Pilots, season premieres and finales are a mixed bag. The majority of shows usually write themselves into a corner by season’s end, no doubt leading to disjointed finales in which very little resolution actually happens. Rather continue writing with vagueness, I’ll clearly state that I am referring to Alan Ball, his crack team of writers and their clusterbleep of a show called True Blood. The show is an amazing three for three with horrendous finales. The latest finale featured 87 cliffhangers. Stories appeared out of nowhere. The various plots that were established were never resolved or dropped. The werewolves storyline received tremendous hype before the season began but the writers lost interest in werewolves by episode six. The second half of the season accomplished nothing really and the finale even less. This show cannot possibly be nominated for an Emmy when shows like Treme and Sons of Anarchy are ignored by the Academy. True Blood isn’t even the best vampire show on television.
Today is CBS Preview Day. I shouldn’t even call it a preview because I’m entirely unfamiliar with CBS programming. The press releases are junk and independent bloggers cannot get near press materials for networks. So I’m taking a page from every television blog/website on the interweb and delivering premiere dates for returning shows with, perhaps, a comment thrown in.
The Big Bang Theory returns September 23 at 8PM
I implore any fan of comedy to watch Community rather than The Big Bang Theory. If you like the show, DVR it. I have no interest reading news like Big Bang Theory crushes Community in the ratings, resulting in the cancellation of one of the top comedys on the air.
Criminal Minds returns September 22 at 9PM
CSI returns September 23 at 9PM
Justin Bieber guest stars in an episode or two. The CBS wants that CW demographic. I think Bieber’s episode should end with his hair cut. His handlers probably wouldn’t allow the hair to go because it is a marketing tool but the hair is terrible. Even worse, Tom Brady’s adopted that hairstyle.
CSI: Miami returns October 3 at 10PM
The 9th season. Why? Who is watching this?
CSI: New York returns September 24 at 9PM
The 7th season. Again, I ask, why? Maybe audiences respond to the weekly presence of Lt. Dan in their household but Lt. Dan is nothing without Forrest Gump.
The Good Wife returns September 28 at 10PM
How I Met Your Mother returns September 20 at 8PM
If you want to watch a season of television in which nothing happens for 24 episodes, netflix the fifth season of How I Met Your Mother. If you missed season five of the show and are a fan, don’t worry about catching up. You didn’t miss anything. The two showrunners characterized the season as “stand alone” because of the plethora of stand alone episodes in the season. Stand alone episodes allow the characters to start fresh every week, meaning there is no continuity to worry about. It’s lazy storytelling. The showrunners promise actual plot development and episodes that matter in season six. Jennifer Morrison’s signed on for some episodes. I’m a huge Jennifer Morrison fan so she is enough to pull me in for another season. Plus, she has to be involved in the mother plot. Amazingly, though the show is about Ted meeting the mother, the mother plot made zero progress last season except for one small thing: Ted saw her foot. Last season sucked.
Medium returns September 24 at 9PM
The Mentalist returns September 23 at 10PM
NCIS returns September 21 at 8PM
NCIS: Los Angeles returns September 21 at 9PM
Rules of Engagement returns September 20 at 8:30PM
Survivor: Nicaragua premieres September 15 at 8PM
Two and a Half Men returns September 20 at 9PM
Undercover Boss returns September 26 at 9PM
SCREENPLAY OF THE DAY
SCREAM by Kevin Williamson http://www.horrorlair.com/scripts/scream.txt
Get into the early Halloween spirit by reading Scream, the movie that saved the horror movie genre in the late 90s.
Once upon a time, FOX cancelled every promising show on the schedule. In recent years, the executives allowed shows find an audience and grow. What a concept. House is about to begin its seventh season while Bones will launch its sixth. They even let Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse have 26 episodes and the little engine that could (aka the Tim Roth show) hasn’t been cancelled yet. Glee is a hit and they have a very successful Sunday lineup. The network is in a good place. Imagine if they landed Conan a few months ago.
Before the FOX preview commences, a quick reminder about the 2010 TV Preview as a whole. Unlike the preview of new shows, I am not evaluating which shows to review for the 2010-2011 schedule. I dislike reality television immensely; therefore, I only preview returning scripted series. There will be no speculation about the new American Idol judges in this space.
Anywho, let me dive into FOX’s 2010-2011 schedule of returning shows.
The Show: American Dad
What Season?: The Sixth
Returns To Air: October 3 at 9:30PM
What To Expect: Well, I haven’t watched a Seth MacFarlane show in eight years. The plots center on the misadventures of the Smith family so expect more misadventures as well as the 100th episode in the show’s sixth season. In the first episode, Hayley and Jeff elope and Stan offers a reward everyone wants to claim while Wheels and Legman return.
The Show: Bones
What Season?: The Sixth
Returns To Air: September 23 at 8PM
What To Expect: Oh, Bones. Every May, Bones creator Hart Hanson and his team of writers manage to anger their fanbase. First, it was Zach and Gormogon then it was the ‘the finale took place in Booth’s head.’ As for reaction to the most recent finale, I am unsure. In recent years, the show has embraced its romantic comedy elements while remaining true to the procedural, murder-of-the-week stories. People still love the show and the characters. I can never commit to a full Bones viewing. I enjoy the occasional episode but the format and the structure loses my interest. Fans, in the sixth season, will want to see Bones and Booth get together. In the show’s 100th episode, the episode dealt with the budding romance between the two. Booth wanted it but Bones hesitated because she’s Bones.
The series moves forward one full year. The team disbanded during that time. Angela and Hodges went to Paris. Bones and Daisey went somewhere for research while Booth became an army instructor hooked up with a great looking army girl. The big bad of season six is going to be a sniper and an old villain will return. I do wonder how things will be between Booth and Bones as yet another person stands in the way of a relationship.
The Show: The Cleveland Show
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 26 at 8:30PM
What To Expect: The show earned a third season pick-up as well. This show was the highest rated show in the 18-34 male demographic.
In the second season premiere, Cleveland wants to help Kenny West’s rap career take-off. Also President Barack Obama will visit Stoolbend.
The Show: Family Guy
What Season?: The Ninth
Returns To Air: September 26 at 9PM
What To Expect: The intended season finale did not air because of the subject matter. It dealt with abortion in the Family Guy way. So, the actual season finale was the sequel to their Blue Harvest episode. How does Seth MacFarlane and crew follow that up?
A murder mystery at the house of James Woods opens the ninth season. Peter, his family and other residents of Quahog got caught in a whodunnit game when guests of Woods continue to turn up dead. In true Family Guy form, the episode is a parody of the Agatha Christie novel And Then There Were None. Does MacFarlane have ANY original ideas in him? ANY AT ALL? Drew Barrymore and Ashley Tisdale lend their voices for the season premiere. Also, James Woods voices his own animated character.
The Show: Fringe
What Season?: The Third
Returns To Air: September 23 at 9PM
What To Expect: I think I know what non-LOST fans experienced when discovering what kind of story the show was telling as I begin writing about Fringe. I watched the pilot a few days after the show premiered but the show didn’t capture my interest. Fringe is now a complete cult show.
Last season’s finale explored the alternate universe introduced in the first season finale. Olivia has a doppleganger with dark hair and they fought. Good Olivia is now trapped in a dungeon in the alternate universe while Alternate Brunette/Sexy Olivia is in the true universe impersonating the Good Olivia. This entire plot seems ripped off from Doppelgangland (season three of Buffy). I wonder where Pacey Witter fits into this as well as Matthew Abaddon. Yes, I refer to Lance Reddick’s LOST character.
The Show: Glee
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 21 at 8PM
I asked Janice Redington, the girl who gives out stuffed animals week after week for Post Collegiate-Apocalypse, to write about Glee. She is an associate of PCA author Colin McGlinchey and a proud Gleek. Here is what she wrote:
What To Expect: Glee premiered last fall and quickly gained the attention of many viewers. The shows premise was something new- the formation of a glee club at a high school. The show was going to incorporate comedy, drama, and musical numbers all in one to help tell the story. Not far into the season it was clear that Fox had a winner and fans were already wanting more.
As season one began we were introduced to a variety of characters:
First we have the glee club members, a mix of high school students ranging from popular to unpopular and those in between.
Rachel Berry (Lea Michelle): the head gleek
Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith): the football gleek
Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer): the flamboyant gleek
Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron): the pregnant gleek
Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale): the handicapped gleek
Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley): the diva gleek
Puck Puckerman (Mark Sailing): the babydaddy gleek
Tina Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz): the goth gleek
Santana Lopez (Naya Riveria): the slutty cheerleader gleek
Brittany (Heather Morris): the ditzy gleek
Mike Chang (Harry Shum jr) and Matt Rutherford (Dijon Talton): the background gleeks.
Along with the glee members there is glee coach Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), and guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays).
The show begins with a small glee club, New Directions, ; Rachel, Kurt, Artie, Mercedes, and Tina, being led by Schuester. The club is in desperate need of new members and Schuester and the glee members begin their search. Enter Finn: quarterback with an amazing singing voice. When plans to recruit him do not go as well as planned, Schuester plants marijuana in Finn’s locker, thus blackmailing him to join the group. Soon after Finn’s fellow football players (Puck, Mike, and Matt) join him in the glee club as well.
Then Quinn Fabray, girlfriend to Finn, and her fellow cheerleaders (Santana and Brittany, are sent by Coach Sylvester to join the glee club and be her spies. Sylvester’s hates Schuester and his club and hopes to tear it down for the inside out.
As the glee club begins its singing and dancing, with songs ranging from Kayne’s “Golddigger” to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, the drama of the show unfolds. First we have Schuester, a financially struggling teacher with an overbearing wife who is desperate to have a child. As his wife is soon faking her own pregnancy Schuester becomes close to school guidance counselor Emma Pillsburry. The two begin a flirtation that the viewer knows will soon become something more. By midseason Schuester is getting a divorce and is starting a relationship with Pillsburry. Unfortunately, his reaction to her OCD behaviors forces a wedge between the two and the relationship quickly fizzles.
Back on the teenage front, Finn and Quinn, the cliché couple, are dealing with the issue of sex in their relationship. Leader of the celibacy club, which is gone from the show rather quickly, Quinn refuses to sleep with Finn. When she miraculously becomes pregnant everyone is left wondering how that was possible. Quinn finally tells her parents who kick her out of their house and Quinn moves in with Finn and his mother. As the season continues we learn that the father of Quinn’s baby is actually Puck, fellow glee cluber, football player, and school bully. Finn soon discovers the truth and the perfect couple is torn apart. Quinn is stuck to deal with her imminent pregnancy, attempting to mold puck into a father, being kicked of the cheer squad, and the social repercussions of her actions at school.
Then Rachel and Finn begin a relationship, which is rocky from the start, as the season progresses. The other characters have a few background issues that are touched upon. Kurt is dying for his father’s acceptance, Mercedes is fighting for more singing roles, Artie dreams of walking and is desperate for love, Tina is trying to find herself, Santana is still playing secret agent to the cheer squad, and Brittany, Matt, and Mike are just the extras that give us brief glimpses of their talent.
Before the midseason break, the New Directions compete in Sectionals. Upon arrival they discover that the other two teams have gained access to their set list, from cheer coach Sylvester. New Directions quickly decides on some new songs to sing and they win the trophy for sectionals.
After four months of waiting, season one returned mid-April to the delight of fans. This half of the season gave us the Madonna and Lady Gaga tribute episodes and viewers are hoping these tributes will continue. New Directions is now preparing for regionals against current champions, Vocal Adrenaline. Soon season one is becoming filled with new characters and some twisting story lines.
Vocal Adrenaline’s lead singer is Jesse St. James (Johnathan Groff) who quickly grabs the attention of Rachel. Rachel and Jesse soon begin a relationship, against the wishes of the rest of New Directions members who feel Jesse is just with Rachel for spying tactics. Surprisingly Jesse enrolls into school with the New Directions members and joins their club, leaving Vocal Adrenaline behind. Finn, still hung up on what Rachel and him could have been, is not only jealous of the new couple but is also fighting Jesse for the lead male spot.
Soon viewers lean that New Directions was right and Jesse does indeed have motives for his relationship with Rachel. Rachel is the daughter of two gay men, who hired a surrogate mother, to bear their child. Rachel who has always wondered who her mother is, is recruiting Jesse to help her in her search. She eventually discovers that her mother is Vocal Adrenaline’s coach and the two begin to talk. The coach realizes that it is too late to begin a relationship with Rachel and once again Rachel must deal with her womanly issues alone.
Finally after a lot of little issues that all begin to wrap up the finale premieres. It is time for the team to compete in regionals and New Directions is ready, including nine months but not looking it, pregnant Quinn. Coach Sylvester, Josh Grobin, and Olivia Newton John are judging the Regionals and Schuester is worried how Sylvester will try to sabotage his team now. New Directions takes the stage and pays a fitting tribute to Journey. Right after New Directions performs Quinn’s mother comes to the show and the two forgive one another and Quinn is invited to move back home. Suddenly Quinn’s water breaks and the club rushes to the hospital for the birth of her baby. The viewers soon discover that Vocal Adrenaline coach is going to adopt Quinn’s baby so she can finally have a child of her own to raise. With judging of Regionals complete New Directions places last and the school principal is intend on disbanding the club. At the end of the show Schuester discovers that even though Coach Sylvester can’t stand him as a person, she admires his work with the club members and talks the principal into letting the club stay together one more year.
Of course with all this drama going on, and plenty more that was just too much to mention, there was an abundance of great covers by New Directions and other guest cast members. One of the best by far was the appearance by Neil Patrick Harris late into the season. NPH and Schuester sing a duet of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” that left viewers hoping for a reappearance by NPH in seasons to come. Other hit songs included “I’ll Stand by You”(The Pretenders) “Imagine” (John Lennon) “Jump” (Van Halen) “Ice, Ice Baby” (Vanilla Ice), “The Climb” (Miley Cyrus), “Loser” (Beck), and many more.
With season two quickly approaching fans cannot wait to see what will happen next. So far this is what we know: Brittany, Tina, Mike, and Matt will have larger roles, new characters will be introduced, their will be a Brittany Spears tribute episode, the season will go to the nationals but producers aren’t promising New Direction will compete, Rachel and Finn will be together, sex secrets will be exposed (including the virginity truths of Rachel and Finn), Schuester’s wife will be fighting for his love back, we will discover more about Coach Slyvester’s love life, Javier Bardem is supposed to have a guest appearance, John Stamos is supposed to play Emma Pillsburry’s love interest (and her dentist), and there is hope for NPH and other guests from last year to return.
So far fans have a lot to go on and there should be a lot going on for season two. We can also assume that Quinn will be dealing with her choice for adoption, Sylvester will be finding new ways to terrorize Schuester, and the rest of the cast will have a lot of new drama unfolding.
Not a lot of the songs have been announced, with the exception of “New York State of Mind” for the premiere and a handful of Britney Spears songs for her tribute episode, which is supposed to be the second week. Hopefully the producers will continue to pick a variety of music to keep fans coming back for more.
The Show: House
What Season?: The Seventh
Returns To Air: September 20 at 8PM
What To Expect: More medical cases and plenty of dysfunction between House and Cuddy now that those two are romantically involved. I’m not sure which actors remain on the show. The fanbase wants new creative energy injected into the series but they are doubtful of such creative energy existing in the writer’s room. I’d like Jennifer Morrison back in the cast but that won’t happen. Something to watch for is an episode that could get Hugh Laurie an Emmy next year. Some critics expected Laurie to win because of the mental hospital storyline. An interesting House/Cuddy relationship would help calm the anger.
The Show: Human Target
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: October 1 at 8PM
What To Expect: Goons kidnapped one of the characters so two of the other characters will rescue him. A female is being brought into the trio of males. TWoP compares this show to MacGyver and The A-Team. McG is a producer of the show.
The Show: Lie To Me
What Season?: The Third
Returns To Air: November 2010
What To Expect: The show that features Tim Roth’s unique walks got a third season after airing half of season two during the summer. Expect the same structure return–uninteresting supporting characters and cases that have 56 twists in every act. It’s a very convoluted show but Tim Roth’s walk is awesome.
The Show: The Simpsons
What Season?: The 22nd
Returns To Air: September 26 at 8PM
What To Expect: I was a huge fan of the first ten seasons of the show and then I ignored the show for the last eleven years; however, I saw the movie opening night. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the 21st season was the funniest the show has been in a long time.
Season 22 opens with an episode titled “Elementary School Musical.” Yes, South Park did it first but I’ll forgive The Simpsons. Lea Michele of Glee heads a group of five people lending their voices to the show.
Tomorrow will be the very timely CW Fall TV Preview because their season begins tomorrow night.
The second season of Community premieres September 23 at 8PM
NBC should hope one of their new shows hits with the audience and the critics because they need a hit badly. The crop of returning shows consists of older shows that suffered from mediocre bad seasons. Plus, the age factor exists. How much life do some of these shows have left? Dick Wolf and Lorne Michaels are responsible for half of the primetime schedule. NBC has a show with a cult following in Chuck so the show’s audience is what it is. Most of the returning shows are what they are now. They are set in their ways. Community has the best chance of finding a bigger audience this year and becoming a bonafide hit. Dan Harmon and the writers aren’t afraid to take risks as proved by last year’s terrific paintball episode. But NBC probably will finish fourth overall once again.
For the next couple of days, The Foot’s previewing each scripted series on all five networks. On Wednesday, I previewed every returning scripted ABC series. On Tuesday, it will be FOX’s turn. Today is NBC.
The Show: 30 Rock
What Season?: The Fifth
Returns To Air: September 23, 2010 at 9:30PM
What To Expect: The press release merely states that the show is renewed for a fifth season. Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is with Avery, the business news anchor who is carrying his child so expect a birth storyline. Matt Damon will be around for a brief time as Liz Lemon’s (Tina Fey) love interest. He plays an almost-astronaut. And Kenneth is being transfered to Los Angeles.
The biggest news surrounding 30 Rock is the live episode that will happen on October 14. The cast and crew will be live for the 9:30PM East Coast airing and they will be live for the West Coast airing.
The show didn’t receive the best reviews for last season but they have their audience, the emmys love the show and the show will easily get a sixth season.
The Show: Chuck
What Season?: The Fourth
Returns To Air: September 20, 2010 at 8PM
What To Expect: No press releases for NBC Preview, folks. I’m sure the masses fell in love with the press release. Don’t worry. The press releases will return on FOX day. If not then, The CW day.
The big news surrounding the show’s fourth season are the guest stars they’re bringing in. Linda Hamilton joins the cast as Chuck’s mother while Dolph Lundgren and the Old Spice Guy will make appearances on the show.
Last season’s finale set the pieces for a sort of reboot as the old base of spy operations was blown up. TWoP said the show took “a quantum leap in a new direction with a cool new base of operations.”
The Show: Community
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 23, 2010 at 8PM
What To Expect: Community was one of the best comedies on the air last season. It is original and full of tongue-in-cheek jokes while self-aware about sitcom cliches and tropes.
Last season ended with a great twist/cliffhanger. Torn between Britta and Slatter, Jeff finds an expected-but-still-OH-WOW love interest in Annie after she ended things with Vaughn. The first season ended on the image of Jeff and Annie locked in a passionate kiss as Britta and Slatter waited inside for his decision. Professor Chang is no longer the Professor because he never WAS a professor. Chang will become one of the group seemingly. And Troy decided to move in with Pierce after Abed refused to be roommates with him because he didn’t want to destory the friendship. Pierce might be a tough roommate for Troy to handle.
Also, Betty White guest stars in the season premiere as an Anthropology teacher. John Oliver will have a larger role this season as well. Drew Carey and Rob Corrdry will stop by Greendale as well.
The Show: Law & Order: Special Victims United
What Season?: The Twelfth
Returns To Air: September 22, 2010 at 9PM
What To Expect: (From NBC Press Release) “We’re looking forward to launching our 12th season with a special two hours of ‘SVU’ that will take Benson and Stabler through the twists and turns everyone loves,” said Neal Baer, executive producer. “We’re blasting off with a stellar guest cast including Joan Cusack, Peter Strauss and ‘Lost’s’ Henry Ian Cusick.”
What To Expect Part Two: Last season, the medical examiner was shot and the Assistant DA left the show. Jennifer Love Hewitt will guest star in the premiere as a rape victim who fears leaving the house. Overall, expect more crimes to be solved. It usually happens in the world of Law & Order.
The Show: The Office
What Season?: The Seventh
Returns To Air: September 23, 2010 at 9PM
What To Expect: Hm. Is someone leaving this show? Oh yes, someone is. The star of the show. I think it’s a mistake for the show to continue without Steve Carrell. The quality of the show is already dropping. But NBC won’t because they make many terrible decisions, thus, the struggle for ratings.
Last season, Michael told Kathy Bates that he wants Holly back. Well, Kathy Bates will guest star in an episode or two this season. No idea about Amy Ryan. And the biggest storyline will be Michael Scott’s departure and the search to replace him.
The Show: Parenthood
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 14, 2010 at 10PM
What To Expect: More family drama with all of the characters. My research didn’t find much about the happenings of last season or what to expect for the upcoming season.
The Show: Saturday Night Live
What Season?: The Thirty Sixth
Returns To Air: September 25, 2010 at 11:35PM
What To Expect: No more Will Forte because he left the show; however, SNL hired three new cast members. Among them is a guy who can finally replace Fred Armisen as Obama on the show. Seth Meyers is still head writer and weekend update anchor.
The host for the premiere hasn’t been released but Bryan Cranston will host the October 2 show. Jane Lynch will host the October 9 show.
OTHER RETURNING SHOWS
Sunday Night Football returns September 9 with the New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings.
Ah, the Fall. Officially, the Fall doesn’t start for a few weeks but Labor Day effectively ends the summer in most people’s minds. After Labor Day comes the promise of NFL football, exciting division races and NHL training camp. Also, the Fall television season begins. TV blogs and television critics will longer struggle to fill space on a daily basis. Instead, there will be actual new episodes of returning to shows to write about.
Returning shows are always interesting to follow because of the questions associated with returning shows. For example, can a show that experienced a successful first season maintain the quality for a second season? The sophomore slump is very real in television; however, there are as many shows who had a rocky first season that returned with a second season that won over many new fans like The Office, Parks And Recs, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, etc. There are shows who experienced a drop-off in season two only to return with creative resurgence in the third season. Essentially, to quote Forrest Gump, returning shows are like a box of chocolates because you never what you’re going to get.
For the next week or so, The Foot will preview each returning show on all the major networks. The Foot will even sneak in a preview for shows like Dexter. Unlike the preview of new shows, I’m not evaluating which shows will get reviews in this blog because I covered that in a post on Friday. In case you forgot, I’ll most likely provide thoughts or a full review for shows that I actually like. The Preview of Returning Fall Shows is more in the spirit of EW’s yearly preview or the many previews that will run on television websites but, of course, I’ll add
Today, we begin with the now LOST-less ABC. I won’t include any reality shows because I dislike reality television. Let it begin:
The Show: Brothers And Sisters
What Season?: The Fifth
Returns To Air: September 26, 2010 at 10PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) “Brothers & Sisters” heads into its fifth season as executive producers Ken Olin, Greg Berlanti and David Marshall Grant continue to follow the California-based Walker family through the complicated maze of American life today. The compelling one-hour drama series is about a collection of five enmeshed and somewhat damaged adult siblings and their strong but passionately devoted mother, Nora Walker (Oscar and Emmy Award winner, Sally Field). The Walkers’ lives have not been without challenge; romance, parenting, illness, politics, divorce, infidelity, addiction, arrest, war and even death have pushed each of them to the limit, but they continue to work toward living their lives as individuals, while loving each other unconditionally and trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy after the loss and lies of their larger-than-life family patriarch, William Walker.
What To Expect Part Two: Usually, the press releases released at the upfronts include more than the premise, especially for a show in its fifth season. The ABC Press Release says nothing about what to expect; therefore, I had to research. I remember the promos for last season’s finale as I watched LOST on a weekly basis. I remember distraught men and women on the scene of a car wreck. Televisionwithoutpity.com summed up the fourth season finale like this:
“The silliest forty minutes of manufactured drama followed by the saddest five minutes of television ever.”
What I do know is Rob Lowe has joined the cast of Parks and Recs because his character on Brothers & Sisters died. The show will resume its narrative a year after the tragic car crash. Fans will find out whether Robert and Holly survived the car crash, and Saul will deal with the news that he is HIV-positive while Kitty will deal with life after her husband. Sounds fun.
The show only earned an 18 episode pickup so this could be their last season. Emily Vancamp is leaving the show after a 2-3 episode arc to resolve her character’s story. I would’ve liked to share some quotes from the showrunner but cannot find any interviews about season five. You see, I’m trying to deliver quality and I can’t. Grant me press access, ABC.
The Show: Castle
What Season?: The Third
Returns To Air: September 20, 2010 at 10PM.
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) During this past season, Castle and Beckett’s relationship has grown stronger as they’ve dodged bullets, captured killers, and solved countless murder cases in their unorthodox partnership. But by the Season Two finale, Beckett’s new relationship with a robbery detective has pushed Castle away, forcing them both to confront their feelings for one another. When Castle leaves to finish writing his second Nikki Heat novel, Naked Heat, Beckett has to watch him walk away, unable to express her true feelings and unsure whether he will return to the precinct.
What To Expect Part Two: I have more to add about the finale and what to expect thanks to something called research. Among the Castle fans, the Castle/Beckett development is a huge cliffhanger because Castle actually gave up on ever entering a relationship with her at the same time Beckett realized she had feelings for Castle. In the third season, Nathan Fillion teased that the hook-up between his character and Beckett will happen sooner rather than later. I assume Castle returns to work alongside Beckett investigating crimes and whatnot.
Castle received a 22 episode pickup for season three so fans should feel safe about the future of the show. I included the clip of Nathan Fillion (as Castle) dressing up as Malcom Reynolds because it’s just so cool.
The Show: Cougar Town
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 22, 2010 at 9PM.
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) Courtney Cox stars as Jules Cobb in her Golden Globe(R)-nominated role as a recently divorced mom in her forties facing the often humorous challenges, pitfalls and rewards of life’s next chapter. Along for the journey are her teenage son, her ex-husband and friends, who together make up her dysfunctional yet supportive and caring extended family… even if they have a funny way of showing it sometimes.
What To Expect Part Two: Once again, the ABC Press Release tells nothing about the second season; therefore, I again research what to expect. ABC, grant me press access. Last season’s finale was described as one of the most satisying by the good people over at televisionwithoutpity.com and the show is beloved despite logic being thrown out the window for comedy. I gathered Cox’s character, Jules, is dating two men at the same time and, after a display of silly hats, all was forgiven.
The season two premiere will feature Jennifer Aniston as a guest star. Beyond that, I am clueless about Cougar Town despite my best efforts to gather information.
The Show: Desperate Housewives
What Season?: The Seventh
Returns To Air: September 26, 2010 at 9PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) The primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on the “happily ever after,” “Desperate Housewives” returns for its seventh season. After losing her business, Bree (Marcia Cross) begins the process of rebuilding her life by telling Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) a secret that could end their friendship; Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom (Doug Savant) face a rough road ahead as they welcome a fifth child to their ever growing brood; and Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike’s (James Denton) financial woes have forced them to rent out their house and leave Wisteria Lane. But when Paul Young (Mark Moses) mysteriously returns to the neighborhood as the new tenant, suspicions will rise.
What To Expect Part Two: Wow. The Press Release just about covered it. I have something else to add, thanks to the good people over at TWoP: there will be drama regarding a character switched at birth. Of course there will be. And how about an actual promo being released? ABC, you’re too kind.
There is speculation that this will be the show’s final season.
The Show: Grey’s Anatomy
What Season?: The Seventh
Returns To Air: September 23, 2010 at 9PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) The doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis — it’s in one another that they find comfort, friendship and, at times, more than friendship. Together they’re discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.
What To Expect Part Two: Back to research mode now. I remember the long promos for the finale last year which involved a gunman in the finale. The finale took the internet by storm, even Alan Sepinwall felt compelled to review it and The Sports Guy Bill Simmons made fun of it through tweets. My newsfeed on facebook blew up with statuses relating to Grey’s Anatomy. I guess people still love this show.
The show’s seventh season will open with a wedding between two mysterious characters while the season will provide closure to the relationship between Izzie and Alex which will seemingly cause drama with the current girl Alex is dating. That’s all my research found.
The Show: The Middle
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 22, 2010 at 8PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Frankie Heck is a superhero. Well, no, not an actual superhero – not unless you count getting her kids out the door for school every morning as a superfeat. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country, this harried wife and working mother of three uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get her family through each day intact. Frankie and husband Mike raise their kids with love and solid Midwestern practicality. Axl is the oldest, a teenage jock who eats the family out of house and home and walks around in his underwear. Then there’s Sue, their extraordinarily ordinary pre-teen daughter who fails at everything she tries with great gusto. Brick, the youngest son, is an odd kid whose best friend is his backpack. Together
What To Expect Part Two: The May 2010 Press Release reads like they’re selling a brand new show to the advertisers. I thought The Middle did well last season. The season one finale ended with one of the kids possibly being held back for a year because an old librarian (Betty White) is angry about overdue books while Axl (Charlie McDermott) might be smarter than everyone thinks and the daughter was held out of yearbook. Will these storylines extend into next season? I would think so.
The Show: Modern Family
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: September 22, 2010 at 9PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) Today’s American families come in all shapes and sizes. The cookie cutter mold of man + wife + 2.5 kids is a thing of the past, as this comedy takes a modern and often hilarious look at the complications that come with being a family today.
What To Expect Part Two: I figure the sitcoms receive this kind of press release because the show won’t stray from the original premise and conceit very often. It’s nice way of saying the show will be formulaic but as long as the formula is good then that is okay. I’m in research mode again.
According to Zap2it, An early episode of the season will focus on the family’s experience of an earthquake and the aftermath of that experience. Fans will meet Cameron’s (Eric Stonestreet) mother. Series creator Steve Levitan plans on putting different characters together because he and the writers are constantly trying to find new realms of humor within the family.
The show has a ton of momentum after winning the Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The Show: Private Practice
What Season?: The Fourth
Returns To Air: September 23, 2010 at 10PM
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) In the years since Addison’s arrival, the practice has undergone enormous changes, with financial turmoil and personal tragedies taking their toll; Naomi is now at the helm of the competition, Pacific Wellcare, and the doctors split down the middle between the two practices. Their bonds were further tested as friends ran into the unexpected arms — and beds — of others for support and comfort. Through it all, these tight knit doctors have worked together to find solutions to their patients’ needs, encountering medical cases that challenge their abilities and their ethical and moral ideals. Now they must deal with the biggest tragedy the practice has ever faced — the death of one of their own, Dell. These doctors may be pros in the hospital; it’s their private lives that need a little practice.
What To Expect Part Two: I actually mistaked this show for Grey’s Anatomy while researching the seventh season of Grey’s. TWoP expressed displeasure with Paul and Violet becoming a couple again but feel excited about the new relationship between Addison and Sam. I assume both couples will have contrived and cliche storylines in the upcoming season. A seemingly beloved character was killed off so one should expect drama from that fallout.
Why does ABC have so many soap-opera dramas in primetime?
The Show: V
What Season?: The Second
Returns To Air: November 2010 (Time & Date TBD)
What To Expect: (From ABC Press Release) Appearances were deceiving in “V,” the thrilling new drama series about the world’s first alien encounter. Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V’s) arrived offering wonders of technology and promoting peace. While the world quickly embraced the V’s as saviors, an FBI Counter Terrorist Agent — and others making up the resistance group called The Fifth Column — discovered that the Visitors are not who they said they are. Will humanity stop being fooled and realize the Visitors’ true intentions before it’s too late and they take over Earth?
What To Expect Part Two: Well, there was the birth of a half-breed in the finale, a defection, the Fifth Columnization of Lisa (huh?), a death and the first family dinner between Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Anna (Morena Baccarin). I think some crazy bleep is going to happen in season two. Since the season premiere is a ways off, there isn’t much news about the second season of V.
OTHER RETURNING PROGRAMS ON ABC:
Dancing With The Stars premieres September 20 at 8PM
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition premieres September 26 at 8PM
Saturday Night College Football returns this Saturday
Tomorrow will be the full preview for the returning shows on NBC.
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