Confession: I probably watch too much TV in my never ending search for another favorite, like LOST or The Closer.
I believe it’s important for novelists (even those who write books set in the past) to be aware of the culture we live in. Television, love it or hate it, is one sure way to keep up with the culture. And while there is a lot of junk masquerading as entertainment, there are some good shows too. It’s not all bad.
So here we are at the start of another television season, and I’ve got my eyes on a few new shows, hoping they will deliver.
Prime Suspect: Yes, I like cop shows, so I couldn’t resist checking this one out. It isn’t the same as the British version that starred Helen Mirren some years back, but I think it has potential for being entertaining. NBC on Thursdays.
Person of Interest: Okay, how could I not check out this show. It is “sort of” a cop show but not really. It stars Michael Emerson (LOST) and Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) and it has JJ Abrams’ (LOST) fingerprints all over the concept. I think this series could really catch fire. CBS on Thursdays.
A Gifted Man: For all intents and purposes, this is a ghost story, and those don’t usually appeal to me. But it co-stars Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth in the BBC Pride and Prejudice) so I had to check it out. I think I could come to really like this show. CBS on Fridays.
I’m sticking with Survivor, Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance for my reality show fixes. I checked out X Factor this week and quickly decided I wasn’t ready for another singing show. I was particularly disgusted that they gave the fellow who dropped his pants and exposed himself even 15 seconds on air. Trouble was, they gave him more than 15 seconds. They let him continue to parade around the stage, singing a ridiculous song he’d written. Why didn’t they stop him? Why didn’t they use one of those old hooks and drag him off the stage? Whoever on Simon’s team allowed it to happen should be fired and Simon Cowell should apologize to the American public. There were kids in the audience. Viewers at home were at least protected by the X covering his privates.
I’m also hanging in there with a few older favorites like Castle and Hawaii 5-0.
What about you? New favorites? Possibilities? Anything you absolutely hate already?
~robin
