Each network has a different
style of shows on Sundays. Sunday is the only time you’ll see primetime from
6-7 Central. Except ABC, all of the major four networks show football for the
first half of the season. This causes problems on CBS where most of the shows
get delayed which is really annoying. FOX just preempts the first hour as
needed which causes very rare delays sometimes. NBC doesn’t even show
non-sports until midseason. In terms of consistency, this day of the week has
the most, except for possibly Friday. ABC and CBS show mostly the same thing in
theory in terms of dramas. In fact, it’s creepy how similar they are. FOX shows
comedies, a lot of them adult animated comedies. When NBC show shows after
football season ends, it is normally just various limited run series. Here’s my
view of the shows that I have seen, some of them, watch regularly. The CW
doesn’t show anything on this night yet, but it will next season.
America’s Funniest Home Videos: Status- Currently on ABC on Sundays
at 8/7 Central. Why I’ve seen it- I can’t remember for sure, but back when it
had its original host, I watched all the time with my family. I guess we just
liked the concept. One of the few memories I have of my father (who is dead)
relates to this show. Noteworthiness- It has been on a long time. I don’t know
for how long and it did take a break in new episodes at one point. Everything
that you see on the show is submitted from viewers of it. Description- Viewer
submitted home videos are viewed as the audience determines which one is the
best. Pros- If you like the Three Stooges, you’ll like this show. It can be
funny sometimes. Cons- Most of the laughs comes from people getting hurt. It
can get boring quickly. Some of what is shown is far from being funny. Note to
Parents- I watched this a lot as a kid. I don’t know how much the show has
changed over the years, but I’d have to say that this show is probably
acceptable for kids, but it may teach them to laugh at other people’s pain,
which is not a good lesson. Recommendation- Do not watch this show. It is not
worth your time. My Viewing Habits- I used to watch this show, if only because
I didn’t like watching football at the time instead. I can’t stand this show
anymore and refuse to tune into it as it isn’t any good. Prediction- This show will
be on until people stop watching it, submitting videos to it, or the network
finally realizes how bad it really is. A new host could spill its demise as a
new host for virtually any show like this could. Plus, even if it ends for a
while, it could return as it has in the past. Reception: mixed to positive.
Grade: D-.
60 Minutes: Status- Currently on Sunday nights on CBS at 7/6
Central unless delayed due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- Typically, there’s
nothing good on other networks when I started, but a general interest in
current events is why I typically watch as much as I do. Noteworthiness- Some
consider it to be the longest show in primetime. That is probably correct.
Description- It is an in-depth news show of current and interesting events. Normally
three stories are shown with the first relating to current events and the last
relating to culture. Normally, the last story is a profile on some notable
celebrity. Sometimes, they do a story in multiple segments. Pros- Unique news
stories could keep you hooked until commercials. There is very little wrong
with it. Cons- Nothing keeps you into it if you want to watch something else
and the segment you were watching ends. Controversies have arisen more from
this show than any other show on CBS. The segments tend to last a very long
time which can irate you. Note to Parents- This is a news show and the news can
be gruesome. While some segments may work for certain ages, most would not
unless the kid is a teen. Recommendation- You should watch this if you have the
chance. Maybe you’ll learn something interesting. If you have no interest in
news shows, then this isn’t for you. My Viewing Habits- I tend to watch this
most of the time this isn’t on delay. If it is on delay, I normally watch other
shows instead. While I like it, it isn’t something that I always watch. As it
is older than me, I started watching this much later than I could have
otherwise. Prediction- This show will be on until the end of the world. Even
then, it might continue. Reception: positive. Grade: A-.
Bob’s Burgers: Status- Currently on Sundays on FOX at 7:30/6:30
Central. Why I’ve seen it- I guess I just typically like watching these types
of shows for some odd reason. Plus, there might have been a gap in my schedule
with nothing else to watch at the time. To put it simply, I don’t know why I
watched this in the first place. Description- Part of animation domination, we
see the misadventures of a family who works in, owns, and (more or less) lives
in a restaurant. Pros- It is funny, using a humor not typically seen on
television. Cons- There may be worse things than this, but there are a lot of
better things as well. It can be hard to stay into it and watch it all the
time. It may take you a while to realize that it is good. Note to Parents- This
is one that is probably best avoided among kids less than the teenage years. Recommendation-
It is pretty good so watch if you can. My Viewing Habits- Sometimes I watch and
sometimes I don’t. It depends on when it airs, what else is airing at the same
time, if that thing is on delay or not, and various other things like that. Prediction-
This will last for a while, unless the network decides that they want something
else instead. Reception: mixed then positive. Grade: B+.
The Simpsons: Status- Currently on FOX on Sundays at 8/7 Central.
Why I’ve seen it- I typically watched reruns when I was a child. It’s probably
not something that a young person should have been watching, although the newer
episodes that air now are more adult themed than the older ones were that I
mainly grew up with. Noteworthiness- It has lasted more seasons than any other
scripted primetime show. It was originally a spin-off of The Tracy Ullman Show.
Over 500 episodes have been made. Description- This is an animated comedy on a
strange family. They have different, unrelated stories in each episode. Notable
People- Matt Groening is the creator of this show and he has done different
comic book series as well as Futurama. Pros- Funny episodes are shown all the
time. There is never any ongoing storylines so you don’t have to be devoted to
the show. Despite the fact that it has been on a long time, they still manage
to come up with great, new episodes from time to time. Cons- Inappropriate
humor is used a lot. There is absolutely no continuity between episodes. The
show jumped the shark a long time ago, yet remains on the air simply because of
great ratings. Religion is typically represented poorly in the show. The head
writer has changed a lot. Note to Parents- While I watched this a lot as a kid
and it even won polls for favorite kids show, I don’t think that most young
ones should watch this. A preteen or older can handle the show without asking
any serious questions. Recommendation- You should watch it if you like it (and
only if you like it) and have the time. It can be quite entertaining. Although,
since they don’t have the best ideas anymore, then it may not be worth your
time. My Viewing Habits- While I have waning interest in the show, I typically
watch it when I can. There was a time I didn’t watch it and if it aired with a
show I didn’t like, I wouldn’t watch it for as long as they are paired
together. Prediction- This show will last forever, unless the death of a cast
member causes a retooling of the show or otherwise abrupt ending. One can
wonder what the death of Matt Groening, who still supervises the show, would
cause. It could end at some point, but it seems generally unlikely to most
people. Reception: generally positive then somewhat negative. Grade: B-.
American Idol: Status- Currently on ABC at 8/7 Central on Sundays.
Why I’ve seen it- My family liked it when it first came out. Noteworthiness-
This is a reboot of the FOX show that aired for a long time. I do not know if
this newer version is any different or not because I haven’t watched the newer
version of it. Description- Various people compete in a singing competition.
Notable People- The judges of this show are famous singers, although I haven’t
looked up who they are. Ryan Seacrest, who also co-hosts the show Live and has
done a radio show among other things, is the host of this show. Pros- You can
see some good talent on here from time to time. Cons- The voting method where
one can vote as often as possible is seriously flawed. A lot of the winners are
never heard from again. Some of the episodes seen earlier in the season seem to
focus on bad singers intentionally. Note to Parents- When it gets to the main
live shows where people can vote, the show tends to be best for people to
watch. The parts of the season that air sooner have more objectionable content.
Recommendation- I’d pass on this. My Viewing Habits- I mainly watched the
second and third season, but didn’t like the results and never really cared
much for it again. Prediction- I have no idea if this will last or not, having
been revived after it was over previously. I’d say that it might not last
unless there is pressure to replace the host who was accused of sexual
harassment. Whether or not he makes the show and people would watch it without
him, would remain to be seen. Reception: mixed then positive. Grade: F.
Instinct: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Sundays unless
delayed due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- I normally always watch a CBS show at
least once. Noteworthiness- This is adapted from a James Patterson book. Description-
It is hard to tell for sure that much about it right off the bat, but it seems
to be about a professor and author who is starting to work with the police to
solve crimes. Notable People- This has Alan Cumming who is known for being on
Broadway and formerly starring in The Good Wife. Pros- It seems pretty
interesting in some places. Cons- It can seem too similar to the show Castle in
some ways. It doesn’t seem entirely original just yet. Note to Parents- This
has the same sort of things wrong with it that you’d find in most shows.
Recommendation- I think that it is good to watch if you like the average murder
mystery. My Viewing Habits- I plan to keep watching this until the very end and
have watched since the first episode. Prediction- If history continues to
repeat itself, it won’t last beyond this first season. But I don’t know just
yet how it could be fairing among the other shows. I’ll know more later. Reception:
mixed. Grade: B-. New review
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Status- Currently on FOX at 8:30/7:30 Central
on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- The critics like it and I thought that it might
be good. Description- It is a comedy-drama (mostly comedy) that has cops
solving crimes in a humorous way. Notable people- This show has Andy Sandberg
(formerly from Saturday Night Live), Terry Crews (known from Everybody Hates
Chris), as well as other famous people I don’t know that well or what they are
from. Pros- I’d have to say that it’s pretty good how it takes stuff that could
be put in a drama and has a funny spin on it. Cons- The usual bad morals are
present and a lot of the humor is hit and miss. Note to Parents- I’m not sure
if this has ever aired with a viewer discretion is advised warning, but there’s
enough in here that’s bad for younger than teenagers. Recommendation- This show
is pretty good and I recommend it. It’s nice to see a cop comedy instead of the
typical cop drama. My Viewing Habits- While I have liked this since the first
episode, I have not always watched it, although I do whenever it works out in
my schedule. I have an on again off again relationship with this show. Prediction-
It might be closer to ending in the near future. Reception: positive. Grade:
A-.
Family Guy: Status- Currently on FOX at 9/8 Central on Sundays. Why
I’ve seen it- I’m not sure why I was interested in it, but it might have been
my usual interest in animated comedies. Noteworthiness- It was cancelled twice
and brought back twice for a much longer time. Description- The animated
adventures of a family including their dog and baby who can talk and behave
like largely like normal people. Notable People- Seth MacFarlane, who has
created other shows like The Orville and American Dad, does this show as well.
Seth Green, known for his work on Robot Chicken and some movies is Chris. Mila
Kunis, who was in That 70’s Show and some notable movies is Meg. Pros- The show
manages to stay fresh while poking fun at somewhat recent events. Insides jokes
come up all the time. Funny episodes are common. The themes that show up are
less an approval of them but more a comment on them and how other people can
sometimes think. Cons- Bad episodes pop up just as often as good ones. If it
weren’t animated, it couldn’t be shown on network television due to sex,
violence, and language. It can be too random at points leaving you with no clue
as to what is going on. You’ll probably hate as much as you like. Note to
Parents- This show has always aired with a content advisory warning so that
alone should be enough for you to make a judgment on it. Your teens would
probably love it, but don’t yet young ones watch it. Recommendation- Take it or
leave it. It’s not for everyone, although I like it sometimes. My Viewing
Habits- I got into this late and don’t always watch or care about it. But I am
still into it despite its declining quality. If it aired with something that I
didn’t like, I might not watch it as a result. Prediction- It will last a long
time. Reception: positive yet controversial. Grade: C.
NCIS: Los Angeles: Status- It is currently on CBS at 9/8 Central on
Sundays unless delayed due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- I watch NCIS so I
figured that this would be good as well. Noteworthiness- It is a spin-off of
the popular NCIS. The agency it is based off of (office of special projects)
does not really exist in real life (although the information I have on that
could be wrong). Description- The office of special projects of NCIS which is
located in Los Angeles investigates different crimes. Notable People- Chris
O’Donnell, known for different movies, is the lead agent G Callen. LL Cool J, a
rapper and also known for different movies is Sam Hanna. Linda Hunt, known for
different movies as well, is Hetty. Pros- This is different from NCIS, but
still good enough to keep you watching. The undercover assignments are funny
and interesting. Cons- It is not as good as NCIS and unrealistic at points. It
seems like some unethical methods are used at times to catch the perps. Note to
Parents- I’d say this has the usual amount of what you would expect from a
primetime drama. I’d say that you could let high schoolers watch this, but
probably not younger than that. Recommendation- I say that you should watch
this show if you like it, but not if you aren’t already into NCIS or military
dramas like that. Although, some people may like this without having to
associate with the rest of the franchise as the shows are largely unrelated to
each other most of the time. My Viewing Habits- While I have not seen every
episode, I’ve been watching this since the very first episode. Prediction- It
might get cancelled before NCIS ends. I’m not sure if it will. The ratings have
been bad lately so it might not last that much longer. It could end without
warning. Reception: mixed. Grade: B.
The Last Man on Earth: Status- Currently on FOX on Sundays at
9:30/8:30 Central. Why I’ve seen it- It looked interesting and it fit in with
my schedule. Description- After a virus decimates the human population, only a
handful of people remain. Believe it or not, it’s a comedy. Notable People-
Will Forte, who was once on Saturday Night Live, is the main character. Kristin
Schaal, from Bob’s Burgers, is another character. January Jones, from Mad Men,
is a character. Mary Steenbergen, who did movies, is another character. Pros- I
think that it is pretty good. It is unique and interesting. It actually works
as a comedy. Cons- It is strange. It doesn’t always make sense. Some of it is
dumb. The writing choices can be questionable at times. Note to Parents-
Sometimes it airs with a content adversary warning. I’d have to say that this
probably is something that teens can watch, but not any younger than that. It
is hard for me to tell sometimes why it would have that warning. Recommendation-
I’d say that you should watch it if it fits in with your schedule. My Viewing
Habits- While I may miss episodes from time to time, I have pretty much seen
this since the first episode. Prediction- This could last, but it is in danger
of being axed. It seems more likely to stay right now than go. Reception: generally
positive. Grade: B.
Madam Secretary: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on
Sundays unless delayed due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- I almost always watch a
CBS show at least once. Description- This show is about a woman who becomes
secretary of state and all the drama that unfolds with it. It is best thought
of as a political drama. Pros- This show is pretty good. The characters are interesting.
It is an interesting drama with enough mystery going on to make people
interested in it. The show is also pretty realistic, to an extent. Cons- I
don’t know if it runs the risk of getting too political based on the
undisclosed parties the people are part of. Plus, like other shows, it is in
the strange situation of being in a reality that is both real and made up
instead of a completely made up reality which would probably be better for it.
Also, the number of crisis that the country faces each episode, even though
they are relatively minor, can be a bit much, even if it’s needed for the plot
of the show. Note to Parents- I’d have to say that this be a decision that goes
either way with your views on what kids should watch. Preteens might be okay watching
it, but I think that the really young kids should be avoiding this. With as
late as it can wind up airing on a school night, you might be better off not
letting them watch it. Recommendation- I ultimately think that it is worth the
watch. My Viewing Habits- I have seen this since the very first episode and
keep watching to blog about every episode in the future as you’ll see in the
link below. I don’t know if I have seen every episode, though, but I plan on
staying with this until the very end. Prediction- This show being on Sunday may
be a bit of a risk for this show. Plus, keeping it realistic might be hard as
years pass, meaning that it might have to be short term to stay realistic in
some way. But, I think that this show will probably last for a while.
Reception: positive. Grade: B.
Timeless: Status- Currently on NBC at 10/9 Central on Sundays. Why
I’ve seen it- I was interested in it and I wanted to watch a new fall NBC show
at the time. Noteworthiness- This was once cancelled for three days before
being brought back. Rumor has it that it was due to fan revolt, but that’s not
true. It was due to a Sony deal. Description- Three people seek to prevent an
evil company from changing history. Pros- The show has interesting plots that
keep you into it. Cons- The show can be confusing at times. Note to Parents-
There is enough in here that younger people shouldn’t be watching. Most of it
is okay, though, but it has problems with sex and violence, like you might
expect. Recommendation- I’d watch this and think that you should too. My
Viewing Habits- I had planned to watch this from the start, but due to
reception problems, had to wait until later episodes in the first season. I
plan to keep seeing this until the very end. Prediction- I have no idea what
could wind up happening with it. It could last some more or it might end for
real this time. Reception: generally positive. Grade: B. New review
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