First off, if it was not for my DVR I wouldn't see any of this crap. Not only does the DVR make automatically recording shows easy, but it also lets me fast forward through the ponderous commericals.
Most of the new shows this fall are much like the new shows of last fall, and the new shows of the year before that--they aren't worth watching. Excluding reality shows, the situation has really been dire for network tv. NBC has been so bad that its two top shows are ER and Law and Order. They might as well try to bring back Seinfeld and Friends. Most of those actors could use the work. Since Jerry was the least interesting character on the show, you wouldn't even need Seinfeld himself.
NBC does have one new show to be proud of. My Name Is Earl has done reasonably well in the ratings, and I kinda like it. It isn't great, but it offers up enough laughs and just enough smart writing to be a success for the time being. But the premise might get really old fast. And eventually the ex-wife subplot needs to be curtailed if not entirely removed. How many different ways can she try to get Earl's money? Even Wile E. Coyote had his limits.
B
Martha Stewart's attempt at The Apprentice has failed miserably in the ratings, and it has already been moved to a later time slot. Will the real Martha Stewart please stand? People have claimed in the past that Martha Stewart is a real bitch/taskmaster. None of that is on display here. She even writes a letter, almost apologizing to the person she fired. And as Christy has noted, Martha's daughter has NOTHING to say. This show will finish its run and be done.
C-
Did we really need another Invasion of the Body Snatchers ripoff? If the show is Invasion, then the answer is no. I have only watched the first episode, and I might watch more since the episodes are already recorded, but so far this show has exhibited lazy writing and poor pacing.
D+
Everybody Hates Chris has potential, but so far it hasn't been very funny. And it is supposed to take place in 1982, though you would never know it from the hairstyles of Chris' parents. Were black men already shaving their heads in 1982? Unless your name is Scatman Crothers, I don't think so.
C
Right now I do not have HBO, so I am missing Rome. Considering The Sopranos is supposed to be back in March, I guess I will pick up HBO again. Especially if I can get a deal with the cable company.
