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The clock begins ticking on my TV New Year's Resolutions
You know how some people make a new year’s resolution to watch less TV?
Well, obviously, THAT’s not going to happen for me any time soon. I don’t even understand the objective. Watch less TV? What a blasphemous statement!
But I can still make my own TV New Year’s resolutions like:
I resolve not to panic about Dollhouse before it even premieres: Yes I know FOX cancelled Firefly well before it’s time. Yes I know that there have been the stops and starts in production. Yes I know the show is going to air on Friday night. But I’m not panicking. I’ve seen the pilot – it’s good, not great (there’s a lot of exposition to cover) but it has potential and Sunnydale wasn’t built in a day people. So I’m not panicking. I think the show is going to be all right, that FOX is going to give it a chance to find an audience and everything will be fine. Grrr . . . argh, look at me not panicking.
I further resolve not to panic about Privileged: Yes, it certainly does seem that many of my favorite new shows are often gone too soon (nope still not ready to talk about Eli Stone) but I have to believe that the CW sees the potential of Privileged and will renew the show for a second season. I was going to reslove to also not panic about Life on Mars, but really I'm going to need at least one show to be in a panic about.
I resolve that if I can’t say anything nice about Grey’s Anatomy, I won’t say anything at all: As fascinating as I find the collapse of a show that once was at the epicenter of the pop-culture zeitgeist and as much as I can’t believe that they have completely ruined one of the show’s most beloved characters, I don’t think I can spend any more time discussing the show’s bizarre Izzie (Katherine Heigl)/Denny romance, the increasingly annoying characters (seriously is there a character more annoying than Sadie), or it’s down right offensive take on same sex relationships. Therefore, the show is going to get the silent treatment from me in 2009 . . . beginning now. Yeah, I’m curious how long I’ll be able to keep that resolution too. Anyone want to start a pool on that one?
I resolve to not scream "She cannot act" every time Robin Tunney comes on the screen during The Mentalist: Obviously, somebody thinks Tunney can act. She does keep getting work. I will instead focus on the positively delightful performance of Simon Baker.
I resolve to be open-minded about the House/Cuddy romance on House: As you know, I’m worried about this one, especially because Dr. House seems meaner than ever this season. But I’m going to give their little love affair a chance.
I resolve to not worry about when Jack is going to the bathroom, having a drink of water, or how he can travel across town in five minutes on 24: I’m so happy to have the show back, I’m just going to roll with the willing suspension of disbelief.
I resolve to continue to believe that Luke Perry will return to 90210: I honestly think I can make this one come true by the sheer force of my will.
I resolve to give the Heroes chapter entitled "Fugitives" a chance: Sure they said "Villains" would be better and it wasn’t. But Bryan Fuller is returning to the series as a producer -- he was behind season one and I’m thinking he can return the show to its season one salad days. It could be the one good thing that results from Pushing Daisies being cancelled.
Those are some of my TV New Year’s resolutions. What are yours? Do you have more resolutions for me? How long do you think I can keep these resolutions? Talk about it below.
A Fun Link
The Paley Center for Media is celebrating the final season of Battlestar Galactica (which begins January 16). You can vote for who you think the last cylon is by visiting http://www.paleycenter.org/bsg
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for December 29 – January 4
Somehow I missed the episode when the Beek returned to the Creek on One Tree Hill. James Van Der Beek plays a director in this repeat Monday at 9 p.m. on the CW. I'll definitely be tuning in.
Picking are slim this week as most shows are in repeats, but you can catch a new episode of Eli Stone Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ABC. The good news is we will get some resolution to Eli’s vision of Beth telling Nathan she can’t marry him. The bad news is, we don’t when ABC will air the remaining Eli Stone episodes. The new series Primetime: What Would You Do? premieres in this time slot next Tuesday, January 6.
It could be awhile until we see the next season of Project Runway (the show is tied up in a legal battle between Lifetime and Bravo), so you can relive Blayne and his delicious ways, Kenley’s attitude and Suede’s penchant to referring to himself in the third person in the season five marathon beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Bravo.
NBC is also burning off its new episodes of Lipstick Jungle. A new episode airs Friday at 9 p.m. and finds Victory proposing to Joe.
ABC has brand new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters Sunday night beginning at 9 p.m.
That’s all for today. I’m back on Wednesday with new year’s resolutions for TV characters. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Wednesday.
James van der Beek's appearance on One Tree Hill was kind of like a cross between a grown-up Dawson and that character he played in The Rules of Attraction (a hideous film he stared in from 2000 or something I do not recommend anyone watch if you haven't already seen it.) I wasn't that big of a fan of his, but I think people who are should have/will enjoy it.
Kim | Dec 29, 2008 1:08:51 PM | #I am curious to see how they handle Jack flying back to the states. Wouldn't that take a significant part of the "24" hours of the show?
joey | Dec 29, 2008 1:11:32 PM | #My resolution is I will not return to Ghost Whisperer. Unless I find out from someone that Jim's death was a nightmare.
Trupen | Dec 29, 2008 1:23:40 PM | #My resolution is anything that gets Jeffrey Dean Morgan on TV is a good thing. I'll still be watching. (I'm still waiting for the show that Shonda promised him but never delivered. No surprise there!)
Nola | Dec 29, 2008 1:34:52 PM | #I resolve the following:
1. I resolve to DVR every episode of Flashpoint the minute it returns to CBS's schedule.
2. I resolve to finally get back to Friday Night Lights after copiously avoiding every DirectTV spoiler about the upcoming episodes.
3. I resolve to go sailing again with the men of the Northwestern, the Time Bandit, the Wizard and all the other crabbers of Deadliest Catch.
4. I resolve to only watch four back-to-back-to-back-to-back episodes of the Science Channel's How It's Made show. Dang, that program is addictive.
5. And finally, I resolve that the next time Bret Michaels actually picks someone to be his Rock of Love girl, I won't be so shocked when we get Rock of Love 4... and 5... and 6... with spinoffs featuring everyone from Megan to Lacey to Kristy Jo, etc., etc.
Chuck Miller | Dec 29, 2008 1:47:13 PM | #joey- The Redemption movie was a prequel to this season so they can/do solve that by starting Season 7 days/weeks/months later.
Blue Sean | Dec 29, 2008 1:56:42 PM | #I already watch too much TV, and there are several shows returning this spring that I like (Scrubs, 24, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Dollhouse, and eventually Reaper) so I really should resolve to not watch a couple of them, and pick up the DVDs later.
Billiam | Dec 29, 2008 3:30:38 PM | #I resolve to not spoil Lost for myself or people surrounding me. Even though I'd really like to know.
I resolve to keep watching Grey's even though I dislike the Izzy/Denny story line cuz I love Sara Ramierz that much.
kate | Dec 29, 2008 5:11:50 PM | #Amy, I am joining your resolution regarding not panicking about "Dollhouse" .. and I will add to it "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (as it is being moved to Friday nights and will lead out "Dollhouse").
Good Luck To Us Both!!
1. I propose that hopefully starting tonight, I will finally watch HIMYM and BBT, even though I should have started when I though "That show looks good."
2. I propose to finally watch Gossip Girl and not pretend to be a fan because my sister give me recaps.
3. I propose to also to appreciate the good parts of Heroes and not bash on it every five seconds Sylar isn't on.
4. I propose to find a way to not squeal too loud when Lost comes back HOLY FRACK IT'LL BE SOOOO GOOD!
Robin Tunney was alright in that movie "Empire Records".
I vow to force an episode or two of "30 Rock" on all my friends who don't watch the show. Look out.
Cat | Dec 29, 2008 6:37:48 PM | #I resolve to not watch any shows on ABC because they continually cancel the ones I watch. . .Eli Stone. .. .October Road. . .the list goes on and on!
Kevin | Dec 29, 2008 6:55:05 PM | #It seems kind of silly to make TV New Year's Resolutions (even sillier than regular New Year's Resolutions), since TV's year starts in September.
Tego Livi | Dec 29, 2008 7:00:39 PM | #Awww c'mon Empire Records, The Craft, and the pilot of House.. Tunney was fine...
And no.. I'm not going to watch Dollhouse on Fox. I understand that Dushku has a development deal with Fox, but Whedon is insane to trust them. Firefly, then the creations of Tim Minear.. Wonderfalls.. (I STILL WANT TO WATCH NEW EPISODES) and then Drive.
I want a completed full order of episodes before I commit. I've been burned too many times. And I know people are going to say 'you have to watch the show to support them' etc etc. Sorry at this rate I'm sure I'll end up with another dvd complete series. You are right Sunnydale wasn't built in a day, BUT FOX DOESN'T CARE.
Francesca | Dec 29, 2008 8:33:46 PM | #I vow to watch every single new episode of HOUSE begining on MONDAY, Jan. 19th at 8 p.m. EST. Why?
Because HUGH LAURIE is AMAZING!!!!!
I vow NOT to watch THE BACHELOR.
I vow to watch AMERICAN IDOL, even though my friends make fun of me.
I vow not to squeal in front of my husband when Sawyer is on screen on LOST.
I vow NEVER to watch GREY'S ANATOMY EVER AGAIN!!!!
I vow to keep watching Robin Tunney in "The Mentalist", because she was great in "The Craft" and it would suck if she was never that good again.
I resolve to not use a DVR to record anything that's available On Demand, because On Demand programs don't have all those annoying video overlays and voice-overs, and it's better for my blood pressure to just watch the program and not fume about all the junk that's distracting me. I may have to wait a couple hours or a couple weeks for it to show up on the set-top listings, but it's really better.
I vow to watch every episode of "Dollhouse" live, because with the way scripted TV entertainment is disappearing this may be my last chance at something amazing, and it's just too important to trust to a piece of technology. (Plus Friday night is the peak time for drunk driving, so staying at home is good for me TWO ways.)
I resolve to let go of shows that have overstayed their welcome, and just part ways with them. If Jeffrey Dean Morgan can show up as a ghost on "Grey's Anatomy", he can just as well show up as a ghost on "Supernatural", and there I won't resent him for making me watch something that's spiraling toward the drain.
Henry | Dec 30, 2008 1:08:39 AM | #I resolve not to send expletive filled e-mails to NBC and CBS when their online video players don't work and it takes me two hours to watch a half hour episode of How I Met Your Mother.
ferretrick | Dec 30, 2008 5:34:48 AM | #I resolve to watch Dollhouse live but to Tivo it and watch it again - I don't have a Nielsens box, but maybe, just maybe, when Tivo "watches" me to see what I'm watching, it'll help the "within 24 hours" ratings. Just a hope.
But I have completely lost all faith in Fox, so I can't resolve to not panic about this.
AndreaC | Dec 30, 2008 5:55:56 AM | #Oh, and count me in as a fan of The Craft. I'm not saying Tunney is Oscar or Emmy material, but I don't think she's awful either.
AndreaC | Dec 30, 2008 5:57:40 AM | #I think Robin Tunney is just miscast on The Mentalist. I thought she was great in The Craft. Just another case of miscasting. Or Maybe she's just so deadpan next to Baker's quirky guy. Just saying.
Terry | Dec 30, 2008 6:40:42 AM | #I resolve to keep praying for the merciful end of Prison Break and Smallville. They both have improved over last year, but please end them before unreversible damage is done.
Jimmy Mac | Dec 30, 2008 8:47:56 AM | #I've never seen the Craft and frankly, I can barely remember Empire Records, but Robin Tunney really sucks in The Mentalist. I also disliked her A LOT in Prison Break and was happy to see her character killed.
I'm in denial about Eli Stone and Lipstick Jungle as well. I resolve to stay that way as long as I can.
I also resolve to continue to avoid Grey's Anatomy. I grew to love the show, but I really don't miss watching it. And it wasn't one thing and we didn't have a "breakup"... I just would tape episodes (yes, I'm in the stone ages), but would then have no desire to watch them. Eventually, I'd record over them. I'm not even sure what they should do to fix it now...
I think Privileged is going to be ok (fingers crossed) and I also have my fingers crossed that Bryan Fuller will make Heroes at least palatable again (if not outright good again - although that's a tall order!)
Varris | Dec 30, 2008 10:02:45 AM | #my future husband (dylan mckay) WILL be back. after 18 years of searching, however, i have found a husband runner-up: dan scott.
lynn | Dec 30, 2008 10:15:59 AM | #Dan Scott? Really?
Jen | Dec 30, 2008 11:54:58 AM | #I resolve not to care as much that Eli Stone was cancelled, because (shhh) this season wasn't as good.
I resolve to stick with Heroes, because if Lost can get it back, then so can Heroes.
I resolve to return to 24 after deciding it just wasn't worth it anymore. If Tony can come back, so can I. (But I'm disappointed unless Carlos Bernard answers a phone "CTU Almeda".)
I resolve to stop getting hooked on silly reality shows like "Estate of Panic" and "Cha$e" on SciFi. What? There's a scare-em reality show coming to CW? Never mind this resolution. (When's KidNation2?)
I resolve to stop thinking that Robyn Tunney's the SECOND best actor on "The Mentalist," unless Gregory Itzin's on. (But if you think about it, she is)
I resolve to never again discuss my deeply hidden impure thoughts for Kirsten Vangsness, sexiest woman on TV.
Word Money G | Dec 30, 2008 1:35:05 PM | #
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