MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
The Million Second Quiz (NBC at 8:00pm)
A quiz show being played on and off the air for one million seconds (approximately this week). I was hoping for something fun to watch and play along with; instead, it was standard stuff that is hard to take too seriously. There is too much “live” footage that could only have been filmed in advance. Not bad, but take it for what it’s worth.
The Arsenio Hall Show (Syndication)
Exploding Sun (Reelz at 8:00pm)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Billie Jean King (PBS at 9:00pm)
Part of the American Masters series, this was not strictly a new show. It got so much good press, however, that I felt I had to watch it and add it to this week’s list. I was very glad I did. King is a remarkable woman and this biography talks in depth about what she accomplished both for women and the LGBT community, all of which is astounding. Try to watch this; it is a fascinating account of how much has changed in the past forty years.
Hero Dogs of 9/11 (Animal Planet at 8:00pm)
Money Talks (CNBC at 9:00pm)
Snake Salvation (National Geographic at 9:00pm)
9/11: Relics From The Wreckage (H2 at 10:00pm)
King of Thrones (Destination America at 10:00pm)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
The Presidents’ Gatekeepers (Discovery at 9:00pm)
Everything I know about the job of the White House Chief of Staff, I learned from The West Wing. Turns out the job is a bit different from what is portrayed in Hollywood. (Yes, that’s sarcasm.) This four hour documentary is extraordinary in that the filmmakers got every living Chief of Staff to participate. It is an incredible discussion of the job and the men who have done that job, not to mention their bosses. If you are at all interested in modern political history, drop everything to watch this.
Brains on Trial (PBS at 10:00pm)
I wanted to watch this as it discusses the idea of whether or not criminals’ brains are wired differently from those who do not commit crimes. Unfortunately, I did not record it as I assumed I could stream it on the PBS site. You know what they say about assume… If anyone saw this, I would be interested in hearing what you thought.
9/11 Firehouse (Discovery at 8:00pm)
Too Young to Marry? (Oxygen at 10:00pm)
Thieves, Inc. (Food Network at 10:30pm)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Derek (Netflix, Streaming)
It’s Ricky Gervais, so I knew what to expect -- a mockumentary based on the day-to-day life of some sad sack of a person. Gervais, unbelievably, turned my expectations on their ear. Yes, it is filmed in a documentary style, but it is the story of a simple, not too bright guy who works in a nursing home. The residents are all a bit stereotypical, but the staff is a joy to watch. Huge shout out to Kerry Godliman who plays Hannah and steals every scene she is in. I got so invested so quickly, I was sobbing at the end of the first episode. The second is less emotionally draining, but even better. Try this.
Fame High (Showtime at 7:00pm)
A documentary that follows a group of students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. What I found so interesting about this show was not the kids, although they are a highly talented group. What was astonishing to watch was the teachers and the parents. A crazier group of people it is hard to imagine. One father taped a picture of a Lexus on his son’s piano so that the boy knows what he striving for. Oh yeah, the car is for the father. An interesting ninety minutes, but tough to take.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Wander over Yonder (Disney at 9:00pm)
Food Fanatics with Eden Grinshpan (Cooking Channel at 10:30pm)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Sins of the Preacher (Lifetime at 8:00pm)
40 Greatest Viral Videos (VH1 at 9:00pm)
Garage Sale Mystery (Hallmark at 9:00pm)
Robocroc (Syfy at 9:00pm)
Ghost Bait (Biography at 10:00pm)
Raising McCain (Pivot at 10:00pm)
Jersey Strong (Pivot at 10:30pm)
RETURNING SHOWS THAT PREMIERE THIS WEEK:
Fox is kicking off its season this week; ABC is premiering some of its shows.
Bones (Fox, Monday the 16th at 8:00pm)
Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Monday the 16th at 8:00pm)
New Girl (Fox, Tuesday the 17th at 9:00pm)
The Mindy Project (Fox, Tuesday the 17th at 9:30pm)
Survivor (CBS, Wednesday the 18th at 8:00pm)
The X Factor (Fox, Wednesday the 18th at 8:00pm)
Last Man Standing (ABC, Friday the 20th at 8:00pm)
The Neighbors (ABC, Friday the 20th at 8:30pm)
Shark Tank (ABC, Friday the 20th at 9:00pm)
On Sunday night, September 22, CBS and NPH will be hosting the 65th Emmy Awards. It kicks off at 8:00 Eastern/5:00 Pacific. Be sure to stop by Sunday night or Monday morning as sunbunny and I will be posting our take on the show, the winners, and the fashions. We may also be sending out a tweet or two during the event. Come join the fun.
Huzzah! New Girl and The Mindy Project are back! :) I need a healthy dose of sweet sitcommy goodness this week.
ReplyDeleteAt least we get Sleepy Hollow this week! I've been really impatient to try out some of these new shows... it seems like everything is taking FOREVER to start up this year, old and new alike! :p
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in Derek, but you know, I've been burned by Ricky Gervais before. now that I know it gets your seal of approval, I might give it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteBillie Jean King -- very cool. I've read a good bit about her. I'll have to catch that documentary.
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