Overall, there were quite a few new shows. Some I preferred enough that I gave up on some of the older shows I was watching, like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. With so many network and cable shows, you can’t watch everything, but the summer is a great time to catch up on what you didn’t watch. So, I have four recommendations for first season shows that are worth watching over the summer and picking up next season. They ended up being different genres, so pick the one that most fits with what you like. In order to not spoil the show, I haven’t given too many specifics, just some of the reasons I have enjoyed the show’s first season.
I was a huge fan of the original mini-series when I was growing up. When they decided to have a remake, I was thrilled, but not sure how they could do it when … well … we know the aliens are lizards. The remake is definitely a revamp. It did a great job of addressing the similarities to the original early in the series. But, this is not the original show. It is full of surprises and the story has moved quickly. The aliens are lizards, but we don’t know why they are here, what they want, and we see them use extreme manipulation to win over the earthlings. It’s also a quick show to catch up on with only 12 episodes in the first season.
This show has gotten something of a bad rap because it is a spin-off of a spin-off (JAG to NCIS), and the first three episodes were not very strong. I ended up liking NCIS: LA much better than the original NCIS this season (which is a topic for another post). I admit the first few episodes were not the best. The acting was a little off and the roles of each character were not well defined. But, then the show hit its stride. NCIS: LA is a fast-paced action show with the agents going undercover, while NCIS is more of a criminal investigation show. The season had quite a few suspenseful episodes and brought up questions of national security and terrorism.
I didn’t start watching this when the season began. There were just too many shows on Thursday night and I decided to see how the feedback was on the show, before watching it. Thankfully in December, the CW aired all the episodes in one week. I DVR’d them and watched them over the winter hiatus and am so glad I did. While this is another vampire show, it is not like any of the others. This show takes place in a town that has a deep history and lore about vampires, witches and the town folk. While there is romance in the show and it is a key storyline, it is not just a romance. Every episode moves the story along. You get answers and it will shock you! Storylines that other shows would milk for a full season, Vampire Diaries resolves in a few episodes.
I didn’t expect to like this show and originally did not watch it. But, one day I wanted to watch something while not feeling well and Parenthood was on demand. I ended up watching the first three episodes over three days. This show feels very authentic to me. It is a real family. A family that, despite their problems, I wouldn’t mind being a member of. The actors are perfectly matched to their roles. Somehow the show takes real life problems and doesn’t take the easy, predictable route, but it is still realistic. Like V, this is a quick show to catch up on with only 13 episodes this season.
These are the top shows I would recommend you catch up on, but a few others that I really enjoyed and will continue watching next season are: The Good Wife, Modern Family, Glee and Human Target. I don’t watch everything, so if there is a show I’m missing, please put it in the comments. Or, if you disagree!
Clacked by Guest Clacker
on May 21, 2010 @ 12:53 EST5EDT
For me, the best new network tv show was Vampire Diaries, if only because it absolutely exceeded my expectations. I was prepared for another vampire show as a result of the whole vampire craze going around these days, but was pleasantly surprised by Ian Somerhalder’s performance, by the script, settings and overall feel of the show, not to mention one of the best season finales :)
Carla, I see you only mentioned shows on network television, but I would like to recommend two other shows on cable worth checking.
First, White Collar on USA, just 13 eps – you can catch up until the second season premiere in July. If you liked NCIS LA, i’m guessing this will be right up your alley:) And I know some of your colleagues here at CliqueClack are really into this show, if that’s an incentive :)
Second, Spartacus:Blood and Sand on Starz, one of the few shows whose quality and ratings actually increased with new episodes – but only if you’re not turned off by bloody scenes, nudity and profanities (in a Deadwood sort of way).
Enjoy!
I love White Collar! I would definitely recommend that show as well. Including cable shows, I could have included quite a few others. The twists and turns on that show keep you on the edge of your seat and well, Neil Cafferty is one of the most intriguing characters on television.
I haven’t seen Spartacus. I do have Starz so I will give it a try. (Many Starz shows are also available via Netflix streaming too)
I agree 100% about NCIS: LA. I As the season went on, my wife and I found ourselves watching those episodes before NCIS. The show got good, and the ratings are there, but I don’t think any major critics noticed, because they’d all written the show off after an episode or two.
I found myself doing the same thing. The first few eps definitely hurt it. I think the ratings could have been even higher. But, I also think that often it takes a show, the actors, writers, etc to find the groove of their show. And, fortunately this show found it and it was a fun ride!
Thank-you for the heads up on shows I have been missing. I am going to give Vampire Diaries, Parent Hood, and Modern Family a shot. I have been watching CSI LA since the first, and I agree it has gotten better and better-although, for me, it is still not as good as NCIS. With NCIS, NCIS LA, and Good Wife, CBS has a lock on Tuesday night-if it wasn’t for my DVR and Tivo; Tuesday would be a real problem. I also have commented before, and agree with many of the posts above, basic cable is just getting better and better. Not only “White-Collar”,but “Burn Notice” Closer” Plain-Sight”, “Southland”, “Justified”, and too many more to list. I am a little disappointed with the premium channels-except for “Maher” and a few comedy specials–HBO/MAX has been a real let down. I gave up on Spartacus after about half season, not gore or sex, just boring to me-so again Starz and Encore are spotty. I’m questioning if the extra bucks for those channels are really worth the money. The new fall up-fronts were interesting. They dropped a few of the shows I really liked, especially L&O, but, I am willing to give them a chance–NBC has nowhere to go but Up. Incidentally, can someone answer why they didn’t shift L&O to USA, like they did with L&O CI. In my opinion, Alana De La Garza is one of the be ADA’s in a group of women that have set a high standard over the course of that show. I was happy that FOX kept “Human Target” and “Lie to Me”. They are on my don’t miss list.
Warehouse 13 was a very fun show that premiered last summer, and, like many of the above recommendations, only has 13 episodes to catch up on before the new season starts.
I liked W-13. I need to still watch the last 3 eps of the first season. I know the first 5 are available on demand. Definitely worth watching!