Clara Bush

Fall TV 2021: Some shows show promise

New shows are coming, and some may be worth watching.

Here are my quick takes (side note: “Killer Camp” and “The Activists” have been pulled from the air):

Legends of the Hidden Temple

8 p.m. Sundays on the CW

This game show is a remake, and boy can you tell. It feels so 90s, even the prizes (one team got a Razor scooter).

The main differences are it’s adults competing not kids, and it’s an hour instead of a half-hour.

The adults competing is fine, but an hour for a show with only a handful of challenges is pointless.

The tradition of the game feels really forced, and poor Cristela Alonzo feels like she’s gritting her teeth through her hosting duties.

They should’ve aired this show in the summer when people are more inclined to watch pointless game shows.

Skip it (unless you have nostalgia for the original)

4400

9 p.m. Tuesdays on the CW

This reboot of a show from the 2000s has an intriguing presence.

People from all ages, races and time periods end up on Belle Isle in Detroit with no idea what’s happened and unsure of what year it is.

It feels a bit like “Lost” or “X Files” with a strong overtone of government-police-community relations, but while it’s a lot to follow, it could be interesting.

The original ran for four seasons, but I hope they make this remake more of a mini-series. I don’t think the mystery needs to be dragged out for years.

Try it

Queens

10 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

This fiery show is so fun.

The pilot sets up what could’ve been a cute movie about a girl group reuniting, but I’m excited to see it dive deeper in upcoming episodes.

Each girl group member has issues to deal with, but you still believe they can be friends and love each other even in disagreements. And the music performances are full of energy.

Watch it

Home Sweet Home

8 p.m. Fridays on NBC

I really thought this Ava DuVernay produced show would be so cheesy, forced and sappy. And while there are slow-motion shots and pingy, cheesy music, it’s a heartwarming show.

In each episode, two families exchange houses and try one another’s traditions and activities for four days before meeting up for a meal. There are so many lessons to learn from one another, but taking it down to the family level really brings home some of the important discussions.

I can’t imagine it’ll last too long, and I’m guessing they’ll choose families that are very different from each other, but hopefully it’s for learning, not drama.

Try it

Ghosts

9 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

You may recognize some of the actors in this comedy that’s based on a UK series.

A group of ghosts is stuck living in a mansion, but when a new couple comes in, hijinks ensue.

I feel badly for the actors who play ghosts since they’ll always be in the same costume, and one person isn’t wearing pants.

It’s a bit of a soap opera plot that’s set up in the pilot, so it may have potential, but I’m not sure it’s that funny.

Skip it

Fall TV 2021: Reboots and more

For the first time in a while, I’m cautiously optimistic about fall TV’s new shows.

It’s not that I think these broadcast shows will win Emmys (let’s be real, broadcast doesn’t really make a play at awards these days), but there are some compelling storylines.

The Big Leap

9 p.m. Mondays on Fox

You know how “UnReal” was a dramatic, behind-the-scenes look of “The Bachelor”? “The Big Leap” is basically that but for “So You Think You Can Dance.”

“The Big Leap” is the show within the show that a hotshot producer, who has problems of his own, is trying to make. Everyone is supposed to get a second chance through the show, and we’ve got three storylines to prove it.

It’s probably one too many on top of the producer (Is he good or bad? It’s unclear from the pilot.) and the judges/coaches, one of whom is Billy Porter-esque and the other is some British villainess type.

Try it with caution

Ordinary Joe

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

Like NBC’s soon-to-be-ending show, “This Is Us,” “Ordinary Joe” has multiple timelines. The difference? It’s alternate timelines based on one man’s choice at his college graduation. Each timeline has a different color palette to help distinguish them since it’s the same actors but with very different outcomes.

I assume it’s an acting challenge for the core cast to play a slightly different character across the timelines, but it’s hard to root for Joe when his character is just different enough in each timeline.

Plus, I have two major flaws to point out from the pilot: 1. You can’t have an outdoor concert during a hailstorm, and 2. not that many people come to a school reunion, especially for someone Joe’s age (30s).

Skip it

Our Kind of People

9 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox

You may recognize some people in this soapy drama (even Olivia Pope’s dad plays a role). Yaya DaCosta is owning her role, and she’s a delight to watch.

Everyone in this Martha’s Vineyard town has a secret, so it could be interesting to see how it’ll play out since we know secrets don’t stay that way. Unfortunately, most of the characters are unlikeable, so it’s hard to root for them.

What confused me is this show is clearly set in summertime, so why didn’t Fox air it during the summer months?

Try it with caution

Alter Ego

9 p.m. Wednesdays on Fox

This competition show is “The Voice” plus “The Masked Singer.” Each contestant performs as a motion capture, AI alter ego avatar, so the judges don’t see them, only their movements through the avatar.

Unfortunately for the contestants, you don’t get a recording contract (they win $100,000), and the celebrity judges are way more interested in the technology than the contestants.

Skip it

La Brea

9 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC

This show had me on the edge of my seat.

A sinkhole decimates La Brea, an area of L.A., but the people who fell in aren’t dead … at least, for now. The question of where and when they are now is to be determined. Hopefully, it’s determined quickly, since they may not survive the extinct animals that also exist in this land.

The pilot does a great job setting up the two dynamic worlds as the military and a father tries to figure out what happened and if they can reach the people who fell in.

Try it

The wonder years

8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC

There is so much nostalgia in this reboot, but I’m here for it.

The pilot takes place on the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, but the show balances touching on history without overdoing it.

The cast equally performs to bring the charm of the original, and with Fred Savage as an executive producer, I think this reboot could be more fun (and better) than others.

Try it

The Ultimate Surfer: ABC’s gives viewers more paradise?

I guess when you miss a year of paradise, you have to make up for it with double the water waves?

“The Ultimate Surfer” is like the Olympics, “Big Brother,” “Survivor,” “Wipeout” and “Bachelor in Paradise” rolled into one.

The reality competition show has the same bad dramatic music and rumors from “Bachelor” shows to hype up drama, challenges and a host who’s kind of notable like “Big Brother,” eliminations and alliances like “Survivor” and Olympic-level sports commentary.

In COVID, there’s been a lot more mindless TV, especially in beautiful locations. Kelly Slater’s Surfer Ranch is about half and half. His wave machine is an engineering marvel, but it’s still a ranch in the middle of farmland. And the competitors are sharing airstreams. It’s not that majestic.

For all the stupidity, “Bachelor in Paradise” knows what it is. “The Ultimate Surfer” is maybe a better follow than “Celebrity Dating Game,” which aired after Katie Thurston’s season of “The Bachelorette,” or at least they’re a better pairing, but viewers don’t know these people unless they follow surfing.

At the Olympics, we get commentary from experts that’s easy to follow, for teh most part. But many people watch the Olympics every time it’s available. But with surfing, it’s a small community, so the commentary and scoring didn’t make sense. The scores are out of 10 and are combined between the teammates, and after two episodes, I have no idea what the criteria is….besides not falling.

There are some “experts” coming in for challenges, but again, we don’t know who these people are because surfing isn’t popular in the U.S. Jesse Palmer is the host, and he’s got a small amount of fame (and is part of Bachelor nation), but that’s about it for notable people.

There are already alliances in the first episodes, but it’s difficult to be invested because we don’t know why these alliances are happening; the drama surrounding them was prior to the show and not explained beyond “I don’t like their energy.”

Will I keep watching? Probably not unless I’m wide awake and think the waves will soothe me to sleep. After all, they are engineered to be consistent; it could be like counting sheep.

Emmys nominations 2021: By the numbers

The 2021 Emmy nominations were announced July 13, and as always, there are surprises and snubs.

For example, remember Quibi? It has nominations even though the platform no longer exists.

Here are some number-related tidbits for this year’s nominations.

Conan

Conan received a nomination for outstanding variety talk show series, his ninth for the show over its 10-year run. The show had zero nominations in 2020, and it ended earlier this year, so there may be a final hooray win for him.

Broadcast shows

“This Is Us” made a comeback in the outstanding drama series category; it missed last year. It’s never won, and with seven other nominees this year, I doubt it’ll win this year.

Sterling K. Brown has been nominated for his work in the NBC show every year he’s been eligible. He won in 2017, but I doubt he’ll win this year. He’s the only broadcast drama lead actor nominee.

On the comedy side, “black-ish” received an outstanding comedy nomination, its first since 2018. Anthony Anderson has been nominated every year; Tracee Ellis Ross has been nominated every year except for 2019. Neither has won.

First time nominees

More than 40 people are nominated for an Emmy for the first time.

Some interesting first-time nominees? Yvette Nicole Brown, Jason Sudeikis and Kaley Cuoco.

You’ve seen these performers on your TV for years, so I was suprised to learn they are first-time nominees.

Sudeikis is likely to win after winning Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards earlier this year.

Multiple nominations

There are usually a few categories with multiple nominees from the same show, but the supporting categories are filled with this conundrum.

Out of the lead actor in a limited series or movie, two are from “Hamilton.” Out of the lead actress in a drama, two are from “The Crown.”

But those are mild compared to the supporting categories. Here’s the breakdown:

Actor in a comedy: 8 nominees, half are from “Ted Lasso,” two are from “SNL”
Actor in a drama: 8 nominees, three are from “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Actor in a limited or anthology series: 6 nominees, half are from “Hamilton”
Actress in a comedy: 7 nominees, two are from “Ted Lasso,” three are from “SNL”
Actress in a drama: 8 nominees, four are from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” three are from “The Crown”
Actress in a limited or anthology series: 6 nominees, two are from “Hamilton,” two are from “Mare of Eastown”

Normally with overlapping nominees, you risk losing, but that hasn’t been the case the last two or so years, so it’s anyone’s game.

The 73rd Emmys will air Sept. 19 on CBS.

Summer TV 2021: Let’s make some updates

Summer is here, and usually there are no new shows except for game shows.

But with the pandemic, there are some non-game show options.

Not that they’re worth watching, but they can provide some mindless entertainment.

housebroken

9 p.m. Mondays on Fox

The animated comedy centers around animals who are in group therapy.

They’re led by Lisa Kudrow’s Honey, but there are plenty of other celebrity voice actors to keep you guessing what animal is voiced by which actor.

It’s nothing special, but it’s cute. There’s definitely some fun in it without being stupid.

Try it

Small Fortune

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

A competition show with small objects and big stakes. You can win thousands, but if you practice more and more, the less and less you’ll win.

It can be entertaining, but the show feels so long. It’s five games with one trio of people, which feels excessive.

Lil Rel Howery hosts, and he tries, but it’s such a silly concept without being in on the joke.

Skip it

The Republic of Sarah

10 p.m. Mondays on the CW

I’ll give the CW credit; it knows its brand and it goes for it.

This show fits right in; it’s got the small town edge and family twists of “Riverdale” but without the soapy sex, for now anyway.

Every one has a secret; they are all just trying to survive. But the no-name actors aren’t doing anything spectacular.

Skip it

Celebrity Dating Game

10 p.m. Mondays on ABC

This first update from the 60s is so cringey and staged it’s almost funny…but it’s not.

How they got some of these C-level celebrities is beyond me, unless they were desperate during the pandemic.

The dating show is hosted by Michael Bolton and Zooey Deschanel. Bolton does nothing but look confused and sing a song giving clues about who the celebrity is. Deschanel is clearly reading a teleprompter.

It’s a terrible concept that didn’t need revived.

Skip it

Capital One College Bowl

10 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC

Hosted by Peyton Manning, and his brother Cooper (Was Eli unavailable?), this game show, again updated from the 60s, is basically “Jeopardy” lite with a college sports tournament bracket.

College students compete, but in a trio, only one of them answers, which seems strange. And the questions seem fairly easy.

Because it’s updated from the 60s, some elements feel out of date and almost cheesy. But the banter between the Manning brothers can be fun.

Try it (with caution)

When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren

8 p.m. Thursdays on ABC

I can’t decide how funny this documentary show is supposed to be.

Since it’s hosted by Helen Mirren, maybe it’s British humor I’m not getting.

The imagery is beautiful, but the show misses a chance to educate viewers while they laugh at the people-made commentary and parody bits.

Try it (with caution)

Oscars 2020: My predictions based on the awards season

While 2020 was anything but predictable, the Oscars might just be.

Whether it’s because of the pandemic and lack of new releases or just a consensus, most of the big races for this year’s Oscars ceremony seem pretty set.

Here’s a look at some of the categories, their nominees and who will most likely win based on this season’s Golden Globes, SAG, Critics Choice and BAFTA nominations and winners:

Best Actor

Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”) – four nominations

Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) – three wins, four nominations

Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) – one win, four nominations

Gary Oldman (“Mank”)- four nominations

Steven Yeun (“Minari”) – two nominations

Prediction: While Richard Lawson of the “Little Gold Men” podcast predicted Hopkins would win over a year ago, it’s Boseman’s posthumous Oscar.

Best Supporting Actor

Sacha Baron Cohen (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) – three nominations

Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) – four wins

Leslie Odom, Jr. (“One Night in Miami…”) – four nominations

Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”) – two nominations

Lakeith Stanfield (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) – The Oscars is his only nomination for the role.

Prediction: Unless Stanfield splits the vote, it’s Kaluuya’s Oscar.

Best Actress

Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) – one win, three nominations

Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) – one win, two nominations

Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”) – four nominations

Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) – one win, four nominations

Carey Mulligan (“Promising Young Woman”) – one win, three nominations

Prediction: This one is less predictable, since all but one nominee already won once this season. McDormand has already won two Oscars, but I predict she’ll win a third.

Best Supporting Actress

Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”) – won once*, four nominations

Glenn Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”) – three nominations

Olivia Colman (“The Father”) – three nominations

Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”)– two nominations

Yuh-Jung Youn (“Minari”) – two wins, three nominations

*Bakalova was nominated in best actress at the Golden Globes instead of supporting.

Prediction: Youn and Bakalova are the only two in this category who have won this season. Since comedy is never favored at the Oscars, I’m predicting Youn will win.

Best Animated Film

“Onward” – two nominations

“Over the Moon” – one nomination

“A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” – one nomination

“Soul” – two wins

“Wolfwalkers” – two nominations

Prediction: It’s tough to beat Pixar, and “Soul” has won twice already. “Soul” will win.

Best Director

Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”) – one nomination

David Fincher (“Mank”) – two nominations

Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”) – two nominations

Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”) – three wins

Emerald Fennell (“Promising Young Woman”) – two nominations

Prediction: Zhao is the only director who’s won this season. Plus it’ll be a nice narrative to have a woman win.

Best Picture

Note: These nominations include best acting ensemble, best foreign and best British film nominations.

“The Father” – three nominations

“Judas and the Black Messiah” – one nomination

“Mank” – two nominations

“Minari” – two wins, six nominations

“Nomadland” – three wins

“Promising Young Woman” – one win, four nominations

“Sound of Metal” – one nomination

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” – two wins, five nominations

Prediction: It’s between “Nomadland” and “Minari,” but I’d guess “Nomadland” will win.

Will I be right? We’ll see will the Oscars air April 25 on ABC.

Winter TV 2021: February brings silly shows

I could say cold weather brings warm shows…but I wouldn’t say that’s accurate.

Here’s the latest quick takes of new broadcast TV shows.

equalizer

8 p.m. Sundays on CBS

Like most movies to TV, the pilot of this drama covers the plot of the entire movie, but it left the door open for how the show will grow into a slightly more interesting procedural.

There are some nice updates from the movie, mostly with technology and how it can be used for good or evil.

Queen Latifah brings warmth and character to the show. She’s the reason to watch.

Try it

Clarice

10 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

Did we need a TV sequel of “Silence of the Lambs”? No. We did not. But here it is, as a procedural.

Also, if you know the premise, you shouldn’t be surprised that it’s a bit gross for a broadcast show.

Skip it

Young Rock

8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

The first episode was called “Working the Gimmick”…and boy did they. At least they were upfront?

It’s such a silly premise, and the Rock’s story could’ve easily been a TV special or a movie, not a cheesy 80s-set episodic comedy.

As a note, Andre the Giant makes an appearance, and it’s unsettling to see another actor play him, even if they do a decent job to show his large size.

Skip it

Kenan

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC

This comedy is basically “Full House” but with some “SNL” flair.

Kenan, a longtime SNL cast member, plays a single dad who hosts a talk show (which feels a lot like Weekend Update meets any daytime talk show from the 90s). There’s not much to it; it feels caricature instead of heartfelt.

How they got Don Johnson to star in this show as Kenan’s father-in-law is beyond my understanding.

Skip it

Superman & Lois

9 p.m. Tuesdays on the CW

Greg Berlanti can keep signing those CW paychecks.

This show mixes cheesy superhero theatrics and family/teen drama, which at times is also cheesy.

It’s nothing new, but it fits right in with CW.

Try it

Winter TV 2021: Finally, new shows!

When COVID-19 shut down pretty much everything, TV was no exception.

However, now that we’re in 2021, a new crop of shows have premiered, with more to come in February.

We’ll see how February’s new shows turn out, but currently you’ll see a lot of people you’ve seen on other broadcast TV shows the last few years.

Here’s the latest roundup (I’m not including game shows, which there seem to be a plethora of this year. I’m guessing that’s because they’re easy to film in a safe way, or because they’re a mindlessly entertaining escape):

Call me kat

9 p.m. Thursdays on Fox

This cute, playful show allows its star, Mayim Bialik, to portray a new character, who’s still a little social inept but much more loving.

There’s not a ton of substance to this comedy about a girl who opens a cat cafe after her dad dies, but it’s light.

My biggest complaint is it breaks the fourth wall a lot, and it’s very unnecessary.

Watch it (with caution)

Mr. Mayor

8 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

For all the shows that added COVID-19 into their plots, “Mr. Mayor” did it best, in my opinion. They briefly mention it in the pilot and then move past it as if it’s over (yes, I know, wishful thinking).

Still, I’d rather watch this than another awkward moment of mask-wearing on TV.

In this comedy, Ted Danson plays the newly elected L.A. mayor. It’s a bit like his “The Good Place” character has continued to live on Earth for a few years and has learned quite a bit.

It’s set up pretty well in the pilot to go a few different directions, so we’ll see how the season pans out. It is from the creators of “30 Rock,” so it can’t be too terrible.

Try it (with caution)

The great north

8:30 p.m. Sundays on Fox

There are a lot of stars in the cast of this animated comedy.

It stars Nick Offerman, who basically plays himself, or at least how he’s portrayed in real life. His family is navigating life in Alaska without his ex-wife/dead wife (watch the pilot).

It’s not as funny or stupid as other Fox animated shows, but I appreciate the voice cast.

Try it (with caution)

The Trickster

9 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW

It seems the CW is only interested in superhero shows, imported shows and reboots.

This is a Canadian import, and it’s basically “Breaking Bad” minus the cancer and with a teen instead of a teacher.

The show was advertised as a supernatural thriller, but there wasn’t much supernatural in the pilot. There were many characters tripping out, though.

Skip it

Call Your Mother

9:30 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC

This comedy was clearly written by older writers who think they know how 20-year-olds act. (They don’t…or people in their 20s are way more obnoxious than I realize.)

It’s such a boring, pedantic show that could’ve been a cheesy movie you watch on a Saturday afternoon.

Skip it

Walker

8 p.m. Thursdays on the CW

This reboot made the right decision in its leading man, Jared Padalecki. His a perfect choice to play a Texas ranger.

The drama is more family-oriented from the original from what I can tell. The pilot does a good job setting up the characters and conflicts.

Try it

New TV 2020: A mixed bag.

Fall TV has never been so slow, especially on broadcast networks.

A few more shows have premiered this season, and it’s a mixed bag.

b positive

8:30 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

In a year of wanting medical success stories, this show feels a little pedantic.

Two high school classmates reunite at a wedding, and she agrees to give him her kidney.

Unfortunately, even though these two are played by promising actors (Thomas Middleditch and Annaleigh Ashford), they are given nothing more than bad-single-dad and dumb-drugged-out-blonde stereotypes to work with.

big sky

10 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

There’s a lot to unpack here — murder, sex trafficking, kidnapping, affairs, abnormal relationships, private investigation, highway patrol gone rogue — but this drama knows it, and it’s ready to take you on a ride.

The pilot had multiple shocking moments, and it looks like it’ll have lots of twists and turns to keep viewers guessing.

And the best part? Beautiful Montana views. (OK, it’s not really Montana, but it does look nice.)

My biggest critique is they mention the pandemic, but it seems like an afterthought. And no one is wearing a mask.

nurses

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

NBC has plenty of medical dramas, but this one is tending to be a bit soapy.

It’s hard to say if the pilot’s story will continue most of the season (I hope not), or if it will become more of a “Scrubs” meets “New Amsterdam” type of situation, which I’m not sure is much better.

Binge watching in COVID-19

I’m almost bored with watching TV. Almost.

I enjoy the comfort of retreating to a world I know through TV. Especially when the real world is riddled with confusion and stress.

But maybe I’ve binged too much. You know you’ve watched the same show too many times when…

You recognize when a character wears the same clothes.
You know which plots don’t make sense because they don’t match up with previous episodes.
You quote the show regularly.
You relate real-life situations to show plots, even mentioning them to people as if they happened to your friends.
Your Instagram Explore tab is related to the show you’re binging, even showing you pictures from episodes you just watched or are about to watch.
You pass any BuzzFeed quiz about the show with ease.
You’ve thought about having a show-themed party because you know exactly what to serve and how to decorate.
You know the season and episode number without having to look it up.
You can match characters’ hairstyles to a corresponding season.
You look up episodes on IMDb to catch goofs…and sometimes catch ones they didn’t.

I’m fine with my binge watching. My friends are doing the same…we Snapchat and know the season they’re on. So at least I’m not alone.