Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – A Guide

My TV watching buddy and I came to a realization recently. Why It’s Worth a Watch has been going strong for quite some time. With so many posts under our belts, we thought now would be a good time to give you a full recap of what shows will be satisfying your entertainment appetite, and which dishes you should pass on.

Going from the worst to best choices, here are the shows I’ve reviewed. Be sure to check out Tiffany’s list for a full guide of what’s worth watching. First off, a quick recap of the Watchwed rating system:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

I’ve only had to suffer through one Liver and Onions worthy show, Hawthorne. Thankfully, the show was not renewed for another season, so unless you run into it in syndication, it will be easy to avoid this awful dish.

I was a bit surprised that I only have one awful review, but don’t get too excited. This is less of a sign of better TV shows as it is my reluctance to give anyone a truly awful review, and Tiffany’s reluctance to make me watch something I already think I’m going to hate.

Which probably explains why I came up with Nyquil Induced Viewing. There are a few shows that fall in the “only when under the influence and trapped in bed” category. Sadly, both shows feature a female lead. Hollywood, please, I beg of you, write more quality roles for women. I know you can do it. The Protector and Body of Proof definitely are not evidence of that. (Incidentally, The Protector was not renewed for a second season. Body of Proof has been, but struggles in the ratings.)

When I’m looking for empty calories, my Junk Food TV shows were Chloe King on ABC Family and Harry’s Law. Being that I never returned to watching The Nine Lives of Chloe King, it was junk food that didn’t really grab my sweet tooth. This treat was discontinued (cancelled) in September, but others must still be looking for it, as ABC Family is in talks for a movie version. Harry’s Law sits in the DVR queue for weeks at a time and only gets a watch if there is nothing else around to satisfy my TV craving, but last I heard the network ordered six more episodes, so it’s still safe in the candy drawer.

Going back through the reviews, I noticed that one solitary show was sitting on the back burner still. Necessary Roughness caught my eye initially with Craig Bierko involved, but episodes without him didn’t hold my interest. It wasn’t bad, so it at least deserves to be tossed in the back of my junk drawer for later.

Now, judging by the amount of shows that fall in the MacTV and GTV rating categories, I love TV more than I care to admit.

While I haven’t watched the latest season, my very first #watchwed post fell between Junk Food and MacTV viewing, an impressive feat for a show on a network I never watched previous to this series. Switched at Birth, while predictable, was easy to watch drama on ABC Family. In the same category, a show I enjoy (but don’t get too upset if I miss) is Royal Pains, a light medical drama on USA. Also a simple, enjoyable watch.

Although blessed with a huge budget and substantial names backing it, Terra Nova only garnered a MacTV rating upon additional review. And that’s mostly because I kind of dig dinosaurs. I’m more excited about another newcomer, Falling Skies, set to return in the summer, as well as Once Upon a Time, a fairy tale based series created by the fellows that brought you Lost. Despite having somewhat favorable #watchwed ratings, sci-fi and fantasy shows don’t have a great track record lately, even popular ones, as I discovered when I went to review Eureka. We’ll see if Terra Nova or Falling Skies can break the trend.

That's the fear of cancellation in their eyes.

Comedy sitcoms have been pretty surprising this past year. With ratings ranging from the questionable macaroni salad that is Community to the gourmet mac that is Parks and Recreation, there seems to be something for everyone. Newcomers Suburgatory and New Girl have both been pleasant surprises, shows that I look forward to and even rewatch.

A Mac rated show I haven’t kept up with, but perhaps should, is Covert Affairs. With the soon to be absence of Chuck on my TV (::moment of silence: I could use something to fill the gap, and this just might be the right show. For now.

Pourin' a 40...

My favorite of my MacTV shows has to be Person of Interest. Great action, premise, and actors. I really look forward to settling in for this one, living up to its Gourmet MacTV rating.

So, what were my favorites of the “Why It’s Worth a Watch…” series thus far?

Initially, my Gourmet rating bore the kiss of death. Men of a Certain Age, a well written and acted drama, was too slow for the TV watching majority and didn’t survive. House, a show that I admit is probably MacTV viewing for most by now, but still held a special place with me, is also being considered for cancellation.

But the success of some of my other GTV shows gives me hope. The Mentalist continues to move forward with the Red John storyline, but in a way that keeps me interested. The Good Wife and Mad Men are proof that strong female leads can be written on TV (they have more female writers than most shows…take a hint TV). Castle continues to keep me and many others entertained, particularly with its winks and nods to loyal fans with inside jokes and Firefly references.

And Nathan Fillion, of course.

But more than all of them, the fanciest most gourmet meal on my plate goes to:

I just swoon.

Downton Abbey. Season two began last week and I am once more swooning over everything about this show. Originally a “Queue It Up!” selection in our series, it’s back on PBS in full swing and should not be missed. If you watch nothing else, watch this show. It is, without a doubt, absolutely delicious.

WATCH IT NOW!

Ahem.

If that’s not enough for you, Tiffany and I each gave a couple of our Netflix queue favorites in addition to our regular reviews. On my list was Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Sherlock, and of course, Firefly.

We’ve got more new shows coming, so many more reviews to come! What shows already in progress need to be in our list? What new shows are you looking forward to? 

Thank you to all of our readers for your continued support of the Why It’s Worth a Watch series. If you aren’t chatting with us about your favorites on Twitter, come find us using the #watchwed tag.

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – Summer Recap

It’s recap time!

After a summer of watching whatever there was to watch and reporting back, we thought it would be best to follow up and let you know if our relationships with Summer TV viewing have waned, are growing stronger, or remain rock steady.

You may remember that we began this summer spending some time with ABC Family, unfamiliar territory for this viewer.  I talked about Switched at Birth and Nine Lives of Chloe King.  Back when I first watched these premieres, as a reluctant viewer mind you, I gave them both a SSTV.  I felt I couldn’t make a proper call without more time.

Switched at Birth is a solid JFTV, perhaps even creeping into MACTV viewing.  Even though I find elements predictable, I have to admit, it’s made it into my DVR queue, no small feat these days.  I think if I were an ABC Family kind of gal, I’d be more willing to give thus a MACTV rating, but since I’m not, Junk Food it remains.

How about catgirl?  Er, Chloe King?  I  have to admit.  I didn’t follow up.  I started to watch a second episode, got bored, and never switched back.  I can’t make an actual judgement on something I’m not watching, can I?  So, I’ll put this in the JFTV category.  But it’s more circus peanuts than candy corn.

Now, a moment of silence for my first Gourmet TV rating.  Men of a Certain Age, a completely solid program worthy of every bit of it’s gourmet rating, has been cancelled.  Pretty sure I predicted that.   *shakes fist at network executives*

RIP, MOCA.  (If you were a fan, you can sign a petition for another network to pick them up here.)

Moving on, let’s talk about two of my lowest ratings.

The Protector showed itself worthy of a newly created rating.  Sadly, this worthiness wasn’t exactly a good thing.  Like most programs on Lifetime, it was Nyquil Induced Viewing - just the sort of thing I might turn on the TV when I’m laid up in bed, under the influence, not concerned with knowing how it ended.  Hopefully the new cop drama, Against the Wall, which recently premiered can prove that Lifetime can produce shows worthy of viewing when healthy and sober.

HawthoRNe was the first show to receive a Liver and Onions rating.  I shuddered through a little more, just to be fair.  Am I glad I did?

*Gag*

No.  End of story.

The USA Network has held the most noteworthy offerings across both Tiffany and I’s summer review radar, and I’m holding on to my findings for Covert Affairs and Royal Pains – both MACTV, which the occasional fancy cheeses and fixings giving these shows that extra something special.

What about Necessary Roughness?  A rare thing, but this show is still simmering for me.  (Pssst…if there could be more Craig Bierko, I’d be inclined to give this a bump.  Just sayin’.)

Worth a watch.

Last, but not least, our summer scifi offering, Falling Skies.  It’s made me reignite a one time crush on Noah Wylie (ahh…ER, we were so young then) and I have been a faithful viewer since I watched it for the purpose of #watchwed reviewing.

Is it sappy and predictable in moments?  Sure.  But I don’t mind.  So it remains a solid MACTV as well.

What are your thoughts on the shows of the summer?  Have any of them unexpectedly won your heart, or at least space in your DVR?

Next week, we bring you a very special edition of #watchwed – Netflix!  I’m pretty psyched, as we tell you what’s worth queuing up, old and new.  Tiffany and I are going to take a blind run at it – let’s see if any of our recommendations match.  Be sure to chime in with your streaming favorites.

Also, don’t forget, The Tambernies are coming!  Have you picked out what you’ll be wearing on the red carpet?

Now head over to Tiffany’s and check out her recap of the summer.

 

*A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:

GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech

Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday – USA! USA!

This week on #watchwed, Tiffany and I take on the USA network in a big way.  We review two shows each, one brand new and one already in progress.  I’ll be discussing Covert Affairs and Necessary Roughness; head over to Tiffany’s blog for the already popular Burn Notice and the new legal drama Suits.

A little something about the USA network.  Their branding, in my mind, is brilliant.

“Characters welcome.”

For me, the most important part of a story is it’s character development.  I can forgive you for a predictable plot.  Or even a meandering one.  If the characters are really great, I may even go as far as overlooking a lack of plot altogether (rare case, but possible).

USA prides itself in characters you can get into.  The obsessive-compulsive neurotic Monk.  The hilarious and observant slacker Sean in Psych. Even their syndicated viewing includes the curmudgeonly brilliant Dr. House.

In reviewing these shows, I was looking for characters I could love.  Or hate.  Characters that I want to be.  Or be friends with.

Covert Affairs surprisingly hits that mark.  I say surprisingly, because I thought it was unlikely that I would relate to the perky and perfect Piper Perabo, who plays the main character, Annie Walker.  Annie is a newly assigned CIA agent, pulled in to work in the covert division because of her grasp of many languages and, well, her hotness.

The good looking cast.

Being hot is helpful when your first assignment requires that you look like a high class call girl.

Sound familiar at all?  (*Alias fans raising hands*)

Despite the familiar formula of gorgeous girl kicking butt while navigating relationships with family who don’t know about her CIA status, Annie’s character is truly likable.  She’s great at what she does, but doesn’t always get it right.  Despite being smart and seemingly perfect, she has to deal with the discomfort of a new job like the rest of us.

Well, except for the high tech gadgetry and an attractive blind tech genius (Christopher Gorham, Ugly Betty) helping her along the way.

Is this a show that will challenge your mental muscles?  Perhaps not.  Will it entertain you?  For sure.  If you were looking for a show to fill the void Alias left years ago, this is for you.

That’s why I give Covert Affairs MacTV rating.  While it’s not absolutely riveting, it may have you on the edge of your seat from time to time, and the characters make you want to watch more.

But wait, there’s more!

Necessary Roughness, a newcomer to the USA lineup, follows the life of Dr. Dani Santino (Callie Thorne, Rescue Me, Burn Notice), a therapist who quickly finds her life thrown in a spin when she finds out her husband (Craig Bierko) has been cheating on her.

A lot.

Oops.

Excuse me a moment while I discuss the awesomeness that is Craig Bierko as the philandering spouse.  Remember the part about hating a character being a good thing?  You will hate him.  There is a line he delivers in the pilot to Callie’s character that literally made me cringe.  It’s not just the line, it’s the way he says it.

Awesome.  Please, writers of this show, give us more Bierko.

While I take issue with the main character immediately hitting a club and bedding the first charmer she meets (Marc Blucas), who just happens to be the trainer for an NFL team, I do enjoy the feisty nature of Callie Thorne’s character.

Which is necessary with the high profile clients she obtains through her newfound relationship with the aforementioned trainer.  Her primary client is a troubled star athlete (Mehcad Brooks) who, in the pilot, can’t catch a ball and has an attitude that needs to be checked.

The show is trying to give us a strong female lead, and I am hoping they can deliver.  I am hoping that “feisty and tough” doesn’t turn into “screams and whines a lot”.

I want to root for the mother taking on her rebellious daughter, her well-read teenage son (who seems to have his father’s smarmy charm…they must keep it in their hair), her wonderfully awful ex, and her high maintenance patients.

More pretty people.

And then, I’ll root for her to get the guy.  Just maybe not that trainer.  (Keep an eye on the team “fixer” (Scott Cohen, Gilmore Girls) and you’ll understand.)

That’s right.  I just told you to watch it.  I’m giving it an SSTV.  I see it’s potential.  Solid cast.  I just need the writers to win me over.

Now, it’s your turn.  Are you a fan of Covert Affairs?  Did you watch the Necessary Roughness premiere?  Will you be watching these shows now?  Do you love the USA network as much as everyone else?  Leave your comments or discuss with us on Twitter using #watchwed.

Head over to Tiffany’s blog to find out about Burn Notice and, one of my new favorites, Suits.

Next week, we get our science fiction on with TNT’s “Falling Skies” and SyFy’s “Alphas”.

The WatchWed Review System:
GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech