Culturally Preconditioned

Well not really the full line up.. basically, just shows that I’ve been watching/I’m watching over the summer and now into the new fall season. I was planning to update my blog again after the Amazing Race premiere earlier tonight… but my work schedule is a little wonky.. so I missed it, and I guess I have to catch a rerun or something later.

In any case.. thought I owe this blog an update at least.. so here’s a compilation of the shows that I’m watching :

90210 (currently in it’s second season)

Genre : Drama, Teen

What’s it about : It’s a remake (or some say, continuation) of the Aaron Spelling’s original 90210.

You might enjoy it if you like : the original 90210

Commentaries : I started out watching the show because of the returning characters (but so far, the old 90210 guys are a no-show), but the new set of characters are fun to watch. I was getting sick of it midway through season 1, but the finale had a great cliffhanger. And I love how the new season is taking off. It’s almost a complete departure of how some of the characters were last season. Cutting Ethan off from the show was a good call. Cutting off the kookie grandma? Not so much.

Cougar Town (currently in it’s first season)

Genre : Comedy

What’s it about : Revolves around the life of a newly single 40-year old mother

You might enjoy it if you like : HBO’s shortlived The Comeback

Commentaries : What can I say? I love Courtney Cox and it almost feels like she’s back to being Monica from friends (except a lot less prude). The first episode gave me lots of laughs. If I had to choose just one new comedy to watch this season, this would probably be it.

Eastwick (currently in it’s first season)

Genre : Drama, Comedy, Supernatural

What’s it about : Three strangers are given supernatural powers and befriended by a sinister mysterious guy.

You might enjoy it if you like : Charmed

Commentaries : I still see Rebecca Romjin Stamos as the trannylicious vamp from Ugly Betty.. what the fuck is wrong with me? I think this show has potential, given that it has it’s dark and brooding moments, which sets it apart from Charmed, IMO. The show also had some LOL moments like when the little girl shouted SLUT SLUT, and the prude woman goes on explaining why she’s naming her vibrator Will, to a person that she has a crush on.

Glee (currently in it’s first season)

Genre : Drama, Comedy, Musical

What’s it about : A teacher and a group of high school students reviving a Glee Club (a fancier name for a show choir)

You might enjoy it if you like : Fame (from the 80s), and quite possible High School Musical (ick)

Commentaries : I like the show for bringing contemporary music into the show, instead of writing it’s own sappy puppy love, motivational crap. The way they bring the songs into the shows are creative (have you ever imagined football players singing to a Beyonce track?). I loved the first episode, but the lip syncing on the second episode was really really badly done, IMO. But the show has quite a lot of funny lines, which is why I love it. And that image is sooooooo LOLtastic! That’s one of the characters crying and singing All By Myself at the same time.

Harper’s Island (the series have ended over the summer)

Genre : Horror, Crime Mystery

What’s it about : Wedding guests gets trapped on an island and is mysteriously killed one by one.

You might enjoy it if you like : Final Destination

Commentaries : The only good thing about the show is it’s cinematography. The scenes are amazingly beautiful. Storywise, it was initially touted as the new Scream. What a fucking insult to the best horror trilogy in existence ever! The plot of the show is incredibly weak, and is the actors are horribly miscast. Seriously. Worst casting ensemble ever. I was hoping they all died in a blazing fire by the end of the series.. but unfortunately that didn’t happen. If they make a sequel to this, someone will get cut. By me.

Hell’s Kitchen (currently in it’s sixth season)

Genre : Reality, Cooking

What’s it about : Several chefs face the wrath of Gordon Ramsey to win the title of the new top chef at an exclusive restaurant

You might enjoy it if you like : verbal abuse

Commentaries : What’s there to tell? I think 8tv has shown a couple of episodes of the earlier seasons. It’s fun watching foul mouthed Ramsey at work, and it’s even more fun watching at least two chefs having a direct face off with him this season.  And no, that’s not Whoopi Goldberg.

Heroes (currently in it’s fourth season)

Genre : Drama, Sci-Fi

What’s it about : The shows tells stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilties bla bloody bla bla

You might enjoy it if you like : .. i have no fricken clue why I’m still watching this.

Commentaries : I’d say that I’m only watching this show now to keep up with pop culture, but I swear.. if the writers fuck this shit up once again, to hell with pop culture.. this shit better get cancelled soon. However, the two hour season premier was not bad. I did lose my attention and got distracted midway through.. but it could’ve been worse. The inclusion of the carnivale-like people is going to be interesting – even if the only thing it does is remind me of the excellent characters from HBO’s Carnivale. Oh, and Madeline Zima makes her appearance (you know, the little girl in The Nanny who later turned up buck nekkid in Californatication?)

Hung (currently in it’s first season)

Genre : Drama, Comedy

What’s it about : High school coach tries to turn his life around by making a side income of becoming a Happiness Consultant aka an escort

You might enjoy it if you like : Californication, i guess?

Commentaries : I have high hopes for shows created by HBO. They are the shiznits – with the exception being Entourage – and I’d say Hung passes the mark. Just barely. It’s interesting, but my interest is beginning to wan ever so slightly midway through the season. It has it’s moments.. but the momentum is quickly fading, I’m afraid.

Legend of the Seeker (currently ended it’s first season)

Genre : Fantasy, Adventure

What’s it about : A series based on The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind, it follows an epic adventure of three enigmatic characters

You might enjoy it if you like : Hercules, Xena

Commentaries : Seriously, if you miss shows like Hercules and Xena, give this one a go. Plus it’s directed by Sam Raimi. Woohoo!

Top Chef/Top Chef Masters (Top Chef is currently in it’s sixth season)

Genre : Cooking, Reality

What’s it about : Top chefs face off in grueling competitions that puts their ultimate culinary skills to the test

You might enjoy it if you like : I would say Food Network’s Chopped, but that would be an insult to Top Chef.

Commentaries : I honestly don’t know why none of the local tv networks have picked this up yet. This is the king of cooking shows. Forget Iron Chef, forget Chopped (such a big joke, that one).. PICK THIS SHIT UP RIGHT NOW SO I DON’T HAVE TO WASTE MY BANDWIDTH TO DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW. I’ve had enough of the overrated Jamie Oliver, and Kylie Kwong overusing the word “caramelize” in all her shows. (Anthony Bourdain can stay, and the Goddess Nigella MUST stay). Seriously, if you love cooking, watch this show. Yes, it’s filled with pretentious dishes and stuff.. but it’s so good.

Psych (currently in it’s fourth season)

Genre : Comedy, Drama, Mystery

What’s it about : A crime consultant masks his heightened observational skills by declaring himself a psychic to help solve crime mysteries.

You might enjoy it if you : are born in the 80s, and if you like Monk, CSI, Numb3rs

Commentaries : I normally don’t give a shit about eccentric characters, but Sean is a funny dude! He is! Coupled with Gus, they make the best partners in crime ever. I love love love the jabs and their sly references to the 80s pop culture. And having Corbin Bensen and Cybill Shepherd as his parents? That’s just icing on the cake. The chemistry between Sean and Juliet are also awesome. The season 3 finale? That was excellent. But the main thing I love about the show is it’s terribly witty dialogue. If you don’t get it the in-jokes and the throwback references, you’re missing out on a lot.

Psychoville (currently ended it’s first season)

Genre : Comedy, Thriller

What’s it about : A dark character comedy mystery feautring the weird and the wonderful

You might enjoy it if you like : BBC’s The League of Gentlemen

Commentaries : I never knew where this show was heading and how it was going to end. It was all a little absurd and peculiar. But that doesn’t matter cause Dawn French is in it. Awesome! The show is interesting, and I hope there will be a second season soon.

Supernatural (currently in it’s fifth season)

Genre : Drama, Thriller, Supernatural, Paranormal, Comedy

What’s it about : Two brothers hunts demons and other figures of the paranormal.

You might enjoy it if you : are born in the 80s, and if you like Ghost Hunter

Commentaries : Like Psych, the show makes a LOT of references to the 80s pop culture. And man, these actors have perfect comedic timing, which is amazing considering this isn’t supposed to be a strictly comedic show. I love the fact that the show is able to laugh at itself (the Ghost Hunter spoof, anyone?) and be serious at the same time (how it’s starting to delve into the apocalypse and stuff). I love the two shots above.. if you haven’t watched episode yet, I’m not going to say who those two additional characters are. (but yes! That’s the same guy who played JACOB on LOST!)

Survivor Samoa (currently in it’s NINETEENTH season)

Genre : Reality

What’s it about : People marooned on a deserted place, and gets voted of one by one, some of which will form a jury that will vote for a sole survivor to win a million dollars.

You might enjoy it if you like : any reality shows in general, and Lord of the Flies.

Commentaries : Let’s just say that I haven’t enjoyed a survivor premier that much since Pearl Islands (season . Survivor Samoa is shaping up to be a great season. It’s gonna take a lot for it to beat the awesomeness that was Survivor Micronesia.. but if it’s going at the same rate as the last two episodes, it’s definitely possible.

True Blood (currently ended it’s second season)

Genre : Drama, Supernatural, Vampires

What’s it about : Based on the Sookie Stackhouse Mystery novels by Charlaine Harris. It tells of the co-existence between vampires and humans.

You might enjoy it if you like : there’s nothing quite like it, but I think Angel comes close

Commentaries : The combo between HBO and Alan Ball can never go wrong! And Alan Ball makes the best casting choices ever. First Lauren Ambrose for Six Feet Under, now Deborah Ann Woll in True Blood? That man is a genius! The show just keeps getting better and better IMO (although the Maenard storyline was a major drag, in my personal opinion). I love the fact that Alan Ball kept Tara and Lafayette in the show (Lafayette dies in the second book, and Tara only appeared in the second book), and I’m officially rooting for Team Hoyt and Team Jessica now. W00t! Definitely the number one scripted drama for me. And Godric <3

Vampire Diaries (currently in it’s first season)

Genre : Supernatural, Vampires, Drama

What’s it about : A teensy version of True Blood, although the books came out waayy earlier than the Sookie Stackhouse novels. It tells of a girl torn between two vampire brothers.

You might enjoy it if you like : I dunno.. Point Pleasant (althought that show was shit).. and Vampire Diaries better not turn into something like that filth Twilight shit.

Commentaries : I’m giving this one a shot since it’s on the CW network. Plus a friend said that Ian Somerhalder (that’s Boone to you Losties out there), plays a great bad guy on the show. But seriously, the moment this turns Twilightshitty.. I’ll drop this faster than I dropped Kings.

Other tv shows in progress (or hiatus) - Flash Forward, Mentalist, Fringe, 10 Things, Desp Housewives, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, Lost, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives