November marks the month in the US calendar when all the networks unleash the best they have to offer in order to entice the viewing audience and cash in on those much needed advertisement dollars. Most shows seem to go the way of the dodo, with only the smallest percentage ever making it to a full season and even a smaller number getting to one hundred episodes. You’d think this would be a tragedy, but given some of the absolute trite that gets aired it seems that survival of the fittest once again has saved humanity from unnecessary suffering.
The end of the year provides an interesting snapshot of the TV shows that will fill our screens over the coming months. The shows at this stage are full of potential and without studio or network interference hold infinite promise.
We have looked at the new offerings for the coming year and provided our five top picks and hope they get a decent run by our networks for once.
Show: Bored to Death (HBO)
Plot: Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He's just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can't write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor. Rather than face reality, Jonathan turns instead to his fantasies — moonlighting as a private detective — because he wants to be a hero and a man of action (hbo.com).
Why you should watch it: This truly feels like a little Wes Anderson movie each week, so for those who need a weekly indie fix this is the perfect show. The cast is incredible but both Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis (
The Hangover) steal the show any time they are on screen. It’s not laugh out loud funny but well worth your time.
Show: V (ABC)
Plot: At all corners of the earth humans awaken to the sight of spaceships hovering over every major world city. The ships’ occupants, known only as “The Visitors,” spread their message quickly and clearly: They have come in peace, bearing gifts of medical miracles and technological breakthroughs far beyond earthlings’ wildest imaginations, but all is not as it seems. In this daring re-imagining of the ‘80s sci-fi classic, humanity takes on a greater threat than any it has ever faced before (abc.net).
Why you should watch it: It’s time we had a great alien invasion TV series, plus the original was in desperate need of a remake. A strong cast and decent special effects make this compelling viewing for science fiction fans needing to fill the void left by the end of
Battlestar Galactica.
Show: Hung (HBO)
Plot: Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ray Drecker's situation couldn't be much tougher. The former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach is divorced and struggling to provide for his kids when his already run-down house catches fire. Looking to take on a second job, Ray decides to exploit his best asset in a last-ditch attempt to change his fortunes (hbo.com).
Why you should watch it: The show is a cross between
Californication and
Breaking Bad with the dark humour and deep characterisation in tow. Thomas Jane as the lead is a great talent and adds considerable humanity to what could have been an unlikable role.
Show: Modern Family (ABC)
Plot: Jay recently married Gloria. Now Jay is trying hard to keep up with his much younger and hotter Colombian wife, along with her passionate pre-teen son, Manny. Claire is having a hard time raising her own family. Her husband Phil is great, except that he thinks he's "down" with their three kids, much to everyone’s embarrassment. And, Mitchell and his enthusiastic partner Cameron have just made a major life change by adopting a Vietnamese baby named Lily (abc.net).
Why you should watch it: The show is reminiscent of
Arrested Development in style and humour, a greater compliment I could not possible give. Ignore the sappy trailer the show is much better and less corny than it would appear. Also it stars Ed O’Neil.
Show: Community (NBC)
Plot: From Dan Harmon (
The Sarah Silverman Program) and Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (
Arrested Development) comes Community, a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College. At the centre of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale,
The Soup), a fast-talking lawyer whose degree has been revoked. With some help from his fellow classmates, Winger forms a study group who eventually learn more about themselves than their course work (nbc.com).
Why you should watch it: The pilot looks full of potential and thanks to the credentials of the show’s creator, it may develop into something worthy of your time. I look forward to any show that puts to good use the talents of the great Chevy Chase.