A week ago, I picked out my choice new series premiering in the 2010-2011 season for NBC, ABC, and FOX. Now, CBS and the CW step up to the plate.

Starting with CBS, I want to point out that they have probably the most change to their schedule. Having surprisingly canceled Ghost Whisperer (which I didn’t watch, but like many, thought it was gonna be back), and also canceling everything from their failing try at a Wednesday comedy block (Gary Unmarried, …Christine, and Accidentally on Purpose), plus canceling dying Cold Case and Numb3rs, and failing new dramas Three Rivers and Miami Medical, let’s just say, they have a lot of room to fill. For starters, Monday, where is their new biggest show, Big Bang Theory? It’s moving to Thursdays making room on regular Monday comedy block for a new comedy. And CSI: Miami? It’s going to Sundays so CBS can premiere the new Hawaii Five-O, starring Alex O’Loughlin (of two previously canned CBS dramas, Moonlight and Three Rivers) and Danial Dae Kim (Lost). Hope this former CSI: Miami slot, which was solid in ratings, means Alex O’Loughlin might have a show go onto at least a FULL season (Moonlight was 16 eps, Three Rivers never even finished airing, though, FYI, CBS will burn those eps off this summer starting on June 5th.)

Next drama, is of course the spin-off to Criminal Minds, which won’t premiere until midseason, has yet to have an official title. One series, that I initially thought of not checking out, but after watching the preview trailer, I think it might be pretty good, and that is The Defenders, starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell. The Defenders will replace CSI:NY (which is moving to Fridays, see a lot of big changes) on Wednesdays at 10PM.

As for comedies, there is the much talked about Shit My Dad Says (title currently written as “$#*! My Dad Says” or “Bleep My Dad Says”), but is starring William Shatner and is based on the Twitter feed of the same name. But, this will be part of CBS’s new comedy hour on Thursdays, on 8:30pm (after Big Bang Theory), essentially moving Survivor to the 8pm hour on Wed. that CBS has been failing in (hope this means low enough ratings to say “Sayonara.”)

View more trailers/previews: CBS New Series Trailers – the futon critic } CBS 2010-2011 schedule press release – the futon ctiric

Next up, the little itty-bitty network, the CW. They’ve renewed practically all they have, including my faves, Supernatural, Smallville, and their new biggest hit, Vampire Diaries. So, they only have one itty-bitty series, and its another reboot/follow-up (just not a soapy one like 90210 and Melrose Place). No, this is Nikita, a reboot to La Femme Nikita, starring Maggie Q, Shane West, Aaron Stanford, and Melinda Clarke. The CW is putting this on after Vampire Diaries in the Thurs. 9pm slot, pushing Supernatural to Fridays after Smallville (wish they moved those 2 to Tuesday, and put the ANTM crap to Friday and LUX and OTH to Wednesday. Oh well, it’s confirmed that the 10th season of Smallville is the last, and Supernatural has to end at some point, might as well go out on a high note).

CW Schedule – the futon critic

And these last two posts consists of just the broadcast nets.

With three schedules already announced (NBC, FOX, and ABC), and two more left (CBS and CW), it’s time to look at what new series might be worth watching. Now, my way of choosing what I’ll watch varies from if there is someone I really, really like (such as Matthew Perry’s new series Mr. Sunshine), the creator of a series (like checking out anything J.J Abrams does, so that means the new NBC series, Undercovers), and/or even just the director of a pilot episode is maybe enough for me to check it out. But, there are times when the plot is enough to hold its own.

To start off, FOX is pretty light. With them having actually renewed quite a bit of their programming (including Human Target and Lie to Me, which I think was partly due to not wanting to change much of what is working for them in ratings, and, in the case of Human Target, in need of a 24 replacement (although, Human Target is gonna move to Fridays, so it could just be used as filler instead). Either way, FOX doesn’t have much in new series on the schedule, and further more, of what they have, only one midseason series that’s not even on the schedule yet is worth watching. Terra Nova is from Executive-Producer Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24) and David Fury (Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and is about a family that goes back in time to prehistoric Earth. Now, this could just be an excuse for Spielberg to bring out the dinosaur toys again, but deals with Earth dying, and this team gets sent back for the sole purpose of possibly preventing humans from making the same mistake. Something tells me, with good marketing, FOX may want to consider premiering this, I don’t know, April 22, 2011? (eh, maybe just sometime in that week, since that’s a Friday).

FOX has one potential comedy from Will Arnett called Running Wilde (set to air this fall, Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c PM). And premiering this summer, is The Good Guys (premiering Monday, set in the fall on Friday 9/8c PM), which I may catch as it stars Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks. Everything else appear to be duds, but you can take a look at the trailers available: FOX 2010-2011 Trailers

ABC also has a weak pack, with the main highlight (in my opinion) being the wonderful Matthew Perry in his own show, Mr. Sunshine. Unfortunately, it’s midseason without a confirmed airdate.

Another possible series is No Ordinary Family, which stars Michael Chiklis (The Shield) and Julie Benz (Dexter, Buffy/Angel), where a family are involved in a plane crash and find themselves with powers. Set to air this fall on Tuesday, 8/7c PM.

View Other ABC Trailers

And then there’s NBC, where Heroes is canceled, and a new series starring Summer Glau emerges in the form of The Cape, where a man is framed for crimes he didn’t commit, fakes his death, and assumes the identity of his son’s favorite comic book hero. (Set for midseason)

The next notable series is Undercovers from J.J. Abrams (the man behind Alias, Lost, Fringe, and the 2009 Star Trek movie). The spy-drama, is about two spies that fell in love, retired, but are forced back in when another spy, and friend, goes missing. (Set to air this fall on Wed. 8/7c PM).

Next, The Event, starring Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia, the Class), Laura Innes (ER), Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls, and Emmy winner Zeljko Ivanek (Damages). Looks like it could be pretty interesting, got a whole thriller conspiracy thing workin’ for it. (set for Mondays, 9/8c PM, after Chuck)

As for comedies, NBC has been hitting lows lows, and lows with their comedies lately. I’ll mention Friends with Benefits since Oscar and Emmy winner Brian Grazer is behind it (A Beautiful Mind, Arrested Development), and it stars Ryan Hansen (who played Dick Casablancas on Veronica Mars, and currently in the Starz series Party Down) and also Fran Kranz (Topher from Dollhouse). (set for midseason).

FOX’s 2010 Fall/Preliminary Winter 2011 Schedule – the futon critic
ABC’s 2010 Fall Schedule – the futon critic
NBC Fall 2010 Schedule – the futon critic

Coming soon, CBS and CW new series lineup.

I remember growing up without any cable TV networks, including MTV. But, whenever I was at my grandparents, MTV was a network we’d watch (now this is the early 90s, they still showed videos then). The only non-music program we watched was Beavis and Butt-head (and that even had them, I guess you can say, do commentary to shortened music videos). Even earlier in the 90s, or really late 80s, for me, when we visited my mom’s family 400 miles away, we stayed at my great-grandmother’s apartment, and from time to time, watched MTV (yes, my great-grandmother would watch MTV too). I remembered they didn’t restrict themselves to the newest videos, as I remember “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which at that time, was easily 3 years old. I remember 1990, with Aerosmith “Janie’s Got A Gun,” and Jon Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” (loved that video as a little 5 year old).

The point is, I loved music videos. We had the VHS tapes for Def Leppard Hysteria videos (which wasn’t just Hysteria, also had Pyromania ones as well) and Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet the videos, so those were the only way for us to watch videos. NBC used to have Friday Night Videos (YEAH, I remember that), which became our only source for music videos, being an antenna family.

But in 1995, we got Primestar, a satellite dish company, but MTV wasn’t part of our lineup (or, wasn’t available to Primestar, I was only 10), but I remember when we got it, in Oct. ’95, it was available to us, and right when I got home from school, I tuned to it, and Bush “Comedown” was on. That’s how much I loved having the station. They played videos in the afternoon, so everyday we’d tune to it after school, caught the likes of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know,” and more from the likes of U2, REM, as well as the shit being played at that time (Rap, not a fan of it) which there’s a ‘Mute’ button for. And, of course, Beavis and Butt-Head, which eventually even my parents ended up liking.

But the late 90′s became a problem. Right after school, this stupid video countdown was on (TRL, Which I believe stood for ‘Total Request Live,’ but it wasn’t a pure ‘request show,’ just more of a voting of current videos into a countdown, so MTV failed to understand one concept). And that was an hour of videos, MTV increased how often Real World and Road Rules was shown, and even when videos came on, the new shit playing (the Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys) was enough to want your ears ripped off. And they were also more strict to new videos, rarely anything older than 6 months, it seemed. Tom Petty used to be the one artist MTV showed and honored, but they swept him under the rug for young assholes, there is no nice way to put it. Music Television was for all music, not just youthful. (Which is why we have VH-1 Classic, but, eh they have been showing some of those ’100 whatevers’ VH-1 loves, but the good thing is they are all MUSIC RELATED, so far).

As the years progressed, TRL wasn’t in the afternoon, and the only time blocks of videos were played were in the wee-hours of the morning, and for only a few hours at best. Now, with more shit like Jersey Shore airing, videos are compressed to near nothing (maybe once a week there is an hour block, maybe).

For over ten years, MTV has been increasing non-music programs, but continued to refer to themselves as ‘Music Television,’ while the masses, people like me, lean more towards ‘Moronic TV,’ or ‘Meaningless TV.’

Now that’s changing, MTV is officially re-branding their logo, removing the ‘Music Television’ tag-line. Unfortunately, the general manager, Stephen Friedman, is still blind and believes that “”Music is still at the center of so much of what we do, but we’ve really expanded what that means. We needed the logo to be flexible enough to have the artists within it but also the stars of our shows.” (AdAge.com).

When was the last time you remember anything MTV has done with music at its center?

MTV drops ‘Music Television’ from official logo – LA Times

What’s the ‘M’ in MTV for? – BuddyTV

MTV Finally Gives Up on Music – TV.Com

Small opinion:

Now, VH1 (the ‘VH’ is supposed to be ‘Video Hits’) should follow, as they don’t showcase ‘videos’ much no more as well, neither does MTV2. Also, Cartoon Network needs to adjust their logo, as they have strayed from actual cartoons several times. Even TNT and TBS switch their roles, ’cause I remember a few occasions where TBS is showing something more on the drama side than comedy, despite TBS’s tagline is ‘Very Funny,’ and TNT’s is ‘We Know Drama.’ Seems like networks just can’t stick to one thing, since Sci-Fi Channel showed wrestling and they rebranded last year to Syfy, so they can justify showing wrestling, but other than that, all the programming is still consistent in the sci-fi/fantasy realm.

Now, typically something like this wouldn’t really be worth talking much on, but this one in particular isn’t disgraceful. The ad from ManCrunch.com (a dating site for gay men) was denied airing during the Super Bowl. I have seen it, found it kind of funny, though I would understand that it was pulled if it was the quality of the ad (very low budget), but no. Their reason: Football fans don’t want to see that (by ‘that’ I mean where two dudes watching football touch eachothers hands slightly when reaching chips and then start making out while another fan sitting on a chair is shocked).

Okay, but they want to see an ad against abortions. Despite CBS saying they wouldn’t air advocacy ads, this one on Focus on the Family (a really Christian, very anti-Choice) will air, while six years ago, an ad that was critical of Bush and the war was denied. Hmmmm. (Source: watching the Rachel Maddow Show now while typing this).

But back to the gay dating site. With Football fans not wanting ads like that, then I hope eHarmony (and the like) will also not be seen, ’cause I’m taking it as football fans don’t want to see dating ads at all. Fine, as long as it’s fair.

However, Focus on the Family ad, which brings up a woman who went against doctor’s order on having an abortion and risk her life. Well, sure, it worked out for her, she got lucky, but it isn’t always gonna work, so this ad (which CBS possibly contributed to it) is advocating that all women in a similar position RISK THEIR LIVES for a small chance of survival to both the mother and child. But, that’s not the issue as much as CBS airing it, despite the ManCrunch ad is rejected because it didn’t “comply with the company’s Standards and Practices department,” or simply, they were uncomfortable with it ’cause, like CBS viewers as a whole, they are a bunch of old people living in the stone ages (my words, I don’t apologize, since everyone knows that CBS has more older viewers than the other broadcast nets).

I will go on the record that I’m a straight female, but I support gay rights and the woman’s right to choose, therefore I felt the need to point this out and give my opinion on the subject. I also want to point out that a 30-sec spot during the Super Bowl runs at about $2.5 MILLION, so if a company if willing to pay, why deny it? Also related, another ad for a video game “Dante’s Inferno” had been edited because the tagline “Go to Hell” CBS felt was “too extreme” for the Super Bowl, I find that interesting as well (thought major Football fans would be okay with violent games, though I get these are family events, but shouldn’t the Super Bowl be held differently, being live and an American Institution, that anything “offensive” should slide, then again, the Super Bowl seems to be slimming to an almost female event, with family watchdogs bitchin’ and compain’ that a LIVE sports event may have some F-bombs and the like). Obviously, I am very much against censorship too.

Now, the GoDaddy ads are in a completely different field, with sexual references, family groups may hate them, but guys love them, but even those ads get edited down, or banned as well (one this year won’t air, but that is a more legal issue with movie rights, not anything “offensive”).

Gay Dating Site Rejected – NY Daily News

Gay dating site may air elsewhere – Digital Journal

CBS Loves God, Hate Gays – Technorati
CBS rejects Dante’s Inferno ad – Kombo.com

The new series of the 2009-2010 season for television are continuing as the midseason lineup has arrived. There are only a handful worth checking, so far, two four good ones have premiered. FOX’s Human Target, which is getting an Idol boost (hm, wonder if FOX ever thought of giving Dollhouse that boost? Might have helped it a little) premiered with a special presentation before the return of FOX’s staple action series 24, and I happen to thought those two shows to be highly compatible, enough that I feel whenever Jack Baur does decide to finally retire, FOX has a series with the highly explosive action and fast moving plot to replace it. Starring Mark Valley, (had small recurring role in 1st season of Fringe, which I believe lead to him being the lead of his own series), as Christopher Chance, a dude that seems to have a deathwish, putting himself in extreme danger (first episode started him off as almost being blown up). Only two episodes have aired so far, but so far, so good. Human Target‘s regular timeslot is Wednesday nights 8/7c, which it has yet to air in that slot, as it premiered on a Sunday, and it’s previous ep was on at 9/8c after Idol versus a regular slot before it. I wonder why FOX shows sometimes fail, but Human Target does seem to have an Idol boost no matter, as the State of the Union address next week will push a new episode to air on next Tuesday instead. So just go to FOX’s Human Target Site to find out when the next episode actually airs.

The second series is the CW’s Life Unexpected, which airs regularly, so far without strange special timeslots or anything, Mondays at 9/8c, stars Roswell‘s Shiri Appleby, North Shore‘s Kristoffer Polaha, and Dawson’s Creek Kerr Smith. The series started with a teenager 15 yrs old (almost 16), named Lux (Brittany Robertson), applying for emancipation (she was going from foster home to foster home as she was never adopted) but needed signatures from her birth parents, played by Appleby and Polaha. Appleby’s character, Cate, is a 32 yr. old radio host, who was only Lux’s age when she got pregnant, and when the court didn’t grant Lux emancipation, Cate decided to be a parent and take Lux in. Only one episode has aired, and it’s actually quite good. Nothing supernatural, nothing violent, has some of the same charm that made Gilmore Girls good (but not as good, but still watchable). The ratings for the first episode even topped that of Gossip Girl, so it shows that the CW may need to think more along the lines of shows like this, whether than clog their airwaves with One Tree Hills and 90210s. What I find strong about it so far is the character interactions.

[Additions made 1/25/10 for 2 more series, Caprica and Spartacus: Blood and Sand]
Syfy premiered the prequel to Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, and I checked it out and plan to watch more. I did use to watch Battlestar Galactica, but it was before I had a DVR and at that time it was difficult to keep up with every interesting series. By the time I had a DVR, I was behind on the series. But I checked out Caprica hoping that since it’s a prequel, I could understand without Battlestar Galactica, which is so far true. Plus, the clip sequence of what’s to come featured a very special guest star, James Marsters (his appearance is in the March 5th episode).

Also, Starz premiered a new series (which they had already renewed a second season), called Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Unfortunately, I don’t have Starz, but was able to catch the new show thanks to the channel having an online stream of the pilot. I think what I find to be most intriguing is the cinematography. The graphic novel feel works for the show that’s full of blood and violence (and lots of sex to go with it). Starz is now officially competing against HBO and Showtime, with a solid drama that pushes boundaries. As mentioned, though, I won’t be able to catch the rest, since at my household, HBO is the chosen premium, and only when True Blood is on.

At the time of this writing, there’s only one more new series I can think of that may be worth watching, and that is NBC trying (again) to have a Parenthood series, based on the Ron Howard movie of the same name. The difference this time around? Ron Howard (director for the ’89 movie, and, according to IMdb, served as a producer for the short-lived ’90 series) and Brian Grazer (producer for the ’89 movie) will both serve as Executive Producers. And based on the tv spots, it looks pretty good. Did I mention Lauren Graham will be in it (Gilmore Girls), as well as Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Sports Night), Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Dax Shepard (Punk’d, When in Rome), & Erika Christensen (Six Degrees, Flightplan).

Check out this real funny trailer for the new series set to premiere after the Olympics on NBC:

Press Release

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 — In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, MTV Networks is presenting “Hope for Haiti,” a global telethon to air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT. “Hope for Haiti” will also be made available to MTV Networks International, CNN International and National Geographic channels worldwide.

Full article: the futon critic

Find out what you can do to help Haiti.

All new episodes scheduled for January 22nd (including the return of the CW’s Smallville and the series finale of FOX’s Dollhouse will air the following week on January 29th.

Sci-Fi Wire