John’s top 10 TV shows of 2010
This was the year when TV changed from low-definition to high-definition and from squares to rectangles (I still have a square, and I know I’m missing some things off to the sides, but at least I can hear everybody). Also, TV has never before been as accessible; unless it’s on a premium network, rare is
First episode (of new season) impressions: ‘Gossip Girl,’ ‘Life Unexpected,’ ‘Parenthood’ (TV reviews)
“Gossip Girl” Season 4 (8 p.m. Central Mondays, The CW) 1. The actors who play Dan and Vanessa continue to look like they punch a clock, sleepwalk through their scenes, punch out and go home. What’s particularly strange about this is that I thought both Penn Badgley and Jessica Szohr were good actors when “Gossip Girl”
Fall TV 2010: What to watch for on 10 returning favorites (Commentary)
Here’s what I’ll be watching for on my top 10 returning fall shows, listed in order of airdate. All times are Central.
State of Television Address: Returning shows (Commentary)
With last week’s “Glee” season capper, we’ve come to the end of the TV year (more or less), and I’m ready for my State of Television Address. Usually it’s a three-parter, but I’ll skip the section on canceled shows, because I took individual looks at the four big ones last month. I’ll start with my
5 random observations about current TV shows (Commentary)
1. “10 Things I Hate About You” recently returned, and it hasn’t missed a beat from its run last summer. Although it more openly admits to being aimed at all ages, “10 Things” is treading the path paved before it by “Lizzie McGuire” and “Zoey 101” — two other shows about teenagers with humor for adults. For
‘Parenthood’ is hit-and-miss, but the hits are really good (TV review)
Jason Katims, whose resume includes “My So-Called Life,” “Roswell” and “Friday Night Lights,” is now on that short list of producers where you have to check out all of his products, ’cause it’s gonna be good. His latest project, “Parenthood” (9 p.m. Central Tuesdays on NBC) follows three generations of Bravermans. Two episodes in, about half of
Midseason preview: My favorite actresses return, but will their shows be any good? (TV commentary)
Three of my favorite actresses return to TV this midseason, and that’s probably a good thing, but I’m a little ambivalent. In TV, I often start to think of a performer as being their character, so I’m resistant when they take on a new (lesser) role. To me, David Boreanaz is Angel, not Seeley Booth.