mix of politics and crime, but it doesn’t grab you. The end of the pilot highlighted many of the characters’ backstories, but I’m not sure the show will have time to uncover it all.

Grade: B

‘TIMELESS’

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

For a show that’s steeped in historical events, “Timeless” is quite a thrill ride.

A quickly put-together trio of a historian, soldier and coder travel back to time to find a rogue agent, though he might not be the bad guy.

This drama combines sci-fi and history and questions how much one event can change time. Hints of government overrule and security issues pepper the drama, which seems timely.

For those whom enjoy history, it gives a personal touch. I doubt the show will last more than a season, but the mystery will intrigue some.

Grade: B+

‘FREQUENCY’

9 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW

“Frequency” also deals with how changing events affects time, and it’s based on a movie with the same name.

It’s a cop drama, though instead of a father and son communicating 20 years apart through a radio, it’s a father and daughter.

The pilot focuses on saving the father’s life, which of course affects numerous other events in time.

It’s heavy-handed with its foreshadowing and a bit predictable, but since only part of the movie was covered in the pilot, it might deviate from the movie plot in time.

Grade: B-

‘NO TOMORROW’

9 p.m. Tuesdays on the CW

Apocalyptic TV meets romantic comedy.

A man (Joshua Sasse, “Galavant“) thinks the world is going to end, so he has a bucket list. He meets a girl who isn’t sure what she wants and has a health scare during the pilot.

He tries to control her and get her out of her shell, frustrating her, but eventually she stands up for herself.

It’s all a bit cliche, especially the cliffhanger ending, but it’s cute and fits in at the CW.

Grade: B

‘AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE’

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

If you’re not skinny, you must be real. Or at least that’s what this sitcom tries to proclaim.

Katie Otto (Katy Mixon, “Mike & Molly“) is the center of the the story, and she’s one of the fattest woman in Wesport, Conn. And yes that’s a huge part of the storyline.

She’s also the narrator, though half the narration was unnecessary and made the character unlikeable.

The sitcom could’ve been good, but it’s full of characters who are fake and superficial. The concerns about weight and family are real, but the show doesn’t come off that way.

Grade: B-

What shows are you enjoying this fall?

Top 10 best episodes of ‘Friends’

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on May 14, 2014.

After picking the best “How I Met Your Mother” episodes, it seems logical to pick the top 10 episodes of “Friends.”

But narrowing down the show’s 238 episodes into one top-10 list proved tougher than I thought.

I’m sure these could be debated, but here are my picks:

10. The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding (first aired May 17, 2001)

Three seasons after they got together (see No. 6 on the list), Monica and Chandler tie the knot.

Of course, Chandler freaks out over marriage. And Joey ends up performing the ceremony in his movie costume, which is stained with fake blood.

And, like most “Friends” seasons, it ends with a cliffhanger: Rachel, not Monica, is pregnant.

9. The One in Vegas: Part 2 (first aired May 20, 1999)

Poor Joey. The actor can’t catch a break.

Chandler and Monica leave their relationship fate to the casino, and then they steal — I mean, borrow — a blue sweatshirt for their Vegas wedding.

To top it all off, after permanent marker pranks and drunken stupor, Rachel and Ross go too far … and get married

8. The One Where Joey Dates Rachel (first aired Jan. 10, 2002)

I love this episode purely for the five or so minutes when Joey and (a pregnant) Rachel are on a date and they teach each other their moves.

They are the two flirtatious ones of the group, so it’s fun to watch them woo each other.

7. The One at the Beach (first aired May 15, 1997)

This episode shows a (brief) moment of reconciliation for Rachel and Ross after going on a break (or was it a break?) and breaking up earlier in the season.

Plus, Phoebe acts as she always does — a little nutty with a lot of heart. After breaking into what she thinks is her mother’s friend’s house, she discovers it’s actually her mother she’s staring at.

And the strip “Happy Days” game was ridiculous … and just kooky enough for the show.

6. The One with Ross’s Wedding (first aired May 7, 1998)

Um. Oops. You might want to say the right name in your wedding vows, Ross.

This episode is also the start of Monica and Chandler.

5. The One with Barry and Mindy’s Wedding (first aired May 16, 1996)

Best songs ever in the show (minus Phoebe’s songs, of course): “Copacabana” and “Someone to Watch Over Me” can be heard in this episode. Not that they compare with Phoebe’s songs, such as “Smelly Cat,” but they are two songs that I love.

The songs are incorporated into the emotion of the episode.

Rachel’s too-pink dress and wardrobe snafu at the wedding of her ex-fiance were hilarious moments, but she keeps the humor going with her rendition of “Copacabana.”

But mixed in all that, we have the emotional component of the reality and ending of Monica and Richard’s relationship, played out over the jazz tune, “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

4. The Last One (aired May 6, 2004)

This episode is arguably one of the best series finales ever.

“I got off the plane.”

It’s poignant and exciting, and it gave closure to a show that ran for 10 seasons.

3. The One with the Embryos (first aired Jan. 15, 1998)

Lisa Kudrow was actually pregnant in real life, so her character Phoebe is artificially inseminated in this episode.

In true Phoebe fashion, she agrees to be a surrogate for her brother, Frank (Giovanni Ribisi), and his wife, Alice (Debra Jo Rupp).

Phoebe was nervous, but the pregnancy was a success. But no one knew it would be triplets.

This is also the episode where Rachel and Monica lose their apartment in a quiz game to Joey and Chandler. All because they couldn’t remember what Chandler did for a living.

But the quiz did give some funny factoids into the characters’ lives. Who knew Rachel’s favorite movie is ”Weekend at Bernie’s”?

2. The One Where Everybody Finds Out (first aired Feb. 11, 1999)

Oh the games that ensue because of Monica and Chandler’s secrecy. And because Ugly Naked Guy moves out, allowing Ross to check out and move into the apartment.

It goes so, so far, but it’s hilarious.

1. The One with the Prom Video (first aired Feb. 1, 1996)

This is the episode that unites Ross and Rachel as a couple … finally. They are each other’s lobsters, as Phoebe called them.

And the appearance of Fat Monica and Rachel’s old nose are priceless.

 

There are many other good episodes I have left off here. What are your favorites?

Fall TV 2015: Watch Fox’s ‘Grandfathered,’ skip ABC’s ‘Dr. Ken,’ Fox’s ‘Rosewood’

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Oct. 5, 2015.

Fall TV is back.

So many shows have premiered this season, so if you haven’t been able to watch them all, here are my quick takes.

‘HEROES REBORN’

8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

This revived TV show is more suited for viewers who watched “Heroes” originally.

The first hour moved so slowly and did not truly introduce the characters, making it difficult to invest in the story.

The good vs. bad vs. the unknown idea is there, but taking so long to introduce the characters made it less interesting.

Grade: B-

 

‘THE PLAYER’

10 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

What would you gamble on? Money? Your life? Someone?

Set in Las Vegas, this action drama focuses on crime and the odds one man has to fix it.

The dealer/house metaphor played out a bit heavy-handed, but the action aspect works well, though the lead female character comes off a bit robotic … but maybe that’s because she might have something to hide.

Grade: B

 

‘ROSEWOOD’

8 p.m. Wednesdays on Fox

It’s not that this crime/medical procedural is bad. It’s just not that interesting.

The Miami setting makes the drama seem more fun and enticing, but overall, the Fox show is pretty run-of-the-mill. Yawn.

Grade: B-

 

‘BLOOD & OIL’

9 p.m. Sundays on ABC

Love. Family. Money. Survival.

This drama starring Chace Crawford (“Gossip Girl”) and Don Johnson asks, what would you do for money?

With this cast of characters, a lot, apparently. And the pilot ended on a huge cliffhanger.

Grade: B

 

‘QUANTICO’

10 p.m. Sundays on ABC

This isn’t a classic whodunit. With the premise of the FBI, it adds a level of intrigue.

Who can you trust? Based on the premiere, I’m guessing no one.

Who knows what will happen next on this show. It might be worth checking out.

Grade: B+

 

‘CODE BLACK’

10 p.m. Wednesdays on CBS

Like many medical dramas, this show focuses on the tragedies and miracles seen while working in a hospital.

This show, however, has higher stakes since it takes place not just in the hospital, but in the emergency room.

You want to root for the characters, led by Marcia Gay Harden, as they help save lives.

My only complaint with the show is that it feels like a dramatic version of “Scrubs.” It focuses on a class of residents who are learning as they go, very similarly to “Scrubs.”

Also, be forewarned: You will see a lot of blood and guts, so this show isn’t for the faint of heart.

Grade: B-

 

‘GRANDFATHERED’

8 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox

John Stamos (“Full House”) and Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”) … could this combo work?

Yes, actually, it can. Their banter made for a show that actually made me laugh. It’s not corny or overly stupid; the actors have good comedic timing.

You might recognize some other actors in a comedy, but the plot shows some promise for good character development of Stamos’ character, Jimmy.

Grade: B+

 

‘THE GRINDER’

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox

Starring Fred Savage and Rob Lowe, this comedy is, unfortunately, full of cliches.

It comes off juvenile and immature. And Lowe’s character isn’t likeable and doesn’t show signs of being redeemed.

It’s also unrealistic to the point of ridiculous. Like an actor could really practice law …

Grade: C+

 

‘DR. KEN’

8:30 p.m. Fridays on ABC

Ken Jeong of “Hangover” fame is the lead in this family sitcom. I’m not sure why.

He is a great physical comedian, but the family man role doesn’t suit him.

Also, this comedy sounds like it has a laugh track, which makes the show seem stale.

The ending was cute but overall the show was boring and not funny.

Grade: C-

 

What TV shows are you enjoying this season?