June 29, 2006
Weighing in on summer television shows
Written by Kimberly Logan in Jaunty PostWell, I’ve now had a chance to check out most of the new shows making the television rounds for the summer. I have to say, so far I’ve been pretty unimpressed. I thought Windfall had an intriguing premise, but the lackluster characters failed to draw me in and they lost me after episode two. Treasure Hunters turned me off when I realized it was another reality show. I can’t take all the yelling and the belittling treatment doled out by Chef on Hell’s Kitchen, and the Tuesday Night Book Club…well, my mother taught me if you can’t say anything nice…
On an up note, I have enjoyed the few episodes I’ve seen of America’s Got Talent. It reminds me of a cross between American Idol and the Gong Show, which I remember watching with my parents as a kid. And I’ve finally been able to catch up on all those missed episodes of The Office and Criminal Minds. (And may I say I am loving The Office! I’m rooting for Jim and Pam!) The good news is that the fall shows that have been previewed so far really look promising. Jericho, Kidnapped, Standoff, and Vanished all have me interested. (But what is it with the single-word titles? Sheesh!)
So, I’d be interested to know if anybody else has struck any television gold this summer. Anybody discover any good shows that I’m missing out on? 
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Robyn DeHart Says:
Uh…yeah. Now, it’s a reality show, Kim, so you might not be interested. But being a romance author, you should be. It’s called How To Get the Guy and it comes on ABC (I think) on Monday nights. It’s 4 single women in San Francisco and they have a guy and a girl acting as their love coaches. It’s been entertaining in a cheesey reality TV kind of way, but it’s also an examination of courtship and I’m really rooting for some of the couples. You should give it a shot.
Manuelita Says:
I haven’t watched too much summer TV yet. I liked Treasure Hunter. I thought those red neck guys were so funny. Can’t remember their team name though. I couldn’t believe it when they decided to go get something to eat instead of solving the clue. LOL!
I saw America’s Got Talent last night for the first time. I didn’t start watching until 8:30pm when my son said that that was the show he went to go watch in Los Angeles with a friend a while back. So I turned on the VCR just in case they showed him in the audience. Didn’t see him in the LA auditions. Then that episode was immediately followed by the New York auditions. My son was shown on TV with his friends for just a brief instant. While watching the LA show, my son said he only saw some of the acts they showed on TV. So that means they did some major editing, combining auditions from different nights, and apparently, different locations.
Kristol Says:
I haven’t really found much to watch yet this summer. Kimberly and I definetly have different television tastes. I like Hell’s Kitchen and Treasure Hunter. I also think Americas got talent is fun to watch, so many odd talents!! I am a self proclaimed reality T.V. junkie, when looking for something to watch I always check the reality T.V. listing first!!
Kimberly Logan Says:
How cool, Manuelita. Your son is a television star!
LOL, Kristol! We’re obviously at opposite ends of the television spectrum when it comes to our viewing choices.
Believe it or not, I used to like some of the reality shows back when Survivor was new and the concept was fresh. (There was one a few years back called Murder in Small Town X that I really enjoyed.) But there is such a thing as overkill…
Robyn, I’ve seen the commercials for How to Get the Guy and it does look like it might be entertaining. I might give it a try.
BTW, something else has been reallllllly bugging me. Has anyone else seen the commercial with the dalmatian lying on the couch while a John Denver tune plays in the background? What in heck is this all about? There is no product placement. Nothing. It’s about to drive me crazy!
Shana Says:
I kind of liked the How to Get the Guy show. It dragged me in. But, Kim, you did not mention watching How I Met Your Mother. That show is really good. Watch it. Or have you watched it and didn’t like it?
Kimberly Logan Says:
I’ve seen a few episodes of HIMYM, Shane. I thought it was okay, but not a show that I would consider can’t miss T.V. Although it’s nice to see Alyson Hannigan in something new. So there is life after Buffy!
Speaking of summer shows, I just saw a preview for a new movie coming out in August called the Illusionist. It is set in the 1800’s and stars Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. It looks very promising.
Jennifer Y. Says:
I am a fan of the TNT show The Closer…comes on Mondays. It is in its second season and is enjoyable (at least to me…I like the crime-solving/law shows).
Kimberly Logan Says:
I really like the crime solving shows too, Jennifer. At least, most of them. But it has gotten to the point where it is a bit like the reality shows. Major overkill. I have liked what I’ve seen of The Closer, though.
Jennifer Y. Says:
I agree with you Kimberly…there are getting to be way too many on the air.
Kimberly Logan Says:
BTW, never mind about the weird dalmatian commercial. It turned out to be a local one. It’s been driving me crazy for weeks because they’ve only been showing it in parts, but they finally showed the end of it today. Oh, well. They definitely got my attention that way.