seriesjunkie             Me contacter : seriesjunkie@gmail.com

Hey guys,

Sorry I've been away for so long.

For my first post back, I thought I would give you a tour, for those of you who have not been keeping up, of some new shows that started not too long ago and that I loved, as well as some new shows starting soon.

Let's start with my favourite of the moment: SHAMELESS (Showtime of course!)

Based on the UK version that's on its 8th season, the show follow the Ghallagers, a working class family in Chicago, lead by the oldest, Fiona, who had to deal with her alcoholoc father (William H Macy), an absentee mother and raising her 5 siblings aged 1 to 17. Don't be fooled, it's not depressing. It's a dramedy.

Season 1 just finished after 11 episodes so easy to catch up.

Here is what it looks like

EPISODES (Showtime as well obviously!)

When a couple of successful TV writers from the UK are asked to adapt their hit show in the US by the network president, they have no idea what it entails. Everything has to changed to please the studio executives and american audiences, starting with recasting the male lead, a witty old school british headmaster, with Matt Leablanc (playing Matt LeBlanc). Made by David Crane of Friends and Jeffrey Klarik of Mad About You, it's a comedy about the TV business and what it's like making a tv show when you get less and less creative control. Funny.

There again season 1 just finished after 7 episodes. Easy to catch up.

Here's a preview: 

Starting soon:

THE BORGIAS (guess who? Yep, Showtime again!)

Historical drama. The Tudors in Rome. Or as the tag would say "the original crime family". You get the political and religious intrigues, the sex, the secrets, the drama... You get everything! Plus, and it's a big plus, it's Jeremy Irons!! Created, directed and produced by Neil Jordan and executive producer Michael Hirst from the Tudors (he's an historian so he knows what he's talking about!)

See how awesome it looks!!

CAMELOT (Starz)

Another historical drama. Once again writen by Michael Hirst but it's Starz, not Showtime so it's not the same level but it still looks interesting.

The Premise: "In the wake of King Uther’s sudden death, chaos threatens to engulf Britain. When the sorcerer Merlin has visions of a dark future, he installs the young and impetuous Arthur, Uther’s unknown son and heir, who has been raised from birth as a commoner. But Arthur’s cold and ambitious half-sister Morgan will fight him to the bitter end, summoning unnatural forces to claim the crown in this epic battle for control."

Starring Jamie Campbell Green (The Prisoner) as King Arthur, Eva Green (Casino Royale) as Morgan, Joseph Fiennes (FlashForward) as Merlin.

I'm not too interested in Game of Thrones from HBO but it has a huge following in the fantasy world and it's probably gonna eclipse Camelot.

Here is the preview (sorry about the quality. Too lazy to look for one with better quality!)

And finally, a comedy HAPPY ENDINGS (ABC)

In a group of really close friends, a couple break up on their wedding day, which could change the dynamics in the group and complicate everybody's life. How to still be friends in the chaos of the aftermath?

Starring Zachary Knighton, Elisha Cuthbert, Eliza Coupe, Damon Wayans Jr.

I'm probably gonna watch it and love it but I have to admit the deja vu factor of this rom com is pretty strong. It looks like it would be better suited as a movie maybe and will have a hard time remaining on the air. Airing in this period means less competition but also less viewers. We'll see. But it looks pretty funny.

Judge for yourself:

Shonda Rhimes's new show. Just that is a reason to watch! So just in case you don't know, it's about a bunch of doctor, each with their own problem, running a clinic in the middle of the jungle (sort of) somewhere in central america. So you get the same drama and love issues as in Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice but with different cases and way to practice medicine and beautiful landscapes.

Off the map does not exist in the same world as Grey's and Private so that the producers won't have to scratch their heads with the logistics of cross overs! And it works perfectly like that.

The characters are closed off, they all had something happened in their life that made them want to come to this remote "paradise", they were all running from something, not really to something. So getting to know them has been interesting. And getting to see some of what I would call "jungle medicine" is more fun than the usual hospital surgery.

There's also the lack of understanding, the language barrier that doesn't facilitate the communication and the treatments. These doctors have to practice medicine in a different language, with different tools, and in a different culture. Most of them end up appearing as the stereotypical ignorant american who doesn't want to make an effort to understand and listen to their patient, which can isolate them. This gives the characters plenty of time to learn, grow, develop.

And their love lives is not easy either which makes for great Shondaland style dramedy!

I was also happy to see Zach Gilford from Friday Night Lights on such a show.

His character is bringing a lot to the story. So are the other leads.

Although I have to admit I was expecting more chemistry between them.

Martin Henderson, the new Mc Dreamy, isn't doing that much for me.

Same for Jason Winston George whose hotness is undeniable but still, something is missing.

But they're new so we'll give them time to appeal to us (although that should be happening from the pilot).

BUt if you're a fan of that kind of shows like me, it won't bother you.

They all have complex, interesting characters and great story which is what we're asking for, right?
Give it a try and tell me what you think.

Here is a preview for those who haven't seen it yet:

So what is this fall new tv line up gonna look like?

Let's review what we know so far.

Remakes:

Dallas

Wonder Woman (from David E. Kelley!!)

Charlie's Angels (ABC)

Being Erica US version (ABC)

The Wild Wild West (CBS) - No way in hell!!

ABC (my selection of what could be interesting)

Georgetown (Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage). A sexy soap centered around young people behind the power brokers of Washington DC (drama) - Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage? I'm there!!

Pan Am (Jack Orman, Nancy Ganis, Sid Ganis, Tommy Schlamme). A sexy soap set against the jet age, focusing on the stewardesses and pilots and their glamorous world full of adventures (drama) - I love soaps but this sounds silly though!

In Crisis (Rhimes, Betsy Beers). Revolves around the life and work of a professional fixer and her dysfunctional staff. The character is based on the career of Judy Smith, a crisis management consultant who has guided corporations, politicians, and public figures over the last 20 years (drama

Lost and Found (Marisa Coughlan). A narcissistic New York City bartender and party girl has her life turned upside down when the conservative 18-year-old son she gave up for adoption shows up on her doorstep (comedy)

Grace (Krista Vernoff, Carrie Ann Inaba). Focuses on a dysfunctional family set in the world of professional dance (drama)

Good Christian Bitches! (Robert Harling, Darren Star). Primetime soap is set in Dallas and asks the question – Is it possible to start over in a town that thinks they already know you? Amanda, once the ultimate “mean girl” in high school, returns home to Dallas after her marriage ends in scandal. Humbled, Amanda is nothing like the girl she once was. But as her old classmates reacquaint themselves with the new Amanda, will these “Good Christian Bitches” give her a second chance or is this their shot to seek revenge? (drama) - It's Darren Starr bitches!!!

Once Upon a Time (Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz). A young boy who is drawn into a town where the magic and mystery of fairy tales may be real real (drama) - Sounds lame but these guys were on Lost!!

CBS (my selection of what could be interesting)

Ringer (Eric Carmelo and Nicole Snyder). About a troubled young woman on the run who hides out by living the life of her wealthy twin sister, until she learns her sibling’s life has a bounty on it as well. It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (drama)

The Assistants (Tucker Cawley). Multi-camera sitcom about four assistants who work for a celebrity couple (comedy)

Dear Girls Above Me (Jason Goldberg, Ashton Kutcher). Based on a Twitter feed from a man who recounts what he hears from the girls who live above him (comedy)

Fox (my selection of what could be interesting)

 Nothing!!

NBC (my selection of what could be interesting)

Smash (Steven Spielberg, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Theresa Rebeck). Follows a cross section of characters who come together for the exhilarating ride of putting on a Broadway musical (drama)

Bent (Ted Quill). Single-camera comedy about a recently divorced Type A single mom who tries hard not to fall for the sexy surfer dude contractor she hires to re-do her kitchen (comedy)

S.A.N.D. (Craig Titley). A squad called the Sleep and Nightmare division enter peoples’ dreams to tackle their nightmares (drama) - Sort of like Inception I guess. Could be interesting if we get to see a lot of their actual lives and not just their dreams. But I think I'd be bored fast.

CW (my selection of what could be interesting)

Hart of Dixie (Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, Leila Gerstein and Len Goldstein). A young New York City doctor inherits a medical practice in a small Southern town inhabited by an eclectic and eccentric group of characters. (drama)

As I was saying before: Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage? I'm in!!

For the complete list (from Jan 5th so has to be updated), go there: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/05/fall-2011-12-development-jj-abrams-the-munsters/

That's obviously subject to change (in name, casting, writing or directing team...) and most of them will never see the light of day. But as a whole I find this new season, or what we know of it for now, much more interesting than the previous one. I also noticed a lot of office style comedies and a lot of "soaps". Although they're nightime soaps so I'm guessing closer to Melrose Place than The Young and the Restless so I wouldn't call them that because soaps are a different genre.

From tvline.com: "Amanda Peet is reuniting with NBC on a sitcom with very promising pedigree.

The Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star has scored the lead in Bent, a single camera romantic comedy pilot from former Scrubs producer Tad Quill.

Peet will play a recently-divorced single mom who’s fighting an intense attraction to her studly contractor.

No word on who’s playing the object of her superficial attraction."

Reminds anyone of baby talk (sort of tv version of look who's talking with Scott Bayo)?

For some reason I'm interested because I really like Amanda Peet but I don't find her particularly funny so I'm not sure about her being a lead in a sitcom! She's more suited for dramedy. We'll see.

From tvline.com: "Debra Messing is climbing back in bed with a certain Peacock. That’s not as dirty as it sounds, I swear.

The Will & Grace Emmy winner is thisclose to landing a lead role in NBC’s hour-long musical pilot Smash, sources confirm.

The project — from Steven Spielberg, Chicago duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Hairspray songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman — follows a diverse cast of characters who come together to stage a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe.

Messing will play Julia, the musical’s good-natured lyricist who is slow to embrace the commercially-iffy subject matter.

No doubt hoping to capitalize on Glee mania, NBC has ordered an hour-long musical pilot that follows a diverse cast of characters who come together to stage a Broadway show.

Titled Smash, the project boasts an impressive pedigree. Producers include Steven Spielberg, Chicago duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Hairspray songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Spring Awakening‘s Michael Mayer is in talks to direct, which pretty much guarantees that there’s a role in this for Lea Michele’s former Spring leading man (and ex-Glee costar) Jonathan Groff.

Elsewhere on the pilot front, NBC has greenlit I Hate That I Love You, a “twisty” single-camera comedy from Will & Grace scribe Jhoni Marchinko about a straight couple that set up two lesbian friends on a blind date, resulting in both an instant attraction and a pregnancy."

I hate that they're trying to capitalize on Glee and it's success but it sounds a bit different and I totally trust the entire cast and crew they've mentionned so this is going on my list!!

As for I hate that I love you, I'm not sure yet. It might look a lot like that show Accidentally on Purpose with Jenna Elfman.