Tag: fall TV 2018

Fall TV 2018 Round 2: Skip it, watch it or give it another chance

I can’t believe I’m bored with new TV.

The new crop of shows is mediocre at best.

Here’s my short take on the latest new shows:

(Note: I didn’t include reboots or remakes since those feel like their own category.)

“The Neighborhood“

8 p.m. Mondays on CBS

Verdict: Give it a chance

This comedy has the potential to become a show that has laughs and good lessons about race and relationships. If not, it’s just a show where Schmidt (Max Greenfield, playing a dad whose family moves to a black neighborhood) smiles way too much.

“Happy Together“

8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS

Verdict: Give it a chance

While the premise is completely ridiculous (a celebrity moves in with his accountant and his wife), this comedy has some laughs, especially with the cast’s physical comedy.

“All American“

9 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW

Verdict: Skip it

This drama is “Friday Night Lights” meets “The Blind Side” meets a soap opera (the pilot’s cliffhanger ending was so obvious). Also, pretty sure the main character wouldn’t be able to afford Beats by Dre headphones, but OK…

“The Alec Baldwin Show“

10 p.m. Sundays on ABC

Verdict: Skip it

If you think “Inside the Actors Studio” is dry, stuffy and impersonal, run away very quickly from this talk show. The format is stale, there’s no audience for feedback, and Alec Baldwin acts like he’s interviewing his guests for a job interview, not a talk show.

“The Kids Are Alright“

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

Verdict: Skip it

This 70s-set show doesn’t make Catholics look great. The semi-happy conclusion happened too fast. I have no idea what compelled someone to produce this show.

“The Rookie“

10 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

Verdict: Watch it

Yes, this may be a procedural, but it has heart. The pilot smartly showcased a snippet of every character to develop them in an interesting way without feeling overly expository.

 

What shows are you enjoying?

Fall TV 2018: Skip it, watch it or give it another chance

I’d say fall TV season is like Christmas for TV enthusiasts, but these shows aren’t that great, so if it does feel like Christmas, it’s disappointing.

Many new broadcast shows have premiered this month, so here’s my short take on each:

(Note: I didn’t include reboots or remakes since those feel like their own category.)

“Rel“

9:30 p.m. Sundays on Fox

Verdict: Skip it

This show feels like a 90s sitcom, and not in a good way. Plus, its identity seems conflicted between the newly single dad main character’s friends and his children, who were unseen in the pilot.

“I Feel Bad“

9:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

Verdict: Give it another chance

While the workplace setting of this Amy-Poehler-produced sitcom is embarrassingly bad, the show has a funny, honest take on being a woman and wife in a time when we’re supposed to have everything at our disposal. It could develop into something funny.

“Manifest“

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

Verdict: Watch it

What could have been a cheesy take on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is actually a poignant look at family, relationships, grief and faith.

“FBI“

9 p.m. Tuesdays on CBS

Verdict: Skip it

Nothing is compelling about this procedural from producer Dick Wolf. While the pilot case was timely, the outcome was predictable.

“New Amsterdam“

10 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC

Verdict: Skip it

This drama, unfortunately, feels like it has a white-savior complex that’ll just make you roll your eyes through all the disjointed storylines. And if I heard Ryan Eggold’s hospital director character say “How can I help you?” one more time during the pilot, I might have thrown something at the TV.

“Single Parents“

9:30 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC

Verdict: Skip it

This poorly conceived show filled with stereotypes gives the stars (including Leighton Meester, Brad Garrett and Taran Killam) nothing to work with, except for one scene featuring a “Moana” song. Don’t waste your time.

“A Million Little Things“

10 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC

Verdict: Skip it

ABC’s answer to “This is Us” misses the mark with unlikable characters stuck in a sad story without any uplifting spirit.

“God Friended Me“

Sundays on CBS

Verdict: Give it a chance

It’s too bad Violett Beane picked this show over playing Jesse Quick on “The Flash,” because her earnestness is the only thing that carries this cheesy show that would’ve been better executed as a movie.

“The Cool Kids“

8:30 p.m. Fridays on Fox

Verdict: Skip it

Nothing is cool about this retirement-home-set show, especially with it’s anti-female and homophobic jokes.