Tag: TV 2017

Fall TV 2017: Try ABC’s ‘The Mayor,’ avoid CBS’ ‘9JKL’

And now we’re on a roll.

Another batch of fall TV shows have premiered, so here’s my take on each new regular series show:

‘Wisdom of the Crowd‘

8 p.m. Sundays on CBS

As much as I’d like to see this show is original, it’s not.

It’s “Bull” but with more with police and crime and less with the law. Even Michael Weatherly and Wisdom’s Jeremy Piven sport the same look in the shows. And they’re on the same network!

Jeffrey Tanner (Piven) believes everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Very true, but it’s not as riveting to watch as one might expect, and there were two plot points that bothered me: the romance between Tanner and his associate was unnecessary, and the hacker issue was solved too quickly.

I appreciate the idea behind it, the idea that a social media network could crowdsource information to help solve crimes. It seems poignant and timely considering how many of us are on our phones 24/7.

Grade: B-

‘Ghosted‘

8:30 p.m. Sundays on Fox

Buddy comedy meets “The X-Files” in this comedy starring Adam Scott and Craig Robinson.

Fortunately for them, the dry humor works well in this sci-fi mystery comedy. Scott and Robinson play off each other while portraying an ex-professor and ex-cop both in low points of life.

Unfortunately, the supporting characters are archetypes, and since they’re the behind-the-scenes brains of the mission, we’ll probably have to deal with the overdone antics and overplayed jokes.

Grade: B

‘9JKL‘

8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS

By the time the opening credits started, I knew this show wouldn’t be good.

After toughing it out (and I mean that literally, most jokes were awkward or painful), I can safely say this show is terrible.

Full of has-beens and B-list actors (including Elliott Gould, David Walton and Liza Lapira), the premise of a family all living next door in the same New York apartment complex came off way too-over-the-top, and not in a good way.

Grade: D+

‘The Gifted‘

9 p.m. Mondays on Fox

This drama reminds me of “Heroes.”

The pilot focused on one family fleeing after their two children reveal they’re mutants by causing chaos at a school dance.

It keeps your interest as the family goes through many hoops, but the show was cheapened by Stephen Moyer‘s character.

The “True Blood” actor plays a prosecutor specializing in mutant cases, so he’s portrayed as a good-guy-gone-rogue. At the end of the episode, (spoiler) he’s shot, as if that wasn’t expected. His character is overall unsatisfying.

Grade: B-

‘The Mayor‘

9:30 Tuesdays on ABC

This comedy threw me by surprise.

The previews made it seem so chilly, but it’s a nice, actually funny, parallel to the last election cycle. Even David Spade makes a cameo looking a bit like our current president.

Lea Michele‘s campaign manager/chief of staff character is a bit too familiar — essentially a political version of Rachel Barry, her character on “Glee“— but this show has a heart that I’m interested in seeing more of.

Grade: A-

‘Kevin (Probably) Saves the World‘

10 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC

Kevin last of the righteous, but he’s not a good person.

Maybe Kevin, played by Jason Ritter with the right mix of confusion, lazy and heart, will learn with the help from Yvette (Kimberly Hebert Gregory), a gift from God who gave up paradise for Kevin.

The casting of JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Kevin’s Amy sister is off — they don’t look anything alike — but this movie-like show has potential.

Grade: B

Fall TV 2017: ‘Young Sheldon’ adorable, skip ‘SEAL Team’

Fall TV is finally here!

Usually a round of shows premiere in the beginning/middle of September, but this year, the only show that’s premiered before the latter half of the month was Fox‘s “The Orville.”

That show, created by and starring Seth MacFarlane, isn’t sure what type of show it wants to be. The pilot had a crazy mix of romantic comedy, science fiction and thriller. It was uneven and predictable. I’m not sure TV was the right medium for it.

But now that we’ve finally hit the first week of new shows, here is my short take on each new regular series show:

‘Star Trek: Discovery‘

8:30 p.m. Sundays streaming on CBS All Access

To boost the CBS version of Hulu, “Star Trek: Discovery” premiered Sunday on CBS. Episode 2 was available during the broadcast.

The sci-fi show definitely has a movie feel to it, including a long thematic opener.

I was definitely out of the loop since I have little knowledge of the world of Star Trek, but it kept my attention.

Compared to “The Orville,” this is true sci-fi. And I can appreciate that there are women in leadership on this show.

Grade: B+

‘Young Sheldon‘

8:30 p.m. Thursdays on CBS

While this show will regularly air starting in November, the spinoff of “The Big Bang Theory” had a special premiere.

This comedy is filled with BBT easter eggs, including a perfect opener with Jim Parsons narrating while a train went around.

The casting of young Sheldon and his mother was perfect (Zoe Perry, the daughter of Laurie Metcalf, who plays Mrs. Cooper in the original, plays her in this show, and she carries a spot-on accent and demeanor). The only casting that bothered me was Sheldon’s dad, only because he played a character on “The Big Bang Theory.”

For BBT fans, this show is not a letdown. For non-BBT fans, it’s still a pretty adorable show.

Grade: A-

‘Me, Myself and I‘

9:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS

Starring Bobby Moynihan, this show focuses on one person in three phases of his life: middle school after his mom gets remarried, post-divorce and raising a daughter, and a just-retired man who just had a heart attack and is figuring out what’s next.

It’s an interesting concept, but very disjointed, even with the small-world moments between the generations.

In one of the last moments, two of the generations crossed over. Not sure if there will be more, but I thought it played well.

Grade: B-

‘The Brave‘

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

Remember Anne Heche? It seems like she pops up on TV shows every year or so, and here she stars in a drama about of team of government officials trying to protect Americans.

From what I can tell, the team will be the focus, and there will be a new story/mission each week.

But what was supposed to be a nailbiter turned out pretty dull. As we learn more about the team, I expect to care more about the characters, but that wasn’t the case in the pilot.

Grade: C+

‘The Good Doctor‘

10 p.m. Mondays on ABC

The pilot of this medical drama surrounds an interview for Dr. Shaun Murphy, a potential new surgical resident at a hospital. Oh, and Murphy (played by Freddie Highmore, who still looks so young even after his run in the sinister “Bates Motel“) is autistic, so his appointment is controversial.

While I think it’s great to show the challenges and misperceptions of the autism, as well as having the chance to discuss autism in a new way, the show seems unrealistic.

In flashbacks, it’s revealed that Murphy and his brother ran away after their father killed a pet bunny, but his brother also dies at a young age. So how the heck did Murphy go to school, especially medical school?

With other drama that’s sure to pan out in the show, I’m not sure we’ll find out.

Also, similarities abound between Murphy and Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory,” and it was distracting.

Grade: B

‘SEAL Team‘

9 p.m. Wednesdays on CBS

This pilot had an eerily similar plot to “The Brave,” including the third-act twist. And it wasn’t well done.

Between poor audio (it’s like some actors were sick or not mic’ed properly for most of it), shaky camera work (which may have been a director’s choice, but it was hard to tell), and bad acting, it was tough to watch.

The drama focused mostly on the SEAL team, even though ads for the show mentioned that SEAL members have two families. I don’t know what the plan is, but it’s uninteresting.

David Boreanaz (“Bones“) should’ve waited another year before returning to TV; maybe he could’ve gotten a better show.

Grade: C-

What new shows are you enjoying?

Upfronts 2017: 3 takeaways for upcoming TV season

The sun may be out, but I’m more excited to stay in and watch these new shows.

Networks hosted upfronts presentations over the last week, presenting all their new shows and lineups for the fall and midseason.

Here are three takeaways:

‘American Idol’ is back…on ABC

Apparently the singing reality shows aren’t dead yet.

It’s been only one year since “American Idol” went off the air, but it’s being revived on a new network after a reported bidding war among multiple networks.

This move is beyond me, because “AI” had been dwindling in popularity for years, with more focus on the judges than the winners.

If it can go back to its Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood days, great. Katy Perry was the first judge announced, and I can see her vibing with the other judges and singers. Simon Cowell will not be returning, however. He declined, plus he judges NBC‘s “America’s Got Talent.”

CW owns superhero shows

Does Greg Berlanti ever sleep? Or does he live at the CW office?

Berlanti produces multiple shows for the broadcast network, including all of the superhero shows.

CW will gain yet another superhero show in “Black Lightning.” The new action drama will not be part of the Arrowverse, so crossover episodes won’t extend to five.

But still, that’s a lot of superheroes on one network.

Reboots galore

“Roseanne.” “Dynasty.” “Will & Grace.”

After so-called success of “Fuller House” and “Gilmore Girls,” networks are clamoring for that nostalgia glory. I don’t either reboot was that successful, but I get the capture-the-old mentality (even if I also think it’s super risky).

I didn’t watch “Roseanne,” “Dynasty” or “Will & Grace” in their time, so I’m a bit behind. I’m hoping they’ll be on Netflix this summer.

Also, here are 3 new shows I’m excited to watch this fall:

“Young Sheldon” (CBS): I can’t deny my love for “The Big Bang Theory,” so count me excited for this prequel about your favorite physicist during his childhood.
“The Good Doctor” (ABC): I’m nervous how this show will handle itself since it focuses on a character with autism, but I think it could be a great conversation starter. My suggestion? Take notes from “Speechless.” Also, after his run on “Bates Motel,” I’m ready to see more Freddie Highmore on TV.
“Alex, Inc.” (ABC): If this show is three-quarters of what Zach Braff‘s other TV show, “Scrubs,” was in its early seasons, I’ll be happy.