Fridays in Primetime Version 5

Fridays are the least competitive nights on television although there are some good shows out there. Viewers aren’t regular, but those that are and even those that aren’t give the show these ratings. The CW shows Dynasty and Life Sentence. CBS is showing Blue Bloods, MacGyver, and Hawaii Five-0. ABC is showing 20/20, Once Upon a Time, and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. NBC shows Dateline, Taken, and Blindspot. FOX shows mostly reality shows, shows that are ending, or shows that they don’t strongly care about. Beware that most of the shows come here to die and they are only here right now to enjoy them before they are gone, although some shows have thrived here since they have never really seen another night throughout most of their run.

MacGyver: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- I typically always watch a CBS show once and I honestly wasn’t interested in anything else at the timeslot when it first started airing. Noteworthiness- This is a remake of a show by the same name. Description- This show is about a man who uses whatever he can to do cool spy things. There are also other people in the cast as needed. Notable People- George Eads, who was in CSI, plays a character on this show. Justin Hires, who was on the Rush Hour TV show, is another character. Pros- It has the same type of interesting quality that you’d see in spy dramas like it. Cons- I’ll admit that some of it seems predictable and cliché. Note to Parents- This has the standard amount of what would be considered objectionable to kids concerning sex and violence. Recommendation- I think that you should watch it as I think it is good. My Viewing Habits- I know that I haven’t seen every episode, but I have seen it since the first episode. Prediction- It is doing good, for now, so we’ll see if it stays that way or not. Reception: generally negative. Grade: A.

Blindspot: Status- Currently on NBC at 8/7 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- I was interested in the idea of it. Description- For mysterious reasons, a woman has amnesia and tattoos all over her body and there are crimes solved based off of this. Pros- The show is intriguing and interesting. Cons- The show may seem a bit scatterbrained and it seems like they are trying to do a female version of Jason Bourne. The show can seem similar to other types of dramas in a way. It can also be more violent than it needs to be. Note to Parents- I’d say that this is something that teenagers can watch, but not any younger than that. I think that all the episodes I’ve seen thus far were TV14. Recommendation- I’d say that this is worth watching. My Viewing Habits- I will watch this when I can. I had problems keeping up with it when it was on its second season and reception problems also hamper the problem of keeping up with it. The way it stands now, I’ll probably keep watching it until it ends. Prediction- It seems likely to last for now. We’ll see if it lasts long or not. Reception: positive. Grade: B+.

Once Upon a Time: Status- Currently on ABC at 8/7 Central on Fridays. 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 of that at least. Notable People- The creators of Lost also created this show. There might be others in there as well in addition to them. Pros- A captivating drama, it keeps you interested with the writers’ take on fairy tales. It can be hard to stop watching. Cons- One could wonder 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. Its biggest problem is being too confusing. 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. My Viewing Habits- While I do miss episodes frequently due to poorer reception of this network in my area, I have more or less watched this since the very first episode. I plan to stick with it until the very end when I can watch it. Prediction- It is officially on its last season right now. We’ll see how it ends soon. Reception: positive. Grade: A.

Dynasty: Status- Currently on the CW at 8/7 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- I try to watch every CW show once, if I can. Noteworthiness- This is a remake. Description- A family has to deal with changing dynamics and working with their respective companies. Notable People- Alan Dale, who had a role on NCIS for a bit, is a character on this show. Pros- The plot works for the most part. It is interesting enough to keep some people into it. Cons- The characters are bad people so it has that against it. There could be more to this. It seems too strange. Note to Parents- There are some of the usual problems like sex and violence. There are gay characters. Recommendation- While I might watch this at times, I’d put this as a toss-up in terms of if people should watch this. My Viewing Habits- I’ve seen little of this thus far due to scheduling issues, although I might watch more in the future should it air at a better time. Prediction- I have no clue how long this will last. It will be on the schedule for next season. I don’t know if it will last beyond that, although this does have a pretty sweet deal with Netflix, so it will probably last elsewhere if it doesn’t last here. Reception: mixed or average. Grade: B-. New review

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Status- Currently on ABC at 9/8 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- Interest in the Marvel world after having seen various superhero movies based on their works. Description- This show is about an organization that deals primarily with superheroes and becomes heroes of their own, although mostly people without powers. Notable People- This show is done by Joss Whedon, who is known for creating science fiction shows that enjoy cult status and are typically not always enjoyed by everyone. Examples include Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and Buffy the Vampire. Pros- It is considered a good show to some people. You don’t have to be a fan of the rest of the Marvel world to understand this show. Cons- It felt like there could be more in it. It seems to be lacking the heroes and the action of the movies as well as the drama content. There is also a connection between this and the rest of the Marvel world that can confuse people who don’t see the movies. Note to Parents- This is a bit questionable in terms of content for kids, mostly due to the violence of the show. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. Watch it if you like it. Prediction- It seems likely to end this season, although it might surprise people and stay longer. Reception: somewhat positive. Grade: B+.

Hawaii Five-0: Status- Currently on CBS at 9/8 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- Devotion to the CBS network and curious about what the show is about. Noteworthiness- It is a remake of an old, popular show. Description- An elite crime fighting team works in Hawaii to solve cases. Notable People- Alex O’Loughlin, known for his work on the TV shows Moonlight, Three Rivers, and various movies, is on this show as the main character. Jorge Garcia from Lost is in this as well. Pros- This show is actually filmed where it set. It is an interesting drama. The bickering between the two leads is entertaining. Cons- Some of the methods the characters use to catch the perps are unethical. Since it is a remake, it could just be considered trying to reclaim what it once was. Note to Parents- I’d say maybe on this, although it is probably better to not let your kids watch this unless they are teenagers. Recommendation- Watch this if you have the time to. My viewing habits- I have watched since the first episode, although I have not seen every one yet. Prediction- It probably will last, but there is a chance that it could end in the future. Reception: positive. Grade: B.

Life Sentence: Status- Currently on the CW at 9/8 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- Whenever it works out, I watch a new CW show. Description- A woman finds out that she is cured of cancer and has to deal with her carefree lifestyle from when she thought she was dying. Notable People- Dylan Walsh, who was from Unforgettable, is a character on this show. Pros- The plot works. The situation seems to work for the most part. Cons- This show seems to have the usual flawed characters (only they aren’t as bad as other shows are). Note to Parents- This has the standard amount of what is and isn’t acceptable for kids and teens to watch. Recommendation- Watch it if you care, otherwise, don’t bother with it. My Viewing Habits- I missed some of the earlier episodes, but do plan on watching it until the very end of the show. Prediction- This seems very likely to last only one season so enjoy it if you care or don’t get into it if you don’t. Reception: mixed or average. Grade: C+. New review

Dateline: Status- Currently on NBC at 9/8 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- Nothing else on and it seemed interesting. Noteworthiness- It is the longest running primetime news show on NBC and sometimes airs multiple times in one week. Description- Pretty much an NBC version of 20/20. I don’t know which came out first. Pros- It can be interesting. Cons- It can only be interesting if you like it. I haven’t seen enough of it to find out how different it is from other networks versions of this show. They mostly only do murder mysteries from real life. The promos for it make it seem like if you watch TV on your own, you are better off without it. Note to Parents- This show is gruesome a lot with what they show on it. They even promote it in a way that implies that the squeamish shouldn’t watch it, at least by themselves. So you probably shouldn’t let your kids watch this. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. My viewing habits- I watch at times but normally don’t care enough as I don’t like true crime shows that much, although this does catch my interest at times, but not always. Prediction- It will last forever. Reception: mostly positive. Grade: B.

Blue Bloods: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- It is on CBS. Nothing else good was on. Description- This is a cop show where the cops are related. It is set in New York City. Notable People- Tom Selleck from Magnum PI and movies, is a character. Donnie Walburg, who is in the band New Kids on the Block, is a character as well. Pros- Something good exists on Friday nights for you to watch. A partial family aspect is added to the show which makes it more relatable. They rarely deal with murder and seem to deal with every sort of crime and problems that you might hear about in real life. Cons- The ways the officers catch and interrogate some of the suspects/criminals is unethical some of the time. It can be like a lot of other dramas. They have made some questionable off-camera choices regarding at least one actress who works on the show. Some episodes are better than others. There have been some episodes which use unfair stereotypes for villains. Note to Parents- This is better in terms of what is acceptable to show your kids than a lot of shows are. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. I like it. You might too. My Viewing Habits- I have seen most episodes and watched this from the very first episode. Prediction- It will stay around for a while unless they decide to end it. It could wind up on the chopping block with little to no warning. Reception: mostly positive. Grade: B-.

20/20: Status- Currently on ABC at 10/9 Central on Fridays. Why I’ve seen it- It looked interesting when I first saw it. Noteworthiness- It is the longest running primetime news show on ABC and the longest running ABC show in primetime at least. It premiered when Jimmy Carter was president. Description- This is an in-depth news show regarding issues relating to current events or just anything like a murder mystery. Pros- Can be quite interesting if you don’t watch anything else at that time. Cons- There’s a show like this on every network. Re-runs rarely exist. Some episodes are better than others. It can be hard to watch all the time. Note to Parents- If you typically let your kids watch the news, then this is something you can let them watch. Although, I’d honestly stay clear of letting most kids watch this as it is far too grim for them. Recommendation- I like it, but don’t watch it unless I know that I want to. Maybe you’ll like it or consider it a complete waste of time. My Viewing Habits- I don’t watch all the time, but I do when it works out although I tend to avoid the murder mystery episodes. Prediction- It will last unless something weird happens. Reception: currently positive, although the first episode was panned which lead to a retooling of the good show we know today. Grade: A.

Midseason Shows 2018 Part 3

Before I could catch up with the next set of reviews, there are three new ones that I need to do before I go to the next set. This will be the last set of the midseason shows that are reviewed this time of the year. You probably won’t see new reviews again until the summer. Of course, there is another set of primetime shows to review before I can hopefully get into other posts.

Life Sentence: Show Description- A woman finds out that she is cured of cancer and has to deal with her carefree lifestyle from when she thought she was dying. Behind the Scenes- Dylan Walsh, who was from Unforgettable, is a character on this show. It initially replaced Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for a moment before ceding to The Originals. It now replaces Jane the Virgin, only both of the shows it replaced will be back at some point. My Thoughts- Well, this show seems to have the usual flawed characters. Only they aren’t as bad as other shows are with that. There is enough in here that is pretty good as the plot works. I give it three out of five stars. Long Term Prospects- This is as good as dead. Enjoy it while it lasts or don’t bother getting into it if you aren’t. Where to Find- On the CW at 9/8 Central on Fridays

Living Biblically- Show Description- A man decides to live his life according to the bible, much to the chagrin of everyone who knows him. Behind the Scenes- This replaced the likely cancelled 9JKL at one point. My Thoughts- I’m glad that it wasn’t trying to make Christianity look bad. But the show still didn’t work well as it wasn’t funny and they failed in their mission to make religion look good. I give it two out of five stars. Long Term Prospects- This was pulled from the schedule, cementing its fate as over. Where to Find- Not on the air

The Crossing: Show Description- People time travel from the future to our time in order to escape a war from genetically modified humans who also travelled back. Behind the Scenes- There’s nothing to add here this time. Should I cut this part when there is nothing to say? Let me know in the comments. My Thoughts- It seems pretty interesting, even if it can be more mysterious for its own good. I give it three out of five stars. Long Term Prospects- I’d put this at a toss-up for now. Knowing the network and its track record with various shows like this and others, this probably won’t last. Where to Find- On ABC at 10/9 Central on Mondays

Tuesdays in Primetime Version 5

Tuesdays are a competitive night on television. It is also when some of television’s most popular shows are on. The only problem is that the shows are so good, you won’t be able to watch them all. A lot of comedies are on tonight on various networks. What all is good? Well, let’s delve into it.

The Flash: Status- Currently on the CW at 8/7 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- General interest in shows like it. Noteworthiness- This is set in the same world as Arrow. This show is based off of a comic book series. Description- This show is about a person who is struck by lightning and gains the power of super speed. Pros- There’s a lot in here that keeps you coming back. The plots normally always work. Cons- It may seem similar to other superhero TV shows. It is too connected to Arrow and other shows in the universe which can cause problems if you don’t watch all the other shows. It might seem too much like a kid’s show at times due to it teaching lessons. Note to Parents- This show is targeted to teens and is safe for them to watch, although enough of it is bad for younger audiences. Recommendation- I think that this is probably worth watching all the time. Just don’t tune in if you can’t keep up with all of the other Arrowverse shows. My Viewing Habits- I have been a fan of this since the first episode although I have missed a lot of it as it went on for various reasons. Prediction- This will probably last a good while. I haven’t heard problems with ratings so I think it will do well. Reception: positive. Grade: A-.

NCIS: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- My brother and the rest of my family liked the show and I thought it was good enough to watch all the time. Noteworthiness- It is a spin-off of the show JAG. At least at the beginning, the cases on the show were inspired by real cases. I don’t know if they still are. It has two spin-offs. Description- A team of federal agents solves murders of marines and navy members as well as other crimes relating to them and other people. Notable People- Wilmer Valderama from That 70’s Show, Awake, and Minority Report, is a character on this show. Pros- It stays fresh despite its long time on the air. The humor is quite interesting. Cons- It is running out of steam. It has lost a lot of its cast as it has gone along. Note to Parents- I’ve noticed enough bad stuff in here, but mostly related to violence more than anything else. I watched this as a teen and don’t see why others can’t too. Recommendation- It is one of my favorite shows. I say watch it if you have the chance too and aren’t already. My Viewing Habits- I got into this late originally but have since gotten older seasons on DVD and have seen most episodes. Prediction- It will last a while more. Reception: very positive. Grade: A+.

The Middle: Status- Currently on ABC at 8:30/7:30 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- Survivor was on hiatus (this show used to air on Wednesday) and I heard this was good. Noteworthiness- It is tied with Modern Family as longest running ABC comedy still on the air. It actually started a half hour before Modern Family did, if I have my information right. I don’t know if the return of Roseanne complicates things. Description- The comedy adventures of an ordinary family in Indiana. Notable People- Patricia Heaton, who was Debra from Everybody Loves Raymond, is the mother. Neil Flynn, from Scrubs, is the father of the show. Pros- It is quite funny from time to time. The youngest kid’s quirkiness is humorous. Cons- Some inappropriate stuff comes up sometimes. However, the show is typically always PG so it’s not as bad as it could be. Note to Parents- This is probably more acceptable than a lot of other shows in terms of content, but I’d ultimately watch it for yourself to make a decision. Recommendation- I say that you should watch this show if you can. My Viewing Habits- I have had a hard time keeping up with this show and have seen most of it due to syndicated repeats. I am planning on sticking with it until the end. Prediction- It is officially on its last season right now. Reception: positive. Grade: B+.

Black-ish: Status- Currently on ABC at 9/8 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I had time the one time I tuned in. Noteworthiness- This is based on a true story or might have been at one point in time when it first started out. Description- This sitcom is about a black family. Pros- It is popular with critics. Cons- I thought that this show was terrible. I didn’t find any of it funny nor did I understand the purpose that it had. Note to Parents- Having only seen one episode, I don’t know what to put here. It might be okay for kids, but I really don’t know for sure what to tell people. Recommendation- I wouldn’t watch it, but that’s just me. My Viewing Habits- I don’t watch it. I only saw it once then had no interest in watching it again since it just didn’t click with me. Prediction- This will keep lasting longer. Reception: positive. Grade: D.

Bull: Status- Currently on CBS at 9/8 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I always watch a CBS show under most circumstances and I thought that this show would be interesting too. Noteworthiness- This is inspired by something Dr. Phil did before he went into television. He also helped create the show. Description- This is about a jury consultant who helps with court cases. Notable People- This stars Michael Weatherly, well known from NCIS, as the main character. Pros- It seems like a pretty interesting show as you normally don’t see courtroom dramas from this perspective. In fact, it makes you wonder why you don’t see shows like this more often. Cons- Michael Weatherly is doing a bad job of separating himself from NCIS as his character on this show is very similar to the one he played on NCIS. Also, it doesn’t seem realistic as no other courtroom drama has this angle on it. Note to Parents- This is the standard amount in terms of what is acceptable for kids or not. Recommendation- I would watch this show if you could. My Viewing Habits- I have watched it since the first episode, but I don’t think that I’ve seen all of it. Prediction- With an NCIS lead-in, it’s unlikely that this fails any time soon. If it ever losses that in the future, then there could be problems. I guess we’ll have to see what happens with it, but it will last for now. Reception: negative. Grade: A.

Black Lightning: Status- Currently on the CW at 9/8 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- I try to watch a new CW show at least once if I can. Also, I like most superhero shows and watch them when I can as they are normally good. Noteworthiness- This is adapted from a DC comics character, but is not part of the main franchise of superhero shows on the CW (yet at least). Description- A black superhero comes out of retirement to protect his city from new threats. Pros- This show has more normal humans that can solve problems and even create problems. Thus, it is good that it focuses less on just a super villain of the week. The plot largely works for the most part. Cons- There could be more people that have super powers in this than I’ve seen thus far. Its advantage of not always focusing on people with powers is also a problem. There could be more to it than there is. Note to Parents- Teens should be okay watching this and maybe some preteens would be okay too, but there are some issues that parents might have with this, such as a lesbian character. Recommendation- I see it as largely good, but it needs improvement as it goes along. I suggest watching it. My Viewing Habits- I got into this just a bit later than I was wanting to and have missed a lot, but have watched this since the first season. Prediction- This is renewed for next season. This will probably last and the only problem that could potentially happen is the network’s four superhero shows at a time rule. Reception: positive. Grade: B. New review

Chicago Med: Status- Currently on NBC at 10/9 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- At the time, the only show that I watched in this timeslot, Notorious, had its episode order cut so I started looking for a replacement in the timeslot. I chose this show due to its connection to a show that I watched and its fairly new time on the air. Noteworthiness- This is the third installment of the Chicago franchise that has different groups that focus on different things. Description- Basically, this is a medical drama. Notable People- Dick Wolf, who created the Law and Order franchise, also helped create this show. Pros- One of the characters has autism, so that makes the show more interesting. There’s certainly nothing major wrong with it. Cons- It doesn’t seem to be that notable in any way. It seems like just an ordinary show with nothing major ever happening in it. They could make it more interesting than it is, such as caring about the characters more. Note to Parents- Mostly, it’s just the medical stuff that one would see that I would recommend against letting young kids see. Recommendation- I’m not sure what to say here. It is good enough for me to watch, but not really that outstanding a show. I would suggest watching it only if you don’t care that much about anything else. My Viewing Habits- I started watching into what I believe its second season is and have not stopped watching since. Prediction- I think that this will last for a while. It should be around until syndication at least. Reception: mixed or average. Grade: B-.

For the People: Status- Currently on ABC at 10/9 Central on Tuesdays. Why I’ve seen it- It looked good enough to watch in the promos. Description- This is a courtroom drama and it seems that we get both sides of the cases, although I’m not sure if they will be fighting against each other a lot or not. Notable People- This is produced by Shonda Rhimes who has done a lot of notable dramas for this network, such as those that air on Thursdays. It stars Britt Robertson, who starred on Life Unexpected, Under the Dome, The Secret Circle, and various movies. Pros- They can cover a lot in one episode and it works in terms of the plot. Cons- It doesn’t seem that different than other shows like it. Note to Parents- With this being a Shonda Rhimes show, there is a lot of problems with it in terms of sexual content. Other than that, there probably isn’t that much problem with it. Recommendation- I would say that you should watch this while you still can. My Viewing Habits- I missed the first episode, but have watched this when I could since the second. Prediction- This will not last and may already be cancelled as you are reading this review. Reception: somewhat good. Grade: B-. New review

NCIS: New Orleans: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on Tuesdays. 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 writer’s 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- I think that it will probably last a while. Reception: mostly positive. Grade: A.

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.

Blog link: https://adamdeckersurvivor.blogspot.com

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

Thursdays in Primetime Version 5

Thursdays are the most competitive nights on television. All the networks put all their best shows on the same night. It is impossible to watch everything good at this time, unless, of course, you record some things to watch later or watch what you can’t see online. NBC airs comedies and a drama. CBS airs comedies as well and ends with S.W.A.T. right now. ABC shows their popular TGIT night which are all dramas produced by Shonda Rhimes. FOX has a constantly changing lineup that I won’t bother to keep track of, but will review from time to time. The CW shows Supernatural and Arrow. There are no losers and every network seems to win in their own right. The reason this night is the most competitive is the high demand of advertisers for the movies that will come out the next day. I have seen a lot of these shows so here’s my views on them:

Superstore: Status- Currently on NBC at 8/7 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- My mother was originally interested in it, so I recorded it for her and watched it myself. Noteworthiness- Despite its short time on the air, it is the longest running comedy on NBC. I don’t know if the return of Will and Grace complicates things. Description- This is a comedy about people who work in a store and the adventures that ensue. Notable People- America Ferria from Ugly Betty is in the cast. She might have also created the show too. Pros- This show is interesting and different. Cons- There really isn’t much that this show offers. It can be weird. Note to Parents- This is probably the standard amount of what you’d expect in terms of what is acceptable or not for your kids to watch. Recommendation- It isn’t terrible, but I wouldn’t watch it again. My Viewing Habits- I only watched this once. Prediction- I say that it might last, but only given NBC’s general lack of comedies that they have to rely on. They need something, right? Reception: mixed/average. Grade: D.

The Big Bang Theory: Status- Currently on CBS at 8/7 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- General interest in the show from the moment it first aired and a bit before. Noteworthiness- Of all the live action comedies on television to still be in production, this one has been on the longest. I don’t know if the return of shows like Roseanne or Will and Grace complicate things. Description- This show is about the adventures of nerds, a female neighbor, and other people in their lives. Reruns can be different than how the show is currently portrayed. Notable People- Chuck Lorre, who created Two and a Half Men, also created this show. He has created other shows as well, but I’m not sure they are worth mentioning. Kayley Cuoco from 8 Simple Rules and Charmed is Penny. Pros- This is a really funny comedy. Everyone loves Sheldon, the Obsessive-Compulsive roommate. Some people can watch reruns over and over again and still find it just as funny as they did the first time. Cons- Sex and other bad stuff can be present a lot. It isn’t always as good as you would like and there can be issues with negative portrayal of religion. Note to Parents- There are a lot of objectionable things in here so you would have to watch it to see if it is something you let your kids see. If they are in high school, I see no problem with letting them watch this.  Recommendation- I say that you should watch it if you like it. Most people do like this show. If you don’t laugh after watching an episode, then it isn’t for you. But, it is one of my favorite shows and I highly recommend it. My Viewing Habits- While I have not seen every episode, I’ve watched this since it has first started. Prediction- This show is renewed for more seasons right now, but there are rumors that it could be ending after them. Reception: mixed then positive. Grade: A-.

Grey’s Anatomy: Status- Currently on Thursdays at 8/7 Central on ABC. Why I’ve seen it-Desire to find a medical drama to watch all the time on a regular basis. When I realized that I liked medical dramas, I also realized that they always cancel the ones that I like, so I figured that I should watch this since it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Noteworthiness- It is the longest running drama on ABC to still be in production. Description- A medical drama featuring a large cast of doctors of both genders solves medical problems that sometimes relates to their own team. I’m not really sure how to describe it that well so you might understand it better if you watch an episode yourself. Notable People- Shonda Rhimes, who went on to help produce Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and now dominates most of Thursday nights on ABC with shows that she helped make, created this show. Pros- This show is pretty interesting and humorous. Most of the large cast is focused upon most of the time. The medical aspect is well-done. It isn’t always about the same characters all the time. The acting is great. Cons- The show can be quite complicated and hard to understand and follow, especially if you don’t watch every week. If you don’t like soap operas, then this show probably isn’t for you because of the format it uses. There’s too much sex in the show as well and most people wouldn’t like the morals present. There are too many characters to keep track of on a regular basis and sometimes a lot of the cast isn’t in a certain episode. The main character, in particular, isn’t there that much. Note to Parents- I would avoid letting your kids watch that. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. If you don’t like it now, you never will. My Viewing Habits- There was a long time when I didn’t watch this for one reason or another, but I finally decided to start watching it. I plan to stick with it until the end. Prediction- This will probably last longer in the future. I don’t see it ending soon. Reception: somewhat positive. Grade: C+.

Gotham: Status- Currently on FOX at 8/7 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- I was interested in it and it worked out well for me to watch it. Noteworthiness- The show can best be described as a Batman origins story, even though he’s not in it as much as he could be as Jim Gordon is the main character and Bruce Wayne is a child and supporting character. This also might be the longest running of the current FOX dramas. Description- A story set in the world of Batman that largely focuses on Jim Gordon helping fight crime back when the characters were much younger. Notable People- Bruno Heller, the creator of the Mentalist, helped develop this show. Ben Mackenzie, who was in Southland and the OC, is the main character, Jim Gordon. Morena Baccarin, who was on Firefly, V, Homeland, among other things, is also a character on the show. Pros- I like this show for the most part. It is pretty interesting. It can probably keep you interested even if you aren’t that big a Batman fan. Cons- It seems more police procedural than actually about the Batman characters we know and love. Some of those characters aren’t as recognizable as others. Batman is not being as big as he probably should be in this show. For better or worse, they have advanced the series more than some might think is needed. Note to Parents- This show typically airs with a content advisory so it isn’t for younger viewers. Recommendation- I’d say that this show is good, even if Batman is more of a side character. My Viewing Habits- I haven’t seen every episode of this, but I did start watching from the very first episode. Prediction- I’d put this at a toss-up right now. Reception: positive. Grade: A.

Young Sheldon: Status- Currently on CBS at 8:30/7:30 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- I watch the show it span off from so it made sense to watch this too. Noteworthiness- This is a prequel to the show The Big Bang Theory. Description- A spin-off of The Big Bang Theory, it features Sheldon Cooper at a younger age. Notable People- Jim Parsons, who plays adult Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, is the narrator of this show. Pros- The show works and is pretty good. It doesn’t have some of the problems that the main show has, like focusing on sex, due to all the characters being young. Cons- It doesn’t seem to have the same type of appeal that The Big Bang Theory does. It doesn’t seem as funny as one would want it to be. Note to Parents- This is pretty acceptable most of the time. There have been some issues now and then, but not too many. Recommendation- I would suggest watching this. You don’t even have to like The Big Bang Theory to enjoy this, although there are links between them. My Viewing Habits- I have not seen every episode, but I have watched this since it first started. Prediction- This will probably keep lasting for a while. It is renewed for next season. I see no reason why it wouldn’t last. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: A. New review

Mom: Status- Currently on CBS at 9/8 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- If you didn’t know already, I like to watch every CBS TV show, even if it is just once. Description- A woman deals with the issues of single motherhood and various family problems. Notable People- Alison Janey and Anna Farris, both known for movies, are two main characters on the show. Chuck Lorre, who created Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and helps with Mike and Molly, helps with this show, although I’m not sure if he created it, which he might have. Pros- People like it, based on comments I’ve seen online. Cons- All the show is about is a bunch of immoral people and I don’t know why we should care about something like this. Also, it is far from being funny. Note to Parents- This has so much smut in it that I wouldn’t let anyone you take care of watch it. Recommendation- Don’t watch it. It’s terrible. The fact that people like it completely baffles me. My Viewing Habits- I watched the first episode and would rather watch 30 straight minutes of commercials before I’d tune into this again. Prediction- This will keep lasting for a while unless something weird happens. Reception: somewhat favorable. Grade: F.

Station Thirteen: Status- Currently on ABC at 9/8 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- I watch the original show so figured that I might as well watch this as well. Noteworthiness- This is a spin-off of the show Grey’s Anatomy featuring firefighters. It even has one of the same characters. Description- We see the drama behind a team of firefighters. Pros- This is interesting. Cons- This could have the same problems that Grey’s does such as making it more about who is sleeping with who instead of better forms of entertainment. Note to Parents- Most ages shouldn’t watch this, although if your kids are in high school, then this won’t contain things they won’t know. Recommendation- I’d put this at a toss-up. If I stopped watching, it would probably be because this is about firefighting and not anything else about the show. My Viewing Habits- I have watched this since the beginning and might stick around or might not. Prediction- This is likely to stay around for now. Reception: mixed. Grade: B-. New review

Arrow: Status- Currently on the CW at 9/8 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- I wanted to watch a CW show that was new at the time. Noteworthiness- This is based off of a DC comics series. It has also created what’s known as the Arrowverse full of other shows on the CW that all share the universe and have related events. Description- This CW drama is about the comic book character Green Arrow. I don’t know if it is accurate or not to the source material. Pros- It seems interesting enough to keep potential viewers coming back and watching it again. Cons- It seems like every other superhero drama. The links to the other shows can be quite a bother. It is not as good as the rest of the franchise. Note to Parents- This can be a bit gruesome at times so preteens and younger shouldn’t watch. Recommendation- Take it or leave it. If you have time to watch it, then you should. If you aren’t interested, then you aren’t really missing out on anything. If you watch other shows in the franchise, then you should watch this or you will be confused by everything. My Viewing Habits- I started watching some in the first season and then lost interest for a while. Around the fourth season, due to its connections with The Flash, I started online watching it and can now keep up with it better again since it no longer competes with Survivor. I try to watch every new episode now. Prediction- It will stay around for quite some time as the universe is quite popular. Reception: positive. Grade: B.

Life in Pieces: Status- Currently on CBS at 9:30/8:30 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- Blah, blah, blah, watching a CBS show once, blah, blah, blah. Description- It’s hard to describe the plot of the show. It is basically about a family and their adventures all mixed into one story. Notable People- This show has Colin Hanks, from Fargo and The Good Guys, who is also the son of Tom Hanks. Pros- It’s different from most other shows. Cons- It is very stupid and pointless. It focuses far too much on sex. Note to Parents- Don’t let your kids watch this. Recommendation- This isn’t any good so don’t watch it. My Viewing Habits- I have seen only the first episode of this then never watched it again. Prediction- It will keep lasting for now. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: F.

Scandal: Status- Currently on ABC at 10/9 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- It crossovered with a show that I watch, so I decided to keep watching this. Description- I’m not entirely sure about all of what the plot is. I do know that it relates to a fixer of some sort or did at one point. Notable People- Shona Rhimes, who created Grey’s Anatomy, also created or helped produce this show. Pros- There are a lot of complicated characters to keep people interested in this. Cons- The show is confusing, doesn’t always make sense, and can be hard to follow. Note to Parents- There is tons in here that is not right for kids to watch. Teens can watch, but other than that, it isn’t for young people. Recommendation- I’m not sure what to say here myself. I have the feeling that this might have been better in the past. My Viewing Habits- When I learned that a crossover between this and a show that I already watched would happen, I thought that I would get into it when it would work out well. After the crossover, I thought that I might as well stay with it since it would be ending soon. Prediction- This is on its final season and will be ending in the near future. Reception: generally favorable. Grade: B. New review

S.W.A.T.: Status- Currently on CBS at 10/9 Central on Thursdays. Why I’ve seen it- I always watch a CBS show once under most circumstances. Noteworthiness- This is a remake of a show with the same name. Description- This is about a team of people who try to help others in different situations. Just insert standard CBS drama into the plot line here. Notable People- It stars Shamar Moore, who used to star in Criminal Minds. Pros- The show works and has interesting plots. Cons- It doesn’t seem that different from other shows. Note to Parents- This has the standard amount of material that you would find wrong with a show. It has more violence in it than sex, but there is a bit of the second one on occasion. Still, there are worse shows in terms of violent content. Recommendation- I think that it is good to watch, unless you have better things to do with life. My Viewing Habits- I missed the first episode due to issues with the recording of it, but stayed with it from the second one onward. Prediction- This is renewed for the next season so we’ll see if it lasts beyond that in the future or not. I think that it will last. Reception: mixed. Grade: A. New review