I don’t think there’s a general thread for the new fall season shows. If there is, my bad and please move this one.
Anyway, I saw two of the new series tonight:
Dads (Fox) Pretty bad. I was thinking it was going to be grim when I saw the promos this weekend. The ad campaign was based on the idea “Don’t listen to what the critics are saying” (and the end of the show lampshaded early cancellations) - these are not good signs. This show has some talented people but you wouldn’t know it here. The jokes are offensive and not funny. On the positive side, Brenda Song looks good in a slutty schoolgirl outfit.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox) This show on the other hand was pretty good. It was funny and they have some good characters that seem like they will be able to carry a series. I like the fact that while it’s a comedy, they still have the characters acting like good detectives. And Samberg avoids the Alan Alda syndrome - he’s willing to do jokes at his own character’s expense. This show I have hopes for.
So far I’m inclined to agree on all counts. I like to sort TV comedies into “top half” and “bottom half” categories (based on the current pack of on-air comedies). Dads seems pretty soundly bottom half. Brooklyn Nine-Nine has potential to be top half, but it’s hard to tell from just the pilot.
Dads was the best show named Dads to appear on television, butthe bar is so low* that it’s underground. Compared to TV comedies, it’s relentlessly stupid. Martin Mull and Peter Riegert must have been really hard up for work.
Brooklyn 911 has some promise with the characters, and Andre Braugher is always good to watch, especially since the role gives him something to do. It’s worth a second look.
*Marketers, for some reason, would send videotapes of it to people asking them to evaluate a new show, but when I saw it, it was quite clear the thing had been filmed years before. It was all a ruse – the video would show ads in the show and the questions were about the ads.
Sleepy Hollow: it has it’s own thread on the SDMB. Anachronisms, poor history, bad use of the book of Revelation, and predictable plots and characters made it hard for me to enjoy.
Andre Braugher is funnier as a straight man than most actors are when they’re trying to be funny. Brooklyn Nine-Nine definitely has potential. It’s from some of the people that created Parks and Recreation, so it might take some time to get fully up to speed, but so far, I’m enjoying it.
Dads was just stupid - and not once did I even crack a smile, let alone laugh.
Brooklyn 99 was better, and will tune in again, but didn’t exactly have me rolling in the aisles either. Still, it has a better start, better cast of characters and you can sort of see how this might turn out to be funnier in later episodes.
Saw Sleepy Hollow, but comments are in that thread.
This coming Tuesday is the premiere of Agents of SHIELD from Joss Whedon… that’s the only new show I’ll be actively watching from the beginning, although I’m curious to hear reviews of both Hostages and Blacklist.
But on the bright side it’s filmed locally, so I get kind of a kick out of recognizing the locations. I’m still watching for that, but I think it’ll get old fast.
I missed Brooklyn 99 and I want to see it – hopefully it will be online at Fox’s site or something. I have little interest in seeing dads. The ads for dads look bads plus everything I’ve read about it confirm that.
I do want to see SHIELD as does my son. Somehow I don’t think he’ll be too interested in actually watching it because it probably won’t include much actual superhero action, but we’ll see. I can’t think of anything else out there that’s new that I want to see.
Ugh. On a scale of 0 to 5 stars, I’d give a negative 2.
I really love Allison Janney in almost everything she does. Anna Faris is sometimes good. But this … whatever they are calling it, is bad. Just plain awful. It doesn’t really qualify as a sitcom or anything. And Janney was barely even in it!
Didn’t know much going in, surprised to see French Stewart and Matt (Badger/Zeke) Jones. So some decent casting.
But the premise, the “jokes”, the forced stories, etc. Are just … (did I use “awful” already? How about …) terrible.
In a way Anna Faris in this reminds me of those failed Bonnie Hunt shows. Good person in the wrong thing done badly. (Even Janney’s character’s name is “Bonnie”.)
Chuck Lorre’s limited talents are being stretched too far.
I would predict quick failure except it’s slotted into CBS’s Monday night lineup where crap like 2 Broke Girls somehow survives.
I know 2 Broke Girls is not new, so this is OT, but HOW in the world does that show continue to exist? I saw it last night. It was beyond awful. Do people watch it like they watch train wrecks?
I agree, it was really horrible. Very cringe-worthy. However, in a world where* 2 1/2 Men *and Two Broke Girls are still on, I predict success. Yet, they canceled Don’t Trust The B In Apartment 23. So there’s really no telling. Hostages has an interesting premise, but the dialog and the acting were pretty bad.
I’m keeping Brooklyn 9-9 on the DVR – it reminds me of Barney Miller.
Also keeping Sleepy Hollow. I don’t care if the mythology makes sense or if the history is accurate. I like the way it looks and I like the characters.
Took Blacklist off the DVR without watching, based on comments here and elsewhere. I haven’t seen a decent major network drama in years. Been spoiled by the quality stuff on AMC and FX and HBO.
Don’t plan to watch Homeland. I love Damien Lewis and Mandy Patinkin, but I don’t see anything realistic or logical happening in a third season. If I’m wrong and the reviews are good, I’ll spring for the DVD.
I gave Sleepy Hollow a chance, but it didn’t last long. I don’t really pay attention to sitcoms. After Prison Break and 24 and finally The Following, I’m not fond of big concept shows like Hostages. I didn’t care for the idea of The Blacklist. Betrayal is Right OUT.
The only show mentioned so far I have interest in is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I have hopes. Midlin’ hopes.