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. The CW doesn’t show any primetime shows
on Sundays anymore. ABC and CBS show mostly the same thing in theory. In fact,
it’s creepy how similar they are. FOX shows animation domination, all of them
half hour shows that are animated that you shouldn’t let your kids watch
(unless, of course, your kids are teenagers, in which case, I’d be surprised if
they weren’t watching it, if it is Family Guy at least). Well, there are
sometimes like this current season when live action sitcoms slip into the
line-up on FOX. When NBC show shows after football season ends, it is normally
more Dateline and some dramas. Here’s my view of the shows that I have seen,
some of them, watch regularly.
Bordertown: Status- It is currently on FOX on Sundays at 7:00/6:00
Central. Why I’ve seen it- It airs with a show that I normally watch.
Description- This is an adult animated cartoon about people that live near the
Mexican border and how a white family and Mexican family interact with each
other. Notable People- The creator of this show has worked on Family Guy and
still might. Also, Hank Azaria from The Simpsons is also on this show. Pros-
The show is interesting and what you would expect from a FOX animated comedy.
Cons- It can be dull and relies on stereotypes too much. Note to Parents- Like
all FOX shows, a teenager can watch this, but any younger age is best avoided.
Recommendation- Take it or leave it. You aren’t missing anything by missing it
and you probably wouldn’t hate it if you watched it. Prediction- I don’t think
that it would last very long. It probably won’t have a second season.
Reception: mixed to negative. Grade: C. New review
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.
Could be like the PBS news hour with commercials. 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, a segment is continued in a later segment. Pros- Unique news stories
could keep you hooked until commercials. 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. Prediction-
This show will be on until the end of the world. Even then, it might continue.
Reception: positive. Grade: A-.
America’s Funniest Home Videos: Status- Currently on ABC on Sundays
at 7/6 Central and in syndication on various networks. 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 from
viewers. Description- Viewer submitted home videos are viewed as the audience
determines which one is the best. It is shown in Los Angeles. I used to watch
it all the time with its original host, Bob Saget. He is no longer the host. Notable
People- Tom Bergeron, who also hosts Dancing with the Stars, hosts this show.
It is confirmed, however, that he will be leaving the show in the near future.
I don’t know who the replacement will be, if they continue the show at all.
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. Recommendation- Do not
watch this show. It is not worth your time. 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-.
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
started watching this. 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. Prediction- This will last for a while,
considering how it is renewed already for future seasons. Reception: mixed then
positive. Grade: B+.
The Simpsons: Status- Currently on FOX on Sundays at 8/7 Central
and in syndication on various networks. Why I’ve seen it- I typically watched
reruns when I was a child. It’s probably not something that a young person
should be watching, depending on the episode. Not sure why we were into it, but
we typically watched it during supper and right before bed. Noteworthiness- It
has lasted more seasons than any other scripted primetime show. The original
cast is still working on the show. There tends to be a famous guest voice in
most episodes. It was originally a spin-off of The Tracy Ullman Show. Over 500
episodes have been made. FOX considered creating a channel for reruns of just
this show. Description- This is an animated comedy on a strange family in
Springfield. They have different, unrelated stories in each episode. Notable
People- Anyone in the main cast because they are in the cast. Matt Groening,
the creator who had 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 and might be
better than when the show originally started. Cons- Inappropriate humor is used
a lot. Because of its length on the air, the head writer changes every so
often. 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. One
wonders why it is still on air when they don’t have good ideas anymore and even
air show’s too short segments, which are probably as ridiculous as they sound
to you. Religion is typically represented poorly in the show. 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. 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. Reception: generally positive then somewhat
negative. Grade: B-.
Madam Secretary: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 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. Some think that this
is made to get Hillary Clinton elected president. Those people are morons. 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. Recommendation- I ultimately think that it is
worth the watch. 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. Or it could become a misnomer if
it continues too long. Just remember that it has to have a Madam Secretary at
some point to stay true to its name. While they could keep her in office for a
while, I’ll probably let the writers do their magic instead of worrying about
what they would probably have to do as time goes by. Reception: positive.
Grade: B. I have a blog about the show Madam Secretary: http://adamdeckermadamsecretaryblog.blogspot.com/
Once Upon a Time: Status- Currently on ABC at 8/7 Central on
Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- General interest in the whole fairy tale genre. Description-
The world of fairy tales are trapped in our world (a world of “pure horror”).
Well, the show has evolved since then, but that was the original purpose at
least. Notable People- The creators of Lost also created this show. Pros- A
captivating drama, it keeps you interested with the writers’ take on fairy
tales. It is hard to stop watching. Cons- One can wonder if they’ll have enough
material for a long series. One could wonder instead if the show moves fast
enough. Due to the frequent use of flashbacks, one could wonder also if they
can keep their stories straight and avoid continuity errors. Plus, it could be
too much like a soap opera for those of you who don’t like that genre. Note to
Parents- It’s borderline wondering whether or not younger people can watch this
show. There’s enough in there that you might find objectionable, but most of it
might be considered okay to watch with your family. Recommendation- It is a
good show, if you don’t mind the other shows at the same time. You should watch
it sometime. Prediction- This show is a hit and the network needs more of those
so it will stay around for quite some time. Reception: positive. Grade: A.
Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life: Status- Currently on FOX
at 8:30/7:30 Central on Sundays. Why I’ve seen it- It is paired with a show
that I normally watch. Description- It’s hard to tell what this show is about.
From what I understand, it is the misadventures of Cooper Barrett and his
friends. Notable People- Liza Lapira, who was in NCIS, Dollhouse, Traffic
Light, Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23, Super Fun Night, and Battle
Creek, is a character in this show. Pros- It can be interesting and fun to
watch. Small parts are funny. Cons- The show can be weird and not make sense. Note
to Parents- Since this is a FOX comedy, it might be best to avoid letting your
kids watch this. Teenagers should be okay, but not much younger than that.
Recommendation- I’d say that you can watch it if you want to. It doesn’t really
stand out as either good or bad. Prediction- I’d put it at a toss-up right now,
although it is probably more likely to fail than anything else. Reception:
average/mixed. Grade: B-. New review
Family Guy: Status- Currently on FOX at 9/8 Central on Sundays and
in syndication on various affiliates. 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- To my knowledge, it is the only show in television
history that has been cancelled twice yet still manages to produce new
episodes. Actually, that might not be true, but few other shows have done that.
Description- The animated adventures of a family including their dog and baby
who can talk and behave like normal people. Notable People- Seth MacFarlane created
the show as well as voices several characters. 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 like Black Swan, 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. At least two episodes were
controversial enough to not be aired (although they reversed the decision of
one of them later). 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. Prediction-
It will last a long time because the people who hate it are a minority and
could always bring it back another time by buying all the seasons on DVD for
themselves. Reception: positive yet controversial. Grade: C.
The Good Wife: Status- It is currently on CBS on Sundays at 9/8
Central unless delayed due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- It was mostly due to a
dream implying that I should watch it. It fit with my schedule more following
the cancellation of The Forgotten. Description- It originally started with an
arrest of a public office holder in Chicago and revealed that he had an affair
on his wife. The show, however, is about his wife and her journeys as a lawyer
as well as other cast members. It is set in Chicago. Notable People- Juliana
Margulies, from ER and other shows, is the lead character Alicia. Others might
be present. Pros- It is an interesting show with a recurring storyline. It
stays as best as possible with Democrats by neither downplaying them nor making
them the best. It is a good courtroom drama. The editing is great. Cons- You’ll
be confused watching it without knowing the recurring storyline. It is a weird
blend of fiction and reality and can be hard to tell where one ends and the
other begins. It can be very confusing with its plots. A whole episode can go
by without you understanding what happened in the episode. Christianity has a
weird representation which is seemingly from the views of non-Christians. It is
very subtle and hard to catch some things in the show. If it weren’t set in
Chicago, the courtroom aspect would be even more unrealistic than it already
is. Note to Parents- I would steer clear of letting young people watch it.
Maybe teens could, but not any younger than that. Recommendation- Watch this if
you have a chance too. Prediction- It is officially ending in May with the last
episodes of this season. It must have been on the bubble for too long.
Reception: critically acclaimed. Grade: B-. I have a blog about this show: http://adamdeckergoodwifetvshow.blogspot.com/
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 Steenburgen, from the Back to the Future trilogy, among
other movies, is a character. SPOILER! Jason Sudeiks, from Saturday Night Live
and movies, is a character. END SPOILER. 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. 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.
Recommendation- I’d say that you should watch it if it fits in with your
schedule. Prediction- I do not expect this show to last very long given its
high concept as a show. Also, its ratings aren’t all that good so it will
probably end. Reception: generally
positive Grade: B. New review
Quantico: Status- Currently on ABC on Sundays at 10/9 Central. Why
I’ve seen it- I thought that it looked good. Description- Basically, it is
about new FBI recruits and the mystery is finding out which one of them is evil
and planned a terrorist attack. It flips back and forth between two timelines
that are separated a bit, one which explains the stories of the recruits and
the other after the terrorist attack has happened with people looking for the
suspect, mistakenly believed to be the main character. Pros- It is pretty
interesting and worth watching. The show is quite gripping and intriguing. Cons-
This show has too much sex in it. There might also be more violence than it
needs. Note to Parents- Like most shows, I’d say that your teens can watch it,
but not much younger than that. Recommendation- I’d say that you should watch
it if you can. Prediction- I think that it might last. I’d say that it will for
now, although it might not. Reception: positive. Grade: A. New review
CSI: Cyber: Status- Currently on CBS on Sundays at 10/9 Central
unless delayed or preempted due to sports. Why I’ve seen it- I watched this for
various reasons, among them being that this is part of the CSI franchise which
I like, it originally airing at a time when nothing else good was on, and it
airing on CBS. Noteworthiness- This is a spin-off of CSI, being promoted as the
next generation of it. Description- This drama deals with cyber crimes. Notable
People- It has Patricia Arquette who was on Medium. It also has Ted Denson from
Cheers and the original CSI, playing the same character moved to this division.
Pros- I like this show a lot. I think that it has a lot of potential and is
living up to it. Cons- It may not be realistic, which is a common complaint
about any CSI show. Note to Parents- I’d say that the tape delay alone may be
enough to make sure that your kids don’t watch this. The show is violent a lot.
I’d say that some teenagers could watch this, but not much younger than that.
Recommendation- I like this show and think that others should watch it as well.
Prediction- This will probably not last much longer than it already has. I see
it getting cancelled pretty soon as it has terrible ratings. Reception:
negative. Grade: B+. New review I have a blog about this show: http://adamdeckercsicyber.blogspot.com/
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