Monday, September 29, 2008

The Best Of Fall TV - Part 4 (Wrapping Up Monday Night's Schedule)

For a full synopsis of the shows I'm recommending here, use the handy time-travel feature to the right (the archives, silly). I did promos for most of these programs in May and June. For now, let’s focus on what’s coming up for the new season.

1. Chuck (NBC) – (Starts tonight) Here’s the one I’ve been waiting for – just an amazing blend of over-the-top action with zany comedy thrown in. So where did we leave off? Oh yeah, Casey was ordered to kill Chuck once the new Intersect was complete. Jeez, I hope they don’t kill off the main character, huh? On the bright side, it looks like Chuck may get to go on a real date with Sarah tonight – and she doesn’t even have to wear the Wienerlicious outfit. Dang. (For a better description, check out my previous post here.)

2. Life (NBC) – (Starts tonight) Okay NBC, let’s hope you know what you’re doing. They’re taking this sophomore drama, a complex conspiracy theory show interlaced with a weekly procedural, and pumping out two episodes a week for its first two weeks. One episode on Monday and one on Friday, until it switches to Fridays full time on October 17th - where it will hopefully not die a slow death in that dead zone of a night. For now though, a strong premiere episode featuring a new serial killer. This one lets his victims suffocate in trunks, strategically places them around town, and sends a riddle as to their location. Sounds like we might need Batman for this one – or Charlie Crews, since this is his show. (Check this out for a better show description.)

3. Prison Break (Fox) – Okay, this one has been on for nearly a month now, but I’m just getting around to checking things out on Tivo. While it is most certainly a guilty pleasure of a show, Prison Break has done a pretty good job of reinventing itself this season. We’re finally starting to get a glimpse of The Company, the uber-mysterious organization that has been trying to kill Michael and friends from day one. But now, with Michael “officially” leading his team to take down The Company? It’s been a fun ride so far, let’s hope they can keep it up…

4. My Own Worst Enemy (NBC) – (Starts October 13th) Guess what’s taking Life’s spot in the Monday rotation? Yep, this Christian Slater vehicle. I’m sure you’ve seen the ads – Slater plays a character who is unaware that he is leading a double life as both a suburban nobody and a secret agent. Is it schizophrenia? Hypnosis? Will one of the personalities sound oddly similar to Jack Nicholson? I guess we’ll find that out together…

5. Samantha Who? (ABC) – (Starts October 13th) Chronicling the life of an amnesiac (Christina Applegate) who used to be a bitch, but is now (at least temporarily) a sweetheart. This sitcom was a wonderful departure from the usual crappy formula, largely due to the phenomenal cast. Hopefully the second year can live up to the promise of the first. (And obviously, we’re very happy about Applegate’s full recovery this summer.)

Maybe tomorrow I can actually get to the Tuesday schedule. Or maybe I’ll sleep in again. Time will tell…

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