TV’s Freshman Year Report Card
March 19, 2007 by Kath Skerry
There have been some break out hits from the 2006-07 TV season. Some are critical darlings while others dominate the ratings. Sadly others have disappeared like David Blaine (when he doesn’t screw up those damn magic tricks illusions.)
What Freshman favorites would you like to see make it to their Sophomore season? And which shows were you sad to see flunk out. It’s show and tell, so make sure you tell others why YOUR favorite Freshman shows should be appointment TV. Fight hard enough and your comments might make it in to our GMMR TV Yearbook, Class of 2006-07.
Here’s the shows (let me know if there are any I missed)
CBS
- The Class
- Close to Home
- Jericho
- Rules of Engagement
- Shark
NBC
- 30 Rock
- Andy Barker, PI
- The Black Donnellys
- Friday Night Lights
- Heroes
- Raines
- Studio 60
ABC
- Big Day
- Brothers & Sisters
- Day Break
- Help Me Help You
- In Case of Emergency
- The Knights of Prosperity
- Men in Trees
- The Nine
- Notes from the Underbelly
- October Road
- Six Degrees
- Ugly Betty
FOX
- Drive
- The Loop
- Standoff
- The Wedding Bells
- The Winner
- Vanished
TNT
- Saved
TBS
- My Boys
- 10 Items or Less
HBO
- Big Love
- Epitafios
Showtime
- Dexter
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Filed under TV News
CBS:
Shark is good, but I don’t necessarily think it’s GREAT. Certainly not appointment TV, but worth watching.
NBC:
30 Rock has definitely come into its own as a great comedy. This one should NOT be missed and should be picked up for many seasons to come.
Heroes – there simply aren’t words to express the awesome-ness of this show. The stories are compelling if not captivating and most of the characters are worthy of the praise they are receiving. This is another can’t-miss for me that I hope will be around for a long time.
October Road – I taped the debut to see if it would be worth keeping up with given Gilmore Girls’ questionable return. My wife and I enjoyed the premiere and we’ll probably continue watching it until it gives us a reason not to. It seems the writers have quite bit in store for the viewers based on the promos, so it’s still a bit early to tell, but if I get really fired up about it, You’ll* be the first to hear from me.
*”You” being the GMMR family.
Friday Night Lights, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, and Heroes are definitely appointment TV, if in the least online the next morning.
The Class was just heating up and needs more time, as does Andy Barker PI and My Boys.
Of the shows I watch, I want to see The Black Donnellys and Friday Night Lights coming back for a second round more than any others! They’re two of my favorite shows, and especially Friday Night Lights is just sooo amazing it just needs to have a second season! I also want Heroes coming back, but its not exactly a show I must watch as soon as its new or anything, I’m an episode or two behind…I’d also really love to see Brothers & Sisters back, I haven’t been able to watch a ton of it this season, but I love what I have seen and definitely want to catch up with it on DVD and watch the second season live.
If 30 Rock were not to return, I would cry real tears!
I’d definitely like to see 30 Rock and Heroes return. Heroes seems like a shoe-in and 30 looks very promising, so good news on those fronts.
I’ll have to see more of Andy Barker to form an opinion, but I’m all for anything that Andy Richter is in.
Studio 60? Eh, I could take it or leave it, though I did get my wife hooked on the show. The pilot was pretty awesome, so I said, “Hey, you really should watch this.” Since then it’s headed south, leaving me ambivalent. She still loves it.
My only true sadness comes with The Knights Of Prosperity. Thanks to ABC’s generous offering of their shows online, I was able to catch up with this one and was really getting hooked. Until they pulled the plug (or so it seems). If there’s any chance that someone from the network is reading this and can do something (i.e. some decent promotion!!) to save the show, I’d love to see the gang’s future adventures.
CBS:
The Class was a very nice fit with HIMYM. I really would like to see that show come back next season.
NBC:
Sarcasmo summed that one up nicely. Great show. I am looking forward to what they have in store for us next.
ABC:
The Nine had potential, but they quit on it too soon. Too bad, I would have liked to see what all happened in the bank. I guess that type of thing is better for a movie than a weekly show.
I was enjoying Six Degrees, and they are bringing some episodes back, but I think it might be too late. I’ll give it another chance, but I don’t have much hope anymore.
I thought October Road was good. I agree that they seem to have alot more in store for us this season.
Ugly Betty is great. I love the cast and hope it comes back next year.
Heroes, 30 Rock and Studio 60 are it for me – love them all for various reasons. I don’t have a lot of hope that Studio 60 will be back, but I would really really love it if it did. I’m enjoying 30 Rock, but honestly probably wouldn’t bother to find it if it weren’t grouped with such a damn fine collection of shows on the same night, same network. Heroes is just a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark good show. All of the characters are complex and interesting, and TPTB keep mixing it up for us. Yay!
There are only three on that list that are appointment tv for me, and one of them is just getting started so that might drop out…
NBC- FNL has got to get another season. I want to go through all the emotions with this show (from pain and sadness to complete elation) again! It’s the one true Family show after Everwoods dismissal from the CW.
TBS- My Boys has to come back as well. I absolutely adored this show and I totally need to know what is going to happen with Brendan.
Finally, ABC- October Road. I love myself some Bryan Greenberg. I was interested in the pilot, which is more than I can say for some of the other shows on the list above. I’ll definitely continue to watch until something changes that (but it’s done a good job so far of peaking interest, so I don’t know if it is likely).
I was a huge fan of The Nine. I was very disappointed they pulled the plug so early. I would really have liked to see what happened in the bank. They left a lot of questions unanswered.
I also started Six Degrees, but wasn’t as excited about it as I was The Nine. Will probably watch the eps that air starting this Friday, but am not holding my breath.
The Class had me laughing out loud every week. It better come back for a sophomore season.
This is the second year in a row that I have invested many weeks into a show only to have it pulled. I have decided to just quit investing my time into new shows, and just rent the DVDs if it makes it to a second or third season. Much more time saving and less frustrating.
The Class was a hilarious 30 minutes so worth watching!!!
Brothers & Sisters is my new favorite show and it is a great family drama.
I was hooked on The Nine, I don’t think they gave that show enough time to catch on.
October Road… loving it so far!!!
MY BOYS— what a GREAT show!!! Go Cubbies!
My grading of this year’s shows (excluding those I haven’t seen):
CBS:
The Class- B
–>a solid little sit-com, I especially like the red-headed guy and the girl from Mean Girls. The fact that I don’t know any of their names is probably not a good sign, plus I think the whole laugh track sit-com genre is pretty much dead.
NBC:
30 Rock- A
–>this show is freaking hilarious every single week. I really hope it finds a more solid audience, because everyone needs to know the joys such a show has to offer. Seriously, watch it now!!
Friday Night Lights- A+
–>Attractive, talented actors, gorgeous camera work, believable compelling writing, WHY IS NOBODY WATCHING?
Heroes- A+
–>I’ve been hooked since the first episode. I’m a little afraid of the inevitable decline of quality plot (see: Lost, Alias, etc etc) but have yet to be disappointed
Studio 60- D-
–>I’ve stopped watching this show, because it breaks my heart to see these actors whom I LOVE (and I seriously love everyone on that show) struggle through storylines that are a) boring, b) soapboxing about an Important Issue, c) unrealistic/over the top or d) all of the above. I just couldn’t take it anymore
ABC:
Brothers & Sisters- having only seen this show once, I can’t really give it a fair grade. I enjoy most of the people on the show, and am happy that they’re all employed, so I hope the show is popular enough to continue next year without my particular viewership
Six Degrees- C
I watched the first handful of episodes, and though I like the idea of the show, I found the characters and storylines lacked that special spark that keeps you coming back for more. Maybe after the retool? Probably not.
Ugly Betty- A-
This show is very sweet, and I am in love with America Farrera. It’s not a show that I MUST watch every week, but every time I do watch an episode, I enjoy myself.
FOX:
Wow, I haven’t seen a single one of these shows. It may have something to do with my hatred of all things Fox since the demise of my all-time favourite comedy Arrested Development. Booooo Fox.
HBO
Big Love: A-
–>Surprisingly compelling, considering its subject matter could have taken it down many a cheesy/hacky/offensive/unbelievable road. Plus, any show that employs VMars castmates is a friend of mine.
Showtime
Dexter: A
–>I’ve never been so attracted to a serial killer before. It’s supremely disturbing, but in a good way:)
My must sees are of the newbies are:
ABC- Ugly Betty, Men In Trees and Brothers & Sisters
CBS- Nothing
Fox- Nothing really, though, I did enjoy a couple of The Loop’s episodes.
NBC- Friday Night Lights and 30 Rock
I’d say this season was all about the female lead character, for me. ABC is really doing a nice job of centering well written, well cast shows around interesting premises, with great female characters. I’d say they win the EOE award for diveristy of race, gender and sexual orientation award this season. That’s a hard order to achieve, along with trying to keep some of the biggest “watercooler” shows on television buzzworthy.
I love 30 Rock so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.
Besides that, I love Heroes and Friday Night Lights, and I’m really looking forward to Drive. I miss Studio 60 and hope it comes back soon. I always watched My Boys and 10 Items or Less when I flipped by them, but they weren’t appointment television.
CBS:
The CLass- I am a fan! Say what you will about it, it is a fun, breezy show that is easy to laugh with. I feel like they had some great episodes and with time could do very well for themselves.
NBC:
Heroes- Doesnt need my help, obviously, but it is a very enjoyable show that fills my superhero longings between Spiderman and Batman movies.
30 Rock- This show grew on me, its funny, memorable and Rachel Dratch makes a great cameo every time. I love seeing my favorite SNL alums come together again.
ABC:
Men in Trees- Utterly enjoyable. Gorgeous scenery and good looking men. Do we really need more?
Ugly Betty- I cannot get enough of Mark and Amanda, they are just wickedly funny together. The show is always good, sweet fun.
Fox:
The Winner-I just caught the first 3 episodes and I am actualy really enjoying this show. Its funny, irreverent and Rob Cordry is consistently hapless. I like it!
TBS:
My Boys- Such a fun show! I like the locales they shoot in and Jim Gaffigan kills it every time. A very cute, likeable show.
Studio 60, 30 Rock, Andy Barker PI, and Raines. That is all I want but seeing as how they are all on NBC, all of them will probably get cancelled for some Deal or no deal spinoff
From ABC, I’ve enjoyed ‘Ugly Betty’ (as I think America is adorable, and most certainly a refreshing lead character who has had not one, not two, but now three suitors vying for her affection.) Thank goodness ABC has this up on their website, as it shares a timeslot with ‘The Office’.
From Showtime, I really liked Dexter(I think Michael C. Hall does a fantastic job, and he does have a way of making Dexter very sinister, but also very attractive. Course there could just be something very wrong with me.)
But far and away my choice of the year would go to Friday Night Lights, which managed to share a spot as one of my all time favorite shows ever.(God willing this show WILL NOT share a place in tv history, along with Freaks and Geeks, as a one season miracle) I’ll plagiarize my comments from the ‘Fightforlights.com’ website (a save the show site I do hope gets some attention from TPTB)
It’s almost scary how much I identify with the characters on FNL, especially the Taylor family. I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful and honest portrayal of a tv family. This realistic aspect is also apparent in the other characters as well, creating a foundation of authenticity to the storylines that might otherwise feel sensational or over the top. The writers and directors have managed to make almost every character multifaceted and sympathetic. The camera work and location shoots that are integral to the atmosphere of the show are also truly lovely and sometimes almost heartbreaking.
I forgot to add how amazed I am every week by the superb acting talents of almost the entire cast, even the small or supporting parts. Truly great, effecting television.
Close to Home premiered last year, this is it’s second season.
Heroes: Definitely appointment television for me, and has completely filled the LOST-shaped hole that’s been in my heart since that show went downhill at the end of last season. The characters are interesting and likable and the mysteries actually progress (!) as opposed to being brought up and then ignored, which is refreshing. Although some storylines can be dull (I’m looking at you, Matt Parkman), I look forward to seeing what new seasons will bring. Grade: A-
Studio 60: I was looking forward to this show more than any other at the start of last season, which made its eventual crappiness even sadder for me. I still don’t quite understand how the combined powers of Aaron Sorkin and the incredible cast resulted in such a completely mediocre show. The dramatic importance that drove “The West Wing” just seems laughable in the context of sketch comedy, and if I’d had to hear another “Christianity vs. The World” debate I might throw up. I’d probably still watch it if for some reason it got renewed, but mostly out of a sense of horrified fascination that a Sorkin drama could be so . . . meh. Grade: C-
My Boys: I was surprised as anyone that a TBS sitcom turned out to be so thoroughly charming and enjoyable. The cast works extremely well together, and I loved having such an unconventional female character at the center of the show, where usually they’d be pushed to the “kooky best friend” role. I found this show to be consistently funny and adorable, and can’t wait for next season. Grade: A
CBS: The Class is a really funny show that needs some more time to grow. I laughed in every episode, and like someone said above, it goes really well with HIMYM.
NBC: The Black Donnellys. I love this show and I really think it has the ability to be great. NBC has GOT to give it more time to find its audience.
Those are the only two new shows I really care about, so…
WOW turnituploudcapn, haven’t heard from you in a LONG time…how are you?
I’m good. Super busy this year. I’ve still been checking up on the site nearly everyday, I just don’t have time to contribute as much as last year.
GMMR-I might be in your neck of the woods sometime soon. Chances are I’ll be moving up to Quincey in August for school.
I haven’t seen much of most of these shows, I will admit, but I would like to see “October Road” continue on, even though it only premiered last week. I enjoyed the premiere, although it will be hard to keep storylines going past an inital season.
Also, I have heard good things about “The Black Donnellys” and would like to catch up on that one.
Without a doubt, my pick for the freshman show most deserving of a sophomore season is NBC’s Friday Night Lights. As many other fans of this show, I discovered this wonderful show a few episodes into the season and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. I’ve come to love and value every single character on the show, though I have a special place in my heart for Coach & Tami and Matt & Julie. This is one of the best written, acted, and filmed shows this year and of many recent years past. The show has such a real feel to it and you just feel like you’re getting a peak into the lives of the people of Dillon. I absolutely adore this show – it’s not just about football. Football is simply the background for the relationships of all the people of Dillon, and in particular, the Taylor family.
All anyone has to do is watch a scene with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton together, or watch Zach Gilford struggle with anything, whether it be football, his relationship with Julie (Aimee Teegarden), or in taking care of his grandma… you’ll see acting that doesn’t even seem like acting. These three actors are giving Emmy-worthy performances and really the whole cast is incredible. I really wish more people would give this absolute gem a chance. And I hope NBC realizes what a special show it’s so lucky to have. This is the kind of show the network can build itself around. It really should be given another season.
I just recently started watching “Friday Night Lights” – and let me tell you, I think it’s truly appointment TV. This is coming from a renowned TV snob, too. What I really enjoy about this series is that its situations and dialogue are so very real. The interactions amongst the football players and other teenagers rings so true – the camaraderie, the sense of loyalty to teammates (i.e., when the players turned on Riggins when he betrayed Jason with Lyla), the awkwardness of high school romance (Julie and Matt), etc. What’s so refreshing, too, is that the writers don’t allow the interactions, situations and relationships too cliched, too preachy or too PC. It’s just life in a small Texas town driven by football, plain and simple – and it’s entertaining! It’s impressive to see how engaging this drama can be without being too highbrow or talky. What else is so very real are the family relationships. The interaction between the Taylor parents and Julie is so realistic – there is a close bond there, true love and compassion for one another, but the tension which ensues when Julie meets her first love is palpable… Really – this show is a must-see. Great performances all around, too. Gilford (Matt), Teegarden (Julie), Kelly (Lyla), and the actors that play Jason and Riggins are all breakouts, and Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton just get better with age.
30 Rock is funny, but unlike Office and Scrubs, the plotlines are not especially gripping. I would like to see it return, but I’d like to see some better storylines.
Heroes is easily the best new show in my opinion. Over the course of this season I’ve come to realize that I get more excited for Heroes each week than I do for 24 and Lost, which I had considered to be the gold standard of dramas.
Andy Barker has potential… but it’s only had one episode, so it’s hard to judge it.
My faves can be broken down into categories (Although some shows can fall under several, I’ll list them under 1st that comes to mind) : NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT ON TV- Heroes, Ugly Betty, Dexter, 30 Rock, The Nine QUALITY- Brothers & Sisters, Men in Trees, Friday Night Lights WORTH SECOND CHANCE- The Class, Studio 60, Jericho AND QUICK SHOUT-OUT FOR 2 OF MY FAVORITE RETURNING SHOWS THAT MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE- Pair up FBI Veronica with Supernatural on Sundays (And stop making the mistake of marketing them to pre-teen girls!)
I agree with what has been said already, I just wanted to add TNT’s Saved to the list.
Besides the lead actor being soo cute, i truly adore the story line. Also, it is not all about the medicine, more about the people.
I agree with what has been said already, I just wanted to add TNT’s Saved to the list.
Besides the lead actor being soo cute, i truly adore the story line. Also, it is not all about the medicine, more about the people. Besides this is what keeps me going over the summer months.
Sadly I think “Saved” was a one hit wonder…it won’t be back for a 2nd season. I really liked the show too.
isn’t anyone watching JERICHO? Am I the only one who loves it??
30 Rock is definitely one of my must watch shows on Thursday other than The Office. Heroes is awesome, but I don’t see how many seasons they can go with the plot line “Save the World.”
Big Love was also a surprising show to me. I learned a lot from it & they have a great cast as well.
My must-sees:
The Class: I laugh uproariously at EVERY episode and unlike one of the above people, I do know all of their names. It definitely deserves a second season and I’ve written to cbs and told them so.
Heroes: I’m not absolutely enthralled with every episode but I do really enjoy it and can’t wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.
Ugly Betty: I didn’t watch it at first because of its conflict with The Office but now I’m to the point where I almost like it better (I know, that’s blasphemy on this site ;-)) and now I tape one or the other every week.
That’s about it for the new shows. I thought Close To Home had been around longer than this season but maybe I’m confusing it with something else.
CBS
* The Class-like it, don’t necessarily love it, but I DVR it
* Close to Home-last poster was right this is an old show
* Jericho-love it, but maybe it because my home state is Kansas
NBC
* 30 Rock-love it
* Andy Barker, PI- only seen the first episode, but like it
* The Black Donnellys-like it
* Friday Night Lights-absolutely love it, one of only two shows my non-tv loving boyfriend doesn’t want to miss
* Heroes-my favorite from this class, fantastic!
* Studio 60-DVR it, but it seems its going away so I hate to get into it.
ABC
* Brothers & Sisters- really like it, it keeps getting better and better, love the addition of emily
* Day Break–this is my heartbreak show. I really, really like it. Taye Diggs has these great shows that he kicks butt in and they are canceled. If only this one had been given a chance. I watched all the episodes on ABC online (thank you ABC for offering all of them!) and thought they were great. It wasn’t the exact same show over and over….I think it died too soon.
* The Knights of Prosperity-I thought this one was pretty funny…too bad
* Men in Trees-I liked it better on Fridays–good show
* The Nine-good show
* October Road-I like what I see so far
* Six Degrees-ok…
* Ugly Betty-love it and so glad it’s doing so well
FOX
* The Loop-funny, but not sure if it has much of a chance
* Standoff-ok
HBO
* Big Love-great tv…
Showtime
* Dexter–very good show, I came into it late, but thanks to reruns and DVR got caught up….love it!
I think Studio 60 is one of the smartest shows they brought out this season. I do not like the Black Donnellys and really hope they bring back Studio 60 instead. Ugly Betty is of course my other favorite of the new shows…my husband and I watch it while The Office (my all time fav) is recording. I watched Raines last week…after only one episode though I don’t feel I can fairly grade it. I hope it develops more…the ending was a surprise though and I totally didn’t see that one coming!
Here are my favorites:
CBS – The Class (probably won’t be coming back, but I will miss it and really enjoyed the actors playing Kat and Richie)
NBC – Friday Night Lights and Heroes (I can’t believe these are in their first season because they are so good) – I also like The Black Donnellys and Raines so far
ABC – Ugly Betty and Men in Trees – I also enjoyed The Knights of Prosperity but it won’t be coming back
FOX – Drive (really looking forward to this one because of Nathan Fillion) and Standoff (which probably won’t last much longer)
TBS – My Boys
I also want to catch Dexter on DVD because I don’t have Showtime and haven’t seen it yet.
I will also include a shout out to Veronica Mars and Supernatural, which aren’t in their freshmen year but need the support. They are terrific.
CBS —
SHARK: I began watching this show when it first premiered but haven’t been able to keep it up because of other shows that seem to take precedent over it. Great show. Would love to perhaps watch it on DVD.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: Watched the premiere I think. Not a big fan of it as I feel the cast is a bit odd. Decent sitcom, but I really don’t care for it.
NBC —
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: I began watching it online when NBC began putting the episodes online. Amazing show. I’d love to see it come back next year.
BLACK DONNELLYS: I will probably keep watching this show until they end it. Great build up and I hope NBC gives it a chance.
ABC —
BROTHERS & SISTERS: Appointment television for me. Great Sunday night drama to watch. I love the entire cast and the storylines are extremely enticing. I am almost sure that it’ll be back for another season. I’d be surprised and shocked if it wasn’t.
MEN IN TREES: Actually a pretty good show that was given a chance to shine. At first, it was a bit slow and I think ABC did the show a favor having it follow Grey’s. It gave it some new life, in my opinion. The show found itself in the first few episodes and has been a pretty solid show to watch.
THE NINE: I’m sad that this show wasn’t allowed to finish it’s run. I’d love to see what happened in the bank during those few days. ABC cancelled this way too soon.
OCTOBER ROAD: A much better fit after Grey’s. Probably another show that’s appointment television for me. I like the premise. I’ve always wondered what a television show would be like about someone who comes back to the town they grew up in after x amount of years. The cast is good and I’d love to see what the deal is with Eddie.
SIX DEGREES: I started watching it cause it was J.J. Abrams’ baby, but I gave up on it after the third episode. The cast didn’t click and I couldn’t get involved in any of their storylines. I won’t be tuning in when it comes back.
UGLY BETTY: Appointment television. Enough said.
FOX —
VANISHED: Started watching it because Rob Hoffman was on but it wasn’t great. And it lost a lot of my hope when they killed off the lead investigator. Why the hell did they do that? That was like the nail to its coffin.
THE LOOP: I have to say, something about this show is pretty funny. I like the cast. I’d probably watch it if nothing else was on.
TBS —
MY BOYS: I actually like this show. Would love to see it come back.
I’ll throw my 2 cents in for sleeper hilarity from “The Loop” and “10 Items or Less”
NBC:
I liked Studio 60 the few times I watched it. I don’t know what to say about it really.
ABC:
October Road, looks really good. The first episode was awsome. Something else to add to my already jam packed Thursday night.
TBS:
I got into My Boys thanks to an all day marathon. The only thing I didn’t like about it was The Office finale rip-off Jim-Pam ending.
Top five new shows of the year:
1. Friday Night Lights
2. Knights of Prosperity
3. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
4. The (White) Rapper Show
5. Dexter (only caught the first episode but I will definately catch on DVD)
Most disappointed shows that I axed within a month:
1. Jericho
2. The Class
3. 30 Rock
I *need* 30 Rock to come back for a second season. That’s right, need as opposed to want. Why, you may ask? Liz Lemon and I are so uncannily similar that I’d really like to see what happens to me as I get older. I mean, from the Star Wars to the awkwardness to the writing. I really, really hope things between her and Floyd work out.
Plus, Kenneth makes me laugh really hard and Mr. Baldwin is possibly the only characgter who could take the “Best Actor in a Comedy Series” away from Steve Carrell.
Long live 30 Rock!
Oh, and I haven’t had any time at all this year to watch Friday Night Lights but I swear on the relationship of JAM that I will should it be brought back for a second season. How’s that for a promise?
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