Saturday, April 14, 2018

Wednesdays in Primetime Version 5

Wednesdays can be good with television, yet can also be lame. This is the day of the week I’m most likely to miss shows on a regular basis whenever church gets in the way. There are some interesting shows and it has some of my favorite shows. ABC shows comedies which are currently Modern Family, The Goldbergs, Alex Inc., and American Housewife before ending with Designated Survivor. NBC shows The Blacklist, Chicago PD, and Law and Order: SVU. The CW shows Riverdale and The Originals. CBS shows Criminal Minds, Survivor, and SEAL Team. FOX is airing Empire and Star.

The Goldbergs: Status- This ABC comedy airs at 8/7 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- The first time was because I was unable to stop recording a tape after a different program stopped airing which recorded a whole episode of this show. I watched more episodes because I thought that it might be good after watching that particular episode. Noteworthiness- It is somewhat based off of true events. Description- It is about a man’s life growing up in the eighties when he was a kid and is based on details that actually happened (although I’m not sure just how much). Pros- It can be pretty good and funny sometimes. Cons- It doesn’t make a lot of sense sometimes and can be a bit odd. Plus, there are normally always errors when setting things in the past. Note to Parents- This is borderline over what is and isn’t acceptable so I suggest you watch for yourself to make your own decision. Recommendation- It is a good show to watch. My Viewing Habits- While I like this show, I normally don’t watch it since too many other things I like air at the same time. I might see more in syndication in the future. Prediction- It will keep lasting like it has already. Reception: mostly mixed. Grade: B-.

Survivor: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I think that other people in my family liked it and I found it interesting as well and started watching. Noteworthiness- It shows two seasons a year; one in the fall and another in the spring. There has been something new that happens on this show that has never happened in previous seasons. While most reality shows don’t have as good ratings as scripted shows, this has good ratings that show scripted shows could envy. It is also an adaptation of a Swedish reality show, Expedition Robertson. It is considered the first American reality show and is the longest running one on CBS if you don’t count a news related show. Description- Contestants compete against each other to see who will survive 39 days in a wilderness place and win a million dollars. Every week, a contestant is voted out and the last few people face a jury of previously voted out people who vote one of them the winner. Pros- There is a different cast each season so if you don’t like one season, you can stop watching and watch the next season. The contestants are interesting often. Drama is always present. Due to the competition nature of the show, it can’t legally be scripted like a lot of reality shows are. Something new always happens in each season. Cons- The people that you hate can make it far while the people that you like get eliminated first. The basic plots of some seasons can be similar to each other. They like to recycle ideas, locations, and challenges. It can be hard to find a normal season anymore. A lot of controversies have arisen on the show. This show has indirectly made every other reality show. They have a tendency to keep having returning players each season which can be off-putting to those that aren’t already fans of the show. Note to Parents- I watched this as a child, but I’m not sure if your kids should. It is better than the typical show in terms of content that might be deemed inappropriate for kids. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. I like it and think that you should watch it, but not everyone has my opinion of this show. My Viewing Habits- I came in during the second season and have mostly watched since. Now that I have a blog about it, I will probably watch every new episode until the show ends, if it does. Prediction- It will last as long as it has the same host, enough viewers, and enough money. If the host changes, it might leave the airwaves shortly after although another network like the CW might still have faith in it which could lead to a dramatic retooling of the show plus a fight with any other networks that might want it (if any do). Besides, this is the type of show that can be off the air for an extended amount of time and suddenly return with new people. Reception: good, although seasons vary. Grade: A-. I have a blog about it.


Riverdale: Status- Currently on the CW at 8/7 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- From this point forward, I’ll try to watch any new CW show if possible. Noteworthiness- This is inspired by the Archie comic book series. Description- Starting out, it is about a murder at a high school and various other dark plots. At the moment, it is best described as the noir genre. It is hard to tell what the basic plot of it is. Notable People- Cole Sprose, who was one of the leads on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, is a character who also narrates the show. Pros- There is enough potential in it that it might be good. It seems better than just another dumb high school show. Cons- This seems stereotypical in a way. This probably has all the problems you could expect from a CW show. Some of it is unrealistic and doesn’t make sense. Note to Parents- There are enough bad things in here that children shouldn’t be watching. Recommendation- I’d put this at a toss-up. My Viewing Habits- I started watching from the first episode. But I don’t know if I am still interested in it. If I do keep up with it, I’ll watch it later online. Prediction- It is renewed for another season. I don’t know how much longer it will last beyond that just yet. Reception: generally positive. Grade: C+.

The Blacklist: Status- Currently on NBC at 8/7 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I don’t know why I started watching it, but it was probably because the promos made it look good or something like that. Description- It seems to be about some law enforcement agency going after very dangerous criminals that are on something called the blacklist with the help of a criminal. There’s more to it than that and not every episode features someone on the blacklist. Notable People- James Spader, from movies and other things I’m not familiar with, is a main character on the show. Harry Lennix, who was on Dollhouse and Emily Owens MD, is on this show as well. Pros- This show can be interesting at times. Cons- It can be hard to understand. The show is very violent and bloody. Note to Parents- Don’t let young people watch this. Recommendation- I’d put this at a toss-up right now. My Viewing Habits- I came in early into the first season (after it started) and had been watching this until the current season. I don’t think that it has my interest anymore. Prediction- I think that it will stay a long time since it’s doing better than most NBC veteran shows. Reception: critically acclaimed. Grade: B.

Modern Family: Status- Currently on ABC at 9/8 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- Free time at the time and general interest in the show. Noteworthiness- It is a fake documentary meaning it presents itself as a reality show, when it isn’t (although certain “reality” shows are that way). It is a popular show winning awards as is the longest running comedy on this network along with The Middle. I don’t know if the return of Roseanne complicates things. Description- A look at the people an extended family of “normal” ones and not so normal ones. Notable People- Ed O’Neil from Married with Children is on this show. Pros- This is a funny comedy that attracts all different people like the families that are like this. There are good episodes a lot of the time. Cons- The episodes do not always have enough material in them and move by too quickly. Inappropriate material shows up often. They tend to ignore some of the filming aspects of the show opening it up to serious plot holes such as characters wanting proof of something, only to not consider the people that are filming them. Note to Parents- This is borderline like a bunch of other shows like it. Recommendation- Watch this show if you like it. You probably will. My Viewing Habits- I haven’t always been good with watching the new episodes as they aired and saw far more of it in syndication than live for the first time. But, I tend to watch any and all of the new episodes live when I can, although I miss a lot during December and Lent since I’m not always back home in time at the start of the episode. Prediction- Since it is the most successful comedy on ABC, it will last a long time. I have heard rumors that it might be ending in the future, just not this currently airing season. Reception: mostly positive. Grade: A.

SEAL Team: Status- Currently on CBS at 9/8 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I normally always watch a new CBS show at least once. Description- This show is about those in a team of Navy seals and their adventures. Notable People- The main male lead from Bones is the star of this show. Pros- It makes the military look good and delves into some of the issues they might face. Cons- It can be hard to follow and we don’t have as much focus on the characters as one would like. Note to Parents- This could be a whole lot worse than it is in terms of content. Still, I wouldn’t let those not in high school watch this. Recommendation- This seems pretty good for the most part. I’d say that it would depend on what you like or already watch. My Viewing Habits- I have seen most of this, but there was a time when I gave it up due to recording issues and lack of interest. Prediction- This will be back next season and will need a ratings boost to survive more. Reception: mixed. Grade: C+. New review

Star: Status- This show airs on FOX at 9/8 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- While I might have had a reason before watching this, I have no idea why I had an interest in this show after I saw it the first time. Description- I’m honestly not sure if I understand the plot of it or not. There might be singing, but it seems to be a racial drama about women who might be in danger and cause danger. Notable People- Queen Latifah, who has mostly done movies, is a character on this show. Pros-It focuses on women for a change. Cons- The show seemed too weird and didn’t make much sense. It can try to tackle serious issues, but I don’t know if that’s the point that gets across or not. It is hard to understand and seemed too serious, in a way. That, and the show was just skanky. Note to Parents- There are too many bad things in here that I’d avoid this as a show for your kids to watch. Recommendation- Don’t watch this. My Viewing Habits- I only watched this once and won’t watch it again as I have no idea why I was even interested in this in the first place. Prediction- This might last some for now. We’ll see what happens with it in the future. Reception: slightly positive. Grade: D-.

Law and Order: Special Victims Units: Status- Currently on NBC at 9/8 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I forget why I started watching. It might have been me wanting an hour long alternative to Modern Family so I wouldn’t have to watch what aired with it. Noteworthiness- It is the longest running drama spin-off on television as well as the longest running NBC drama. It is also the only primetime drama to premiere last millennium and still be on the air producing new episodes. It is a spin-off of Law and Order. Description- A group of people known as the special victims unit (SVU) investigate sexual crimes and crimes that happen to children as well. Pros- They never show the rapes, even though that’s often what the show is about. The plots are interesting and different. There are always twists that keep you hooked on the show. They use real life cases as an inspiration, but not as what actually is shown. Cons- The show may never end. They regularly switch head writers because it has been on so long. The endings are normally not happy. It has a rather grim subject for a show. Note to Parents- There’s a lot of dark stuff in here and every episode airs with a viewer discretion is advised warning. So keep that in mind when you don’t let your kids watch it. Recommendation- Give it a chance and you might like it. My Viewing Habits- I tend to watch this whenever possible, although I do miss a lot of it during December and Lent. I watch it a lot when it reruns on My Network TV, although it only tends to be when what I normally watch isn’t on or during the summer. Prediction- It will last until people stop watching for some odd reason or it gets too expensive to keep making. Reception: great. Grade: A+.

American Housewife: Status- Currently on ABC at 9:30/8:30 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- It aired with a show that I liked and nothing else that I cared about was on at the time. Description- This is more or less your average sitcom revolving around a family of people. Notable People- This show stars Katy Mixon from Mike and Molly. Pros- This is better than what one might expect. Cons- Some of it is dumb and way to similar to other shows. Note to Parents- There is enough in here that will be bad for kids, although a lot of shows are way worse. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. I like it, but I know that it isn’t for everyone. My Viewing Habits- I started watching it into its first season, but never cared that much about whether or not I tuned in a lot. I’ll see what I can, but won’t care much if I miss it in the future. Prediction- This could last longer. I don’t know how much longer it will last, but will likely stay until next season. Reception: mixed. Grade: B-. New review

Criminal Minds: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- It was during summer reruns (I think) that I first saw this. I was interested in seeing it at least once. Noteworthiness- The first main character left over creative differences on this show and the thought that it was too dark. Description- A law enforcement agency solves crimes. Pros- It is similar to other dramas so you know what to expect. Cons- It is too dark. One wonders how it can be allowed on network television. Note to Parents- This show is quite gruesome and graphic with its violence and crime. Don’t let people under the age of 13 watch this. Recommendation- I don’t like it and don’t recommend it. My Viewing Habits- I only watched this once and have no interest in ever seeing it again. Prediction- If it continues getting the good ratings that it has, then it will continue to be on television. I still see it lasting for a while more, but I’m not sure why it is popular or when it will end. Reception: negative. Grade: F.


Designated Survivor: Status- Currently on ABC at 10/9 Central on Wednesdays. Why I’ve seen it- It looked really good and interesting. Plus, it might have been under my obligation to watch one of the new fall shows on each network. Noteworthiness- The initial situation is based on something that can actually happen based on the idea of someone in the line of succession to the president is taken to a secure location in case a bad situation takes out the president and all others in the line of succession. Description- A cabinet member in the line of succession is taken to a secure place during the state of the union address to ensure that there would be a president if something bad were to happen. Something bad does happen and the designated survivor does become president. But there’s a lot more to the show than just that. Notable People- Keifer Sutherland, who was on 24 and Touch, is the main character, the new president. Kal Penn, who was on House, had roles on other TV shows, and even worked for the administration of a real president, is another character. Maggie Q, who was on Nikita, Stalker, and other things, is another character. The actress who played Brody on NCIS: New Orleans is on this show now. Pros- It has an interesting and gripping story. Cons- This show may be too complicated for its own good. It may also change too much and be too different as it goes along. Note to Parents- There is enough in here that is bad for some kids, but it isn’t as bad as it could be. Recommendation- I say that this is good and that people should watch it. My Viewing Habits- I have started watching from the beginning, but have missed a lot of it as it goes on. Prediction- Toss-up. It could stay longer, but might not. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: A. New review

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