Watch Being Human: BBC vs. Syfy

This is where adapting a television show from the UK actually worked! [unlike Skins]

In case you don't know the premise of the show:
It is about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost trying to live like humans and figuring out it is the hardest thing to do in life/death. Both shows maintain the idea of the main characters trying to live life as if they were normal. However, it seems they face multiple "monsters" and tribulations that stop them from being perfectly normal even when they try their hardest.

This is where the two shows differ.
For starters the BBC version is on its season 3 and the Syfy version is on their season 1. Their main plots and character attributes are still the same but the Syfy version gives their werewolf character a little more of a back-story. By having a sister, being engaged before being attacked and overall showing a more personalization of the character of the werewolf - it makes the US show intriguing. Something different to look forward to versus knowing what's going to happen next because you have seen the UK version.

Something that's great about the show? The acting - all of the main characters are very well casted and all of them in both versions bring their personalities out in the roles.

I will say that the US version is a little more lighthearted than the UK version. The UK version, while having its humorous moments - tends to dip into the dark side of werewolves, vampires and monsters. The US version goes back and forth a lot.

Overall though, if you don't have BBC America, start watching Being Human on Syfy. But if you have both channels, go out of your way to watch both. Being Human UK is on Saturdays and Syfy shows it on Monday night.

Watch My Life As Liz: As Long as You Are Ok Watching MTV

I have never been a big promoter of MTV so it should be impressive that I have now mentioned to watch a show on it twice now!

Tonight was a new episode and drama and comedy was brought by MTV.
I unfortunately watched the last five minutes of Teen Mom 2 to watch the new episode...and therefore the only negative of the night.

The plot went quickly and started off quite quickly.

In this episode:
Bryson comes off as an ass to fans...[sorry Bryson].
Sully breaks bad news to Liz in a text but blows up her phone with some of the most excellent texts I have ever heard of, in attempt that she never sees said horrible message.
Liz accomplishes an art project! Anybody else been waiting to see one of hers?
And humor is brought by the "Nerd Herd".

There is my promotion for the episode - don't judge me for liking an MTV show...

Watch Mad Love: The Women of HIMYM

This is a new show on CBS and while the pilot wasn't amazing, the second episode was quite good.

I was initially intrigued because the show follows HIMYM and actually features 3 females that were on the show at one point in time - all of which play friends/roommates on the show. Includine Sarah Chalke, Sarah Wright and Judy Greer.

The show is following the love story of Ben [Jason Biggs] and Kate [Sarah Chalke] and showing a pretty accurate depiction of what new couples go through. While they are on their way of the road to love, their best friends start to have a love hate relationship which really makes the show.

Great things about this show?:
1. The casting - Sarah Chalke, Jason Biggs, Judy Greer and Tyler Labine are all great comedy actors and they show it well with their characters.
2. The writing - The sub-plot of Greer's and Labine's characters having a possible romance is quite an interesting thing to write - something you look forward to seeing the following week.
3. The acting - All of the actors have great interaction with each other and it really makes the show work. In a certain way this is a HIMYM sitcom working without someone like Barney Stinson and not always revolving around a bar. In HIMYM - while good- it has some ridiculous things always happening to the characters, "Mad Love" shows a more realistic approach to everyday life with romance and with friends. It's a "Friends" in the making -- you know just instead of a coffee shop they are always in the Empire State Building.
4. The random guest appearances. In the second episode, Martin Starr [Freaks and Geeks] makes an appearance as a weird neighbor pretending to be Greer's date. Martin Starr is a great a comedian and he helped the episode just by being there.

I can't wait to see more from this show - I think it will have a real chance as long as the plot keeps up. I just hope the ratings of this show go up - it is worth the watch.

content from cbs.com

Not $#*! My Dad Says: Sorry Kirk

I recently watched a few episodes of this show and is lacking quite a bit across the board in areas.

The negatives:
The plot of the pilot episode was actually interesting but since then, the plot of any episodes just lack.
The majority of the actors in this show bring no presence to their characters and their characters never really accomplish anything in the episodes.
A sitcom like this should show some sort of character development - this could be because the show is based from a man's twitter feed and the crazy random stuff that his father actually says.

which brings me to the only positive - William Shatner
I was a big fan of his on Boston Legal - yes I am praising David E. Kelley again here - and he just has interesting characters overall.
His lines - most of which are based on the posts of the Twitter - are quite humorous the problem is, that shouldn't make a whole show. I feel this show is going to go very far unless there is an actual plot coming along. I tend to like CBS sitcoms a lot so it is quite amazing to me that this one is failing a bit.

Watch Chuck: C.A.T. Squad

I have already admitted how much of a fan I am of "Chuck" I am, however this episode I would say is not a "must watch". The only negative of this episode was that the overall plot really didn't have any merit compared to the last five episodes or so of the rest of the season. This is what is known as a "filler" episode. 

With the that only negative out of the way, this episode was quite humorous with all of its characters - particularly the first five minutes by paying homage to "Charlie's Angels" as well as making fun of the C.A.T. Squad series from the mid-80's. 

The episode begins by going over Sarah's past -- being assembled with 3 other female agents known as the C.A.T. Squad. Chuck invites the previous Squad members to the engagement party but things go a little awry. 

In this episode:

We learn more about Sarah's past, but mostly what she was like before both Chuck and Bryce

Casey opens up to Morgan more

Carina is back! And makes life complicated for Morgan's new relationship with Alex

Chuck and Sarah have a little hiccup in the episode - but the overall plot saves it by being focused on the "CAT Squad" having a traitor

Watch How I Met Your Mother: Barney Gets Another Love Interest?

While I go out of my way to watch Chuck during the slot of HIMYM - this episode was actually better than Chuck - as I viewed on CBS.com.

This episode won on plot with all of the characters, which for HIMYM is rare. This was also the only real television show yesterday that really showed mention to it being Valentine's Day.

In this episode:
Marshall is still reeling from his father's death and is at home in Minnesota "taking care of his mother"
Lily tries to get Marshall to come back for a Valentine's tradition
Ted and Zoey try to figure out what their relationship means
Barney goes into what "Desperation Day" is
AND
Barney gains a possible love interest that isn't Robin!!!

I am most excited to see what happens with Barney next week and his new love interest just to see if he is just trying to sleep with her or if it will really go somewhere.

content from cbs.com

Not Perfect Couples: Not So Perfect

"Perfect Couples" is a new romantic comedy sitcom on NBC - and I look forward to it being cancelled.

The show features a random cast going about the idea of what a perfect couple really is and how they relate to each other.

Now I have only watched the first episode but from seeing the ratings since the premiere, I am quite convinced it isn't going to last on television much longer. The first five minutes of the premiere episode was interesting, seeing how different types of couples interact in the same situation of women hogging the bed -- but after that, the plot, the acting and the humor went downhill.

Now the reason I initially was intrigued by this show was because the cast includes Olivia Munn - once seen on Attack of the Show on G4 - and I was dismayed that her character is unlikable and that any acting talent I have seen from her didn't show in this performance. 

The rest of the cast is similar by the lack of acting as well as lacking the portrayal of a real character that somehow isn't insulting to both the male and female genders. I hope the next romantic comedy sitcom that NBC tries will not be similar to this one.

Watch My Life As Liz: MTV Attempt Number 2

Okay, maybe I should say Watch This: As long are you are okay with a somewhat scripted drama/comedy on MTV. If you are in a younger age range then this is more for you versus something like "Harry's Law".
The reason why this was picked was because I recently saw some episodes on one of MTV's marathon's.
Now this "scripted" show is a lot less scripted than "The Hills", so that already gets a plus in my book.

This is Season 2 for "My Life As Liz" and so far it isn't bad as far as first episodes go.
Liz has moved to New York and escaped from the conservative state of Texas in pursuit of people more like her  and one's with similar beliefs on life. In which, on that premise, it's not bad.
Liz is a nerd-ish [I say this because I am far more nerdy so my standards are a little higher] girl trying to find her place in the world and while figuring that out she has an every going semi-romance with a guy named Bryson.
This season is supposedly more directed on what a relationship means for the two of them. Especially since a new person in Liz's life, Louis [who frankly I think already has a bigger personality than Bryson] has come into her new life in New York.

The show also follows Liz's best friends who are back in Texas, one in particular named Sully. Honestly as far as watching interesting characters, Sully wins the show over. In this episode, Sully goes to Austin to look for Bryson and while on the trip they make a funny attempt at dancing to Lady Gaga in the car.

I would say overall that if you are going to watch MTV, that this is the show to watch because of the nerdy references, an interesting romantic storyline and some humorous lines/scenes. This for me, is much more enthusiastic than something like "Teen Mom" or "Skins".

content from mtv.com

Not Skins: MTV Attempt Number One

This is one of two posts about MTV shows. This one concerning the new show "Skins". 

If you don't know the story behind the show Skins - here's the gist. Skins is a show that was originally done in the UK about 5 or so years ago - it was such a big hit there, the US and MTV wanted a go at it. The reason why I picked this show over others to begin with is because I actually watched the original UK version and I had hoped that both the US and MTV were not going to ruin it.
Well they didn't exactly ruin it but I am going over the negatives first.

Negatives:
1. The cast [minus the actor who plays the character Chris] lacks fine tunning in their acting and the understanding of some of their characters.
2. While this show is adapted from the UK, I am not seeing much of a plot difference surrounding the new US version. If you cut out it being in England and essentially put the main plot of each character into a New York setting you have the US version of "Skins".
3. While I finally went with the idea of MTV showing me that they were essentially copying every major point of the UK version, I got pissed at the fact that they didn't keep all the awesome character names from the UK version. If you are going to copying the bulk of the show for a US audience, why would you change an awesome name like Jal to Daze?

now here is why I do like it while it seems the majority of critics disagree:

The positive:
It seems that the bulk of critiques for the new show are calling it too progressive - and saying that it is a bad thing. This is where I couldn't disagree more. If you haven't seen/heard of "Skins" just yet then you should know this is for an older teenage audience because it covers the topics of drug use, sexual encounters and gay/lesbian experiences. Yes critics, this is a show that has teenagers popping pills and having sex - but, while this isn't every teen in America, this is how life can be for teenagers. I have heard the words "This show will be a gateway drug for teenagers" -- this is where they are wrong. Any show that is considered a "gateway drug" to teenagers, just isn't. Teenagers have minds shockingly and something like "Skins" will not affect their actions towards drugs or sex either way. The concept of drugs and sex is already out there for teenagers as it is [at least for those already watching MTV] and teenagers have the capability to make up their own minds. Yes teenagers are effected by the peer pressure of High School but I don't believe a television show will enhance their minds to go out at take drugs or have sex like this show. If it does, those teenagers probably need to reevaluate their lives in general.
There is one thing that the majority of critic's are missing in their anger towards this show - and that is the point of it. There needs to be a show like this for teenagers. The bulk of shows on television do not show the real pain of some teenagers and what they can face everyday when their life isn't as perfect as a sitcom. This does - "Skins" shows that while facing challenges of a family not being typical, it can be okay in the end as long as you can have friends to trust in. This is where the US "Skins" finally gets a win in my book. They understand that to put something like this on television is what is needed, because no one else is willing to show the tough dilemma's teenagers truly have to face sometimes.

Watch Glee: Redemption with Love

Sunday was disappointing for Glee - by lacking both plot and actual acting -- but Glee won my viewing back with last night's Valentine episode.
We saw a sparkling romance between all the couples but it occurred most with Finn and two ladies.
While the bulk of the episode was dedicated to Finn figuring out his "Firework" kiss with Quinn from Sunday - the intriguing part for me was towards the end when we saw a spark of romance glimmer with another former flame of Finn's. That would be correct, Rachel may be back in the picture for Finn - I just hope it is figured out before the end of the season.
One other glimmer of hope that I saw for the future of Glee in this episode was thanks in part to the character Kurt - played by Chris Colfer [who recently won a Golden Globe for his character]. While he didn't get a solo in a featured song this episode, having his character discover a not so plausible relationship between him and the character Blaine was more or less resolved.
So, if you have time to watch Glee on Hulu, catch this episode and not the episode featured after Sunday's Super Bowl. Here's a picture to gain your interest.

content from fox.com

Watch Harry's Law: Another Episode Winner

Considering I have already gone over the giant positives of Harry's Law, I will mostly go over what happened in this episode and something that David. E Kelley fixed that I really enjoyed.

The first five minutes of this episode were thrilling and really set the plot for the entire episode.
- Harry has, not shockingly, gotten some good few lines again but she didn't go to court this time.
- Christopher McDonald's, oddly named Thomas ''Tommy" Jefferson, character gets more screen time and it's well used.
- Nathan Corddry's character once again shows off his amazing acting skills
and the highlight of the evening:
- Brittany Snow's character gains depth and a back story! Honestly having that by the end of the episode really helped.

I'm not going to go over the main plot because, you should watch it! I feel like I don't have to persuade you to watch this one because this is such a great show. I think Harry's Law will surpass Boston Legal in my book if it continues the way it's going.

Not Glee: Sue Sylvester Shuffle

So since season 1 of Glee, I have been quite the flip flopper. But this episode kind of lacked the music and the plot to really watch it. Every once in a while Glee has a good plot with music done well, like the recent episode "Furt". However, doing "Thriller" with some funny lines from the character Sue should not make an episode one to watch. And on Sunday I was quite sad that nothing else was really on.

In this episode:
You see Kurt sing a song with his new school mates
and
Karofsky dances and almost joins Glee.

Honestly nothing else really happened. There was a cool Katy Perry number in the first five minutes, but again one song done well should not be the reason to watch a show. Maybe if they did even more of the storyline concerning Karofsky and showing his character actually changing, I would have been impressed. But besides some flashy songs, Glee bit the big one on Sunday. Today is Tuesday, and they are showing their Valentine's episode - time for redemption.

Watch Harry's Law: David E. Kelley Makes Another Win

David E. Kelley wins again with a drama about lawyers.
"Harry's Law" is smart, funny and has heart. I've caught up on the first 3 episodes and I have to say, I'm glad I did. Kathy Bates stars in the show and has a unique character [not uncommon for Kathy Bates] that realizes she is the wrong type of lawyer one day and begins defending the people that need it.
Her character Harriet Korn is witty, quirky, smart and contains this ability to make some outrageous but very humorous remarks. The sub-characters work quite well but I do have one complaint.
What is the point of Brittany Snow's character? She worked as Harriet's secretary for the previous lawyer job and then opens the new Harriet's Law and Shoes with her just because she can sell shoes. It is just a little unnecessary.
Nathan Corddry's character, Adam Branch, is also a big plus. His character already has a good storyline going for him as well as being very entertaining in his court room scenes.
The heart and humor of this show is why I already like it so much. With some more depth to Brittany Snow's character I think this show can go far - and hopefully last longer than "Boston Legal".

The show is on NBC on Mondays following "The Cape". 

Not The Cape: Trying Too Hard

I was originally intrigued by NBC's [not cleverly named] "The Cape" for three reasons:
It followed "Chuck", Summer Glau was in the previews and it seemed to have a superhero element to it.
I was kind of hoping this would have been NBC's redemption for the last season of "Heroes" but it seemed my hopes failed me.

The reasons why the show is on my dislike list:
1. The ideas of villains on the show are too relative towards comics when the main character isn't and lacks depth for the most part.
2. The main character has an intriguing back-story on how and why he is the "Cape" but the family plot line in the last couple of episodes is getting a little tiring.
3. Another little critique is the cape itself, in the trailer it seemed more like a superpower but in the show it is explained as being a magician's cloak that gets passed on every generation - but from circus people...In which, while decent acting, I am not a fan of the circus folk. It is just a part of the plot that needs to be cut out. He couldn't have just met an old magician and been guided to use the cape by him? It would have been better than this sub-plot of circus people who are also robbers.
4. This brings me to a similarity with the show "Heroes" - what made "Heroes" not work in the end was having way too many characters - "The Cape" has done the same thing. I am fine with having a recurring villain and sidekick but there is way too many sub-characters that have no development of any kind.
5. Half of the time the main character whines about why he can't kill his nemesis Chess [not so cleverly named either might I add] to be able to prove his innocence to his family. We get it, that's the plot, you don't need to keep reminding us every episode NBC. Just keep it in the recap and all is well.
6. My last critique is on Summer Glau's character Orwell. She was a big part of why I started watching in the first place -- and I am disappointed about it. While Orwell the character was intriguing in the first episode, since the premiere, her character has fallen. Her character should one: get more lines - she's a great actress and she is a lot more intriguing than the circus people who get more airtime - two: Summer Glau has pretty decent martial arts training [as seen in Serenity/Firefly], where the hell did someone drop the ball there? - three: actually have a developed character - right now she kind of just introduces what the "Cape" has to do in the episode and talks to him on a Bluetooth. If this is an action/superhero show, then why not give her character some action to do? The whole little snip-it about her being Chess' daughter was interesting but then following that episode, it was never heard of again.

The positives? Well I only have a few but they are in no means a reason to watch the show:
James Frain - "Chess" - plays an awesome villain, especially for television villains. He has a good storyline, he is a great actor for this role, and he is very good at appearing good to the public but then psychotic and creepy behind closed doors. I applaud to who casted him.

and then

the sub-plot of the main character naming himself after a comic book existing in his world - it isn't as bad as a name if he is just finding a way to relate to his son...

That's it. My positive is the villain and James Frain's acting - sorry NBC.

Watch TBBT: Bollywood!

The Big Bang Theory is one of those shows that if you forget to watch, you usually don't miss any plot.
BUT, I watch it for the humor and geeky references quite regularly.
This is an episode to watch for massive amounts of humor.

In this episode:
You see Penny acting like Spock
Sheldon having a mental breakdown realizing he loves his mother
A funny appearance by the former Blossom, now known as Amy Farrah Fowler
And quite a few daydreams from Raj! Including an epic Bollywood segment!
Here's a pic to spike your interest.

content from CBS.com

Even better, CBS in the last year has finally caught up to the times so you can watch TBBT on CBS.com to catch up!

Watch Chuck: Season 4 Episode 13

To start off the Blog I will discuss this last weeks Chuck from NBC:

If you watch Chuck regularly and know the storyline you will be happy to see this episode.

Loose ends on almost every characters storyline are tied up and we get a song featured by the awesome JEFFSTER! It is packed with less action than usual but the emotional dialog in this episode really makes up for it. I would sincerely push that the last and first 5 minutes need to be seen by fans and even those who have roughly seen some good episodes of Chuck.

The episode covers:
What the future holds for Chuck and Sarah
The arrival of the "Awesome" newborn with featured song by JEFFSTER!
Ties up the storyline for Timothy Dalton's character
and goes into the storyline of Chucks mom even more

While two weeks ago we saw the change of brunette Sarah, the better part of that episode was the last five minutes of seeing Casey being pushed through a window of a tall building -- which lead to this amazing episode 13 - I call it a must watch.