Scooter's Fall 2009 Television Schedule

There seemed to be less drama surrounding the Upfronts this year because it seemed like everything was leaked to be canceled or renewed sometime last week or before. But those last minute decisions have proved to be entertaining. CBS called NBC dumping Medium “inexplicable” which made NBC point out that Medium had smaller ratings than two shows (Without a Trace and The Unit) they canceled which CBS retorted that Medium had better ratings than five it renewed (Chuck, Law and Order, Southland, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreations). Hilarious.

But line of the week goes to My Name Is Earl creator Greg Garcia who responded when asked about not making it on the NBC lineup; “It’s hard to be too upset about being thrown off the Titanic.” Classic. But it may be a soft landing for Earl as it may be picked up by Fox. Note to Fox: I have not watched anything on your channel since the series finale of Arrested Development; if you pick up My Name Is Earl, I will take you off the parental block on my television.

Garcia isn’t the only one to be burning bridges as Jimmy Kimmel brought his gas can to the Upfronts. The big difference is Kimmel is still standing on his bridge. To the ABC advertisers, Kimmel said, “You don’t need an upfront, you need therapy.” Did someone forget to tell Kimmel these are the people that pay his salary? He then went on to say of the new shows, “We’re going to cancel about 90% of them,” he said. “Everyone is full of (expletive deleted).” I am assuming Kimmel saw the V reboot preview clips that are laughably bad or Flash Forward which looks as good as V but without the unintentional comedy. And the current ABC line-up didn’t go unscaved when Kimmel offered, “Next year on Grey’s Anatomy, your product could kill Dr. Izzie. It just depends on how much you want to pay.”

In other network news, apparently The CW still exists (albeit down to nine hours of programming a week). Who knew? But anyways. Here is what I will be (tentatively) be watching this fall.

Mondays
8:00 – How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
8:30 – Accidentally on Purpose (CBS)
9:00 – Trauma (NBC)
9:30 – The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
10:00 Castle (ABC)

Oh, CBS, why do you smite me? The TBBT/HIMYM was a nice combination, I know you totally ruining that by putting a crappy new show and the unwatchable Two and a Half Men in-between. I sure TBBT will get an extra 3-4 million viewers at 9:30 than 8:00, but shouldn’t CBS care more that they are inconveniencing me? I guess I will give Accidentally on Purpose a chance to bridge HIMYM and Trauma but I have a feeling that I will end up just flipping to whatever crappy show on VH1 during that half hour instead. At least when Chuck returns after the Olympics, I can watch that at 8:00, HIMYM on tape delay at 9:00 then TBBT at 9:30. And much like last season, I will most likely be watching Castle via the internet. The first season was moderately enjoyable and the cliff hanger should make things interesting.

Tuesdays
The day continues to the least interesting day on the TV schedule. I blame karaokers, has been’s and never were’s. And seriously, Jay Leno chews up five hours a week and NBC still devotes two hour blocks to The Biggest Loser and Donald Trump? Wouldn’t they get better rating if they were one hour and just a longer season?

Wednesdays
8:00 – Parenthood (NBC)
8:30 – Gary Unmarried (CBS)
9:00 – Modern Family (ABC)

Modern Family sounds like just a replacement for According to Jim except gayer. But it does star Al Bundy (who I assume isn’t part of the gay couple), Carol Vessey, and the token hot chick from Let’s Rob Mick Jagger (who I wouldn’t mind if were part of the gay couple), so hopefully it will be at least watchable.

Thursday
8:00 – Survivor (CBS)

Remember Thursdays were the biggest logjam of the week? Not so much for me anymore. I may turn into Weekend Update during the Survivor commercials, but how entertaining can that be in a non-election year?

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
I got nothing. At least until NBC comes to its senses and gives an ax to Southland and puts Friday Night Lights in its place.


Midseason
Chuck (NBC; Mondays at 8:00)
Lost (ABC)
I may also give Day One (NBC, Mondays at 9:00) and Mercy (Wednesdays at 8:00) a chance but will be on a short leash or reserved for Hulu.

Summer 2010
Friday Night Lights (NBC)

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXX

The Big Bang Theory: A solid end to thje season and hopefully the season premiere gives us some more time up in the arctic with the boys because there is certainly a lot a laughs being in tight quarters with Sheldon for a long period of time. But I am not sure I am on board for another Penny / Leonard coupling. You can stream clips over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Greek: So Evan actually has a heart. They have been writing him as the biggest tool in the world for the last season or so it is nice to see him more complex like in the first season. And the Cappa Tau reverse scavenger hunt was pretty funny. You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: So two weeks ago Future Ted makes a big deal about changing him normal routine that led to meeting the mother, only to bump into Stella whom we know is not the mother. Then this week that chance encounter only leads to learning that Stella is going to California. Hurumph. For the season finale we better learn how bumping into Stella led to meeting the mother or I will be thoroughly disappointed. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Rescue Me:It is really hard not to laugh at all of Shawn’s cancer stuff yet I always seemed to let some out every time. Although does he really plan to skim some money here and there to get his treatment? Mike is dumb, but he isn’t that dumb. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.




Survivor: Finally after about six weeks after his tipping point, Coach has been slayed. Of course he goes out with a poem and more hypocrisy with his death before honor. I wouldn’t be against devoting half of the reunion show for Probst calling out Coach on all the lies and stuff he has been caught on. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



My Name Is Earl: I said it the last time he was on, but I wouldn’t be against Norm McDonald joining the cast. Or at least show up more than once a season (if there is somehow another season). You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

You can also see my First Impression of Charm School with Ricki Lake (interestingly enough, the week the show debuted, Dean LaLa gets kicked out of a Nuggets game, she’s married to Carmelo Anthony) and my Last Impressions of Lost.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXIX

The Big Bang Theory: I wonder is we are heading for a Leonard/Penny coupling again for the second straight season finale? It certainly looks like it. Then we will probably start up the third season with them decoupling once again. Hurmph. At least Sheldon’s fascination with potty humor was funny. You can stream current clips over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Greek: What was with all the girls running away from the bouquet? Like that has ever happened at any wedding. Certainly the garter may be thrown around until a kid who is to young to understand the consequence gets a hold, but not the bouquet. You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Stella? Seriously? We have already established that she was not the mother so why jerk us around like that? But I may have to get myself a job at Goliath Bank to get the unlimited poster budget because I would do as many as he would. I love graphs. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

I Love Money: We are at the finale already? At least we learned once and for all that yes, It is that stupid. You can also download I Love Money on iTunes.

Rescue Me: Leave it to Rescue Me to make Cancer almost funny. Poor Shawn. And if Tommy does let Katie decide if she wants to be in boarding school or like with Janet or him and she choose him, where exactly are they going to say? With Lou? You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.



Lost: Why is it nobody is wondering what exactly what will happen if they actually detonate the hydrogen bomb? Do they think that they will actually magically warp to life in 2007 as if they never crashed on the island without any recollection of actually crashing and not just die in the blast? Then there are Dan’s mom and Richard who have no future to warp to, what do they think with end up happening to them? My theory is that they were always destined to set off the bomb and that is what creates the Swan station. And at least there was the goods comic relief of Dr. Chang quizzing Hurley on current events. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.



Survivor: Ug, another week, another week without Coach getting voted off. I wish I could say I couldn’t believe that he actually told his buddy that everyone calls him the dragon slayer, but that would be a lie. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



My Name Is Earl: Yeah, this would have been better as just a one episode because the second part just went off the rails. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

The 25 Best Duos on Television

This really hasn’t been a good couple of months for duos: Lindsay and Sam, Mike and the Mad Dog, Hannity and Colmes have all gone their separate ways. But fret not hopeless romantics because there still a few duos going strong on our boob tube over the past twelve months of which I made a list of my favorites . Since it ain’t fun if your homies don’t get none, I invited some of mine to make up a definitive list which may or may not been created with the help of Schrödinger's cat. Here is what the feline may have let out of the box:

1. Coach Eric and Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)

2. Liz Lemon and Jack Donagy (30 Rock)

3. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. and Penny (The Big Bang Theory)

4. Jim Halpert and Dwight Shrute (The Office)

5. Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons (Damages)

6. Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth (Bones)

7. Emerson Cod and Olive Snook (Pushing Daisies)

8. Blair Waldolf and Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

9. Shawn Spencer and Burton “Gus” Guster (Psych)

10. Chuck Bartowski and Special Agent Sarah Walker (Chuck)

11. Sam and Dean Winchester (Supernatural)

12. Marc St. James and Amanda Tannen (Ugly Betty)

13. Barney Stinson and Ted Mosbey (How I Met Your Mother)

14. Bill Adama and Laura Roslin (Battlestar Galactica)

15. Landry Clark and Tyra Colette (Friday Night Lights)

16. Ben Linus and John Locke (Lost)

17. John “J.D.” Dorian M.D. and Dr. Christopher Turk (Scrubs)

18. Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton (True Blood)

19. Jeff Patel and Lester Barnes aka Jeffster (Chuck)

20. James “Sawyer” Ford and Juliet Burke (Lost)

21. Homer and Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)

22. Bill Adama and Saul Tigh (Battlestar Galactica)

23. Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell (Legend of the Seeker)

24. Earl and Randy Hickey (My Name Is Earl)

25. Michael Westen and Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice)

Voters: Ducky, Kath, Matt, Sandie, Scooter McGavin, TVFan, Vance


And in a measure of full discloser, here is my ballot:

1. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. and Penny (The Big Bang Theory)

2. Coach Eric and Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)

3. Jeffry Barnes and Lester Patel aka Jeffster (Chuck)

4. Emerson Cod and Olive Snook (Pushing Daisies)

5. Landry Clark and Tyra Colette (Friday Night Lights)

6. Barney Stinson and Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)

7. Hugo “Hurley” Reyes and Miles Straume (Lost)

8. Chuck Bartowski and Major John Casey (Chuck)

9. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. and Leonard Hofstadter Ph.D (The Big Bang Theory)

10. Casey Cartwright and Frannie Morgan (Greek)

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXVIII

The Big Bang Theory: I’m not a big fan of paying for sex to the point I have never stepped foot into a strip club. But if I were ever to be propositioned by Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, I may have ton reconsider my stance. Although if Ashley Alexandra Dupré can charge $4300, I don’t even want a quote from O’Keefe. Not that any of that would happen because let’s face it, My Name Is Earl is the only television show that have realistic looking hookers on it. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Greek: Can they have a dodge ball game every week please? You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: I don’t text so I was pretty much lost all episode. Isn’t it just easier to actually call someone than trying to type on those small keyboards? You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

I Love Money: So they initially censor the fake nipples on the fake breasts (the one for the challenge, not Frenchie’s) but they just basically gave up half way through. Did they use up their censor budget half way through or did the editor just get lazy? You can also download I Love Money on iTunes.

Rescue Me: Yep, I have my dirty and clean piles lying around with the dirty pile typically towering over the clean one. And I am disappointed they didn’t stick with the all-black theme for the bar. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.



Lost: So Faraday was inflicted with the same illness as Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates then is killed (presumably) by his mother even though she knew (and apparently his father) that her past self would shoot him. Alrighty then. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.



Survivor: This may be the oddest season of Survivor yet. You had a tribe that outnumbered the other 6-3 then proceeded to let those three to control the game. Then JT and Steven flip on who they want to align themselves with every week. Then you had this odd vote where Erinn votes for Steven. She did tell Sierra she wouldn’t vote for her, but why not vote for Debbie? And then why did Taj vote for Debbie? Is she no longer in the JT / Steven loop? I just hope Probst calls Coach out for getting caught in a lie by approaching Sierra for an alliance. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



My Name Is Earl: I thought this was going to be a blatant rip-off of the Cops episode (like when they did the second part that just wasn’t funny), but Geraldo certainly added something to the episode to make it enjoyable. And the tongue and cheek ending on why they were doing a two partner instead of an hour long was quite brilliant. Like they were poking with a stick hoping they get canceled. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

You can also check out my season review of Chuck.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXVII

Chuck: Wow, that could have made for one awesome series finale. But my sources tell me all that changes in the actual season finale tomorrow. Me thinks Chuck will get the Intercet back in his head. And if I am lucky Morgan will actually go to Hawaii and stays there with Harry Tang. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Greek: Very few things are worse than when the chick you like asks you if you can hook her up with one of your friends. There is very few ways that can end well. You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.

Rescue Me: The sight gag of the all black bar with no lights on may be the funniest sight gag (or lack thereof) of the year. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.



Lost: I thought the plan they made last year was to give us uninterrupted runs for the remaining seasons and that was the second non-new Lost this season. Granted this special was helpful in putting some things in chronological order but couldn’t they have saved it for before the two hour finale like they usually do? You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.



Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II: I knew she wasn’t going to last long, but it was sad to see Brooke go home so early. I like my girls a little mentally unstable and she certainly fits that bill but she didn’t stick around to have one of her moments. You can also download The Duel II on iTunes.

Survivor: This was basically the tale of three episodes. The first part played like a Lifetime movie with Sierra pleading for her life and even squeezed out some tears. Even the background music sounded like something out of a Lifetime movie. Then we had the lamest challenge ever in the history of Survivor with the shuffle board. Then came one of the greatest blindsides in Survivor history. What was great was Sierra looked actually more surprised than Tyson did. Priceless. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



My Name Is Earl: It is episodes like this that makes me wonder why the show ever does non-list with the escalation list items that Earl had to keep adding to for the preacher. I almost coughed up a kidney when his wife stood up in church and admitted to sleeping with Earl. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXVI

The Big Bang Theory: Penny in a comic book store: it’s about time. But if she is going to slum it with a geek, why not have it be Sheldon? Maybe there is something there as he obvious was nerd blocking him with the Batman question. You know if the show lasts long enough it will happen. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

Chuck: That was one of the more entertaining gun fights in recent memories. And I am down with any girl who can do a little double fisting. But how pathetic is Fulcrum that they would clear a whole building with two intruders? Seriously, you outnumber them 1000:1, you don’t need to retreat. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: For the record, Scooter McGavin is better known as Stat Guy at work, the guy who plays with spreadsheets for fun. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Castle: So for an episode on voodoo they bring in Ray “Voodoo” Tatum. Now that is what I call great casting. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Cupid: Nothing more entertaining than watching Republicans and Democrats go at it. But that took a back seat to the casting: holy Anna Chlumsky! And it really makes me feel old to find out she is pushing thirty. She’s the little kid from My Girl for goodness sake. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com. You can also download Cupid on iTunes.

Lost: Well there goes my Sun is Candle’s kid theory. And of course Miles also has Daddy issues. But the big news of the week was Miles was once the star of Hook. The second biggest being is there may actually be another faction to keep track of with the What Lies Behind the Statue people. Or the Other, Other, Other. Yippie. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.



Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II: Why didn’t anyone tell me this show was starting up again? But the better question is why isn’t CT in jail by now? Or when is Congress going to call Bumin/Murray in for their own steroid investigation? Or do they really think that MJ and Nehemiah weren’t already in New Zealand knowing CT would be gone before they even started? You can also download Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II on iTunes.

Survivor: This may have been the most depressing episode ever. I thought Coach was going but know we probably have at least another month of him and Tyson. I may have to stop watching. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



My Name Is Earl: The scene with Randy and the needle may be the most disturbing thing I have ever witnessed on television ever. Ever. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

Also check out my season review of Friday Night Lights.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. LXXIII

Before I get into this week’s 57 Channels, let me remind you that you can enter the My Boys Giveaway contest, click the banner at right to see the rules and how to enter.

Kings: Silas’ continual flip flopping on if he is pro or anti David is really going overboard. In three hours he has flipped about ten times already. But let’s move on to what may be the best part of the show in the palace guards who are turing into the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of the show. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.

Chuck: Two things about the past episode; 1) How dare the general besmirch Reagan. 2) Not only do I not think that Orion is dead but I would put money on Orion being Chuck’s long lost dad. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Survivor: Stupid recap show. Actually I didn’t mind if the guide had not said someone was going to get voted off. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.



Lost: Oh my God, Sayid killed Ben! I know Bed should be stopped, but I thought kidnapping and/or brainwashing would have been sufficient. Of course not that I believe for a second that little Ben is actually dead or at the very least remain dead. And here’s a new theory for you: The reason why Locke, Ben, Sun, and Lapidus are not warping is because they were all “reborn” on the island at sometime. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.



My Name Is Earl: Now there was a plot twist I didn’t see coming even if after it was revealed a Joy I realized that the young Joy actress had portrayed her before (sans the pink hair). And it was nice for Randy to get some lovin’ on the show for once. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download My Name Is Earl on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: I cannot count the number of goose bumps I got during this episode, from Lyla getting into Vanderbilt, Riggins taking her to church, Riggins blocking the punt (not that he would ever be part of the punt rush), to coach confronting Mr. McCoy in the rain and I am sure I am missing some scenes. And to juxtapose all that drama against things like Mindy’s quite literal wedding shower and Buddy and his crew doing their own redistricting (which should make for a great fourth season plot point). With all the goodness I am willing to overlook Dillon playing the State semi-finals in the rain again. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.



DogTown: If you are interested in the dogs featured this week, you can check out their profiles on the Best Friends website. Click the link to go to their specific page. Mei Mei (the Chihuahua from the puppy mill), Charro (the Labrador with cancer), and Gertie (the Shih Tzu also saved from the puppy mill).