TMCnet News

Fall 2014 TV premieres this week: What to watch, what to DVR, what to skip [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.]
[September 29, 2014]

Fall 2014 TV premieres this week: What to watch, what to DVR, what to skip [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.]


(Oregonian (Portland, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 29--The 2014 Fall TV season continues with gusto this week, bringing new series debuts ("Gracepoint," "Selfie," "Manhattan Love Story," and more) and the season premieres of several returning series ("Castle," "Criminal Minds," and so on.) It can seem overwhelming -- I speak from bleary-eyed experience -- but here are my recommendations for what to watch, what to DVR, and what to skip.



What to watch (worth making time for): "Gracepoint": David Tennant once again plays the lead investigator of the murder of a young boy in this Americanized version of the excellent BBC America series, "Broadchurch." Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad") co-stars. If you've seen "Broadchurch," you may grow impatient with the first episode, which follows the U.K. original very closely. But the case remains compelling, and the locations (filmed in British Columbia) add to the atmosphere. (9 p.m. Thursday, Fox/12) "Survivor's Remorse": LeBron James is an executive producer of this new half-hour comedy, whose other executive producers include writer/actor/producer Mike O'Malley, about Cam Calloway, a pro basketball player (played by Jessie T. Usher), who hits the big time when he's signed to a team in Atlanta. But handling the big payday proves challenging when family members start hitting him up for handouts. The language is definitely R-rated, and there's that premium-cable staple, female nudity, but the subject matter is fresh, and the cast -- which includes Tichina Arnold as Cam's mother, and Mike Epps as his uncle -- is capable. And it's not every comedy that includes a lively back-and-forth debate about the movie, "Schindler's List." (9 p.m. Saturday, Starz) What to DVR (check out when you get a chance): "Castle": The durable duo of Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are back for Season 7. Are those two crazy kids ever going to be able to settle into wedding bliss, or will criminals keep getting in the way? (I'm guessing yeah, they will.) (10 p.m. Monday, ABC) "NCIS: Los Angeles": Season 6 already? By this point, loyal viewers know what to expect, so this one can probably stay in the DVR for a day or two. (10 p.m. Monday, CBS/6) "The Bridge": This uneven Season 2 comes to a close with the finale. (10 p.m. Wednesday, FX) "A to Z": Ben Feldman and Cristin Milioti are the couple destined to be together in a new romantic comedy. It's not the best romantic comedy of the season, but it's not the worst, either, and the leads are lively chemistry. (9:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC/8) What to skip (there are better ways to spend your TV time): "Selfie": Karen Gillan and John Cho in a new romantic comedy about a social media-obsessed young woman and the grumpy fellow who tries to let go of her smart phone and check in with the real world. Gillan and Cho are likable, but unless the writing gets better, this isn't a date worth making time for. (8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC/2) "Manhattan Love Story": Another new romantic comedy, about two New Yorkers who meet cute, and insist on telling us what they're thinking, in irritating voiceovers. (8:30 p.m. Tuesday, ABC/2) "Criminal Minds": The creepy crime procedural begins a new season, and a new cast member -- Jennifer Love Hewitt -- will be along for the ride. If you like the show -- obviously, plenty of people do -- and/or are a fan of J-Love, have at it. But I don't need to watch any more stories about deranged killers. (9 p.m. Wednesday, CBS/6) "Stalker": Speaking of creepy, the season's most unwelcome new show, about L.A. investigators looking for stalkers, premieres. (10 p.m. Wednesday, CBS/6) "Bad Judge": Kate Walsh in a not-very-promising new comedy. (9 p.m. Thursday, NBC/8) -- Kristi Turnquist ___ (c)2014 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at www.oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]