Save 'Free Agents'

Out of all the new shows this season, I've only truly enjoyed two of them. 'Revenge' (which I've already written quite a bit about) and 'Free Agents'.

Unfortunately, 'Free Agents' isn't doing well in the ratings, putting it at high risk for cancellation.

The show focuses on two advertising executives who both recently had major relationship problems...one is suffering though a messy divorce (Hank Azaria) while his co-worker lost her fiance about a year ago to a heart attack (Kathryn Hahn). In the premiere episode (and no, this isn't a spoiler, it's revealed in all the previews) they wake up in bed together. But, in typical television fashion, decide that they should 'just be friends'. That's essentially the whole premise of the show. Azaria and Hahn have good chemistry, and I think most people who are watching want to find out how and when they are going to become a real couple.

Please, give 'Free Agents' a try...you can watch the first three episodes on Hulu. It would be a shame if NBC canceled one of the only new comedies this season that holds real promise.

Watch 'Free Agents' Wednesday nights on NBC at 8:30/7:30 C.

Wanna bet?

Finally, a betting game for those of us who don't really care that much about baseball or football.

Yep, that's right, it's not fantasy football, it's fantasy TV!

Otherwise known as 'The New York Times Fall TV Ratings Pool'. The deadline for submissions is fast approaching (Oct. 1st) so if you're interested in participating head on over HERE.

If you don't really care about the official poll (or you don't have a NYTimes account) tell me what shows you think deserve to be kicked off the air. Leave a comment!

'New Girl' has high ratings, gets full season

'New Girl' is now officially signed on for a full season! That means we'll have a total of 24 episodes this year.

After watching last night's episode, I have to admit that I like the show a little bit more than I did before. The pilot just wasn't that great. The second episode had more laughs, and I'm starting to be more accepting of Zooey Deschanel's zany humor...if only because I'm expecting it.

'New Girl' had 9.3 million viewers last night. 'Glee', on the other hand, had only 8.1 million viewers which is significantly decreased from this time last year.

So, good news for 'New Girl', not so good news for 'Glee'. Guess we'll have to see what the future holds...

Wanna bet on what will get canceled and what won't?
Check out the New York Times version of Fantasy Football Television.

New isn't always better than old

I have been less than impressed with the new shows this season. I haven’t stumbled upon a single one that I am going to be religiously watching. I suppose that’s good for the older shows, but it makes me a little disillusioned.

Out of the shows that I’ve sampled so far, I have found a few that I think have some promise.

‘Two Broke Girls’ (Monday, CBS, 8:30 pm) is one show that actually has a few funny moments in each episode. At the same time, a lot of its humor is crude and slightly obnoxious. But I think the show could get good, it just needs some work. Oh, and it might also prove to be one of those shows where the acting gets better as the actors gain experience. I’d recommend giving it a chance.

‘Hart of Dixie’ (Monday, The CW, 9 pm) marks Rachel Bilson’s return to television. It was all right, although if you read my review you’ll see that I had quite a few problems with both the premise and the creative direction it was taking.

‘New Girl’ (Tuesday, FOX, 9 pm) is a show that I’ve already hesitantly reviewed. I wasn’t thrilled with the premiere episode, and I’m not a huge Zooey Deschanel fan (something about her quirky personality disagrees with me), but I’m going to keep watching the show. Again…there’s potential.

‘Ringer’ (Tuesday, The CW, 9 pm) stars Sarah Michelle Gellar in her first return to TV since ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. I quite enjoyed the first episode but didn’t love it enough to remember to watch the second episode. This is definitely a show that needs to be watched episode by episode, so I guess I’d better catch up online.

‘Revenge’ (Wednesday, ABC, 10 pm) is the show that I’ve liked the most this season. It’s a high-paced drama with just the right amount of intrigue and murderous intent. It’s something that ABC does well (‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, etc.).

Are there any other new shows that I should be watching?

There goes November...

I just remembered that 'Bones' and 'Rizzoli and Isles' are BOTH coming back in November.

Guess we know what will be eating up all of my time!

'Bones' returns to FOX on November 3rd. 'Rizzoli and Isles' returns to TNT on November 28th.

'Hart of Dixie' is a little familiar...in more ways than one

I'm only two minutes into 'Hart of Dixie' and I'm already annoyed. The time-line that they've set up for the main character's medical career is even more ridiculous than I thought it would be.

I'm also frustrated by the overdone flashback voiceover and the non-diegetic country music.

Now that I've complained a little bit I'm willing to admit that I may watch this show. If I have nothing better going on.

I love medical shows, and ones that involve big city doctors in small towns are usually amusing.

However, the plot of 'Hart of Dixie' is shockingly similar to the plot of the British television hit, 'Doc Martin'.

Martin is a surgeon from the big city who gets transplanted to a small town due to issues in his personal life. He's not very good with his patients or people in general. But he's really good with medicine.

Sound familiar?


'Doc Martin' is available on Netflix Instant view. 'Hart of Dixie' is on The CW Mondays at 9 pm.

What's Premiering on TV Tonight?

'Hart of Dixie', the new show starring Rachel Bilson (of 'OC' fame), premieres tonight on The CW at 9 pm.

If you can buy Bilson as a high-powered surgeon you'll probably be able to enjoy this show.

Personally, I'm a little confused by the casting choice since once you add in medical school and surgical residency Bilson's character would have to be at least 31 years old (and 34 is more probable), and at barely 30 Bilson doesn't look old enough.

What do you think?

'Fringe'

I've never watched 'Fringe'. Call it lack of time, or lack of interest, but I had plenty of other shows that ruled supreme. That being said, I'd watch it now.

'Fringe' is entering what is may well be its last season, and viewership is down. Way down. According to Entertainment Weekly the show has dropped 21% since January.

Now that a lot of my favorite "darker" shows are not available ('Bones' for one), while I realize that 'Fringe' would not be a true substitute, I'm willing to watch it to balance out all of those comedies.

But I can only watch it if I've seen the first three seasons, that much is clear from the complex plot. Unfortunately, there's no where to do that (legally) online.

If FOX wants to boost ratings for this season, and potentially save the show, they should release the first three seasons. Hulu would be an excellent way to do this, although FOX does already take advantage of TheWB.com as well (which currently has 12 episodes of 'Fringe' uploaded).

I understand that this move might hurt DVD sales, but ultimately, if FOX can increase their total number of viewers than in the long-term DVD sales should increase too.

A limited release of the first three seasons would be a way to increase viewership, and ultimately increase profit. They better do it soon, otherwise no one will have time to get close to catching up during the current season.

What's new on TV tonight?

Premieres of 'Community', 'Parks & Rec', and 'The Office' start on NBC tonight at 8 pm. After 'The Office' catch the premiere of 'Whitney'.

Also, 'Grey's Anatomy' is two hours long starting at 9 pm on ABC.

 And 'The Big Bang Theory' returns to CBS at 8 pm.