Sundays in Primetime Version 7

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 has shows on as well, but not in the 6-7 slot like the other networks do.

 

America’s Funniest Home Videos: Status- Currently on ABC on Sundays at 7/6 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 for at least 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. I did find football to be a better use of time in the end. 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-.

 

Bless the Harts: Status- Currently on FOX on Sundays at 7:30/6:30 Central. Why I’ve seen it- I tend to watch a new show at least once on FOX nowadays. Description- An animated show, it relates to a family of some sort. Notable People- It stars Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph from Saturday Night Live. Pros- It is not entirely the same thing that you’ll get from other shows like it. Cons- It seemed strange and not in a good way. Maybe it can seem good, but only in the sense that other shows like it are good. Note to Parents- This has the usual problems that you’d see in shows like it. I do not know if they have ever aired this with a content advisory warning or not. Recommendation- Don’t bother with it. My Viewing Habits- I watched the first episode and never saw it again. Prediction- This will be ending this season. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: F. New review

 

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 600 episodes have been made. It premiered in 1989. Description- This is an animated comedy on a strange family and others in their lives. They have different, largely 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 are rarely any ongoing storylines so you don’t have to be as devoted to the show all the time. 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. 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. It doesn’t seem like it will end soon. Reception: generally positive then somewhat negative. Grade: B-.

 

Ellen’s Game of Games: Status- Currently on Sundays at 8/7 Central on NBC. Why I’ve seen it- I was interested enough in it and it worked out for me to watch it. Noteworthiness- This is a spin-off of The Ellen DeGeneres Show using games that often appear on the show. Description- Ellen DeGeneres hosts a show where people have to do random games to move on and get a lot of money potentially. Notable People- Ellen DeGeneres hosts a talk show and used to do a sitcom. Pros- It is funny and entertaining. It is more simple and not something that you have to know a lot about things in order to do well all the time on it. Cons- It seems odd in some places and I don’t know if it is fair entirely. Ellen’s tendency to ask trick questions can make you wonder if everything is on the up and up. Note to Parents- This might not have too much wrong with it, if it has anything wrong with it at all. Any problems would be in words spoken and not stuff shown on TV. Recommendation- This is probably worth watching if you aren’t into anything else at the time or can’t see shows on a regular basis. My Viewing Habits- I watch this a bit sporadically due to other commitments, time constraints, and lack of good reception on the network in question. Prediction- This will probably last a while unless a lawsuit kills it. Reception: somewhat good. Grade: B-.

 

Batwoman: Status- Currently on the CW at 8/7 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- I watch all of the Arrowverse shows when I can as this is one of them. Noteworthiness- Part of Arrowverse, this is also adapted from a lesser known comic book character. It also became more notable for replacing its main character with a different one. Description- With Batman missing, a new hero seeks to save the city of Gotham. Pros- The show is interesting as it has some complex characters and can be wonderful like a well made psychological thriller. Cons- It can be a bit too preachy with its message of acceptance that everyone either knows by now or hasn’t changed their mind about now. It is likely that the first season will be too different from the rest of them. Note to Parents- The main character is gay as are some other people at some point in time. Recommendation- I would say that you should watch this and it isn’t as related to the rest of Arrowverse the way other shows are. My Viewing Habits- I have seen this since the first episode and hope to see every one. I have not seen every one just yet. Prediction- This will last until at least 100 episodes, if not later. Reception: mixed or average. Grade: A.

 

The Equalizer: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- I tend to watch a new CBS show at least once. Noteworthiness- This is based after a movie and other shows like it of the same name. Description- A woman and her crew work outside of the law to help those that the law can’t. Notable People- Queen Latifah, a musician, is the main character. Chris North, known for a major recurring role on The Good Wife, is another character. Adam Goldberg, known for movies and a minor role in God Friended Me, is another character. Liza Lapira, who has had roles on a whole assortment of shows from NCIS, Dollhouse, Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23, Traffic Light, Battle Creek, Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life, and 9JKL, is another character. Pros- It is pretty good and interesting. Cons- Parts of it can seem generic. Note to Parents- This has some problems so I’d have to say that you should watch it to see if you have problems with it or not. Recommendation- This is a pretty good show so I’d say that you should watch it. My Viewing Habits- While I have not seen every episode, I have seen this since the first one. Prediction- It was renewed for next season so we’ll see if it lasts beyond that or not. I can only hope so, but don’t have high hopes just yet for it lasting that long a time, but hope that I am wrong. Reception: mixed. Grade: B. New review

 

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.

 

The Great North: Status- Currently on FOX at 8:30/7:30 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- I thought that it could be interesting and it is a FOX animated comedy which I tend to watch at least once every now and then when it works out. Description- We see the animated adventures of a family in Alaska. Notable People- I think that the same producers behind Bob’s Burgers are behind this show as well. It stars Nick Offerman from Parks and Recreation, Jenny Slate from SNL and Bob’s Burgers, Will Forte from The Last Man on Earth and SNL, and Megan Mullally from Will and Grace. Pros- The show seems pretty good and doesn’t suck like a lot of them do nowadays. Cons- It’s not always as good as one would like. Note to Parents- This might have issues here and there with content, but I have not yet seen enough of it to know if it is bad for kids or not. Recommendation- I think that it is worth watching. My Viewing Habits- I have seen this since the first episode, but don’t think that I have seen every episode at this moment in time. Prediction- It was renewed before it had even started airing and whether or not it lasts beyond that might be based on whether or not production on shows is back to normal by some point next season at some point. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: B. New review

 

Bob’s Burgers: Status- Currently on Sundays on FOX at 9/8 Central. Why I’ve seen it- I don’t remember why I started watching it. There might have been a gap in my schedule with nothing else to watch at the time. 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, although I don’t think that it has aired with a content advisory warning. 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. I am trying to stay more into this now than I had before when it aired at an earlier time. Prediction- This will last for a while, unless the network decides that they want something else instead. Reception: mixed then positive. Grade: B+.

 

Charmed: Status- Currently on the CW at 9/8 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- I tend to watch all CW shows that I can and was interested in it since I liked the original show. Noteworthiness- This is a remake of a classic WB show. Description- Three sisters find out that they are witches with powers and have to save the world from evil. Pros- It is quite interesting and good. It changes nothing about the original while creating its own story. Cons- It has a cast that is younger than it needs to be and much of it can be too mysterious. Parts of it can be predictable with its parallels to the original show. Note to Parents- There is enough creepiness in here that might scare younger children. There are lesbian characters. There is more violence then sex, but there are still issues with both, although the violence isn’t nearly as bad as other shows. Recommendation- I think that it is good, even if you liked the original. My Viewing Habits- I have seen the first episode and have kept watching. I plan to see all of it so I review all of them for my YouTube channel. Prediction- It will probably last as is renewed for season 4. Reception: somewhat positive. Grade: B.

 

Link to my video reviews of Charmed: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO8vECGH5CX-BmCMoA7kF11I1gsQOuX2X

 

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. But it is likely to last beyond this current season. Reception: mixed. Grade: B.

 

Family Guy: Status- Currently on FOX at 9:30/8:30 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 that I had for some reason. 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. There are times that I ignore it. Prediction- It will last a long time still. Reception: positive yet controversial. Grade: C.

 

The Rookie: Status- Currently on ABC at 10/9 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- I was interested in it enough to watch it. Noteworthiness- Supposedly, this is inspired by a true story. Description- After major life changing events, an older man winds up becoming a cop for the first time. There are other rookies on the show as well. Notable People- This stars Nathan Fillion who used to star in Firefly, Drive, and Castle. Pros- It seems interesting and different in a way from most other shows like it. Cons- I am worried about the typical relationship issues that you might see from time to time. Note to Parents- There are issues with it due to violence, sex, and other problems. Recommendation- I think that it is worth watching. My Viewing Habits- I was a fan of this since the first episode. I missed the first half of the second season in order to focus on Madam Secretary, but plan to be back to this long term in the future as long as it continues to last. Prediction- I think that this could go either way right now, although it is more likely to last than not. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: B.

 

NCIS: New Orleans: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- I watch the original so I figured that I should watch this as well. Noteworthiness- It is a spin-off of NCIS. This show is actually filmed in New Orleans where it is set. Description- This is a show about an NCIS team set in New Orleans. Pros- There are plenty of good things about the show. It is as interesting and good as most dramas are. It keeps the charm of NCIS even with a different cast. The different filming location probably helped it. Cons- Some people have been annoyed by the fake accents of the characters. Plus, it may not be as interesting or good as the original NCIS is. Some of the choices made with the characters are bad decisions on the writers’ part. Note to Parents- This has the standard amount of stuff that you would find it shows. There is more violence in it that is negative for kids than anything else. Recommendation- I think that you should probably watch it. My Viewing Habits- I have watched it since the first episode, although I have not seen all of it. Prediction- It will be ending this season. Reception: mostly positive. Grade: A.