Britt's On

I feel a little lost without my 'Fall TV Preview' of Entertainment Weekly...which I HOPE is in my mailbox when I get home tonight...a week late. F*ckin Canadian mail system / EW not printing anywhere North of the border. LAME. Anyway I took it upon myself to jot down a list of fall TV viewing that I'm planning to partake in. I added nary a show to my viewing last year, aside from short-season cable TV programs like The Walking Dead (AMC) and Boardwalk Empire (HBO).

This year, however, the networks have wizened up and pulled out ALL the stops in getting me to watch a few of their new programs - bringing in hot stars from the silver and small screens alike and fresh new high-concept plots. Below is a preview of what I'm planning to tune into - at least for the first episode - this fall. And lordy it's a LONG LIST.

Mondays

The Playboy Club (NBC) - Premieres September 19th
There have been two buzzy 1960s Mad Men wannabes on the network's schedules for this year - the Playboy Club is probably a fair bit less promoted. I'm not 100% sold to be honest. We saw a glimpse of the legendary bunnies on Mad Men and that felt like enough for more. Also I'd feel a little lascivious to say I'm an avid fan of the show, I mostly feel like it's fueling the Hefner marketing machine. I may check out the premiere though.

Terra Nova (FOX) - Premieres September 26th
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my doubts about this one. It's been mired in production issues, and dragged out for years past its original planned premiere date. However! It features a Degrassi alum (Landon Liboiron, above), has Stephen Spielberg attached, and promises to be pretty high-concept when it's not doing the action sequence thing. I'll at least do the premiere of this one for sure.


Gossip Girl (CW) - Premieres September 26th
Seriously, how cute is this picture? Granted two of the stars in it aren't returning as regularly billed cast members this season - Jenny and Vanessa - but they will be back in guest spots. Sidenote, why does Eric never get any love in the cast photos / promos? I mean, I know he looks like he's permanently 10 years old, but really. Anyway the beat goes on with this one. Not looking forward to the actress that played Charlie joining the cast - I found her acting very awkward - but hoping for some more Blair & Dan non-romance sparks to fly.


Being Erica (CBC) - September 26th
I LOVE BEING ERICA. Having watched the first 3 seasons on Netflix in 30 days, I'm all kinds of excited but also sad for the final farewell to our plucky heroine, Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk). This is one of my top to-watch shows this fall...I can't even imagine having to wait from episode to episode now.


Hart of Dixie (CW) - September 26th
Man CW is really shaking things up this year. A doctor drama? A show starring someone over the age of 30? Anyway I thought this show looked supremely lame, and it still might be...but it also has the potential to be a slice of small-town heaven, which has been sorely missing from the CW's glossier productions of the last few years. I'm uncertain as to whether Rachel Bilson can be a leading lady - she has yet to 'own' anything she's been in, including the final near-solo-lady season on The OC - but I'm curious to check out the premiere of this one. The CW has a habit of yanking shows though (LUX!), so I'm wary.

TUESDAYS

Parenthood (NBC) - September 13th
Looks like we're fast-forwarding a bit on Parenthood, given the state of Christina's swollen belly in this screen grab. I'm okay with that for the most part, given the show has always fudged around with their timeline (what grade are the Braverman children in anyway?), and I don't know that I wanted to see a season of Amber trying to figure out her life, Jasmine and Crosby trying to forgive, and Christina complaining of backaches. I'd rather see the wounds after they've somewhat healed, so altogether, I'm JAZZED for this new season.


Ringer (CW) - September 13th
SMG is a lucky gal to have such a massive fan base. Here's hoping she's doing the right thing with it by getting us all to tune into her promisingly twisty dark drama premiering, oddly, on the CW in a week. Entertainment Weekly made it sound interesting enough, although I'm still a tad concerned about the fact CBS pushed it from their slate onto their little sister network...but c'mon, they've got Christoffer Polaha (last seen as the dreamy screw-up Baze on Life Unexpected) and Nestor Carbonell (last seen as the dreamy demi-god Richard Alpert on Lost) PLUS BUFFY. Sold.


New Girl (FOX) - September 20th
The thing I've been consistently hearing about Zooey Deschanel's new hipster rom com sitcom is that if you like her, you'll like the show. Generally speaking I like Zooey and I'm curious to see what she does on the small screen. That's it that's all.

WEDNESDAYS

Survivor South Pacific (CBS) - September 14th
I'd heard there were former cast members returning again this season - guess it's a guaranteed ratings booster - but I didn't know who they were until today. Ozzy, possibly the greatest physical player of the game ever, but also the cockiest. And Coach, possibly the greatest 'character' of the game ever, but also the most naive. Quite frankly, I'm psyched to see them back, although not so much with the return of Redemption Island. Interesting sidenote - a relative of Russell Hantz's is on the show, and I thought it might be a cool future incarnation to have friends / family compete that know former legendary contestants. Parvati's mom! Russell's wife! Coconut phone Shane's pride & joy kid! Anyway, count me in for another season o'Probst.


ANTM All Stars (CW) - September 14th
The 'All Stars' concept seems a little weird for ANTM, given it's a show where virtually any contestant - if a truly bona fide model contender - should have been able to find work afterwards. Also aging is a major factor here...regardless, Tyra's tired show could use a little kick in the pants, even if it's mostly for the sake of bringing back the best / most memorable 'characters' (read: lots of house bitches) instead of the best potential models.


The X-Factor (FOX) - September 21st
I gave up on American Idol after Season 3, which is weird, cause Fantasia was a respectable winner...at the time. When I heard Simon Cowell's other, self-developed show was making its way across the pond I figured I'd give it a shot for at least Season 1. I do enjoy singing competitions, I just got tired of Idol. Here's hoping X Factor can give the Fox juggernaut a run for its off-key money.


Modern Family (ABC) - September 21st
Not much to say on this one. I ploughed through Season 1 and the first half of Season 2 in approximately six weeks. Many thought S2 paled a bit to S1 but the happy blur of them both has me psyched for Season 3.

THURSDAYS

The Secret Circle (CW) - September 15th
Over the last few years I've *tried* to pick up several CW series, including 90210, Hellcats, and the Vampire Diaries. But none of them appealed to me by halfway through the premiere - in fact I didn't even get through the full premiere of any of them. I'm only going to (attempt to) tune into The Secret Circle because Britt Robertson from Life Unexpected is starring in it, and she's interesting. I'd like to see her do well.


The Office (NBC) - September 22nd
It's been awfully quiet when it comes to promoting the 9th season of the sans Michael Scott version of The Office. I was never a Michael Scott fan, really, but I feel like he was the glue that held the premise's wacky concept together. I suspect this season will be like any show that loses a major star - dismal - and I hope it gets put to bed sooner rather than later. I'd like to see it go this year.

WEEKENDS


Boardwalk Empire (HBO) - September 25th
Another show that kept me warm and entertained last winter (having caught up during an HBO marathon), I'm quite excited to see the return of Nucky & co. I feel like they've got their joints warmed up...now I'd like to see them explode some of the groundwork laid in Season 1.


Pan Am (ABC) - September 25th
Probably the most hyped up show of the fall TV season, as ABC's entre into the Mad Men 60's drama. Not sure that planes have the same 'glam' factor as ad campaigns, but I feel like I at least need to tune into the premiere here and see what they can do with a cable-type concept.


The Amazing Race 19 (CBS) - September 25th
I'm a little tired of TAR to be honest. I think we all are. They've never been as good as Survivor at creating characters and drama, and some of the pieces that made the earlier seasons so insanely addictive and water cooler-worthy - like crazy flight advantages, fast forwards, and ridiculously long road blocks - have been turfed. But I'll tune in again. It's habit.


The Walking Dead (AMC) - October 16th
Hm, it seems my Sundays will be primo TV nights if all goes well. I'm beyond excited to see the return of AMC's breakout zombie hit from last year. Seriously, every week was like a terror-inducing movie...I can't wait to see what they can do with it this year, and a full(er) order of episodes.

Yowza. If I watch all this shiz, I'm going to have to start curling weights during them so I don't become a total couch potato. Still, SUPER EXCITED for the return of Fall TV, even if it puts a damper on doing anything else, ever.

- Britt's On

I have to say, I’m disappointed that Life Unexpected has more or less sounded its death knell. Even moreso when you consider the terrible epilogue they tacked onto a fantastic two-hour special (which, when promoted back in December, triggered a red alert for me). I actually would have been MORE okay to have things end with Cate’s cliffhanger announcement – “Julia’s pregnant after all!” – than be flashforwarded two years into the future with Lux inexplicably ending up with Jones, Baze and Cate linked after all (after an episode that really solidified once again that Ryan is a great guy), Ryan with Julia (out of what…obligation?), and randomly Math and preggers co-worker of Cate’s that was MIA for the entire season.

I will attempt to deconstruct this to at least marginally defend the show. Lux and Jones ending up together is probably a product of the show not wanting to introduce a random new romantic interest for Lux, plus they did play at some sort of relationship redeveloping between them during the basketball scene / visit to Tash. I could see there being a triangle drama in future seasons, but ultimately I think the show never hit its stride in finding a proper match for Lux (WAY too much time spent on impossible romance with Eric “Minnesota” this season), which really hurt it. Since the show often draws comparisons to Gilmore Girls, consider how that show really gained some traction with their audiences through Rory’s tortured romances with Dean, Jess, and Logan (and Tristan to a degree). Lux’s hard-headedness about romance was grating, and considering her choices were all wrong I was just frustrated with her.

Cate and Baze. Well okay. I liked their ‘what if’ romantic tension, their unrequited love at various points, but it’s just that – I liked the tension and wasn’t really interested in seeing them live happily ever after. Namely because the show works quite hard (and quite well) at showing us what a stand-up guy Ryan is, especially in the last episode where he gets Cate’s job back for her. I’m not saying I don’t lurve Baze, because I do, but I moreso enjoyed the unspoken tension between them. Ryan and Julia would have created an interesting thorn in everyone’s sides – I could see Ryan slowly falling for Julia while helping her with the baby…but I really wanted Cate & Ryan to work out. Again, especially when you see Ryan AT Lux’s grad, and her mention that he stuck around when he didn’t need to. Adore.

Do I understand why the creators tacked the epilogue on? Yes. Did I like it? No. Could I have lived without it? Yes. Although I see the possibility of the final match-ups outlined in the epilogue, I was literally shellshocked by the whole thing, and have spent far too much going “WTF how did that happen?” than I care to detail here.

Moreso, I’m sad that LUX is gone. It really was a refreshing change of pace from the too-soapy Gossip Girl and too-boring One Tree Hill, although my new favourite ‘YA’ show these days is Pretty Little Liars, which seems to have the story-weaving capabilities of Lost (sadly) in terms of keeping you guessing and on edge. PLL is fantastic at crafting dramatic tension, but still kind of falling flat in the character / relationship-building department. I rarely care about anyone the four core characters interact with (other than to quip ‘Maybe THEY’RE A!’) but this has become my must-watch of the week.

Reality shows are rebooting right away, including a new Amazing Race All Stars (in hi-def, finally) and Survivor, with four-timer Rob and three-timer Russell. I’m a little Russell-fatigued, although the game always becomes more interesting when you ask yourself – “There’s no way they can make it to the end when they’ve already played. Can they?” (See: Stephenie in Guatemala, Parvati and Russell in Heroes vs. Villains).

- Britt's On

How clever! I’ve just discovered that Life Unexpected, the new CW show, can be conveniently shortened into LUX, the name of the main young character. Anyway, all my online searching has turned up the following: that although LUX wasn’t doing spectacularly in the ratings at the end of February, it was performing equally well on the two nights it was aired (on repeat), with new, equal portions of viewers on both nights. Add to that a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly that cited it as one of the Top 20 most downloaded shows (with fellow CW sibling Gossip Girl at the top spot).

Hopefully the CW is wise enough to keep this show around. With the cancellation of Melrose Place certified, there’s a good chance LUX will stick around to plug up that spot, or to complement either One Tree Hill or GG on Monday while the other one is paired with a newcomer in place of MP.

Anyway, I have to say, LUX has quickly become one of my favourite new shows, although it’s not without its problems. I feel like I have written this post in here somewhere, but yet I don’t have a Life Unexpected tag…so I can’t have.

The most interesting thing about a show like LUX is that it appeals to a pretty vast demographic – truth be told, the more interesting dynamics of the show come from the adults, which are conveniently young thirty-somethings. But you still have storylines featuring young Lux, which allow us past-high-schoolers to indulge in some high school drama that we all still kind of crave.

It is snappily written with actually laugh out loud funny delivery, comic timing, and jokes – but it’s also very good at pulling on the heartstrings and making you have serious emotional reactions of nerves, excitement, and shock. It’s also got an interesting cast of characters that rotate in and out on a weekly basis (similar to the awesome township casting of Gilmore Girls).

That being said, there are a few things that need to be ironed out. For one, they need to make Lux a little less desperately whiny (enough with the hand wringing!) and give her some storylines of her own, beyond the trite Bug/Jones triangle. Neither one of these guys really fits with the Lux character we know, so why not let her start from scratch. Introduce a new guy to the mix next season – perhaps another bad boy with a heart of gold a la Jess on Gilmore Girls, to compete with the bad boy she currently prefers, Bug.

We also need to give Ryan a little more depth. I’m actually on team Cate & Ryan, but I enjoy a pining Baze. Ryan’s best scenes, by far, are the ones where we get to seem him open up outside of his tenuous scenes with Cate. Those scenes take place with Lux, and the two of them have a sweet, more realistic father/daughter bond than Lux and Baze. It would be nice to see more of Ryan’s world – who were those groomsmen at his wedding? – outside of the Lux/Cate/Baze world, especially if things continue to be rocky / doomed in that part of his life. We can’t rely on these little Lux windows to continually bring Ryan back from obscured, understandable douchebaggery.

Another problem, likely because of the short season, is the uneven development of the characters outside of our core trio, Ryan being the most glaring example. Baze has a bad relationship with his dad, as demonstrated, but the climactic golf parking lot showdown felt a little…false? We get a lot of the “You always thought I would fail dad!” but it didn’t really give us much insight into why this might be, or where Baze failed, what turning point in his life sent him down his barfly pasture.

Also, in going with my earlier critique of Lux’s boring teen storylines, we really need to have some better character development amongst her circle of friends. I don’t care about Tash or Bug at all right now, nor do I really care to learn more.

There was a hint of high school friendship extensions (which can still be hilariously, competitively done as per that standby, Gilmore Girls) but they were quickly squashed. So Lux should be a million times more miserable at school than she currently is, but because her school life is so boring, we see nothing of it, just her dramatic home life. If you’re going to put her in a bad situation like that, SHOW US. Or come up with a solution. Lux needs compatriots outside of her parentals also.

One final word. Gilmore Girls was about a mother / daughter yes, but in the ways their lives would intersect: family dinners, disagreements about boys, and moments of weakness. Right now LUX is trying to make the relationships between their core trio (+ triangle with Ryan) what the entire show rests on, but for it to be truly successful, we need to build a world around each character, and let their lives intersect naturally. The drama on Gilmore Girls often involved Rory and Lorelei together, but the root cause was often from an outside source from one, or both of their worlds.

That is all, I hope to see a return for this show with some improvements – it has amazing potential and I love the core cast.

- Britt’s On