Fall TV Reviews, Part 1

My favorite time of the year, Fall TV! Our DVR has been working overtime to record old favorites and new shows we’ll try to fit in to our already overloaded TV schedule. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve watched so far:

The Office – A+
Hands down, this is my favorite show on TV. This show somehow manages to take the reality of an office work environment and make it truly ridiculous. Everyone has known someone like at least one of the characters at some point in their career, which is what makes it so great. I’m loving that Jim and Pam are finally a couple, and that Pam has opted to drop her wallflower clothing and hair and look more her age. Michael still aims to entertain, with the opening episode featuring a fun run entitled "Michael Scott's Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run For The Cure". In true Michael fashion, the fun run ended up being all about him, and not the cure. This promises to be a great season, and I can’t wait for Ryan, the former MBA intern, to come back to Scranton and show us how he functions as Michael’s boss.

Desperate Housewives- B-/C+
This show hasn’t found a way to be as great as it was the first season. Last season was much better than the 2nd, but the fourth didn’t kick off to a great start. Gaby continues to be a gold-digger and can’t understand that the whole world doesn’t revolve around her. Susan is still a nutcase, which in and of itself is entertaining, but could prove to get old. However, her pregnancy raises a question…is it her husband Mike’s, or is it Ian’s? Hmm, they conveniently didn’t address that in the episode. How in the world did Lynette hide cancer for months? Anyone could tell she looked like crap, and that wig shouldn’t have fooled anyone. Bree shows that she is truly psychotic, by trying to accost an old woman that tried to touch her fake pregnancy belly. And Edie. Good Lord, Edie. Who tries to fake suicide by hanging yourself? Isn’t there a better way to do it that wouldn’t be potentially so permanent? Don’t people take too many sleeping pills with some vodka all the time to send the same message? Personally, I don’t see what she adds to the show, so I was somewhat excited at the thought of her being off the show. Finally, the new crazy on the block: Catherine. No clue what’s going on there, but the weird personality and spooky locked room in the house are reminiscent of the Applewhites of Season 2, which just plain sucked as a story line. I’m cautiously optimistic about this season, but not sure I’ll be rushing to the TV to catch up on this one.

Grey’s Anatomy – B+
I’ll admit, I was disappointed. Duh, Christina and Burke are done for good. We knew that would happen, since the actor playing Burke got fired for being a jerk. Here’s a shocker, Meredith and McDreamy broke up AGAIN, but couldn’t resist hooking up in the on call room. Mental note: if I’m ever at a hospital, I’m going nowhere near that room; apparently it only functions as a brothel and STD incubator. McSteamy declared his manlove for McDreamy (manlove borrowed from my 2nd favorite show on TV, Scrubs) and that he came to Seattle for their friendship, and not Addison after all (my review on Addison’s new show, Private Practice, is below). And George and Callie? Come on! She could eat that guy for a snack. We’re honestly supposed to believe there’s some deep, loving and passionate man/wife relationship? No way. I’m glad to see that Izzy is still amusingly airheaded and insecure, which is probably why the idea of her and George as a couple works, because clearly, she could do better from many perspectives. I’m hoping they give Dr. Bailey and Alex more storylines, because they are 2 underrated characters. I’ll stay tuned, and I’ll still rush to see this one, but I’m crossing my fingers it doesn’t continue to disappoint.

How I Met Your Mother - A
This show is a close 2nd for the #2 spot Scrubs in holding, but there could be an upset or at least a tie coming soon (Scrubs doesn’t return with new episodes until October 25th). Ted and Barney are without a doubt the best part of this show. Marshall and Lily are still shmoop-ingly annoying, but definitely have endearing qualities about them (more Marshall than Lily, but they apparently only come as a package deal). Robin’s foray into being a free-spirited hippie in Argentina luckily came to end in the 2nd episode of the season. Please note, the first 2 episodes of the season featured Enrique Iglesias as her Argentinean boyfriend Gael; to me, just a shameless plug for another one of his crappy albums he’s releasing. The most intriguing part of what is to come for this season is the introduction of the girl with the yellow umbrella. Somewhat of a teaser, but leaves you wondering if Ted will finally meet his future wife this season. Definitely a show worth watching!

Private Practice – B+

While the beginning and end of this show were odd, the meat in the middle wasn’t bad. There were some funny moments, and some touching moments, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this show evolves. I do love me some Taye Diggs, so that should keep me watching for a little while at least. J But seriously, how much does this holistic clinic of theirs make, when 2 of the doctors have beachfront houses, presumably in Malibu? Sign me up! (Does it matter that I’m not a doctor?)