The first full week of TV season has come and gone. I wanted to get out my thoughts on a few of my shows, particularly the new ones we have started watching.
Additions
2 Broke Girls: I liked the pilot, but not as much as I thought I would based on the commercials and what I had read. The lazy stereotypes might make this difficult to stomach, but you can see seeds of good comedy. The most absurd part, however, was seeing two waitresses after a long day standing outside the restaurant in comically high heels. We won’t turn the channel if they wait tables in sneakers, people.
New Girl: At the very least, I knew I would get a chance to look at Zooey Deschanel for 21 minutes. This one booked at least a few more viewings because it’s more than Zooey looking cute. I liked much of the dynamic between the three roommates, but am curious to see what happens in the second episode when they replace Damon Wayans Jr., who had to pull out of this one when “Happy Endings” got a second season. The fact that they acknowledge how Zooey’s over-the-top cuteness can be annoying bodes well.
Raising Hope: We only watched an episode or two last year, but am giving this a try, especially since it is paired with “New Girl.” I loved the premiere, especially how it took them the whole episode to realize that drinking might affect their perception of Jimmy’s musical ability.
Up All Night: I want to like this. I really, really do. But the good feelings I get are continually overwhelmed by the reality that they couldn’t make it three episodes without going to the “the baby only cries when I hold it” and “we’re going to have to buy a dorky car now that we have a kid” plotlines. Maya Rudolph’s character is turning into a major chore, and I worry this will fall into the scrap heap of “how did that collection of people fail to succeed” shows. I’ll keep watching, but think they went too much with rote on this one.
Holdovers
How I Met Your Mother: We get it, Carter and Craig, You like teasing us with information, then pulling back. Uncle. UNCLE! But at least we are getting some of Jason Segal’s best work to keep us interested.
Hawaii Five-O: My mind needs a break every once in a while. I like how they took things in a new direction with the ending.
The Middle: Neil Flynn is criminally underappreciated. Also, the best network show you can sit and watch with your kid without having to worry about some sex joke ruining everything.
Modern Family: You would think that if they schlepped everyone to Wyoming for the season premiere, it would cover more than one episode that could have been formatted to fit in almost any setting. I did like seeing Jay get pissed about the guy hitting on Glorida though. Lots of laughs, but nothing stellar in either episode.
The Big Bang Theory: It’s goofy and mindless and Kaley Cuoco is the real star of the show.
Community: One of those shows which needed to use precious time tying things up from last year and setting up the current season. If they keep Chang as a security guard and somehow team him up with John Goodman’s character, that could be the best episode ever. Bonus: Allison Brie with a swing-y skirt in the opening musical number.
The Office: Setting things up and delving into the emotions of Pam and Jim made this a little bit of a downer, but Ed Helms rescued it with Andy’s strident defense of his co-workers. The dynamic could be really good with Jim and Pam – they’re the engine of the show whether people like it or not – entering a new phase of life, Andy dealing with being manager and everyone trying to figure out Robert California. I hope this is the year Paul Leiberstein (who also plays Toby) breaks out as a show-runner.
Parks and Recreation: Mike Schur and Greg Daniels did the best job tying up loose ends, setting up new directions and still getting laughs. The mere presence of the “Wizz Palace” call back and the declaration that the deputy director is “Leslie F-ing Knope” from Ron Swanson showed just how talented the people creating and executing this show really are.