Must-watch TV shows of the season

By Jamie Santoro
September 19, 2010

The shows you should watch:

1. “Lonestar” – One of the few Drama entries this year, “Lonestar” is Fox’s attempt to combine the heat of “Gossip Girl” and the nostalgia of “Dallas.” Bob Allen, played by newcomer James Wolk, is leading a double life: one in the fast-paced world of big oil and one trying to make it through the day to day. Juggling two lives and two women in different parts of Texas makes for a top show you should be watching this fall.  Featuring Adrianna Palicki and Jon Voight, “Lonestar “premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.

2. “Raising Hope” – A played-out concept: immature man finds out he has a kid and raises it with his rag-tag family. This show also has superb writing and an amazing cast (and by amazing cast I mean Martha Plimpton (she sings.) This is a tired formula done right. “Raising Hope” premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.

3. “Hawaii Five-0” – Every season needs a reboot right? Well this season is a new take on the classic cop drama.  A special unit of police deal with high-level crimes on the gorgeous beaches of Hawaii. One of the show’s best assets is its cast, featuring a who’s who of some of the biggest cult shows of the past five years: Alex O’Laughlin of the gone-too-soon cult favorite “Moonlight,” Daniel Dae Kim of “Lost” and Grace Park from “Battlestar Galactica” plus Scott Caan make up the force. Hawaii Five-0 premieres Sept. 20 on CBS.

4. “Boardwalk Empire” – Before Al Capone and every other notable gangster, there was Knucky Thompson. Martin Scorcese brings you a period piece about the rise of gangsters in the Prohibition era of Atlantic City. No, it’s not a movie but it looks like it. HBO’s deep pockets and ability to draw the big names help this new series sail above and beyond others. Starring Steve Buscemi and Michael Pitt, “Boardwalk Empire” premeries Sept. 19 on HBO.

5. “Running Wilde” – Two stars who will always be associated with certain characters from the past are back with a new laugh from Fox. Will Arrnet (“Arrested Development”) and Keri Russell (“Felicity”) star in a show about dumb rich people, sort of.  Arrnet is that dumb rich person, who hires former crush and humanitarian, played by Russell, to run his charity. Cue the funny.  “Running Wilde” premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.

The shows you’re not watching but should be:

1. “Mad Men” – Every week a new episode of “Mad Men” is like a new movie. It’s like watching a perfect little play. Emmy voters have agreed for the last three years that this is the best drama on television, which was proven evident after its third win a few weeks ago at the Emmy’s.  The last two episodes of “Mad Men,” “The Suitcase” and “The Summer Man,” are the best pieces of television to be put on the air since “The West Wing.”  Mad Men is on Sunday nights on AMC.

2. “House” – A lot of people do watch this show but still not enough. A medical procedural at its core but more importantly, the best character drama on air. It involves a group of doctors too smart for their own good, psychologically pulling each other apart half the time, while the rest of the time they bicker over the most nauseating and questionable illnesses. A consistently great show that, even after seven seasons, still has people excited. “House” airs Mondays on Fox.

3. “Life UneXpected” – A concept that has been done millions of times has been done again: teen pregnancy.  Stop the eye rolling. This show is cute without causing a headache, funny without trying too hard and refreshingly honest. Most teen dramas hit the same bumps every time but this show avoids them with grace and ease. Easily the best new show of last season, so let’s try and keep it around for another, okay? “Life UneXpected” airs Tuesdays on The CW.

4. “Dexter” – A serial killer to love. After the best season finale of any show in a long time, Dex is back this fall. Last season ended with a bang thanks to fearless writers and a network with a lot of promise. Michael C. Hall is one of the best actors on television and it is most likely because of this show. The writers always leave a little more to want and always have viewers coming back for more. “Dexter” airs Sundays on Showtime.

5. “30 Rock”/”Parks & Recreation/“Community” – Dear America, we all love “The Office.” But meet the rest of NBC’s Thursday lineup. They’re great. Honestly, they’re all funnier than “The Office.” Sorry but it’s true. Especially “Parks & Recreation and Community,” two newer shows that have really found their footing.

The shows you should watch:1. “Lonestar” – One of the few Drama entries this year, “Lonestar” is Fox’s attempt to combine the heat of “Gossip Girl” and the nostalgia of “Dallas.” Bob Allen, played by newcomer James Wolk, is leading a double life: one in the fast-paced world of big oil and one trying to make it through the day to day. Juggling two lives and two women in different parts of Texas makes for a top show you should be watching this fall.  Featuring Adrianna Palicki and Jon Voight, “Lonestar “premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.2. “Raising Hope” – A played-out concept: immature man finds out he has a kid and raises it with his rag-tag family. This show also has superb writing and an amazing cast (and by amazing cast I mean Martha Plimpton (she sings.) This is a tired formula done right. “Raising Hope” premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.3. “Hawaii Five-0” – Every season needs a reboot right? Well this season is a new take on the classic cop drama.  A special unit of police deal with high-level crimes on the gorgeous beaches of Hawaii. One of the show’s best assets is its cast, featuring a who’s who of some of the biggest cult shows of the past five years: Alex O’Laughlin of the gone-too-soon cult favorite “Moonlight,” Daniel Dae Kim of “Lost” and Grace Park from “Battlestar Galactica” plus Scott Caan make up the force. Hawaii Five-0 premieres Sept. 20 on CBS.4. “Boardwalk Empire” – Before Al Capone and every other notable gangster, there was Knucky Thompson. Martin Scorcese brings you a period piece about the rise of gangsters in the Prohibition era of Atlantic City. No, it’s not a movie but it looks like it. HBO’s deep pockets and ability to draw the big names help this new series sail above and beyond others. Starring Steve Buscemi and Michael Pitt, “Boardwalk Empire” premeries Sept. 19 on HBO.5. “Running Wilde” – Two stars who will always be associated with certain characters from the past are back with a new laugh from Fox. Will Arrnet (“Arrested Development”) and Keri Russell (“Felicity”) star in a show about dumb rich people, sort of.  Arrnet is that dumb rich person, who hires former crush and humanitarian, played by Russell, to run his charity. Cue the funny.  “Running Wilde” premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.The shows you’re not watching but should be:1. “Mad Men” – Every week a new episode of “Mad Men” is like a new movie. It’s like watching a perfect little play. Emmy voters have agreed for the last three years that this is the best drama on television, which was proven evident after its third win a few weeks ago at the Emmy’s.  The last two episodes of “Mad Men,” “The Suitcase” and “The Summer Man,” are the best pieces of television to be put on the air since “The West Wing.”  Mad Men is on Sunday nights on AMC.2. “House” – A lot of people do watch this show but still not enough. A medical procedural at its core but more importantly, the best character drama on air. It involves a group of doctors too smart for their own good, psychologically pulling each other apart half the time, while the rest of the time they bicker over the most nauseating and questionable illnesses. A consistently great show that, even after seven seasons, still has people excited. “House” airs Mondays on Fox.3. “Life UneXpected” – A concept that has been done millions of times has been done again: teen pregnancy.  Stop the eye rolling. This show is cute without causing a headache, funny without trying too hard and refreshingly honest. Most teen dramas hit the same bumps every time but this show avoids them with grace and ease. Easily the best new show of last season, so let’s try and keep it around for another, okay? “Life UneXpected” airs Tuesdays on The CW.4. “Dexter” – A serial killer to love. After the best season finale of any show in a long time, Dex is back this fall. Last season ended with a bang thanks to fearless writers and a network with a lot of promise. Michael C. Hall is one of the best actors on television and it is most likely because of this show. The writers always leave a little more to want and always have viewers coming back for more. “Dexter” airs Sundays on Showtime.5. “30 Rock”/”Parks & Recreation/“Community” – Dear America, we all love “The Office.” But meet the rest of NBC’s Thursday lineup. They’re great. Honestly, they’re all funnier than “The Office.” Sorry but it’s true. Especially “Parks & Recreation and Community,” two newer shows that have really found their footing.

1 thought on “Must-watch TV shows of the season”

  1. Nothing is funnier that The Office. I request that this fallacy be stricken from this article…Thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Gillian Naro
    Scranton, PA

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Jamie Santoro

1 thought on “Must-watch TV shows of the season”

  1. Nothing is funnier that The Office. I request that this fallacy be stricken from this article…Thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Gillian Naro
    Scranton, PA

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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