Monday Missive

It was a big night last night with the premiere of a Charlie Sheen-less Two and a Half Men, a new CBS sitcom, Dancing with the Stars (with Chaz Bono... very cool), an answer or two on Castle and even Fox's Hell's Kitchen finale.

Some thoughts:
Dancing with the Stars: It is what it is. They promised us A-Listers and, in no way delivered. There are some interesting personalities (Hello Metta World Peace -- nee Ron Artest), but the show just doesn't hold my interest. That said, I suspect Chaz Bono is going to help drive some decent ratings and the producers know that, which is why he danced last. David Arquette brought his ex Courtney and their daughter Coco... cute, but he swears they aren't together. Otherwise... J.R. Martinez? Chynna Phillips-- sure, maybe 15 years ago... Hope Solo? Awesome soccer player, but shouldn't be be focusing on playing her sport? Ricki Lake...eh... Kristin Cavallari- being famous for being famous doesn't really make you A-list, but she did dance well. Oh and the same goes for Rob Kardashian... do all of them have to be on TV? Carson Kressley... nice guy and Nancy Grace....sorry, no. Dancing isn't really what makes you an interesting person. Elisabetta Canalis... hey, you almost married that guy who was on Facts of Life...you are totally a star.
I'm not really watching. I know many are... what do you think?

Castle: Returned with just what you'd expect. It's a solid, but not spectacular show driven by Nathon Fillion's personality more than anything else. By the way, if you didn't see it, I won't ruin the cliffhanger ending, but if you can't guess it... well, that's just really sad. Really really sad for you. I'm happy it's back, but I fear a real Moonlighting moment coming soon.

How I Met Your Mother: So happy to be back they went for two new shows. I do love this show and it always delivers. More than anything, the Barney and Robin dynamic might still be the most interesting thing about the show. I'm not sure I care when Ted meets his wife, but I'll watch what all the people around him do until he does.

Hell's Kitchen: It's the finale.... two hours.... three eliminations... one winner and that winner is.... someone you won't remember 15 minutes from now so don't worry about it. No one watches this show to see the winner. We just want yelling and failure and, as always, that comes in spades.

Two and a Half Men: We all know about the Charlie Sheen flameout. We all know about shows replacing the lead and some succeeding (Bewitched-- did anyone even notice to Valerie- became the Hogan Family and kept going... for no reason what-so-ever) and others failing miserably... but where will Two and a Half Men go.... apparently up...nearly 30 million watched the season premiere and that's bigger than American Idol numbers.... that's even bigger than NFL numbers... that's big. Creatively, the show remains what it's always been. It's a crass comedy and it delivers on that. Ashton's character is kinda like if you took his character from That 70's Show and merged it with the real Ashton (smarter) so don't go looking for anything clever or dynamic but returning to the Dancing with the Stars theme, it is what it is. If you loved it before, you'll still love it.

2 Broke Girls: If you are waiting for Whitney Cummings new show here it is... or one of them. Yes, Whitney, star of her own new show on NBC, is executive producing 2 Broke Girls for CBS. She's a busy woman. This show is about two waitresses, one hardened and experienced Kat Dennings and one working in the diner out of desperation, played by Beth Behrs.  It was a little silly, little predictable to start, but it seems to have potential. Kat Dennings is really going to be the driving force behind the show, as her character develops so will the show. It's worth another watch or two to see what happens.

The Sing Off: Yes a singing competition.  Finally. Alright, it's no the one everyone is waiting for on Wednesday, but at least it's different from the shows out there and light years better than that Karaoke show that was on this summer.

Big day tuesday with the return of Fox's Glee and Raising Hope, plus Zooey Deschanel's New Girl. I've seen the show, you should too. I'll write more about it all tomorrow. Feel free to share your thoughts as well.