While some of the cable channels are offering the finales of their series recently (and why do they do that? --- it pretty much confuses the heck out of me), most networks are just getting their 'newbies' opened up, and their 'oldies' are returning - all refreshed after last year's cliffhangers. Anyone out there having a look? We're a bit bombarded, so it's hard to see even bits and pieces of them all ... but I'm trying. My thumb is sore and entirely mangled from channel surfing these past few nights . So far, for me, I am not liking the new "Hawaii Five-O" retread. There was a charm (and even a bit of camp) in the original series that is not present in this new one. Technically it's much more awesome, but something seems missing [so far] to get my interest. And that's just my opinion, really. Those unfamiliar with the first one might not make unavoidable comparisons, and it could end up a hit (the *positive* ratings given it indicate that the new audience is happy with it, on various websites). I was pretty disapponted that one of my favorite TV actors, Jimmy Smits, showed up in a snorer, too, this year. It was so negligible that I can't even remember what it's called. Most of the others I got to glance at were still trying to get themselves 'figured out' (in all fairness, the Smits show and "Hawaii" are, too --- it takes more than just one hyped hour for a good show to find its early feet, I realize).

BUT (happily) there are two new ones that I'm into 100% already. If anyone remembers my rabid passion about "Southland" last year? It should come as no surprise, then, that I'm loving "Detroit 1-8-7". What interesting cops! And what interesting *perps*, too. And that one getting its aforementioned 'legs' is even more awkward at the gate, since they switched the whole format of the show not long before it initially aired last night. It was begun as a 'mockumentary'. Evidently, that didn't work so well so they decided to make it more 'episodic' - but the mockumentary idea was clear on the premiere last night, in spots, no matter how much they tried to crowd it out. That lead detective is just fascinating, as well. That staredown in the interrogation room had me glued. Excellent (original) TV! -- and I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, if you didn't watch . But, trust me. It worked. If you like that kind of programming, at least. The other one that I've been raving about for two weeks now? That'd be "Terriers", on FX. Not since AMC decided to do original series have I seen a program written this well! It's on tonight, and I can't wait to watch it already ... and I have eleven hours to wait! It's your basic "two-guys-down-on-their-luck" story, who hook up and decide to dabble in a little private investigating. Naturally, their first case (only gotten by luck and sloppy connections) turns out to be huge! And it's all believable, and wildly smart - not to mention beautifully funny, here and there. The show makes me gush. That's probably not a good thing, huh?

Those are my picks (hits and misses), though. I'm sure some of you out there are watching, too! Anything you're liking? Or liking not-so-much?

I have to agree about Hawaii Five-0, it seemed mostly shootouts and explosions in paradise, and the dialouge was atrocious. I was suprised to see some of the people behind the camera and doing the writing were involved with other more cerebral shows I have liked.

I DVRed "Detroit 187" so will watch that tonight. I am looking forward to the new Greg Garcia show, he was behind "My Name is Earl", which I also DVRed last night and at the last moment can't remember the shows name, but Garcia being involved was enough for me to check it out. "Modern Family" is back tonight too.


No show really left me dying to know what happens next from last season.


"The Event" seems worth giving it a few shows, not great, but better then average to start.

"The Chase" was also above average and worth seeing where it goes.

Upon you review I am going to find "Terriers" and DVR it, the previews were interesting, but didn't win me over enough to seek it out.

The only new shows I've watched were "Outlaw", "Lone Star" and "The Chase". Out of those the best one was "Outlaw". I like Jimmy Smits as well, Gats, and didn't think the pilot was all that bad. I do like Jesse Bradford though and the two women in the show are, ahem, attractive to me. haha. I thought "Lone Star" was the worst one of the three and I'd be surprised if it lasts. I usually don't get bored watching shows even if they are dramas. I was bored to death with the pilot of that show.

I didn't like "The Chase" at all. I'm tired of cop shows showing the group in some massive office space driving fancy new cars and the "chase" having absolutely no realistic qualities at all. I realize it's just a TV show...but the guy there is a massive manhunt for pulls up to within 200 feet of a roadblock, stops, waits a half a minute, then pulls off onto a side road...and no one notices? Little things like that drive me nuts on cop shows, and "The Chase" is guilty of many, many situations such as that in only it's first episode. I have no doubt it'll be a popular show though...since CSI does the same thing and we all know how popular that show is.

Looking forward to "Modern Family", L&O:SVU, and "Big Bang Theory" tonight though.

The only new show I've seen so far was "The Event". It's hard to tell how much promise this one will have. The first show was a long set-up to a mysterious event happening at the end, and spent the entire hour jumping around in time more than a bit too much. I'll tune in to see how this one comes out, but after the whole "FlashForward" fiasco from last year, I'm a bit hesitant to spend a season invested in a show that may just disappear, leaving me hanging at the end.

Dramas that are too episodic tend to lose my interest pretty quickly. It's hard to get excited about next week's episode when I already know that the show will start off with a big mystery/case and will end with the catching of the bad guy. Those are the types of shows I might watch if I have nothing better to do, but I won't make a point of tuning in regularly.

I'm looking forward to the premiere of "Modern Family" tonight. I haven't enjoyed a sitcom so much since "Arrested Development", and I think I may like this one even more. I'm also a little embarrassed to admit that I've started to enjoy "Cougar Town". I was not impressed at all when that one premiered last year, and watched it only because it followed "Modern Family" and I was already sitting there. But the characters have really grown on me over the last year, and I'll continue watching.

I for one am looking for shows outside the norm. Hollywood seems to have little imagination these days, and I'm extremely weary of shows about doctors, lawyers, and cops. Hollywood seems determined to stick to this formula to the point of desperation ~ like the one about doctors in a fertility clinic, for heaven's sake. It's become a joke in our house whenever we turn on the TV: "Do you want to watch doctors, lawyers, or cops?" Next year, I'd like to force Hollywood to give us an entire season of new shows without any doctors, lawyers, or cops, and force them to dig deep into their creative coffers and give us something original for a change!

As I mentioned on the chat board, I watched 'The Event' - the only new show that I'll watch this year - and wasn't very impressed. My opinion of it mirrors BxBarracuda and StarfishTwo in that after wasting my time watching 'Flashforward' last year (only a few, but still a few too many) I'm willing to give it a shot, but it better suck me in quickly. Of my all-time favorite shows, most had very strong premieres (Battlestar Galactica, Dexter, Damages, Lost, Leverage), although 'Fringe' did not and it is currently right up there as well. It has better acting than 'Flashforward' and 'V' so it gets another 2 episodes guaranteed (although the next episode on DVR since the Bears are on Monday Night Football), and we'll see after that.

I can't get into cop shows at all, so I have no interest in 'Chase' and 'Detroit 187.' I couldn't even watch 'CSI' after a while because I need a continuing storyline; a reason for me to watch the following episode. With cop shows you're basically guaranteed that everybody's going to be fine unless it's a finale.

For the shows simply returning, I am very excited for 'Dexter.' Season 4 was simply amazing television and the fact that 'Mad Men' won at the Emmys over it is just ridiculous. TV doesn't get any better than that. Also, as I mentioned before, 'Fringe' is coming back off of a strong season 2 finale, and the start of season 3 should be very interesting.

Am just finishing watching Detroit 187 and I have seen this playbook before, about 15 years ago, but it took place in Baltimore then and was called "Homicide: Life on the Street". The similarites to the Pembleton-Bayliss relationship are clear as well as the older cop who quotes Italian like Giardello used to. While as far as I am concerned there will never be another character like Frank Pembleton, this was my pretty much my favorite show of all time, so far, and I have been waiting for a good series to follow in the style of "Homicide: Life on the Street", so I am hooked.

Yay!, BX. I think "1-8-7" is awesome, and am glad you liked it. The comparisons to "Homicide: Life on the Street" are accurate, too. I hadn't made it ... but you're right. It's there.

As for "The Event". I'm decided that I'm going to watch that one further. I, too, am likely going to get disappointed doing so (just like "Flash Forward" last time - a show which, by the way, I loved bunches). But I'll give it a shot. The first episode was pretty confusing; too many people showing up with nothing to do or say at this point. But I think what they're 'doing' or 'saying' might be more important than I thought it was, as the tale travels. How ungodly, y'know ? A person having to pay attention to a cast of characters like that! But it looks worthy. Young Ritter is a compelling new actor to watch, I've always thought. The whole thing, so far, seems to rest on him. But, again, I have to rewatch that one, start to finish.

"Terriers" didn't seem to lose itself tonight. Still well-written. Still like watching a short movie. Three episodes in, and not losing momentum? That's a fine thing.

Rereading my post I just want to clarify that "Homicide:Life on the Street" is my favorite series of all time, so far, though 187 certainly has the potential to be right up there with it.

Two more similarities I noticed twoards the end are the big (dry erase) board with the list of open and closed murders in either red or black and the good use of music to close the show and help you feel the mood. Though I don't know if 187 will use catchy lesser known tunes like "Boom, Boom, Boom", "Blood Makes Noise", "Sugar Bon Bon" and "Cold, Cold Ground" to name a few.


Editing to add commentary on the Greg Garcia show I couldn't remember the name of, the name is ""Raising Hope" and I can best describe it as absurdly trashy. Funny to the point where your natural instinct to laugh at something humorous is stronger then the other part of your brain which is telling you it's just wrong to laugh at what just happened and how wrong what just happened is.

Glad you mentioned 187 was like "Homocide", Bx. "Homocide" was one of my favorite shows as well and I honestly had no interest in watching 187. But now that I've seen you and Gats say it's similar, I'll check it out if I can.

I just watched the tape of "Raising Hope"! I dunno, BX. There's something about 'trailer trash' comedy that gets me laughing in seconds (and, again, you're right ... it is pretty absurd). A topless Cloris Leachman? Say what? But I'm a big Martha Plimpton fan, and am loving her in this part. It's got a GREAT time slot, too, so maybe it will last. I hope so. It's pretty embarrassing ~ I've seen that done many times before. But the "throwing up on the baby" stuff (after she pooped her diaper)? I laughed like a crazy person.

There is definitely something good about the way Greg Garcia brings "Trailer Trash" to T.V. and I got some good laughs from the show. He highlights the characters trashy qualities, but shows the good qualities as well. He also has a way to make the strange decisions they make almost have a sort of logic to them lol.

If anyone has HBO do yourself a favor and watch "Boardwalk Empire". I just watched the premiere (it's actually on Sundays) and it is, in a word, outstanding. Simply outstanding. If the rest of the series is anything like the first episode, HBO may have another "Sopranos" on their hands.

I don't watch a lot of prime time anymore except for maybe Law and Order: SVU...and I rarely catch it as I work until into prime time now (home about 8pm) and get up as early as I do (5:30am).

Have seen 2nd episode of "Terriers" and 1st of "Boardwalk Empire". Both good shows, what I came out of the "Terriers" episode with, was a look at where people draw personal moral lines and how far people would go to reach an end. "Boardwalk Empire" was good, a bit over the top though, and I hope they don't sidetrack into deviant story lines.

Glad you gave a positive review of "Terriers", BX ! I was reading the Nielsens site last night, and was (mighty) dismayed that the ratings for the show are pretty bad, and getting worse each week. Sigh. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised --- the likes of me enjoys a program? Well, 'nuff said. It gets cancelled in seconds as a result. All the other shows mentioned, so far, on this thread started out rather well, numerically speaking ~ except "Outlaw" and, surprisingly, "Lone Star". Those latter two are already predicted to be cancelled in short order! But it's really too soon to say, so early in. I was truly planning to have a look at "Lone Star", since it's hype and critical buzz was so good. But maybe not? The numbers on its opening episode were shockingly bad. O' course, though, one must always weigh whether the ratings for a show means it ought to be watched or not, in its freshman season. Look at (historically) "M*A*S*H"", "Seinfeld", and others. I don't get HBO, but that Scorsese show "Boardwalk Empire" is getting both great opening audience numbers AND awesome reviews. Drat. Wish I could see it (without paying a few bucks more for a channel, when I already have three times enough of those already). And [yippee] - "Raising Hope" did really well last week. Trounced the show after it, pretty much. "Running Wilde", I think it was --- and I didn't like the latter one at all. Keri Russell or no (and I like her all over the place).

The breakout hit seems to be that "S&%#t My Dad Says", or whatever they're calling it. It's something like that. It smacked everything else down, pretty much, on the Nielsen 'new show' meter. Looks like we're pretty loyal to our Captain Kirk, eh ? But ... final thought. If anybody plans to see "Terriers"? It might be advised to watch it now. Getting past its first short season seems, at this early point, unlikely.

Oh! And another one I was actually looking forward to, as per the summer ads. "My Generation". My good heavens ... I watched it and a slower, less *grab you* show I've never seen! B-o-r-i-n-g, times thirty! A program like that needs at least one character in it that gets your attention, your empathy, your support. This one just doesn't have it/one of it in there. I was hoping that they'd all go back ten years and return to high school, and try again! Its ratings were dreadful, too. So I don't think we'll have to be worrying about that lot reaching middle age, as we struggle to watch it happen.

I was well suprised to find last week a ton load of shows back on...Final season of Smallville, Season 3 of Fringe, Season 6 of Bones and Season 3 of Being Erica. I have not bothered to look at any new shows especially after last years Flash Forward as like most people here have said...why invest in all that time only for it to be cancelled.

Being Erica, I don't know if we get that one in the U.S., what's it about?

"Lone Star" is, evidently, officially cancelled - or so I read this morning. Somehow (even though I never got to watch it), that seems pretty unfair to me. To ANY show, really. Two episodes and you're out? Seems to me that a program deserves at least six episodes before some guy in an office determines/decides it's a hopeless stinker. Which is why I'm not a television executive, of course. "Raising Hope" is maintaining nicely ~ but, I gotta say it , I might get really tired of getting even hints of Cloris Leachmen without her blouse on, if they plan to insert a scene of "that" every episode. Just kidding. I like Cloris ... and they're only hints, so it's not so offensive. The writing is good, and tight, on that show, though. My personal follow-up opinion(s) of "Detroit 1-8-7", after seeing (its rather odd) episode this week? Imperioli definitely carries that one, his character is interesting and he's a good actor. AND without his partner there, at the moment, the chemistry is all askew. That 'grizzled cop/newbie cop' worked well ... and the other folks in the squad room without it are floundering a little. But I still like the potential in all of 'em. It didn't help that they were doing two (one would have been better, and enough) rather complicated cases at once this week. But the partner ought to be back soon, yes? That'll help bunches. That show should, must last . Then there's "Terriers". I'm still glued, and still championing it. The plot set the guys off into an interesting mess Wednesday night as well. If only there's enough people watching to get grabbed by it, anyway.

I wildly enjoyed "The Event" this week ! Naturally, that could be because I was so relieved to watch something that didn't have Michael Bolton dancing in it, that night. But I don't think it was just that. I am getting behind that one. It's interesting, I think? Aliens in TV shows typically put me off (unless they're somehow connected to the Starship Enterprise). But "The Event" is doing it differently enough to get me hooked. And Sypher reminded me that I have to catch up on "Fringe", in his post. I truly like that show. Even though I'm not sure who's an alien, IF there are aliens anywhere, or who's what!? But, in my opinion, it's compelling. Walter is so doggedly weird and/or complicated that I find him fabulous!

Not familiar with "Being Erica", either. Must be one we can't get our hands on, over here?

I agree with Gats that the networks are way too quick to cancel shows these days. If ratings are low on a pilot episode, shouldn't that be the network's fault for not generating enough interest to get folks to tune in? That one shouldn't be allowed to count against the show at all. And, it seems ridiculous to me to dismiss a show so early in the season when folks are busy trying to check out all the new shows at the same time. A perfect lesson for the network execs should be the aformentioned "Seinfeld", which took years to hit its stride, but later ended up being named by TV Guide as the best show ever on television.

And wasn't the term "mid-season replacement" coined because those were shows planned to replace shows that were canceled mid-season? Is our future going to be a plethora of "fall-premiere-season replacement" shows?

Anyone catch "No Ordinary Family"? I checked it out in my desperate quest to find shows that aren't about doctors, lawyers, or cops ~ no easy task, and even this one features a lead character who is a police sketch artist with a best friend who is a DA. It's not a great show, but it had some humorous moments thrown in, and I'll watch it again ~ if the networks allow me to, that is. I've also caught "The Defenders" twice now (lawyers again) ~ by default, as I was already in front of the TV for "Modern Family". Not a great show, but the Jim Belushi character is interesting to watch. His sidekick, not so much. I missed "The Event" this week due to circumstances beyond my control, but on Gatsby's recommendation, I'll check in with that one via the internet.

I will need the internet to check out some of the shows you folks here recommend, as I don't have cable. (Did I just hear everyone gasp?)

Have to disagree with you Gats, on Imperioli. I've never thought he was a good actor (hated him in "The Sopranos") and I think he's just as poor in "Detroit 187". He only has one "character" really and that's the NYC tough Italian guy. Cop or criminal, it's the same character. Loved the show though...the plugs they had for it was right. It's a cross between Homocide and NYPD Blue. Gritty and honest, something that is rare in a TV cop show nowadays.

Anyone else catch "Law & Order: Los Angeles" last night? I was pleasantly surprised. I've usually liked the L&O shows and this was no exception after the first episode. I was a bit disappointed that Terrance Howard wasn't in the first episode, considering they showed him in all the previews leading up to the premiere. But I see he's a main character next episode (playing one of the prosecuting attorneys).

Being Erica is based in Canada. The show stars Erin Karpluk as Erica Strange, a woman who begins seeing a therapist to deal with regrets in her life, only to discover the therapist (Michael Riley) has the ability to send her back in time to actually relive these events and even change them.

I like the time travel aspect of it and some good lessons can be learnt from each episode. Very enjoyable....

Stargate Universe is now back on for a second season....I hope it gets better as it feels a lot like ST: Voyager (but worse).

"Being Erica" sounds quite interesting -- I love time travel stuff and will watch absolute drivel if there's time travel involved. I'll have to check and see if I can get that one on the internet.

I'm watching a rerun of the debut of "No Ordinary Family" right now (and that's such a good idea, I think ... rerunning the first episodes of these things on a Friday night, when nothing else worth a tinker is on). I'm liking it! Even though it's an adjective I'm not too fond of using? I'll call it "cute". And not at all hard to follow, without thinking too much. It got pretty fine ratings, too, on its initial run this week past, too. I think we'll be watching these folks catch bulletes and/or race at the speed of light down highways for a while . Something for everybody in that one. A revisit to this week's "Modern Family" was on an hour or so ago, too. Man, I love that show! And, pyonir ... I totally see your point about Imperioli. It's a point, in fact, that I might easily predict many viewers have. He's a tad hard to like in "1-8-7" ~ he's smug, and bitter, and not too welcoming. He sorta reminds me of Andy Sipowicz in "NYPD Blue", as he was pretty hard to warm up to, too, at the gate. BUT, they developed Andy nicely (flaws and all) in that show ... and I hope they can do the same thing on this new one. I'm liking the wee shots of him, here and there (mostly when he's privately lusting/looking at that female detective nearby, and when he's awkwardly trying to be supportive and 'warm' with his wounded partner), when he looks like he's alive as a man. The trick, maybe?, will be to flesh him out as a hard-as-nails professional with, at the core of it, a reluctant and mostly awkward delicacy in his private life. And, o' course, that'll happen when they give him a private life to balance things out, maybe? I never watched "The Sopranos" ... so he's a complete newbie to me. Also, my friend pretty much made me watch "Chase" with him last week. It wasn't horrible -- but I didn't really care for it. My problems with that one came in that chick who stars in it, though. I'm thinking (and always have) that it takes a truly talented staff of writers to write a "commando woman" right. Am I the only one who LIKES (very much) strong women, but gets all daunted when they become scary about it? In truth, it's the same problem as Fitch/Imperioli lands in at the moment. But, with "Chase" they're not giving her even any hint(s) of soul, just yet. I reckon I'll snidely say? The best thing I left with after "Chase"? I liked the little lizard in it ! But if the writers get their 'stuff' together? It could maybe be a good show. That girl did a very decent job, with what she was given. My opinion was that she wasn't given enough to do in a way that might attract viewers sensibly. But I'm likely wrong.

On another note? Get this? "Terriers" went UP in its ratings this week ! Needless to say? I was thrilled beyond description. "Raising Hope" went up, too. Getting new viewers, after just word-of-mouth, after an episode or two? That bodes well for both. I noticed that both shows are making me look at longer commercial breaks/more sponsors, too. Annoying as it is? That's a good sign as well.

I saw most of the first episode of "Chase". There wasn't anything wrong with it, but the premise ~ chasing down bad guys and catching them ~ seems tired. But, ooh, it's a blond woman doing the chasing. My biggest complaint about the show is that it underused Amaury Nolasco, who was fantastic in "Prison Break" and deserves better.

I wish the networks would re-run everything on Friday and Saturday nights all the time. There's hardly ever anything worth watching on those nights, save for an occasional episode of "48 Hours Mystery". I rarely even bother turning on the TV on the weekends.

I usually try to check out the TV Guide critic's picks each year. They were the ones who turned me on to "Modern Family" last year. After a few years of sitcoms like "The Big Bang Theory" and "Rules of Engagement", I was pretty turned off of sitcoms and never would have tuned in if TV Guide hadn't recommended I do so. And thank goodness they did! I wouldn't have missed it for the world! So, here are TV Guide's picks for new shows on network television this year:

Better With You
Body of Proof
The Defenders
The Event
Hawaii Five-O
Lone Star
Mike & Molly
Nikita
Raising Hope

How did they do? That remains to be seen.