Tag Archives: Shows To Watch

May 9 2014

What I’m Diggin’ And Why You Should Be Diggin’ It Too — Upcoming Shows Edition

‘A lo, ladies and gents!

I’m back again when another installment of all the things I’m diggin’ and why you should be diggin’ them too. For tonight, I’ve decided to take a look at some of the shows that are coming soon to a TV near you and which ones have actually got me ready to set my reminders for its premieres.

So, first on my list of  TV shows I’m interested in:

Penny Dreadful

Synopsis:  “Explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, and others unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.”

Status:  Season 1 premiere on May, 11 at 10 p.m. (Showtime)

Why I’m Interested: Like some people out there, I can go for a good re-imagining of Gothic novel characters. If you haven’t seen the first episode of this new show, then you probably should. It looks like it’s gearing up to give you a good mix of characters we’ve seen from books/movies like Dracula, and Frankenstein, but all cleverly mixed together a la The League of Extraordinary Gentleman. The other reasons that I’m looking forward to this show: Eva Green (my goddess) and the return of Josh Hartnett. I’m already interested to see which characters (famous or not seen on paper) we’ll encounter on this show (spoiler: we meet one in the series premiere) and to also see how they all connect in some larger supernatural scheme of things. 

Did I mention Eva Green was going to be in it, too?

Bottom line: If you like a good Gothic horror story re-imagined in some form, then this might tickle your fancy.

Next up…

 Gotham

Synopsis: “The origin story behind Commissioner James Gordon’s rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman’s arrival.”

Status:  Season 1 premiere in Fall 2014 (FOX)

Why I’m Interested: I’m always up for a good Batman-inspired something or the other, and this time we’re not going to see the caped crusader, but instead Commissioner Gordon before her was the Commissioner. Ooooh. From the extended trailer, we also see that we’re going to get a black female mob boss in the form of Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett) and we’re going to see all our favorite bad people — Riddler, Penguin, Cat Woman, Poison Ivy, and the Joker (yes, the Joker!) — before Batsy got his claws in them.

Bottom line: This looks like the makings of a good origins show, so I’m gonna give it a chance.

And last, but certainly not least ,

Hieroglyph

Synopsis:  “A notorious thief is plucked out of the prison to serve a Pharaoh obsessed with maintaining power.”

Status:  Season 1 premiere (FOX)

Why I’m Interested:  This show’s got my interest for the fact that it’s set in Ancient Egypt and/or is Ancient Egyptian themed. As a child, I wanted to be an Egyptologist, so finally seeing something of a culture in history that I adore ON TV is exciting to me. As it stands, we’ve had period shows from The Renaissance (Da Vinci’s Demons), Victorian, England (Penny Dreadful, Dracula), Colonial Times (Black Sails), Reign of the Tudors (The Tudors, The White Queen), and even Ancient Rome (Rome) and Ancient Greece (Xena, Hercules). Finally, Ancient Egypt is getting some shine. Oh, and Condola Rashad is playing Queen Nefertari, so that’s a win-win for me too. Don’t know what to expect, but I’m willing to watch it and see where it goes.

Bottom line: If you’re a history buff, then you should probably give it a shot.

And that’s what I’ve got for this week’s upcoming TV edition. Tune in next week to see if your show tops my list, and remember if you’ve got any suggestions, feel free to send them my way.

Until then,

Got a show you’re anxious for? Let’s chat about it in the comments and connect on Twitter to live-tweet these upcoming shows!

 

May 2 2014

What I’m Diggin’ And Why You Should Be Diggin’ It Too — Canceled Edition

‘A lo, ladies and gents!

I’m back again when another installment of all the things I’m diggin’ and why you should be diggin’ them too. But for tonight, I’ve decided to go shed a tear for the shows that have come and gone (coincidentally all after one season) that I thoroughly enjoyed and cursed the heavens for taking  away from me.

Hey, if people can mourn family, celebrities, and their pet goldfish, I can mourn television shows.

So, first on my list of  canceled TV shows that I miss:

Wedding Band

Synopsis:  “Lifelong friends play in a band for hire.”

Status:  Canceled after Season 1 (TBS)

Why I’m Missin’ It:This show was basically Glee, but for cool adults (no offense to Glee or anything). First off, it brought back Brian Austin Green as the frontman of a wedding band that played some of the most awesome renditions of pop songs. And I believe it was all their own singing, too. Harold Perrineau was the cool guy who played for every famous rock band alive, while Derek Miller and Peter Cambor were the brothers who were polar opposites with a passion for playing music. I’m sorry guys, but this show was like The Hangover with musical tidbits in between. Oh, and lest not forget Melora Hardin as the sexy, vampy, boss who took “Get Ur Freak On” to another level.

Bottom line: This show had guts. And it was fun. And it TBS did a better job of not putting it on Saturday nights, it would’ve been a fan favorite.

Next up…

 Almost Human

Synopsis: “In a not-so-distant future, human cops and androids partner up to protect and serve.”

Status:  Canceled after Season 1 (FOX)

Why I’m Missin’ It:   OK. So this show gave a bit of mixed feelings for some. And I will admit, I wasn’t able to always catch it (due to work), but when I did watch it, it always kept me entertained. I binged on the last four episodes without further thought and was ready to find out what the hell happened to Karl Urban’s character, Kennex, whose ex-girlfriend (a black actress, woot!) was a part of a terrorist organization. I also wanted to know what was going to happen to Michael Ealy’s character, Dorian, and if he was actual (dum, dum, DUM) human before becoming a robot! This show had a good premise, and it was a good mix of science fiction without being too ahead in the future to be relatable. It was good balance of I-Robot, Gattaca, and AI, which is the reason why I kept coming back.

And let’s be really honest: who the freak wouldn’t want to look into Michael Ealy’s beautiful eyes one hour a week, huh?

Bottom Line: Fox is known for not giving good shows and chance and they totally missed the mark with Almost Human. If only Syfy or FX would pick the show up and give it new life, this show would be make Fox cry in shame. 

And last, but certainly not least:

Camelot

Camelot; 2011

Synopsis:  “King Uther dies suddenly. Britain is facing chaos. The sorcerer Merlin appoints the not so known son and heir Arthur as the king who was raised as a commoner, but his half sister has other plans. Arthur faces tough times and will be tested beyond imagination.”

Status:  Canceled after Season 1 (Starz)

Why I’m Missin’ It:  If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I’m a history/fantasy/mythology nut bag. And this show gave me a great mixture of it all. It worked in the magical aspect of the King Arthur story without beating it over the head, and it had the right amount of sexiness without being gratuitous. This show also had a pretty sweet cast with (the secret not-so-secret love of my life) Eva Green as Morgan Le Fey (neé Pendragon), Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, and Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere. I will mourn this show. I will mourn this show so much — especially since it ended right when things were getting so good. And my biggest peeve with this show? It didn’t have bad ratings! The real reason Starz bumped this show off the rost was because it didn’t bring enough new subscribers to the network. Le sigh, man. Le sigh.

Good lord, she gives me a lady boner.

Bottom line: This show didn’t have to end and Starz is a giant poop face for letting this gem go.

And that’s what I’ve got for this week’s canceled TV edition. Tune in next week to see if your show tops my list, and remember if you’ve got any suggestions, feel free to send them my way.

Until then,

Are you already a fan? Let’s chat about it in the comments and connect on Twitter to live-tweet the next episode!

 

Apr 11 2014

What I’m Diggin’ And Why You Should Be Diggin’ It Too — Flashback Edition

‘A lo, ladies and gents!

I’m back again when another installment of all the things I’m diggin’ and why you should be diggin’ them too. But for tonight, I’ve decided to go back in time into yesteryear when TV was a lot simpler and list some (yes, not all) of the TV shows that are currently in syndication years after they’ve been cancelled that I still watch.

Hey, great TV is great TV — no matter how old it is, how young you were when it came out, or how old the actors on it are.

So, first on my list of “Flashback TV” to watch:

The Golden Girls

Synopsis: “Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.”

Status: In syndication on Hallmark Channel, Lifetime Channel

Why I’m Diggin’ It: What is not to love about four witty old broads — Dorothy, Blanch, Sophia, and Rose — talking about life, love, and sex while eating cheesecake? I wasn’t old enough to know and appreciate this show when it was around, but as an adult I can laugh along with every single joke, or sympathize with almost every situation (except for the hot flashes — I haven’t reached there yet). With that said, the show is a true testament to “things that never get old.” And the best part? If this show is still around when I turn 50, I’ll have something on TV catering to my age demographic!

Bottom line: If you loved Sex and the City, this show is basically Carey Bradshaw and the gang much older and living under one roof.

Next up…

Martin

Synopsis: “The random misadventures of Martin Payne, an abrasive, loud-mouthed (though somewhat insecure) Detroit talk show host and his assortment of friends and enemies.”

Status: In syndication on Centric TV, MTV 2

Why I’m Diggin’ It: It’s rare these days to have television shows about nothing in particular… while still being entertaining. Martin was a product of the era in TV where we followed peoples’ lives set in motion by creative writing and exceptional comedic timing. Not to mention, star Martin Lawrence played a solid EIGHT characters during the show’s run, including titular character Martin Payne. Each character was well-developed and distinct and at times, you forgot it was actually Martin! This show is guaranteed to give me a belly full of laughs every time I watch.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to catch Martin Lawrence at his ABSOLUTE funniest, do yourself the favor and watch this show.

Finally,

The Cosby Show

Synopsis: “The goings-on in the life of a successful African American family.”

Status: In syndication on Centric TV, TV Land, Nick at Nite

Why I’m Diggin’ It: Is that really a questions? The synopsis says it all. Cliff was a doctor, Claire was a lawyer, they lived in a brownstone in Brooklyn, NY with five children. Yeah, that may sound boring, but this show had it ALL — comedy, drama, social awareness — without being overbearing and preachy. With all the things this family had going on, I wanted to be a Huxtable.

Bottom line: If you want to watch quite possibly the best family sitcom of our time that probably opened the door for other shows like it, watch it. Nothing beats the original.

I just had to…

If you don’t know what this is, you should Google and/or YouTube                 “Gordon Gartrell”

And for honorable mention…

Living Single

Synopsis: “Lives of several single male and female roommates and friends in the 90’s Brooklyn, New York.”

Status: In syndication on We TV and Logo

Why I’m Diggin’ It: There was the sexpot workaholic, the jazz-singing stock broker, the stylish man hunter, the tomboy journalist, the loveable goofy ball actress, and the wisdom-filled handyman. All living in an apartment building in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up, they had the kind of lifestyle and friendship I could only dream of having as an adult.

Bottom Line: If you like Sex and the City, but want a little more comedy in your diet, Living Single goes down smooth.

And that’s what I’ve got for this week’s Flashback edition. Tune in next week to see if your show tops my list, and remember if you’ve got any suggestions, feel free to send them my way.

Until then,

Are you already a fan? Let’s chat about it in the comments and connect on Twitter to live-tweet the next episode!

 

Apr 5 2014

What I’m Currently Diggin’ — And Why You Should Be Diggin’ It Too!

Here’s the deal:  I’ve been told that I watch way too much TV — and it’s partially true. I watch quite a few shows, but the only problem is that I tend to watch things that not a lot of my pals are into. And it’s pretty damn frustrating when I’m ready to go head first into my theories, likes, dislikes, etc., and I find there’s no one around to speak to. Le sigh. So, why is it that I’m the lone viewer in my crew? This can be one of two reasons: either I’m just very open-minded when it comes to TV (aka “weird”) or my friends/fam just don’t get why I’m into these shows.

Well ladies and gents, today is your LUCKY day! I’ve decided that I’m going to put you guys on to a series of shows that I’m diggin’ and that you could to like too. Now I figure that my list today may or may not strike a chord in some of you, so I intend to do this every week until I’ve found some kindred spirits. Oh, and it won’t just be TV shows either, but for right now, we’re gonna start things off a little light.

So, what shows am I going to talk about first? Let’s just see, shall we:

The Blacklist (Mon. 10 p.m. ET on NBC)


Synopsis: “Former government agent Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) has eluded capture for decades. But he suddenly surrenders to the FBI with an offer to help catch a terrorist under the condition that he speaks only to Elizabeth “Liz” Keen (Megan Boone), a young FBI profiler who’s just barely out of Quantico. “

Status: Currently in Season 1

Why I’m Diggin’ It: First and foremost, the show’s star, James Spader, is the freaking man. I don’t care how much weight he’s gained, or how much hair he’s lost. There’s something about this guy’s caliber of acting that just makes you all tingly when you see it in action. When James talks, it just demands your attention and his role as the ever-conniving informant is quite possibly one of the best things I’ve seen on TV.

Bottom line: If you like shows with characters that are masters of manipulation, then you’ll enjoy this.

Next up… 

Grimm (Fri. 9 p.m. on NBC)


Synopsis: “A homicide detective discovers he is a descendant of hunters who fight supernatural forces.”

Status: Currently in Season 3

Why I’m Diggin’ It: I think my feelings on this show have been made quite clear by this point, but what I absolutely love about this show is that it’s got cop action, family drama, and a unique take on the characters of the Grimm’s fairy tales. It’s fantasy without being too over-the-top, while simultaneously not taking itself too serious. Every week there’s something new, while staying true to the core of the show and that to me makes for fun TV.

Bottom line: If you like shows that reshape the fairy tales you grew up loving, then you’ll enjoy this.

And finally…

Resurrection (Sun. 9 p.m. on ABC)


Synopsis: “The lives of the people of Arcadia, Missouri, are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return.”

Status: Currently in Season 1

Wouldn’t you want to know why your dead aunt popped up on YOUR doorstep?

 

Why I’m Diggin’ It: This new show kicks off with a little boy named Jacob waking up in China, and ends with us learning that he’s been dead for about 30 years. With every episode seemingly adding another dead loved one returning to their family (or possibly in hiding), this show is interesting to say the least. These walking dead — not like those Walking Dead — are all somehow connected, and the shady Sheriff Fred, his inquisitive daughter, Maggie, and federal agent Marty (Omar Epps) all want to piece the bizarre clues together. Meanwhile, we’re learning that more dead people are coming back and they might not be as friendly as the ones we’ve seen…

Bottom line: If you’re looking to take a chance on a show filled with mystery and head scratching, then you’ll enjoy this.

These are the shows I’ve got so far, but I’ll be back next week with yet another list, but in the meantime I hope you give these shows a shot! If you’ve got some suggestions, be sure to send them my way. Until then,

Are you already a fan? Let’s chat about it in the comments and connect on Twitter to live-tweet the next episode!