The new fall season has finally more or less arrived here, and on some networks is well underway.
First of all, let me say this: the writer's strike really fucked a lot of networks, shows, and viewers. Not just when it happened, the biggest problem at the time is nobody really cared that it was happening. The worst effects are being felt now.
Put it like this: when NBC places a full-season order for Knight Rider, what that tells you is the mid-season replacement options are even worse. I shudder to think from what a full season of Knight Rider is actually sparing us.
Now see, that last sentence is grammatically correct but it just makes no sense to me.
There are a few shows that returned in decent shape, a few more that returned in terrible shape, and a few more that just shouldn't have returned at all. None came back strong, that's for sure.
The Office - People are saying it's lost the magic, but I'm still laughing. Pam in New York is really annoying and makes no sense, but the show as a whole is surviving that well.
Desperate Housewives - Jumping forward five years is an interesting and daring choice to dust off the show that wasn't really getting dusty yet. It hasn't really lived up to the promise of the premise though, with most characters just doing the same stupid shit they always did. Overall, still enjoyable, if not just a touch weaker.
Pushing Daisies - This is where it starts to hurt. Ummmmm... I stopped watching after two episodes, and I think I deleted the Season Pass on my DVR. If I didn't, I will when I get home. Remember the episode last season with Paul Reubens? Me neither, it was boring and I skipped it. That's what this whole season has been like. The characters and the style are still wonderful and magical, but the plots are boring and worthless. Plus, how long can we really care about the relationship between two people that can't touch one another? Sorry.
Survivor - Kidding. No writers, no strike, no problem. Still watching, will probably watch until Jeff Probst goes to ground in some tropical jungle and kills the entire cast slowly over 39 days with the camera crew watching through night-vision footage. He will then crown himself the winner. Awesome.
Lost - Dear god, please be good. Last season raised the bar on amazing.
24 - We know this will be ridiculous, and we'll watch anyway.
Burn Notice - You should be watching this. Season Two should be about over. I'm waiting to get it on DVD and power through, same way I did with Season One.
BSG - Can't wait to see how this turns out.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles - I don't even know what to say about this. I just.... don't know what to say.
Did I forget any returning shows?
Life On Mars - I'm watching this, every week. It's kind of like I don't care whether I watch it or not, but once I turn it on I'm really into it. The entire cast is superb with special props to the lead, Jason O'Mara. It's a cop show and Lost, plus Harvey Keitel. What's not to love? It's a little broad sometimes and the "cop" aspect of the show could use a little work, but overall it's worth the time.
Knight Rider - see above, way above, like the third paragraph.
The Big Bang Theory - A new sitcom, which makes it an endangered species. I accidentally watched some of this and was not, I repeat not, trying to poke out my eardrums with an ice pick. As far as your traditional sitcoms go, it was funny and charming. If traditional sitcoms are your thing. They are not my thing, so I hated it.
Gary Unmarried - I really like/liked Jay Mohr. If you haven't seen Action then you haven't watched TV. It's a spiritual prequel to Break A Leg that was cancelled (as are all the wrong Fox series) too soon. This new show is, again, a traditional sitcom (tell a joke, hold for laughter, follow that up with a zinger!), but Mohr is pretty irresistible. The kids are not annoying, which is another in the plus column. Studio three-camera sitcoms are not really my bag anymore as I said, but this one is worth checking out if you're into that sort of thing.
That's about my rundown. These are only the shows that I have seen or am a fan of, so I've left out a lot. I'm not Tim Goodman, I don't have four TVs! Append the list in the comments with your favorite shows or tell me what an idiot I am for having an opinion at all.