The new fall season.

So it’s just about that time of year again.  The new fall TV season is just about ready to get underway and as usual I’m programming up my (5) Tivos to catch all the new shows.  As usual I have a few doubts about who exactly runs the major networks.  I mean really do we really need 2 different shows about hostages (Kidnapped on NBC and Vanished on FOX) and isn’t Smith just another version of Thief and Heist from last year?  And while we’re on the topic of bad ideas, why is it that every promo for new shows on NBC this year looks like they could have an announcer start of with “Next, on a very special….”.  Also, is it just me or does it seems like many of the new shows are trying harder to promote their “stars” than they are their stories?  I could give a crap if the guy from Friends is on your new show, what the heck is that show about?! 

I was sitting at work the other day and had the TV on across from me.  That’s right; I have one of those kinds of jobsJ.  It happened to be airing what is probably one of my favorite shows of all time, The Andy Griffith Show.  I once read that that show is airing somewhere in the world 24 hours a day.  It’s funny how, without a lot of fancy plot twists or over the top story lines that show is one of the funniest I’ve ever seen still.  It never fails to bring a smile to my face, even when I’ve seen almost every episode a dozen times.  Why don’t we have more of that?  Simple, straightforward comedies with great writing and great actors and NO GIMMICKS!!  Maybe that’s why the modern day sitcom is falling off the network lineups.

Don’t get me wrong, I love this time of year.  I can’t wait to see what show will become the next Lost or 24.  I know that most won’t.  But every year there’s that one show that, at least for me, becomes a new favorite.  Last year it was Prison Break. (btw, hopefully you caught last week’s season opener).  In fact this is the time of year when I have to more carefully balance my time between TV and 360.  This summer it’s been easy.  It was pretty much all 360 all the time.  Then when my wife got her own machine, we hardly turned the TV on at all.  I mean if it wasn’t for Rescue Me and The Closer, I probably could’ve cancelled my satellite service for the summer.

I’ve always had a very high patience level with new shows in the past.  I’ve always hated when networks would cancel a show after only 2-4 weeks (sometimes even quicker now) how great would it have been to see more of Dark Angel or Firefly or Earth2?  I’ve always thought shows didn’t get enough time to fully develop.  I mean really.  Have you ever seen an early episode of The Drew Carey Show or Seinfeld?  They’re awful!  But the networks were patient and eventually the shows found their “voice” and became (imo) pretty good shows.  I know going into this season that this scenario will play out for at least one new show that I’ll have an interest in.  It always does.  I kind of dug Invasion last year.  I’ll never know how it ended now.  I guess I’ll just have to live with knowing it won’t be the last time that happens.  At least this year I’ll always be able to ease my spirit with a quick trip to the Neroimus Wars on Chromehounds!