I wrote earlier this season about shows I was trying out. I thought I’d revisit the topic and let you know what I was watching now, shows I’m not watching, and what I’m looking forward to in the second half of the TV Season. (Also, if you’re struggling to keep up with what’s coming back or what is new? Here are two resources: TV Addict’s January Calendar and my favorite critic’s Winter TV Preview.) There are a lot of shows listed below. But I still feel like I’m missing stuff, so I may add more if you bring up stuff in the comments I forgot about.
New Shows I Haven’t Given Up On Yet
- The Good Wife I really enjoy the individual stories every week as well as the greater Wife Of Cheating Politician arc.
- Modern Family I hope this shows stays on forever.
- Cougar Town This show is probably more female humor, but it cracks me up EVERY WEEK.
- Glee Of course.
- Flash Forward Although I fear for the longevity of this show. It’s high cost but the ratings aren’t great.
- V I think I missed the mid-season finale though…so maybe I’m not as hooked as I thought.
- NCIS: Los Angeles Love this for the same reason I love the original: It doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Community I’m not 100% hooked on this show yet, but I feel loyal to Joel McHale so I’m sticking with it.
New Shows That Haven’t Started That I’m Going To Check Out
- Human Target: I kinda like cheesy action TV
- The Deep End: Mac from Veronica Mars and Fiero from Wicked? Of course I’ll be there.
Shows I Once Enjoyed But Have Stopped Watching
- CSI Unlike NCIS, this show takes itself too seriously and I finally got annoyed.
- Desperate Housewives Eh.
- Ugly Betty Eh. Eh.
- Heroes This one pissed me off the same way Lost did, but never redeemed itself as Lost now has.
- Vampire Diaries I only stopped watching this because I’ve decided I want to read the books.
Shows I Just Can’t Get Into No Matter How Much I Tried Because You and/or The Critics Told Me To
- Mad Men
- The Office
- 30 Rock
- Parks and Recreation
- White Collar
Shows I’m Still Watching Past Their First Season Because I Love Them So
- Castle I can not get over how much I love this show.
- House Although it is losing it’s appeal for me a bit…I do still love it.
- Bones Another show I hope stays on FOREVER.
- NCIS One of my favorite ensemble casts on television.
- The Closer It took me awhile to accept Brenda’s accent, but I love her character too much now to notice.
- Psych Man…it is unhealthy how much this show typically cracks me up.
- Mentalist This show might be losing the appeal too, not sure if I’ll still watch it next season or not.
- Lost Redeemed itself completely last season and can not WAIT for the final season to start next month.
- 24 I give this show a try every year but I haven’t made it through a full season since season 3 I think.
- Friday Night Lights The only reason I wish I had DirectTV
- Burn Notice Another show that is good because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. And has a female lead I adore.
- Ghost Whisperer I have no idea why I still watch this show but I CANT MAKE MYSELF STOP. Even after her husband came back in another man’s body and they NEVER seem to address that.
- Medium I love that nothing has changed about this show even after it switched channels.
- Numb3rs This show is about to end which will make me sad because I’ve been loyal to it’s incredibly cheesy and unbelievable foundation since it started.
- How I Met Your Mother Looking forward to the 100th musical episode!
- Fringe Another show I love but I fear may cost too much to make to keep going with low ratings.
- Chuck Can’t wait to see how this season is different with Chuck’s new arsenal of knowledge.
- Criminal Minds Another show I may not watch next season because it’s losing it’s edge to me.
- Leverage LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. LOVE!
- Supernatural This season has been outstanding and can’t wait to see how it all works out.
- Dollhouse I stopped watching this weekly since it got it’s death sentence because I’d rather watch it on DVD without breaks since I know there won’t be a third season (sob).
- Greek Not sure what’s going to happen to this show once most of the main characters graduate in May, but I’ll enjoy seeing how the end of the year plays out.
So…what about you? What are YOU watching/loving/hating?
My top new(-er) shows:
- Glee
- Better Off Ted
- Flash Forward
- Modern Family
- Man vs Food
My top shows that have been around for a while:
- Family Guy
- Mythbusters
- Dirty Jobs (love Mike Rowe!!!)
Top Show I never saw when it was on but LOVE now?? Reba: I love her attitude and Van cracks me up!!!!
There are also several of the Ghost Hunter/Paranormal Adventure shows that I shamelessly watch as my husband makes fun of them every time he catches me watching them. The one on Travel Channel with the 3 young guys is my favorite.
Top kids show I catch myself watching even after the kids leave the room?? Phineas and Ferb. So. Funny!!!
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Re: Bones – Have you read the books by Kathy Reichs? They are very different from the show (Temperence Brennan in the books is in her 40s, Catholic, works in Canada, and has a college-age daughter), but the books are still quite good, so long as you can think of the Brennan in the show as different from the Brennan in the books.
I’m always up for another season of So You Think You Can Dance or The Amazing Race, my two reality shows. I’m also a fan of Criminal Minds (I have a geek crush on Spencer Reid), Numb3rs (MATH!), Bones, Supernatural (loved it since the very first episode), Fringe (LOVE Walter), and Vampire Diaries. I considered dropping Vampire Diaries to read the books, but I might just read them anyway and then see how similar/different the show is. Maybe they’ll go in different directions like I hear True Blood did. Plus, I love vampires; I just can’t get enough of them.
Love, love, love Leverage – my whole family is obsessed!
Oh man, Community just kills me. I love Joel McHale, but beyond him I think they may have assembled the most perfect comedic cast ever. EVER. They may even have surpassed Arrested Development in that way, which I didn’t think was possible.
I also love me some Project Runway (high hopes for the new season) and Bones. Of course, I would watch David Boreanaz mow grass, so perhaps that’s not saying much.
Numb3rs is ending????!!!!???? My husband and I put the kids to bed on time so we can watch Numbers EVERY week!
I love Glee… like NCIS and the LA version but only watch them when I have time since they are avail. “on demand”.
Do you have Showtime? LOVE LOVE LOVE Dexter… Really like Nurse Betty and United States of Tara.
C.A.N.N.O.T. wait for new season of Project Runway… addicted!
The only show I watch with any regularity is Friday Night Lights. It is the BEST SHOW EVER and, because I have DirectTv, I can tell you that this latest season will not disappoint. Not really a spoiler tidbit – In a recent episode I cried so hard (my family was giving me weird looks) I gave myself a headache.
It is SOOOOO Good. And, soon it shall be yours.
We have somewhat similar tastes; my can’t-miss list:
-How I Met Your Mother (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Can’t wait for the musical episode either!)
-The Big Bang Theory
-NCIS
-NCIS: Los Angeles
-The Good Wife
-The Soup
-The Office (Oh, I wish you loved this; I can’t ever stop laughing, although the earlier episodes are the best their Christmas episode was priceless)
-Keeping Up With the Kardashians (I can’t believe I just admitted that publicly)
Stuff I watch if I run into it and too lazy to change channel:
-Accidentally on Purpose (this is because of its time slot, I think)
… um, actually I think that’s about all.
I have to ask what cable you have if not DirecTV – do you have a DVR as well? I don’t watch a few of the shows on your list that I’m interested in (Glee, for example) because they compete with other things. May be time to move into the new decade!
I was going to mention Leverage if you hadn’t. I’m so glad you like that show. It’s one of my favorites. In fact, we seem to have similar tastes, although I do love The Office and 30 Rock. I tried to watch Mad Men too, but oh my gosh, it was way too boring.
I started watching Castle recently and love it.
I think Modern Family is probably the best new show this year.
Stuff I watch regularly or at least DVR it to watch when I can: Glee, House, NCIS, NCIS LA, CSI, CSI: NY, Mad Men, Heroes, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Numb3rs, Lie to Me… And I think I am behind in watching, due to our move. Not even sure how many episodes behind, since I know a lot of shows ran reruns in December (while we were living in our motorhome sans a DVR). Will check the On Demand channel for some of those shows to see.
I am in Ireland and am so excited because Glee starts here tonight!!
We get all the US shows starting about now. Advantage: no gaps. I have visited the US and hate 2 new episodes and then a few repeats. We get then all together. Disadvantage: so hard not to be spoiled.
The current series of Grey’s Anatomy also starts tonight so will be watching that (yes I already know who survives and who doesn”t). Desperate Housewives also starts tonight. I will watch it all
Heroes is back on Saturday…yay!
Series 6 of NCIS starts here next week (its already been on satelitte tv but I hadn’t watched it). I love Gibbs with all my heart! This is one of my favourite shows ever. I love the LA version too.
Also cannot wait until Lost comes back. Last year we saw the new episodes only a few days after they werre on in the US so I hope this happens this year.
CSI NY starts this week too and Las Vegas starts next week. Like Desperate Housewives I don’t enjoy these as much as I used too but keep watching anyway.
Nearer the summer we will get to see Brothers and Sisters and CSI Miami (which is so silly now but I can’t look away)
Reading this its a wonder I ever get out of the house
I like “Lie to Me.” It’s kind of cute, and I like all of the characters.
I, too, love Castle with an unadulterated fervor. It may or may not have something to do with the adorable Irish-American sidekick cop, about whom I have had some…pleasant…dreams.
the BF loves Modern Family but I can’t seem to get into it.
hope you had a great new years!
I am down to a few shows. Monday’s HIMYM, BBT, I will watch those in between just because. Tuesday’s are Biggest Loser, Wednesday’s Lost, Thursday’s Project Runway. I keep up on Glee, Scrubs, and Secret Life of an American Teenager online. The rest? I am done with……
Big Bang Theory is a MUST in this house. I also watch HIMYM, Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. And the food network. I love love Alton Brown and Throw Down with Bobby Flay. Although not enough to DVR them like BBT and HIMYM.
Loved this post!
My favorites–
CSI –I am a diehard CSI fan, and was afraid that when William Petersen left it would change but it’s still great.
Glee–just started watching halfway through the season–LOVE Sue!
Law & Order and L&O Criminal Intent– Never miss these and have seen all of them at least four times. I do really miss Vincent D’Onofrio so much though.
Castle–who couldn’t love Nathan Filian? A friend and I discuss this show every week–sometimes the minute it’s over. Love it.
Now the not-so-favorites:
Lost–I watched the first season on dvd one right after the other and was hooked. Watched two of the second season and haven’t watched since. The second season killed that show for me.
Desperate Housewives…. see comment for Lost above. Same situation. This show is ridiculous.
Hooray! Someone else who understands my conflicted feelings about “The Ghost Whisperer.” I am at a complete loss to explain why I watch that show, but I can’t give it up no matter how ridiculous it gets.
You MUST MUST MUST check out Big Bang Theory……it is pee in your pants hysterical. I must admit I’m crushing a little on Sheldon. By far one of the funniest shows on. I just found it this season but apparently its been on for a few seasons already. CBS I think….
What about Saving Grace with Holly Hunter? That’s my new favorite tho I guess it’s been on for a while.
I love Glee, and Heroes has annoyed me too, but I just can’t quit it yet.
- Fringe: Oh, I love Walter! Did you know he played Boromir’s father in ROTK? HATED him so in that!
- Dexter: The season finale in December with John Lithgow was simply amazing!
- Sons of Anarchy: Their season finale was shocking!
- Flash Forward
- Lost, of course! Love that picture, Zoot!
- Lie to Me
- Nurse Jackie
- 30 Rock
- Breaking Bad
- True Blood
- Big Love
I enjoy Mad Men, but maybe because I grew up during the tail end of that era and it jogs my memory of things.
I watch many of the ones you’ve mentioned. You didn’t mention Big Bang and I LOVE that show. I hate that it isn’t on right after HIMYM anymore but such is life.
I kind of like Eastwick (can’t say why) but I hear it is going to be canceled. Heros and Lost are dead to me…they are too sure that we will hang around for these huge gaps of time and it irritates me. Grey’s Anatomy finally quit with the I see dead people thing so I’m watching it again. But my flat out favs are HIMYM, Big Bang, Burn Notice, Amazing Race, Project Runway and Top Chef.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE NCIS. Couldn’t quite get into NCIS:Los Angeles, although I’m not sure why.
I also adore Sons of Anarchy, Burn Notice, The Soup, and even The Office (but that one took a loooooooong time to grow on me).
I’m SO with you on Leverage, Bones, Burn Notice, and House.
And don’t get me started on the Mentalist. Simon Baker? Oh yum. Bones…David Boreanez. Another yum.
I do still faithfully watch CSI Miami, and I must admit to a secret addiciton to Tabitha’s Salon Takeover (she’s so mean and I love her) and the Real Housewives. I’ve tried to stop but I just can’t.
How do you have time to watch all those shows? I’m about to have more time on my hands at night, so I’m looking for something good. Right now it’s pretty much football. Roll Tide!
Modern Family, Cougar Town and Glee I liked the two times I’ve been able to watch. Human Target looks good because of the lead actor … I think he played Jack on Days of Our Lives at one time. Isn’t Rachelle LeFevre (Victoria in Twilight/New Moon) in The Deep End?
I liked what I’ve seen of Castle and Burn Notice. I wish I had watched Friday Night Lights from the beginning. I don’t think I can get caught up now.
Very timely, I was just updating the DVR before we leave for a 2 week trip home. Watching NCIS as I type. I think my favorites right now are Big Bang Theory, HIMYM, Castle, mentalist, Modern family, Cougar town, glee. We like all the same stuff. And thanks for some suggestions, I will try Leverage and community.
I LOVE Modern Family. That, Cougar Town, Glee and Good Wife. Those are my new favorite shows of the season.
I love that Lost photo too! I can’t believe it’s the last season coming up. Ugly Betty, I still watch and like it but it’s definitely lost its luster. Desperate Housewives is the same. More annoying now than entertaining.
What I’m watching that wasn’t in your post:
Saving Grace
Rescue Me
Sons of Anarchy
Big Bang Theory
And we’re getting The Wire from Netflix.
What I need to watch on your recommendation:
Modern Family
I love it when you talk TV
Not quite as many in my list, but many of the tops are featured on both: Glee, Psych, Castle, House, Bones, Burn Notice, HIMYM, and Dollhouse. The only show I watch that you didn’t include was Lie To Me.
And I’ll echo the comment above, I love your TV posts, as they always give me something new to try. I trust your judgment, so I’m going to try out Leverage and will also be looking forward to Human Target & The Deep End.
I cannot even tell you how many times I have had that exact.same.reaction to Ghost Whisperer! I just cannot stop watching, no matter how ridiculous it gets. Have you checked out Men of a Certain Age on TNT? We watched a couple of episodes that were ok but a little slow, decided to give it one more episode before calling it quits & *that* was the episode that knocked it out of the park–we still reference it & crack up!