TV Show Check In

The new comedy Happy Endings joined ABC's midseason lineup in April, earning a spot after Wednesday night regulars Modern Family and Cougar Town. The series is about a group of six friends in their late twenties living in Chicago, starring Elisha Cuthbert and SNL alum Casey Wilson, along with newer faces like comedians Damon Wayans Jr. and Adam Pally. I've been watching the show and have been able to get to know the series, so I wanted to check in with you guys about why I like it, and why you should start watching if you're not already.

• First impression: I've been hooked on Happy Endings since the pilot, in which Alex (Cuthbert) leaves her groom Dave (Zachary Knighton) at the altar. It throws a wrench into the relationships of their close-knit group, which also includes her sister and brother-in-law (Eliza Coupe and Wayans) and their perennially single friends (Wilson and Pally). Though the wedding incident launches us into the circle of friends, it quickly moves into the background so that the show can become what it really is: a showcase for six hilarious personalities. And while each character makes up the great ensemble, Wilson and Pally are standouts and constantly supply the best moments.
• Why I'm watching: It's funny! Quirky, clever, and fun, Happy Endings is a welcome addition to ABC's Wednesday night. The humor is a edgier than Modern Family and a little hipper than Cougar Town, but it has just as many laugh-out-loud moments as both of those shows. And it's important to note that though it's got the same setup of six friends trying to make their love lives and friendships work in a city, it's not trying to be a Friends clone.
• Why you should watch: Besides being one of the funniest shows on TV right now (oh, I said it), there's probably at least one character you can relate to. Plus, in true sitcom fashion, you can jump into the series at any time without worrying that you won't know what's going on.

To watch a clip and get a taste of the show, just read more

Looks like Undercovers is sticking around — at least for a little while. NBC recently ordered four more episode scripts of the spy series, which isn't as encouraging as an episode pickup, but it's not a death sentence either. But here's the question: are you loving it?

The J.J. Abrams creation has a few obvious things going for it: besides Abrams, there's hot leading man Boris Kodjoe, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who's proven that she knows how to kick ass. I think the show has upped its action sequences since the pilot, but the series still tries a little too hard to make its central duo a cutesy couple. Another episode airs tonight, so tell me, have you been tuning in?

Photo courtesy of NBC

We've already touched base on a few of this Fall's new shows (just yesterday I asked for your thoughts on Hawaii Five-0), but how about Running Wilde? While the pilot was somewhat disappointing, I've been crossing my fingers that the show might improve.

The comedy has great lead-ins with both Glee and the newest success of the season, Raising Hope. Even so, there have already been rumors of possible cancellation and Will Arnett is trying to get a campaign going to save the show. Unfortunately, the show is still struggling. While there are some funny moments (Arnett's attempts at office work last week seemed to channel Michael Scott), overall I'm just bored.

So tell me, have you been watching Running Wilde? And if so, do you think it deserves a chance?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Monday nights are hot this Fall, thanks in part to new shows The Event and Hawaii Five-0. I've already asked for your thoughts on The Event, so now I'd like to pick your brains about Hawaii Five-0.

Right out of the gate, CBS's reboot was one of my must-see shows for the Fall. It seems to be flourishing in the midst of the Monday night lineup and is hands down one of the "safe" new shows. So what makes it so great? Personally, I'll take any excuse to drool over cutie Alex O'Loughlin in a Hawaiian setting for an hour, but the show is more than just eye candy. Each episode stands well on its own, and it seems to be hitting its stride after three solid episodes (and we finally learned what the whole Five-0 is about).

How are you feeling about the series? Has it found a permanent home on your DVR?

Photo courtesy of CBS

My regular TV show check-ins have begun, and after giving early evaluations to dramas The Event and Hellcats, I'm now going for a sitcom: ABC's Better With You.

Better With You was one show for the Fall season that I saw a lot of potential in — despite its multicamera, laugh-track formula. I'd hoped that the combo of good writing plus charming stars JoAnna Garcia and Jennifer Finnegan would make the format a nonissue, but unfortunately, the first couple of episodes have suffered from sitcom conventions: lame plots and cheesy jokes. Also, the relatable relationship issues that were in the pilot became patronizing by the second episode. That said, it's still early in the season, so the series has time to prove itself as cute and funny. What do you think of the new comedy? Has it found a home in your Wednesday night lineup?

Photo copyright 2010 ABC, Inc.

Fall TV is off and running, so I've begun my check-ins for the new series. Last week I peeked in at Hellcats, and today I'm looking at NBC drama The Event.

As one of my five must-see shows, I wondered if The Event would be as compelling as Lost or 24, and so far it's doing a pretty good job. I was happy to see that big questions are already answered in the second episode (the "others" are actually aliens), and I really enjoy the format that takes us back in time to see exactly where each character was in the days leading up to the event.

Not every character's plight is equally thrilling, and I'm not sure how I feel about the aliens-among-us theme as the central conceit, but my interest is still here for now. Now it's your turn: If you're watching The Event, let me know how you're finding it, and if you're hooked yet — or why you won't continue watching.

Photo courtesy of NBC

Now that all the new Fall TV shows have premiered (with one already canceled), I thought I'd check in on some of the freshman series to find out if you've been watching. Today, I'm looking at CW drama Hellcats.

The college-set cheerleading soap has had a few strong episodes since its pilot. Ashley Tisdale has proved she can be more than just a mean girl, while Aly Michalka is pretty charismatic in the lead. The relationships are starting to form (one of my favorite storylines has been the flirtation of Dan and Savannah) and as I noted in my first impression, I love watching the choreographed cheerleading routines (not to mention the recent street dance battle!). I'm going to continue to watch and see if I get hooked, but I'm more interested in your take; have you been watching this new series? What do you think?

Photo courtesy of The CW

My other TV show check-ins have thus far been about shows I wanted to champion, but this new show pretty much needs no advocacy: Modern Family. It's ABC's mockumentary-style comedy about three related families that regularly combine awkwardness and humor via their very wacky members.

I've been following Modern Family since the pilot premiered, and loving it ever since. What's so great about it? The comedy is often very silly and over-the-top, but its heart is big, always circling back to the love of a tightly-knit clan. I admit that sometimes the jokes are very safe, but generally when I'm thinking that, they bust out with an edgier joke (Modern Family isn't afraid of flouting stereotypes).

I know I'm not alone in my passion for the show; it was just renewed for a second season a couple of months ago. To watch a funny clip from the series, just read more

I've already handed in my midseason evaluations for Cougar Town and Accidentally on Purpose, but another show that I've been following is Community. The lead-in of the NBC Thursday night comedy lineup, the show centers around a group of social misfits at Greendale Community College who band together to form a Spanish study group. Joel McHale stars as Jeff, the leader of the motley crew but the show also features other familiar faces, including Chevy Chase and Mad Men's Alison Brie.

• First impression: The pilot really plays up a fun, Breakfast Club-type vibe for the series, but I was leery that the show was relying too heavily on such pop culture references for its yukks.
• Why I'm still watching: The quippy pop culture stuff is still in there, but the writers have also taken the time to explore each of the characters, which is what really keeps me coming back. In the beginning, Jeff just seems like a stereotypical wise-ass, but over time he's begun to question his own moral compass — and dare I say, show a vulnerable side thanks to his will-they-or-won't-they relationship with Britta (Gillian Jacobs). Best of all, the entire group is really starting to gel as friends. I'm particularly fond of the pairing of Abed (Danny Pudi) and Troy (Donald Glover) who always make me laugh with the goofy antics they use to keep themselves entertained.

To see a funny video of Abed and Troy doing just that, and to hear why you should watch just read more

Last week, I did a check-in on Cougar Town to let you know what's so great about it, and today I'd like to mention another show that I don't normally recap, but have been watching and enjoying: Accidentally on Purpose. The freshman comedy stars Jenna Elfman and Jon Foster as Billie and Zack, a couple who gets to know each other and starts dating after she gets pregnant from a one-night stand.

• First impression: I thought the pilot was cute enough, and I kept up with the show since Billie's pregnancy keeps things moving at a rapid pace.
• Why I'm still watching: The show has found a chemistry winner between Elfman and Foster, who plays Billie's baby's father, Zack. When the show was just about them trying to get along platonically for the sake of their unborn baby, it almost lost me, but the decision to let them be together in the middle of the season was a great one. There's no need to keep them apart — watching them figure out a relationship and parenthood is entertaining enough. Also, though some of the jokes are a little lame, the show seems like it's toning down the antics of the friends, as well as Elfman's over-the-top punchlines and mannerisms.

To hear why you should watch and see a funny clip of the show, just read more