Podcast #439: Fall 2010 TV Schedule

Pat yourself on the back, we did it again.  We all made it through another Summer with nothing to watch on TV.  Whether you had stored up a bunch of shows on your DVR to get you through the dry season, or relied heavily on Netflix and Hulu, you made it.  And now it’s time to reap the reward.  Football is back, and in just a few short weeks all your favorite shows will be back on, and perhaps a few new ones will make it to your favorites list.

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Fall 2010 TV Schedule

Pat yourself on the back, we did it again.  We all made it through another Summer with nothing to watch on TV.  Whether you had stored up a bunch of shows on your DVR to get you through the dry season, or relied heavily on Netflix and Hulu, you made it.  And now it’s time to reap the reward.  Football is back, and in just a few short weeks all your favorite shows will be back on, and perhaps a few new ones will make it to your favorites list.

As in years past, we visited TVGuide.com for a great chart of everything you’ll want to see each night of the week.  But since TV Guide only covers the big 5 networks (we’ll give the CW the benefit of the doubt), we rounded out our research with About.com and The TV Remote.  We’ll summarize it all here, but if you want to dive a bit deeper, those are all great resources.

TV Guide also has a great premier calendar with the new shows starting each day in September and October.  Some start as early as September 7.

Monday

• ABC
  • Dancing with the Stars, Castle
• CBS
  • Mike & Molly - A comedy about a working class Chicago couple who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.  From the Executive Producer of The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men, it’s a new comedy about finding romance in the most unusual places.
  • Hawaii Five-0 - A contemporary take on the classic series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands' sun-drenched beaches.
  • How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement, Two and a Half Men
• The CW
  • 90210, Gossip Girl
• FOX
  • Lone Star - a provocative soap set against the backdrop of big Texas oil.  Robert (Bob) Allen is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He's juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds - all under one mountain of lies
  • House
• NBC
  • The Event - The Event is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker, an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his would-be fiancée Leila, and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in U.S. history.
  • Chase - U.S. Marshals Annie Frost likes to stay one step ahead of the outlaws. As far as this cowboy boot-wearing girl is concerned, they can run, but they can't hide from her forever. Annie has a sharp mind, a big heart, and an attitude to match. Throw in a unique perspective and personal style, and she is the reason you don't mess with Texas.           
  • Chuck

Tuesday

• ABC
  • No Ordinary Family - The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie's relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something's not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers.
  • Detroit 1-8-7 - What does it take to be a detective on America's streets? Get an in-depth look at some of Detroit's finest and watch the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism of the cops assigned to an inner city homicide unit.
  • Dancing with the Stars: the Results Show      
• CBS     
  • NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife
• The CW     
  • One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected
• FOX     
  • Raising Hope - A new single-camera family comedy from Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia ("My Name Is Earl") that follows the Chance family as they find themselves adding an unexpected new member into their household.
  • Running Wilde - A romantic comedy about Steve Wilde, a filthy-rich, immature playboy trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart, Emmy Kadubic, the über-liberal humanitarian who got away – all told through the perspective of a 12-year-old girl.
  • Glee
• NBC     
  • Biggest Loser, Parenthood

Wednesday

• ABC      
  • Better With You - A sitcom focusing on three couples in one family. They include older sister Maddie and her partner of nine years, Ben; younger sister Mia and her boyfriend-just-turned-fiance of two months, Casey; and their parents, Vicky and Joel. The comedy promises to show "real, relatable stories" as well as a believable family dynamic.
  • The Whole Truth - This unique legal drama chronicles the way a case is built from the perspective of both the defense and prosecution. Showing each side equally keeps the audience guessing, shifting allegiances and opinions on guilt or innocence until the very final scene.
  • The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town
• CBS
  • The Defenders - A drama about two colorful Las Vegas defense attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick and Pete are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot.
  • Survivor, Criminal Minds
• The CW     
  • Hellcats - Marti Perkins' plan was to get through Lancer University on her scholarship, go to law school, and leave Memphis and her hard-drinking mother behind to start a new life as an attorney. Instead, Marti's scholarship gets cancelled and her mother "forgets" to tell her. Out of options, Marti finds herself fighting for a spot on the Hellcats -- Lancer's legendary cheer squad -- and for the scholarship that comes with it.
  • America's Next Top Model
• FOX     
  • Lie to Me, Hell's Kitchen
• NBC
  • Undercovers - A one-hour spy drama that proves marriage is still the world's most dangerous partnership.  To put the spark back in their marriage, some couples take a tropical vacation. Not Steven and Samantha. They rejoin the CIA. Now they're discovering things about each other they never knew. Like which lock-picking technique each prefers, and who killed who, and how well they work together in a hostile environment.  With their day jobs and lives in the balance, date night is about to get a lot more exciting.
  • Law & Order: Los Angeles - There's a place where crime has reached celebrity status. Welcome to Los Angeles, home of the rich and famous, and the completely unscrupulous. They say this is the place where anyone with the right attorney can get away with murder. We say this is the place that needs some Law & Order.
  • Law & Order: SVU

Thursday

• ABC     
  • My Generation - Based on a Swedish half-hour mockumentary, which featured three guys in high school who were revisited by a camera crew fifteen years later. The American version uses the documentary format in a different way, as an investigative documentary, and to put the show in the context of the wider world and show the sea change around the globe in the last 10 years. "We'll be pushing these characters further than they want to go, invading their privacy and seeing things that they don't want you to see.”
  • Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice
• CBS     
  • $#*! My Dad Says - Stars Emmy Award winner William Shatner as Ed Goodson, a forthright and opinionated dad who relishes expressing his unsolicited and often wildly politically incorrect observations to anyone within earshot. Nobody is safe from Ed's rants, including his sons, Henry, a struggling writer-turned-unpaid blogger; and Vince, the meek half of a husband/wife real estate duo with domineering Bonnie.
  • Big Bang Theory, CSI, The Mentalist
• The CW     
  • Nikita - When she was a deeply troubled teenager, Nikita was rescued from death row by a secret U.S. agency known only as Division, who faked her execution and told her she was being given a second chance to start a new life and serve her country. What they didn't tell her was that she was being trained as a spy and assassin. Ultimately, Nikita was betrayed and her dreams shattered by the only people she thought she could trust. Now, after three years in hiding, Nikita is seeking retribution and making it clear to her former bosses that she will stop at nothing to expose and destroy their covert operation.
  • Vampire Diaries
• FOX     
  • Bones, Fringe
• NBC     
  • Outsourced - Mid America Novelties sells products like whoopee cushions, foam fingers, and wallets made of bacon. Yes, this is the stuff upon which the American way of life is built, but try explaining that to someone who lives on the other side of the world.  Well, that's exactly what Todd Dempsy must do when he's sent to run the company's call center in India. Talk about culture shock, and not just for Todd's employees. While Todd has to teach them how to make the up-sell to the Deluxe Twin Beer Helmet, he's going to have to adapt as well. Like in a country where cows are sacred, perhaps you don't order a double cheeseburger.
  • Community, 30 Rock, The Office, The Apprentice

Friday

• ABC
  • Secret Millionaire - A one-hour alternative series that follows some of America's wealthiest people for one week as they leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous communities in America. Surviving on welfare wages, their mission is to discover the unsung heroes of America—deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need.
  • Body of Proof - Dr. Megan Hunt was in a class of her own, a brilliant neurosurgeon at the top of her game. Her world is turned upside down when a devastating car accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. Megan resumes her career as a medical examiner determined to solve the puzzle of who or what killed the victims. Megan’s instincts are sharp, but she’s developed a reputation for graying the lines of where her job ends and where the police department’s begins.
  • 20/20
• CBS     
  • Blue Bloods - A drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement. Frank Reagan is the New York City Police Commissioner and heads both the police force and the Reagan brood. He runs his department as diplomatically as he runs his family, even when dealing with the politics that plagued his unapologetically bold father, Henry, during his stint as Chief.
  • Medium, CSI: NY
• The CW     
  • Smallville, Supernatural
• FOX     
  • Human Target, Good Guys
• NBC
  • School Pride - Studies show that beautiful schools result in higher scholastic achievement, and we're putting that theory to the test. Each week, we empower an entire community as we renovate a rundown school and watch as its pride grows. Every episode features touching personal stories of children, parents and teachers experiencing the amazing transformations of their school grounds and athletic fields. Surprise celebrity appearances and seeing it all happen against the clock add drama to this inspirational show.
  • Outlaw - Few jobs are guaranteed for a lifetime, and a Supreme Court appointment is one you just don't quit. Unless you're Cyrus Garza (Smits). A playboy and a gambler, Justice Garza always adhered to a strict interpretation of the law. Until he realized the system he always believed in was flawed. Now, he's quit the bench and returned to being an attorney. Determined to represent "the little guy," he's using his inside knowledge of the justice system to take on today's biggest legal cases. And making plenty of powerful people unhappy along the way.
  • Dateline NBC

Saturday

• ABC     
  • College Football
• CBS     
  • Crimetime Saturday, 48 Hours Mystery
• FOX
  • Cops, America's Most Wanted

Sunday

• ABC     
  • America's Funniest Home Videos, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters
• CBS
  • 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, Undercover Boss, CSI: Miami
• FOX
  • The OT, The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, American Dad
• NBC
  • Football Night in America, Sunday Night Football

Braden's Picks, New Shows

• CBS: Hawaii Five-0
• CBS: Blue Bloods - Tom Selleck, ‘nuff said
• CBS: $#*! My Dad Says - William Shatner, ‘nuff said
• ABC: No Ordinary Family

Ara's Picks, New Shows

• CBS: Hawaii Five-0
• CBS: $#*! My Dad Says

Braden's Picks, Returning Shows

• ABC: Castle
• CBS: NCIS, The Mentalist
• FOX: Human Target, Good Guys
• NBC: Chuck, The Office, Community, 30 Rock

Ara's Picks, Returning Shows

• ABC: Modern Family
• CBS: How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Survivor
• FOX: House, Bones, Fringe, Hells Kitchen
• NBC: Chuck, 30 Rock

Download Episode #439

Comments

[Rob H.]

I know The HT Guys focus on the major networks, but my most anticipated show BY FAR is "The Walking Dead" on AMC.

Seriously, Ara, Braden, you guys are missing out on the absolute BEST television shows that are on right now! I never hear you guys talk about "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad", or "Rubicon" - all of which are excellent, and all of which are on AMC!

[dh]

You guys need to check out syfy network during the summer (eureka, warehouse 13 and haven) are great shows. Also check out Leverage on tnt and Covert Affairs on usa.

[TGS]

I think "The Walking Dead" will be cool too but don't get too excited just yet. They've only ordered 6 episodes. If it doesn't find an audience, it could turn out to be nothing more than a mini-series.

[Rob H.]

@TGS - thankfully, the one good thing about being on AMC is that their shows don't have to pull in the same sort of ratings as the big networks :)

It is a little worrisome that "The Walking Dead" only got a 6-episode order for its first season, but I have faith. The early footage looks amazing and loyal (but not slavish) to the source material. Given how utterly superb the comic book is and the talent of the writing team, I feel as though this really is a show worth getting behind and hyping up to people who are unfamiliar with the title!

All of AMC's series thus far have started out somewhat small and then just grown and grown and grown. I love that they give enough freedom to the creators to really tell compelling and fresh stories and I think that "The Walking Dead" is a perfect fit and I was so glad to see AMC be the channel to pick it up!

There was so much worry over "Breaking Bad's" first season and the way it was truncated due to the writer's strike. But AMC showed faith in the show and its creators and it has obviously paid off in critical acclaim as well as rising viewership. All of the early critical buzz over "The Walking Dead" has me very hopeful :)

AMC isn't NBC or Fox. And I could not possibly be any happier about that! :D

[Paul W]

Well done guys on the edit job. If you hadn't said it was being combined during post I would have known any thing different..

[Bryan]

I think it's moved to mid-season, but The Cape looks promising.

[Rob H.]

The news is up!

"The Walking Dead" starts on Halloween - Sunday, Oct. 31 at 10pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC HD!

I'm not sure how a Halloween debut will do for ratings, but I guess AMC wanted to get a little more press with the whole zombie theme and everything :p

So, Ara & Braden, you two might have missed out so far on the excellence of "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad" and "Rubicon", but you can, and should, get in on the awesomeness that is "The Walking Dead"!

Set your DVRs! And if you're stuck on DirecTV (which apparently doesn't have AMC HD), it's either time to switch, or time to start harassing DirecTV until they add this essential channel !

[TGS]

@Rob H

Some good news. Even though no one has seen a full ep yet, Walking Dead already has a second season. No mention of how many eps that actually is.

http://blastr.com/2010/09/walking-dead-is-so-good-i.php

[Grant]

+1 for 'Leverage'. It's one of the few shows I've seen that uses surround sound 'more than occasionally'. Been watching it on DVD and it's a great example of surround. Every room you walk into has sound coming from all the walls and every direction, doesn't it? Sadly, television/filmmakers haven't -realised- that, but 'Leverage' is a very decent step in the right direction. Thanks to Dean Devlin for giving us ANOTHER great show & a great demo for surround.