Thursday, October 29, 2009

Too Much, Too Late

Fall TV has been on at least a month now (more for some early-starters), and still no beat-down of what the ridiculous and wonderful world of network television has to offer this season. Yes, I've been slacking, but here it is. Too late, perhaps, for any of you to go back and hop on board with any of these gems, but let's face it, not many of them are even worth it. So without further ado...


ABC
Cougar Town
I understand that this comes from the mind that gave us Scrubs,
but I just can't wrap my head around it. The hybrid of the quirky humor that made said show popular and a plot based on middle-aged-lady-philandering has just missed the mark. The script is definitely not up to par with...anything, and I think Courtney Cox could definitely do a lot better post-Dirt. Ideally, I think this one just needs to be put out of its misery.

Eastwick
As much as I really wanted to enjoy this show, its unavoidable similarities to Charmed, as well as every witch-triumvirate Halloween movie that's ever existed (one of which it's based upon) and its Desperate Housewives-ey soap opera overtones have me unimpressed. It's visually pleasing, yes, and the actors aren't terrible, but it leaves something to be desired. It's all been done before, re-hashed too many times to be engaging or at all interesting. There's the possibility that it will get better with time, and grow into its place, but I seriously doubt it.


Modern Family
Enjoy it more than I probably should. Ridiculous and slapstick-laden at times, but it makes me laugh. Ty Burrell as the Michael Scott-worthy Phil and the loveable gays keep me coming back. Worth looking into (they're all there on Hulu).




Flash Forward
Hoping to be a replacement when Lost makes its exit next year, but it has neither the writing or the story to do so, in my opinion. A ca-razy concept slapped onto any old script does not a hit make. Well, not for me, but probably so for the rest of America who are eating this up. Don't say I didn't warn you.


FOX
Glee
I'll admit, when the pilot episode of Glee aired this spring and the
gays and choir nerds the world over were all atwitter, I decided that simply would not, and could not watch it (as Mo still hasn't, "on principle"). I was bombarded with suggestions to see it--usually accompanied by an "omg"and something along the lines of "It's soooooo good"-- which only served to strengthen my resolve. But I absentmindedly sat in while others were watching, and I can no longer deny...I liked it. To paraphrase a recent review I've read, It's gay, and it's good. Yes, it has its musical roots, but the majority of the songs are pop and fabulous (I couldn't resist). Plus, you can download the songs on iTunes (this crazy technological world we live in!), and some of us may or may not have done so. Anyway, if you're not on the wagon already, get it in gear, and join the rest of us.

NBC

Community
Haven't watched much more than the first episode, but I simply can't bring myself to go any further. Yes, I like NBC comedies generally, and yes, I like Joel McHale, but the constant self-promotion on Twitter, Chevy Chase, and the little I've watched have only proven to turn me away. If it's worth it, somebody tell me, otherwise, it's staying in the unwatched pile.



Mercy
Reminds me a lot of failed drama The Black Donnellys for some reason. Perhaps because it's main themes are a. depression b. sadness c. sadness. Iraq War veteran, beaten-down nurse rather than a doctor, New Jersey, prone to drinking...sad sad sad. I honestly don't think it's that terrible of a show, but watching this every week might make an already swine flu-paranoid, economically-concerned person need to up their dosage.



CBS

Accidentally on Purpose
Don't know why I even bothered to watch this one, because CBS + Comedy + Jenna Elfman + countless other unidentified actors = disaster. It's inane, unfunny, and painful. I give it one season. If it gets renewed, consider my faith in humanity cancelled.



The Good Wife
Better than I expected, to be honest. It's nice to see Juliana Margulies back in action (excepting that whole Canturbury's Law thing), especially if you like her. The usual legal procedural with a little twist thrown in, the fact she's the jilted wife of a philandering politician (ripped from the headlines no less). Enough fresh and new to keep some of us interested, but we'll see where it goes from here.

If it's not here, it probably missed the boat on my willing-to-give-it-a-chance week of new pilots. From what I've heard, I haven't missed anything truly remarkable, but if you think so, let me know, I'm open to suggestions.

FINAL NOTE: Hooray for ABC finally getting on the Hulu bandwagon! The constantly-changing, ever-worsening media player on their site was a real drag (not as much as other networks, but still), so thank goodness they've finally come around to the world of user-friendly online TV. And for those of us who have limited season pass space on our TiVos, or just prefer to watch our shows parked in front of a laptop, this is a dream come true.


Things Mo Loves This Year

Ya ya, it's been awhile. Like always. Typical. Anyway, here are a few of Mo's favorite things of the 2009 fall/holiday season.

Twitter

Obviously Curly and I aren't the most prolific bloggers. We're just not commitment people (obviously). That is not to say we are not grateful for our small but devoted fan base, and because of such we've created a Young and Tactless Twitter feed. If you aren't on Twitter, get with the program. Now that your parents have invaded Facebook, Twitter is the place to be and be seen. Follow us @youngntactless !

TiVo HD

Let's not even discuss it. Your Dish DVR/Comcast OnDemand will never live up to TiVo. I am coming up on my one year anniversary with my TiVo HD and here is why you should upgrade:
  • Dual HD tuners (record 2 shows in HD while playing back another, SO useful for Thursday nights). Ya some generic DVR's do this, but I don't care. TiVo does it best.
  • Netflix streaming: Got a Netflix membership? You better 'cause its vastly classier than Redbox. Anyway, stream any Play Instantly movie from Netflix through your TiVo to the TV. Note: sound quality is vastly improved if you have surround sound.
  • Tons and tons of storage space, and if you need more you can get the XL or an external expander drive.
  • It looks like technological sex.





Instant Handbrake

For making those "backup copies" (which are legal) of DVD's on your Mac. Gotta back up those collections folks. We would just never recommend pirating DVD's in this manner, even though it would be extremely easy and be custom made to create iPod compatible copies. Maybe it works on Windows. I don't know and I don't care.

Breaking Up

Not with your significant other (we're too codependent for that anyway), but with TV shows that should have been let out to pasture. This season's victims include Grey's Anatomy (which should have gone away last season), Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl and Survivor. Technically I gave up Survivor years ago, but if you are still watching it you should too. COME ON FOLKS. It was a laugh 5 years ago. Now it's like a template that they keep refilling with new characters. And as for Gossip Girl, Curly and I say if they bring back writing that doesn't make us cringe and add more of the Chuck Bass man love, we'll be back.

New MacBooks

Just had to throw this in for Curly's sake as she is patiently waiting for money from heaven to buy her a new MacBook. Seriously people, the new white ones are a DEAL! $949 with your student discount. Shocking.