Fall 2013 TV Scorecard

So with November sweeps underway, here’s my verdict for the new and returning show this season. What have you given up on this season?

SUNDAY
The Simpsons [8pm on FOX]
Season: 25
Observation: Still going strong in my opinion.
Verdict: Keep watching. [renewed for next season]

Once Upon a Time [8pm on ABC]
Season: 3
Observation: Starting to get tired of Neverland.
Verdict: Keep watching.

The Amazing Race [8pm on CBS]
Season: 23
Observation: All my favourites are already out.
Verdict: Keep watching.

Boardwalk Empire [9pm on HBO]
Season: 4
Observation: Hope they can end this slow season strong.
Verdict: Keep watching [for now]. [renewed for next season]

Homeland [9pm on Showtime]
Season: 3
Observation: Great now that it’s picking up.
Verdict: Keep watching. [renewed for next season]

The Walking Dead [9pm on AMC]
Season: 4
Observation: Lots more zombie deaths this season.
Verdict: Keep watching. [renewed for next season]

Masters of Sex [10pm on Showtime]
Season: 1
Observation: Great characters and opening credits.
Verdict: Keep watching [for now]. [renewed for next season]

Hello Ladies [9:30pm on HBO]
Season: 1
Observation: Delightfully awkward and funny
Verdict: Keep watching

MONDAY
How I Met Your Mother [8pm on CBS]
Season: 9
Observation: Getting tired of the weekend. Show the mother more.
Verdict: Keep watching. [in its final season]

Sleepy Hollow [9pm on FOX]
Season: 1
Observation: Very fun and creepy. A great Fringe replacement
Verdict: Keep watching. [renewed for next season]

Mom [9pm on CBS]
Season: 1
Observation: Lots of funny characters. Too much laugh track.
Verdict: Keep watching. . [got full season pick-up]

Hostages [10pm on CBS]
Season: 1
Observation: Didn’t feel for the family or Toni Collette.
Verdict: Dropped.

The Blacklist [10pm on NBC]
Season: 1
Observation: Spader rocks. One of my favourite new shows.
Verdict: Keep watching. . [got full season pick-up]

TUESDAY
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. [8pm on ABC]
Season: 1
Observation: Another Whedon hit. Great dialogue & story
Verdict: Keep watching. . [got full season pick-up]

Brooklyn Nine-Nine [8:30pm on FOX]
Season: 1
Observation: Love the chemistry. Favourite new comedy.
Verdict: Keep watching. [got full season pick-up]

New Girl [9pm on FOX]
Season: 3
Observation: Schmidt needs to be cocky again.
Verdict: Keep watching.

The Mindy Project [9:30pm on FOX]
Season: 2
Observation: Still love watching Danny and Mindy interact.
Verdict: Keep watching.
WEDNESDAY
Revolution [8pm on NBC]
Season: 2
Observation: It became a chore to watch it. Don’t care enough.
Verdict: Dropped.

Modern Family [9pm on ABC]
Season: 5
Observation: I think Lily may be funnier than older Luke.
Verdict: Keep watching.

THURSDAY
Parks and Recreation [8pm on NBC]
Season: 6
Observation: I wish Andy wasn’t overseas.
Verdict: Keep watching.

The Big Bang Theory [8pm on CBS]
Season: 7
Observation: Pretty darn funny and consistent.
Verdict: Keep watching.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland [8pm on ABC]
Season: 1
Observation: I just can’t get into the characters. Even Jafar.
Verdict: Dropped [for now].

The Crazy Ones [9pm on CBS]
Season: 1
Observation: The show is starting to grow on me. Love the outtakes.
Verdict: Keep watching [for now]. . [got full season pick-up]

The Michael J Fox Show [9pm on NBC]
Season: 1
Observation: Fine with Parkinson’s but didn’t like the family angle.
Verdict: Dropped.

Elementary [10pm on CBS]
Season: 2
Observation: Not as good as last season. Sherlock is less edgy.
Verdict: Keep watching [for now].

Parenthood [10pm on NBC]
Season: 5
Observation: It is at its best when the siblings talk to each other.
Verdict: Keep watching.

FRIDAY
Masterchef Junior [8pm on FOX]
Season: 1
Observation: Those kids are simply amazing.
Verdict: Finished but keep watching. [renewed for next season]

SATURDAY
Saturday Night Live [11:30pm on NBC]
Season: 39
Observation: Some strong sketches here and there. Miss Hader.
Verdict: Keep watching until it ends.

I will most likely give Almost Human a try. It premieres next week Sunday, then moves to Monday. If you watch FOX, I’m sure you’ve seen an ad for it.

Film: Ender's Game

GENRE: Sci-Fi, Action
RATING: PG for some violence
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 54 minutes
STARRING: Asa Butterfield (Hugo, Boy in the Striped Pajamas)
Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Air Force One)
DIRECTOR: Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine)
WRITER: Gavin Hood (Tsotsi)
PLOT: Ender Wiggin is a brilliant child who is recruited to save the world from the threat of alien annihilation.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 I haven’t read the book and while I assume it is better, I quite enjoyed the film. It’s a nicely done science fiction story. It’s a little cliché at times and the last ten minutes drags a bit, but overall, a fun time.
2 A great Harrison Ford role in this one. Ford has done some clunkers in the past (Cowboys & Aliens, Morning Glory, Extraordinary Measures), so it’s great to see him bring it in this film as Col. Grafff.
3 From the trailers, I thought I would be more confused by all the alien attack sequences but it didn’t bother me at all in the context of the film. I’m actually surprised they didn’t release this in 3D.
4 Butterfield did an amazing job as Ender. I wish I felt for him a bit more though. Some more home life stuff with his siblings probably would have helped. I hear the book does a great job of that.
5 Great casting of Moises Arias (Hannah Montana) as the bully Bonzo Madrid.  

RECOMMENDATION: Pretty cool in theatres
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Thor 2