Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION The Anywhere Machine So what are you WATCHING?

I tend to watch lots of mindcandy USA shows like Burn Notice, White Collar, etc., so I started watching Suits pretty much on cruise control, and I'm finding the witty banter is really engaging. Season one is a little drier, I think, as they are still finding their footing, but the lead attorneys executive assistant, Donna, is hilarious. She has rigged the intercom in his office to always be on, so that she is always listening in on his private meetings, which makes her invaluable, in that she always knows exactly what he needs, even before he calls for it.

The banter between the lawyers associate and his elderly grandmother, who gives classic lip and doesn't appear nearly enough (which is probably what keeps it so fresh when she does appear), is also very fun.

Anyone else addicted to the various USA shows?

We don't get USA up here, but any time I've seen "Psych", I really like it.

I never gave USA a chance until the aforementioned Suits sucked me right in. I don't follow it religiously as I do some other shows but I love watching it whenever its on, for all the reasons Set mentions. Fantastic cast, clever dialogue and just awesome chemistry on screen between a variety of cast members. I do plan to eventually get the seasons and do a full-on watch through.

Since I got hooked on Suit, I started trying to give some of the other shows a try. The one I've settled on, though I've only caught episodes here and there, is White Collar. It's got my all-time favorite television crush, Hillarie Burton, though she doesn't appear nearly enough (60 minutes an episode is my preferred amount ). But the series really shines with two of my favorite factors: clever / ingenous plots and fantastic camraderie / friendship between the leads.

Like Leverage on TNT, another clever and well-done show, what's nice about these shows is they are by no means 'light' but they aren't super-heavy either. Yet, they also are superior to the rather run of the mill fare the main networks produce. Very entertaining.

She's very pretty, but I think Elizabeth Burke is a much more interesting character, and Diana is both beautiful and, at times, snarky, which is cool.

The trust issues get a little stale, after a while. It feels like whenever they get too chummy, there's a contrived situation that pits them against each other, again, and it's getting old.

It reminds me of a bad vampire romance show I used to watch called 'Kindred the Embraced,' in which an uncle and his niece start out pretty much every episode at odds, because she's all rebellious, and he's all over-protective, and then, by the end of the episode, they've worked it out, and then, next week, bang, character reset, and they're right back at it, as if last week didn't happen.

On the other hand, it kinda makes sense with White Collar, because both of the leads are extremely intelligent men who are utterly convinced that they are smarter than the other, and that their choices are going to be better / more effective / more 'right' than the others choices. They talk a good fight about respecting each others abilities, but neither one of them is willing to share control of a situation, or is comfortable letting the other pull his weight.

I get that it's useful for maintaining a certain type of 'trust issues' drama (and that, given the scary levels of competence of the two characters, any situation in which they are firing 100% in synch on might get handled too quickly!), but the character regression annoys me.

The banter is great, 'though.

Of the other USA shows, Covert Affairs is kinda fun, Burn Notice rocks (Bruce Campbell!), Fairly Legal is utterly infuriating (see a supposedly smart character naively screw up every single week, and somehow win anyway, usually by exploiting her friends!), Psych is very fun (although the kids watch it more than I do), Common Law is new, but looks like it's gonna be fun and Royal Pains is a guilty pleasure that I only watch for Divya.

SO I'm doing my usual "giving a try" to shows on Network TV that look interesting.

The main thing that sticks out to me is that even though the four networks have huge budgets, they can never seem to quite get it totally right. Almost all of the shows on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox have a certain amount of cheesiness to them that should not really be there. This wasn't the case a few years ago: when House and Lost and a few others debuted, there wasn't anything cheesy about them. Even shows that never made it like Life on Mars didn't have that cheese-factor. But lately, these last two years or so, it's like every show has an element of not willing to go "all the way". It's hard to put into words what I mean.

The three shows that I'm checking out so far are:

The Mob Doctor which so far is one of the better new shows. The acting is very good, and it has a quiet intensity that I like. In a way it's a medical procedural drama meets pure crime. Which is basically the only way I'll like a medical procedural drama. The set-up is firmly planted for when things go tits-up, and that should be entertaining / nerve-wracking to watch.

Revolution is a pretty good sci-fi type show. But this is the one that really has the "cheesiness" problem that I reference above. There are some really good moments so far (the lead character Charlie killing the warden in the latest episode at the end) but every episode is jam-packed with cliches, weak over-acting, lame coincidences and unbelievable dialogue. This show is rife with potential...but it really needs to get over these problems for me to take it seriously. And the nerdy millionaire character with the glasses? C'mon. Dial down the cliche-ness PLEASE.

Vegas debuted last night and its jam-packed with actors that I love, first and foremost being Michael Chiklis whose run on the SHIELD ranks up there with the all-time great acting jobs in TV history. Dennis Quad, Carrie Ann Moss (from the Matrix) and Jason O'Mara (from the American Life on Mars and the cancelled Terranova) also round out the cast and all are very solid. Quaid does a bit too much over-acting in the first episode but O'Mara is awesome, and Moss was impressive. (As an aside, Moss looked simply stunning! I don't care how much older she is than me. ) The show has a great high concept that is based on a true story: 1960 Las Vegas with a cowboys versus gangsters larger theme and a mystery / cop procedural episode to episode theme. There's a lot there that could please a lot of people. The only problem is the aforementioned "cheesiness factor" which isn't quite as bad here as in Revolution, but its there is small doses and needs to be cut out immediately. And considering how many movies and television shows have dealt with mobsters and casinos, they have to be very careful not to tread into cliche terriroty. So far, though, this could be the best of the bunch.

Also, one of my favorite comedies, New Girl, started out great last night. Hilarious all the way through on both episodes. The other two series rounding out that two hour block, The Mindy Project and Ben and Kate are not really for me, but they actually were better than I expected--both being pretty good. All the other new comedy shows look like absolute shit to me, particularly Go On and The New Normal. I've also always found Modern Family to be atrocious.

As I always say though, the very best shows on television can be found on AMC, FX, HBO and Showtime. That's where the good stuff is. And as previously mentioned in this thread, USA is producing some pretty good stuff too (and Leverage on TNT is good as well).

I'm kind of enjoying Revolution, though it's definitely got a "Haven't I basically seen this all before?" problem.

Didn't get a chance to watch Vegas last night, but I'll check it out later online.

We gave "Last Resort" a try last night. My wife is a big Scott Speedman fan since he was on "Felicity," and you can't go wrong with Andre Braugher. It was pretty decent, although it seemed in a big hurry to throw a lot of characters on screen in one hour. There's a whiff of "Lost" about it, maybe just it jumps right into the action (although there was about 15 minutes of preamble unlike Lost.)

I'm not sure it's something that's going to have legs though. So many shows these days just beg to have one good year and then stop, especially genre shows.

Yeah, "Last Resort" definitely has potential, but it felt like they were trying to cram too much into an hour premiere. Interested in seeing where it goes, however.

I couldn't disagree more about MODERN FAMILY, it's too cute!

REVOLUTION has kept me onboard for 2 weeks, we'll see how it goes.

Though I'm a red blooded American male, I find Sofia Vergera to be the most annoying thing on planet Earth. The problem with a Latina Marylyn Monroe is, Marylyn Monroe in general is the most annoying thing on planet Earth.

*hurls brandy snifter*

Bah!

My pal Josh Siegel and I will buy Modern Family and turn it into a sitcom about a Depression era Jewish family that has a young prodigy that creates the superhero genre!

Ps - it'll maintain a certain amount of adorable gay shenanigans as Josh seems to really like these.'

If it doesn't have a bellowing busty Columbian, I'm outta there!!

666 Park Avenue was better than I thought it would be. I was expecting it would be ABC trying to hard to have a 'sexy show' (and there was still some of that), but was delighted to see a very strong horror element present throughout.

It was good enough to watch a few more episodes for sure. To be fair though, it wasn't anything spectacular--nowhere near as good or scary as American Horror Story. I guess it's that intangible "network cheesiness factor" that is hard for me to get over that krept up in spots.

Great to see Terry O'Quinn though.

I watched Elementary, I think the "I have issues" so I'm a complex character may drop off as the series continues out of pilot territory and hopefully it will be a mystery series rather than so much ... "I'm a genius ... I'm crazy and Peculiar ... I've got a dark past so I'm interesting!!!"

Anyway, I already like it better than the British one, at least this one offers a new take on Sherlock Holmes ... if a bit too many new takes haha.

Besides that guy that plays Sherlock on the British Sherlock Holmes gives me the creeps.

so in conclusion:

Lucy Lu + views of Manhattan = Peebz will be watching this.

I am looking forward to this ... I am somewhat hoping it will be cheesy and run with it. for entertainment value.

Hmm... I didn't like Elementary at all. Honestly, it seemed to me they should've just made a completely new character with a few homages to Sherlock Holmes, because it really seemed to have almost nothing to do with Conan Doyle's stories.

Haven't watched 666 Park Avenue yet, but my expectations are pretty low.

I'm enjoying the second season of Grimm. It strikes me as the kind of show I would've absolutely loved when I was about twelve or so.

I watched Grimm for almost all of season one and then gave up, I think the first few episodes with the evil conspiracy plot were the best ... and then the rest of season became a "Buffy Light" where the main character solves done in one problems. I am curious about season two though, from the advertisements it looks like its going to have more action.

I love that nerdy Werewolf guy!!! Even the main character and his GF are likeable, However I think the majority of the rest of the cast suffers from ... bad acting.

This season's been pretty heavy on the "conspiracy stuff", so you might enjoy it more.

The biggest problem I have with the show, as I think I've said before on this thread, is that the whole "underground creature community" doesn't make a whole lot of sense when it seems like half the people around are part of this community.

I am watching 666 Park Avenue!

... what are great deal! I wish someone would make my dreams come true for some measly bloodshed and amorality!!!!

Great huge New York apartment (furnished no less), cute socially responsible lawyer golfing boyfriend! I want to be this plucky handy woman blonde lady ... "I will get this job at the last minute by wowing them with my architectural knowledge!"

I have architectural knowledge too!

*sigh*

anyway, VANESSA WILLIAMS! Seems like she's EVIL!!! and that creepy guy from Lost!!!

also, I think that bellhop is the malucci guy from ER.

It's an all star cast!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">
wait ... as I type ... Vanessa Williams is taking that blonde chick on a shopping spree. McQueen
She buys her a frickin MCQueen. Of course this down home girl is going to look fantastic in it ... 'cause she is the building repair woman by day and a super model by night.</span></span>

Its not a scary show ... its a wish fulfillment show ... like a Disney princess movie.


Yes, it is SUPER cheesy but I am in for a few more at least! It may be my new favorite show.

[snip]

Hey, it worked in the X-Verse, didn't it?

666 Park Avenue just fell kind of flat for me. Not bad or anything, but just not enough there really to hold my interest.

Meanwhile, Revolution added another Lost alumnus to its cast last night. I really like the setup of the show, but the characters just aren't really doing much for me, yet.

I also thought that, and similarly that it was a copy and paste of a lot of other *big hits* in popular media right now. <says dryly> The Hunger games ... + A little Walking Dead and/or Falling Skies + Outcasts ... etc. etc. etc.

Also, they had that weird 30 minute long fight scene ... where the one guy basically kills and army with ninja moves. was a bit ludicrous.


I couldn't handle Mob Doctor myself ... she was too *sassy* and the premise was too *edgy* .... which apparently the networks think is really appealing. what do I know though, they're making the millions off these shows ...

anyway, the whole, I'm gonna do something radical while everyone is arguing with me, and I save this man's life on the operating table ... turned me off.


I did try (don't laugh) Call the Midwife ... its a BBC America show ... and it was actually really good, a tear jerker and up there with the cheese but ti really pulled me in, the finale of the episode had me really sucked into it emotionally. In fact, I think it portrays what it is like to be poor or live in slums in an accuracy that is rarely seen.

I haven't tried Last Resort yet, or Mindy ... i heard it was funny but the quality probably won't last ..

I haven't tried Vegas yet either, I have been just too cynical and imagine its a Boardwalk Empire/Deadwood/ Etc. knockoff.

In fact, I loved Deadwood BUT it's totally not like something I would like, the acting really took it out of its been done grim and gritty set up.

Just read Cobie's review of Vegas ...

Dennis Quaid and Carrie Ann Moss?? My shit is watching that tonight!

... and I'm not gonna name names but ... I think there are a lot of Carrie Ann Moss dopplegangers out there on tv .... some shows like V and Lost and others .... and they don't hold a candle to Trinity!