INSTEAD OF BROADCAST NEWS, IT'S LIKE A SANCTIMONIOUS ZELIG: The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum did not care for The Newsroom. Among other barbs not dealing with the show's mishandling of diversity, she concludes: "The series turns Will McAvoy into the equivalent of the character Karen Cartwright, on 'Smash,' the performer who the show keeps insisting is God’s gift to Broadway. Can you blame me for rooting for McAvoy’s enemies, all those flyover morons, venal bean-counters, sorority girls, and gun-toting bimbos?"
I can't help but wonder, then: what are you watching, or looking forward to watching, this summer?
Hollywood Reporter, on the other hand, raved, and Sepinwall/Feinberg's tweets have suggested they're positive on it, and I can't imagine at least not hate-watching all 10 episodes. My other two big new shows for the summer are Bunheads and Political Animals. I liked the Dallas reboot more than I thought I would, and have some interest in Perception, later this summer on TNT, which looks a lot like Lie To Me.
ReplyDeleteThe USA stuff is pretty dependably fun, I think, though some (White Collar, Suits) is better than others (Necessary Roughness, Covert Affairs).
Watching Bunheads, unless it seriously missteps in week 2 and 3, Young Justice: Invasion, which is DC animation going for the serious teen market between Batman: The Animated Series and Batman: The Brave and the Bold (and I think succeeding), and looking forward to the returns of Wilfred and Louie (Sunny In Philadelphia sadly is not back until September, I think), and Political Animals.
ReplyDeleteWaiting and waiting and waiting and WAITING for Breaking Bad.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Newsroom. In general, a mediocre HBO show is still better than most other shows.
And now, I am off to check out this Bunheads that everyone is talking about.
Looking forward to White Collar more than just about anything else, because sometimes you just want entertainment. And the charisma of Matt Bomer and his interplay with Tim DeKay/Bizzaro Jerry is fantastic.
ReplyDeletePersonally, Sorkin tends to grate on me. The last show of his that I really liked was Sports Night.
Looking forward to Alphas, although since it has a new showrunner from Eureka, it may have a lighter tone this year, which would be a mistake.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, even though Alphas has my favorite or second favorite example of the trope, the Magical Spectrum Kid in has worn out his welcome as much as the Magical Negro and the Manic Pixie Dream Girl.
I'll probably pick up Bunheads, check out Newsroom, and the better of the USA fluff (White Collar, Suits). But that's not nearly enough tv, so I'm trying to decide which "Big Important Show" I should burn through this summer - it's probably going to be Lost, Breaking Bad, Battlestar Galactica, or The Shield. I'm also tempted by the Sepinwall/Fienberg rewatch of "Deadwood" even though I'm usually allergic to Westerns. (But what a cast!)
ReplyDeleteNot sure what your usual speed is, Watts, but if you can knock out Breaking Bad in the near future, you'll be all caught up for the new season. That being said, I'll never tell someone to not watch Deadwood.
ReplyDeleteI'll be watching Bunheads, Newsroom, White Collar, Breaking Pointe (it's like Center Stage but real and without improbable costume changes!) Other than that, I'm spending time catching up to you all in The Wire (6 episodes in to Season 1) and rewatching Season 1 of Community with my brother, who hasn't seen it.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally apathetic about this summer's TV schedule. (Also, I don't have HBO, so I couldn't watch Newsroom even if I wanted to.) Maybe this will motivate me to finally start The Wire since I've had Season 1 sitting on top of my DVD player since January.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Bunheads. It's not Gilmore Girls Part II, but it certainly scratches that itch. Also Newsroom, Breaking Bad and Louie. And my completely guilty pleasure is Royal Pains. I know it's not a great show, but I can't stop watching it. Plus, I've been meaning to start a Happy Endings marathon because it seems like a lot of people I like also like it, but I haven't gotten around to it. Maybe now since my month of graduation/birthday/Mother's Day/Father's Day parties is over, I'll have some more free time.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Bunheads. It's not Gilmore Girls Part II, but it certainly scratches that itch. Also Newsroom, Breaking Bad and Louie. And my completely guilty pleasure is Royal Pains. I know it's not a great show, but I can't stop watching it. Plus, I've been meaning to start a Happy Endings marathon because it seems like a lot of people I like also like it, but I haven't gotten around to it. Maybe now since my month of graduation/birthday/Mother's Day/Father's Day parties is over, I'll have some more free time.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Bunheads. It's not Gilmore Girls Part II, but it certainly scratches that itch. Also Newsroom, Breaking Bad and Louie. And my completely guilty pleasure is Royal Pains. I know it's not a great show, but I can't stop watching it. Plus, I've been meaning to start a Happy Endings marathon because it seems like a lot of people I like also like it, but I haven't gotten around to it. Maybe now since my month of graduation/birthday/Mother's Day/Father's Day parties is over, I'll have some more free time.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching Bunheads and Newsroom for sure. And I guess I'm watching Falling Skies as well.
ReplyDeleteDude, that sucks. I loved Alpha's last summer, it was so much better that I was expecting, especially in that it had such a great attitude towards the way the gov't would interact with people with these abilities. I was blown away by the finale and was anxiously awaiting this new season, but now I share your worry.
ReplyDeleteWe're catching up on Breaking Bad since AMC is graciously airing every episode since the beginning two or three at a time in the early morning hours, making it very easy to DVR and bang out a few in short bursts. I'll probably check out Newsroom. We're also watching "Duets" on ABC because we are suckers for reality singing shows. I have a man crush on Robin Thicke. Yeah, I said it.
ReplyDeleteI've watched Royal Pains since the beginning but the last season or two I can't seem to get through an episode in one sitting. I start it, fall asleep, wake up, have to rewind to what I last remember seeing, and if I'm lucky it only happens the once, but there was an episode last season that took me four tries to get through. Why am I still watching?
ReplyDeleteBunheads! I really loved the pilot. I'm also watching SYTYCD. The audition episodes have been so entertaining this season -- they basically cut out all of the bad auditionees and are just showing people who are actually good. I think it's a great move. I will probably watch The Newsroom and mean to catch up on all of the episodes of Girls and Parenthood that have stacked up on my DVR.
ReplyDeleteLeverage! I absolutely love this show. I'd always been a sucker for hiests, so that part of the show is great, but I've particularly grown to love the characters (and the actors, who just have so much fun!). I'll also be watching GoT season 1, as I was perfectly happy to wait for the DVD rather than pay for HBO (since I've read the books and knew I'd be buying GoT anyway). Also, from existing shows mentioned above, Alphas, Young Justice, and we are going to stick with Burn Notice until Fi and Michael get married, or Sam dies.
ReplyDeleteFor the new shows we watched Longmire, and quite liked it. Nice low-energy proceedural, with beautiful Montana scenery. We've DVR'd Bunheads and will be checking it out, and I'm waiting for the premere of the TNT reality show The Great Escape, a show where two-person teams try to break out of movie-style imprisonment. I assume it'll be a mess, but it's by the Amazing Race production team, so it might be delighting.
I really can't think of a more natural pairing than Bunheads and Breaking Bad.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm just going to pipe in and tell you that I, too, am allergic to Westerns, and I freaking LOVED Deadwood. It's just spectacular television. It's violent & dirty & nasty, but the performances are spectacular. I will also forewarn you that the first episode did NOT bewitch me, it took a few episodes for me to get totally hooked. By episode four I was all in.
ReplyDelete"Breaking Bunheads"--A small town dance teacher decides to pursue a sideline career making meth?
ReplyDeleteAs some of you know, I'm obsessed with Breaking Bad. Can't wait for it to return. And Louie. I missed the first seasons of Alphas and Falling Skies, but I may try to catch up.
ReplyDeleteBunheads, The Newsroom, SYTYCD, and I'll probably sample a few of the other new things just to make sure I'm not missing anything spectacular. Other than that, I'll be working my way through Dr. Who.
ReplyDeleteRoyal Pains seems to pile up on my DVR, and it's a show I have on while I'm paying bills or cleaning up. I like the brother's relationship, and I'm totally digging Divya being poor. Generally, the POTW and Campbell Scott stuff bores me, but I liked the whole Tom Cavanaugh arc last year.
ReplyDeleteRoyal Pains seems to pile up on my DVR, and it's a show I have on while I'm paying bills or cleaning up. I like the brother's relationship, and I'm totally digging Divya being poor. Generally, the POTW and Campbell Scott stuff bores me, but I liked the whole Tom Cavanaugh arc last year.
ReplyDeleteBunheads - thoroughly enjoyed the pilot (except the last couple minutes), and it sucked in the kiddo and husband, who weren't expecting to like a ballet show.
ReplyDeleteIf we had HBO, would definitely watch Newsroom, but I think we like Starz/Encore movies too much to switch packages for it (and Political Animals and Veep, right?). Instead, will get it when it goes to disk or On Demand, and meanwhile will probably watch West Wing with the kiddo, who loved Sports Night and thought the West Wing episode I showed him last night (The Crackpots and These Women) was really good. Kiddo (age 12) is also interested in watching Gilmore Girls, which I've never seen, because he liked the dialogue on Bunheads and he's heard it's good. I love Lauren Graham in Parenthood, so I'm definitely up for a Gilmore Girls marathon.
You have some treats in store in Doctor Who!
ReplyDeleteOh, OF COURSE I'm watching So You Think You Can Dance. I'm excited about the format change that will allow voting for individuals from the very beginning (instead of couples to start, then individuals like in years past). But I'm not at all sure how this only one episode a week format is going to work. And sure, the results show was usually a lot of filler, but I hate that we're losing the big group "exhibition" numbers.
ReplyDeleteWell and it looks like we might be seeing more of Kyle Howard, who I've liked since "Grosse Pointe" and through "Related" (I'm the only person that watched this show, I'm fairly sure) and then "My Boys."
ReplyDeleteG - Your kid is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI was just commenting on how well-rester my DVR will be this summer. With the Sunday night stuff (MAdMen, Veep, Girls, Nurse Jackie) all now over, my only two non-kid-related season passes right now are SYTYCD and Bunheads. I'll also pick up Newsroom and can't wait for Louie (and, of course, there's Wire Wednesdays). But this could be a very quiet TV summer.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first episode of Bunheads, so that's my new show of the summer. For returning shows, can't wait for Breaking Bad and Louie. I adore Louie and am learning to love Breaking Bad. (I stopped watching Breaking Bad, but my husband kept me informed of the plot. But Gus? He sucked me back in.)
ReplyDeleteIf you choose Deadwood or The Shield, I'll do it with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxiously awaiting the return of Breaking Bad. I watched all four seasons on DVD last year, and this will be the first season I catch as it airs.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching season 2 of Falling Skies, but can't say I'm that hooked - only watching because the husband is.
Bunheads is on the DVR. Sounds like I should give it a watch, from the positive comments here.
I also plan to watch The Newsroom, but while I'm a Sorkin addict, I gave up Studio 60 after two episodes, and I'll do the same here if I'm not enjoying it.
And the husband and I are finishing up The Wire (we're now at the start of season 5).
My guilty pleasure is Sister Wives, which I think finishes its season next Sunday.
Well that's one way to help a spinster decide. ;)
ReplyDeleteDeadwood's on HBO Go, The Shield's on Netflix Watch Instantly. Deadwood has only 3 seasons, compared to Shield's 7. Add in the Hitfix watchalong possibilities and I say let's go Deadwood. I'll be in touch as to when we start.
My top 7 shows of the summer: 1. Breaking Bad. 2. Breaking Bad. 3. Breaking Bad. 4. Bunheads. 5. White Collar. 6. Futurama. 7. Burn Notice.
ReplyDeleteThe BF and I are also working on the Battlestar Galactica rewatch (well, rewatch for me - first-watch for him), and it is FASCINATING watching the show again, knowing how it all ends. In particular, the Baltar / Chip Six scenes have a completely different texture to them. Also, the BF is going to Switzerland for the month of August, and that's when I will FINALLY watch my Deadwood blu-rays.
I'm still watching True Blood, more for certain characters (Alcide, Russell, Pam... and, um, Lafayette?) than for overall narrative satisfaction. And my "I'll finally watch Friday Night Lights!" plan hit a snag when our DVR (on which the whole series was stored) died and needed to be replaced. But I haven't really been enjoying it too much, so I was probably going to file it under "Just Not For Me" when I reached the end of season 1 anyway.
I'm still watching the Wire (almost done with season 3, hence my lack of commenting on our weekly posts -- it is a tough show to not spoil or look at in that big picture way.) Watching Bunheads and SYTYCD, will watch the Newsroom as I love Sorkin, and even his failures are interesting, IMHO. Will also watch White Collar, Political Animals (which I just heard about thanks to the post -- thanks Matt!) and of course, Breaking Bad. I also like Falling Skies as fun summer fluff.
ReplyDeleteAnd my summer guilty pleasure show is Big Brother. It is awful. And addictive.
It's all been said above, pretty much, but Breaking Bad, Louie, Wilfred, and Falling Skies are all on my list of fresh summer shows. In terms of New to Us stuff, we're again going to try to knock out the back half of Fringe Season 3 so we can blow through Fringe Season 4, all of which is sitting on the TiVo. And I was also thinking about trying to sit down with Torchwood on Amazon Instant Video - watched the first 2 or 3 eps of Season 1 a while back and was intrigued, though not completely sucked in.
ReplyDeleteLouie, Bunheads, the Newsroom, and then probably nothing else until the Fall. I'm trying to get a new album done, and my girlfriend has pointed out that if I watched a lot less TV, I could get that done a lot faster!
ReplyDeleteOnce the fall comes back, I'll catch up on whatever you guys tell me to.
Aw, thanks, Steph!
ReplyDeleteOh! And I forgot Futurama returns on Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteAm I the only Awkward fan around here? The humor didn't always work (especially the mom), but Ashley Rickards was excellent, and Val the guidance counselor consistently cracked me up. Really looking forward to Season 2.
ReplyDeleteAlso Breaking Bad, Alphas, White Collar & Burn Notice. Hopefully Bunheads keeps it up.
Wait, The Shield is on Netflix Instant? As far as I can tell, having wanted to start in on the series, that it isn't available on Netflix Instant.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to start on Deadwood since before I started watching The Wire five years ago, and I still don't think I've made it out of Season 1 (not as a result of not liking the show, but of time constraints.) I'll give it another go.
Not enough Breaking Bad, but otherwise a good list.
ReplyDeleteCoulda sworn I saw The Shield in the "Recently Added" row but I musta been dreaming.
ReplyDeleteOooh, thanks for the reminder about Awkward. I really liked the first season.
ReplyDeleteConcur on White Collar. For me, Sorkin's shows rise or fall based on the characters, not the dialogue or the scene setting or the plots. Sports Night and West Wing had a characters that worked, that played off each other, that were human. Studio 60 didn't, and from the previews, there's nothing that interesting to me about Will McAvoy. If he wants to do more serious journalism, just do it, don't hit us over the head with it. Instead of having a character have some kind of epiphany, let it emerge gradually, with frustration over some pieces, give 5 minutes to a story that's important to him, let him become satisfied with that, and so on.
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the will watch Deadwood team. We just burnt through six seasons of Lost (rewatch them and be much more at peace with that ending). Still got five more episodes of Revenge to go.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely watching Breaking Pointe.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering whether to start watching Dr. Who, since I think that could consume my whole summer.
ReplyDeleteNot the only one - loved Related (and Grosse Pointe).
ReplyDeleteI just devoured all of the Battlestar Galactica on Netflix Instant in the past couple months. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteMost of what has been said above - SYTYCD, Bunheads, Newsroom, but also guilty pleasures like Masterchef, Food Network Star, Pregnant in Heels (exasperating and ridiculous) and if I'm being honest, Big Brother. If I could find a US source for Geordie Shore and Made in Chelsea, I'd be watching those too. Thanks to a recent discussion on the Extra Hot Great podcast, I've started Peep Show on Netflix Streaming, which I am loving so far.
ReplyDeleteAlso trying to decide between Rome and Deadwood on HBO Go, but leaning towards Deadwood if others on this blog are planning a rewatch.
Food Network Star is my favorite show currently on television. I love Bob and Susie... Should I be embarrassed about this?
ReplyDeleteSurprised by the lack of London Olympics love around here, that's going to chew up a fairly large chunk of my late summer TV/Internet viewing. Scripted, semi-scripted (no such thing as reality shows in my book), and competition shows all seem to be hitting a bit of a fallow period as far as interestingness goes.
ReplyDeleteWish NBC didn't think that "Up Close and Personal" was the key to enjoying sporting events, though. Hopefully the various internet streams will hold up under the strain so I can watch the competitors compete rather than spend twenty minutes of each hour learning about their personal lives.
Slowlylu, do I know your Twitter handle? I just alerted Russ and Andrew that I'm watching the first episode.
ReplyDeleteRelated has the dubious distinction of being where I first noticed Lizzy Caplan.
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to EHG, but I just started watching Peep Show too. LOVE it so far.
ReplyDeleteSepinwall/Feinberg's tweets have suggested they're positive on it
ReplyDeleteNot so much. Hate-watching it is, apparently.
I adore this show. Obviously Lips McGee is going to win this thing, with the guy from Hawaii, Michelle, hipster Emily probably in the finals too.
ReplyDeleteYes, though they seemed generally positive on the performances, and most of their problems stem from the (rather inexplicable) decision to set it in 2010-2011 rather than the present day. (Which I sort of get, given that HBO's lead time makes it impossible to be up to the minute and HBO wanting to stay out of explicitly commenting on current events.)
ReplyDeleteI am so ridiculously excited for the Olympics, but that didn't occur to me when talking about summer programming. Track & field, long distance running, gymnastics, swimming and diving, triathlon, boxing -- so many awesome sports that I love to watch! Squee!
ReplyDeleteI'll join the Deadwood watchers.
ReplyDeleteWe will be covering the Games in depth, as always, and will be looking for commenters who are experts in the various disciplines.
ReplyDeleteNot wrong at all. They both seem so awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe Olympics will cap off a summer of sporting events that I love - Euro 2012, Tour de France, the Olympics. I actually spent 20 minutes today trying to figure out if it was logistically possible to get some tickets, hotel room and flights to London. I almost bought a ticket to synchronized diving.
ReplyDelete@LERS but have no fear if I don't immediately respond the time-zone is sometimes a collegiate killer
ReplyDeleteHey, a dancer's gotta stay thin.
ReplyDeleteWe just started Downton Abbey. Later this summer, we may also watch Friday Night Lights. First-run programming: Newsroom, Falling Skies, Closer (when it returns).
ReplyDeleteOh, and, of course, the Olympics. I love the Olympics.
Worth it. The new series is terrific (and I wasn't a fan of the original - fans of the original mostly also love it). David Tennant in particular.
ReplyDeleteBurn Notice!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'll check out The Olympics and Baseball. I need to catch Dallas and ABC's new summer medical show from NY Presbyterian Hospital as well in July~
Bbreak Bad and Louie, of course. Totally out on Newsroom. Looks like sanctimonious drivel.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Inside Men on BBCA starting next week.