Tag: winter TV

Winter TV 2022: 3 new shows premiere

OK, more than three shows have premiered, but I’ve got some ideas in the works because new TV shows tend to come in themes.

In the meantime, here are three new shows and my quick takes.

Promised land

10 p.m. Mondays on ABC (now it’s on Hulu)

This ABC drama is nothing like how it was advertised. Bellamy Young, massively advertised because of her work on “Scandal,” is only in two scenes of the pilot.

The show centers on a blended family and its vineyard business; it feels very soap opera-y. There was also a subplot about people crossing the border that made no sense at first until it became a “This Is Us” style flashback.

It’s a lot about family loyalty vs. staying ahead, and what secrets you’ll hide to stay that way.

Skip it

All American: Homecoming

9 p.m. Mondays on the CW 

The CW should just rename itself the Greg Berlanti network. He’s again an executive producer on this HBCU-set spinoff of the show “All American,” now in its fourth season.

The college sports drama has a good mix of characters, but they all seem rather catty.

But like “Katy Keene” for “Riverdale,” I doubt this spinoff will last long.

Skip it

Endgame

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

I’m all for a show that centers on two badass women, even if they unrealistically maintain perfect makeup throughout the day.

Starring Morena Baccarin and Ryan Michelle Bathé, these women are both after something. I wish it wasn’t so focused on love, but it’s nice to see female leads.

There’s a lot going on in the heist-crime drama — the flashback in the pilot seemed unnecessary, but the show has more glitz and punch than others like it.

Also, they probably should’ve picked a better name; “Avengers” took over this name on Google.

Try it

Winter TV 2017: Another spinoff, another movie reboot

Violence and behind-the-scenes crime-solving seems to be a trend this winter TV season.

Two of these three shows make you think about what strangers may know about you…and one has already seen better days.

Here are my reviews, based on the pilot only.

 

‘THE BLACKLIST: REDEMPTION’

10 p.m. Thursdays on NBC

This spinoff focuses on a set of characters whom all appeared on the original “Blacklist,” but it’s not necessary to know the original to understand this show.

It might help with backstories, but a new mystery fuels this drama.

The show is a little run-of-the-mill, with the usual elements of technology, crime, backstabbing…but there is a twist of family and betrayal that may hook some viewers.

Grade: B-

 

‘DOUBT’

10 p.m. Wednesdays on CBS

I thought this show somhow managed to make law interesting, but I may be alone in that sentiment.

Despite a cast of heavy-hitters( Judith Light, Katherine Heigl, Laverne Cox Elliott Gould and Dule Hill), the CBS show has already been pulled from the schedule.

Centered around the concept of “beyond reasonable doubt,” I appreciated the high stakes without being over the top.

The love story wasn’t necessary, but there were some interesting relationships.

Grade: B

 

‘TAKEN’

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

This NBC drama barely resembles the original 2008 movie with Liam Neeson.

Yes, the main character wants to protect his family, but (spoiler alert) his sister dies within the first five minutes, unlike in the movie when the lead saves his daughter.

I don’t think the show is as interesting as the movie; it doesn’t have the heart or pace.

Grade: B-

 

What’s your favorite new TV show?

Winter TV 2017: Try CW’s ‘Riverdale,’ skip Fox’s ‘The Mick’

It’s cold out, so it’s the perfect time to curl up in front of the TV.

Here are my reviews of the winter TV season, after watching only the pilot:

‘STAR’

9 p.m. Wednesdays on Fox

“Star” is another music-focused drama/soap opera from the creators of “Empire.”

Two sisters find each other and run away (and leave the foster care system) to meet their godmother in Atlanta. Oh, by the way, the running away includes a crime.

The two girls form a group with another (rich) girl who’s dad is a musician.

In the pilot alone there was violence, crime, back-door deals, fashion, church, drugs, cat fights…and a snazzy musical number.

Fans of “Empire” will appreciate this side product, but for many it’ll probably feel too much like a soap opera.

Grade: B

‘THE MICK’

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox

This comedy is a vehicle for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Kaitlin Olson.

She plays Mackenzie Murphy, a barely-getting-by woman who’s coerced into taking care of her sister’s three kids when the sister and her husband are taken away by the FBI after being accused of an unnamed white collar crime.

Mackenzie doesn’t care a lot, nor does she have a clue about taking care of children, but these three are a handful.

The Fox show is unfortunately full of stereotypes, and the pilot set up only exposition, so I don’t have interest in continuing.

Grade: C+

‘EMERALD CITY’

9 p.m. Fridays on NBC

Viewers, we’re not watching the Judy Garland version of “The Wizard of Oz” anymore.

This dramatic take on the classic tale is much darker. It leaves the musical numbers and adds violence and torture.

It feels more intimate in its storytelling, but the setting feels medieval or old world in style.

If you like darker dramas with some mystery, I’d check it out. But I’ll stick to the movie.

Grade: C+

‘RANSOM’

8 p.m. Saturdays on CBS

If you combine CBS shows “Bull” and “Pure Genius,” you’ll get its new show “Ransom.”

The show centers around a team that solves crises without police by using negotiation, psychology, police logic, technology and knowledge tactics.

There’s a small subplot about the newest member’s mother being involved with the leader of the group, , but other than that, it’s a technology and crime show.

It’s relatively run-of-the-mill, and a bit tense at times, but it piqued some of my interest.

Grade: B-

‘RIVERDALE’

9 p.m. Thursdays on CW

A teen drama mixed with a murder mystery…sounds a little cliche, right?

Maybe so, but this new CW show feels surprisingly fresh.

Yes, the classic plot points of a love triangle, cheerleader backstabbing and parties gone wrong are all in the pilot, but at least this drama feels more real and with the times (“Mad Men” is referenced; so is James Franco.)

Produced by Greg Berlanti (does the man behind all of CW’s superhero shows ever sleep?), this dark take on Archie has enough twists and high stakes to keep viewers interested.

Grade: B+

What new shows are looking forward to watching?

3 reasons why Fox’s ‘Empire’ works

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on March 18, 2015. Season 3 of “Empire” premieres at  9 tonight.

If you haven’t heard about Fox’s new show “Empire,” you probably haven’t been paying any attention to pop culture, because it’s by far the most talked-about show of the winter TV season.

I’ll admit I haven’t seen every episode, but here are three reasons why the show is successful.

STAR POWER

I’ve never thought star power was required for TV shows. And in some cases, due to the power of celebrity, it’s hindered a show’s success.

But with “Empire,” it’s the opposite; it fuels the drama’s success.

Let’s start with the leads: Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie, the ex-wife of Lucious, played by Terrence Howard.

Talk about credibility: The two starred in “Hustle & Flow,” the 2005 movie that garnered an Oscar nomination for Howard. Henson was nominated for an Oscar for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

It’s not just that these actors are high-profile, they also have chemistry.

But it doesn’t stop there: Many other well-known actors have appeared on the show. Raven-Symone. Courtney Love. Gabourey Sidibe. Naomi Campbell. And the list goes on.

It might seem like that many celebrities would overpower the show, but the guest stars are in only snippets, so it’s not overdone.

Who knows who will show up next? “Empire” was greenlit for season 2 early in its run, and with Lee Daniels and Danny Strong at the show’s helm (both were involved in “The Butler”), anything can happen.

THE MUSIC

Fox has done musical shows before (ahem … “Glee”), but “Empire” is different.

Because it’s a drama, not a musical, the music fills in naturally.

Of course it’s easy to incorporate music since the show is about a family’s record label, but it truly never feels forced.

Keeping with the show’s star power, Timbaland is the executive music producer, so the music will continue to be powerful.

IT’S NOT A FAMILY COMEDY … IT’S A FAMILY DRAMA

If a family is the center of a TV show, it’s usually a comedy (“Modern Family,” “Full House,” “The Middle,” etc.).

And while “Empire” is a lot of things, it’s not a comedy.

There’s violence. There’s conflict. There’s crime. There’s music. There’s romance.

It’s a lot to take in, but since family is at the core of this drama, the show has broader appeal.

The two-hour season finale of “Empire” airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, on Fox.