Shows of the Season

I am definitely a television addict. It isn't just watching tv for tv's sake either, it is necessary for me to have a favorite show on in order to perform certain activities. Laundry needs folding? Not unless there is a new Office this week. Need to read some chapters for a test tomorrow? I hope I stocked up on some Breaking Bad for that all-nighter.

Anyway, I often take a look at new and returning shows when fall rolls around, and see what people are saying about them. I figured I might as well put up the list of shows I like (maybe a post later on ones I do NOT like). Keeps me in the theme of trying to write more instead of reading all the time.

Without further ado, the shows I am watching this fall!

The Office

Duh, who doesn't like the office? Granted, there is the occasional person who claims it is too awkward, but once they are forced to watch it (in order and by whatever means necessary), they become believers.

I was nervous about this season of the Office. All the rumors surrounding who would play the new boss, in addition to the loss of Steve Carrel, had me worried the show would try to be what it couldn't be anymore, destroying the effortlessness that makes it so great. Fortunately, I had nothing to worry about.

Promoting Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms) to regional manager was a brilliant move. There isn't a brand new personality being introduced as "the boss." This solves the both the problem of the actor trying to be "Michael Scott", as well as the problem of the viewer expecting him to be (and disliking anything else). It still makes the show somewhat "fresh" as well, as the dynamics in the office are now slightly different.

Plus, I always liked the character of Andy Bernard and how he grew on the viewer as he became less and less one dimensional. This move really shows how many sides the character has, and how well Ed Helms can play them all.

Modern Family

Another returning show, Modern Family is still really funny. This show is similar to the past seasons and not too much has changed. I do think that the children are becoming better actors and enjoy the increased interaction between Phil and Luke (the previous seasons always highlighted their similarities, and I think it was a good move to have them performing more activities together - almost like "partners in crime.") If you enjoyed the first two seasons, this one will not disappoint. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly suggest you do. It is clever, light hearted, and I doubt there are many people who would not find at least one of the characters hilarious.

Breaking Bad

The finale already aired, but this show is probably my favorite show of the recent past. I don't think I can even write much about this show without giving anything away. So, this this will be brief, do yourself a favor and just watch the show if you haven't already.

Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) is a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer. In an effort to provide money for his family he turns to his knowledge of Chemistry. As we all know, the best way to make money with chemistry is by cooking Meth. So begins the story of Walter White.

It is a good premise, I wouldn't say it is the most unique, but it really isn't about the meth or the cancer or any of that. It is about Walter White, and it is about the speed and ease with which we can change our course in life. Walter is a polite, calm, intelligent family man at the beginning of the series. He cares deeply for his family and has obvious conviction in his morals. He makes decisions that we could easily see ourselves make. They completely make sense, even for a character like his. We follow along his stepping stones, and it never feels like he is a changed man until it is too late. It is never unbelievable that he got there or how he got there when the realization sets in.

I love this show because of that. The show has great drama, great supporting characters (and development), and awesome writing all around. The story of Walter White's internal struggle, though, is what makes this show unlike any others. Extremes are present in Breaking Bad (i.e. cancer, meth) but they are in place to illustrate how Walter is able to resist giving in, even when faced with these extremes, instead of being a way to force him down that path. This makes it much more believable and relateable. You watch him subtly go down that path and realize that he never actually did succeed at resisting. The contrast with the extremes is important because it allows the viewer to nearly always sympathize with him. The truth is, it takes much less than cancer for a person to rationalize immoral actions. The show brings the realization that Walter White gave into certain situations due to extreme problems regarding his health and financials, how bad would the our, the viewers', situation have to be to follow the same path?

Parks and Recreation

I don't have much to say about this show as it is still pretty consistent with the previous seasons. It is still funny, the characters are still great, and I still find it funny that Amy Poehler, as eccentric as her character is, is really the "straight man" to everyone else. Most importantly, I want to be Ron Swanson when I grow up.

Chuck

It isn't back on yet, but every Geek Squad agent should watch this show. I am not as excited every week as I was in the initial seasons, but still an all around good show. Hopefully this season will finish the series off in a great way.

The New Girl

The New Girl features Zooey Deschanel as an awkward school teacher who, after a recent breakup, moves in with three guys.

Despite some features that make me feel like I should dislike this show (Jess's awkwardness is obviously more cool/fun than awkward, the roommates are pretty typical and generic) I really really like it. The writing is good, and the jokes make me laugh out loud.

However, while I hope this show continues being funny and enjoyable, I am worried that without the awesome writing it will suffer. The actors all perform very well, but I do have trouble seeing how the characters will develop. I am not sure why, but I am drawn to the show, and maybe there is something it has that I am just not seeing. From the initial few episodes though, it seems like a generic premise that makes up for it with good actors and exceptional writing. Hopefully, those writers are also good at making the show a lasting, in depth experience. There is certainly quite a bit of dynamic character interaction that is possible.

Up All Night

Another new show this fall stars Christina Applegate (Reagan) and Will Arnett (Chris). I cannot dislike anything with Will Arnett in it, not even running Wilde, because it is Will Arnett! So, my obvious bias in mind, I really like this show.

Reagan and Chris are a successful married couple (Reagan being a television producer and Chris being a lawyer) who have their first baby. Chris leaves his job to be a stay at home dad, and Reagan goes back to work. The show basically follows the couple as they discover the ins and outs of being new parents.

The jokes are more subtle (though there are some obvious bathroom type ones as well) and the interaction between Applegate and Arnett is better than I would have thought before seeing it. I am not too found of Maya Rudolph's character (Ava, the star of Reagan's television show) but maybe that will change.

Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for new shows. Plus, Will Arnett is in it!

An American Horror Story

I am not a huge horror movie fan to begin with, but this is certainly an interesting concept. The show is exactly what you would except from a horror movie (seems similar to The Amityville Horror so far) except it is a tv series. One thing I often see horror movies criticized for is the lack of character development, as the characters are not really the point - the "scare" is. But, how much better would that scare or horror be if you really felt for and related to the characters? This is something I believe this show could accomplish.

I have only seen the first episode, so take this with a grain of salt. From that episode, the show does seem to put a lot more emphasis on scariness than it does on storyline. For example, a lot of time is spent showing the opening (scary scene from the past) of the first episode, the back story of the main couple (husband was having an affair and his wife had a miscarriage previously) has maybe a tenth of the time devoted to that explanation. Same with many other of the horror scenes. The daughter (violet) and her friend seem to become friends instantly, though the horror scene in the basement lasts quite a bit longer on screen than their developing friendship.

To be fair, this is a show based on horror, and it would be silly for it not to be at least somewhat "over the top." That is just part of the genre. Also, the storyline "leaks" out as the show goes on, and I think this may be a stylistic choice, not an attempt to fit in as many scares as possible, while sacrificing character and story development.

I suppose we will see as the series progresses.

I may have forgot one or two, but I think I hit them all. If you are looking for a new show to start watching this fall, or a show that you can spend fun filled hours catching up on, hopefully the list above will give you some ideas!