As I’ve mentioned before on my blog I love me some television and because I was sick last week I viewed even more TV than usual. Luckily it was premiere week and all my favorite shows started their seasons with a couple new shows thrown in the mix.  I thought it would be fun to review these shows and give you an idea of what is worth checking out this season.

Sunday-

Amazing Race 19- 19 seasons and still my favorite reality competition show.  Entertaining cast, great first challenge in Taiwan and I couldn’t believe the girls that lost their passport about an hour into the race!  A few new touches like the hazard penalty and a double elimination round next week keep the race exciting.  If I could be on any show it would be the Amazing Race.  A+

Extreme Makeover Home Edition- There is no show that lays on the inspirational cheese more than this one but I still enjoy it.  Its kind of like the TV equivalent of a cup of hot cocoa.  Sweet and comforting. I’m embarrassed to admit how many times it makes me cry in spite of my best efforts! This season started with a bang, bringing the First Lady in as a guest to help a home for female veterans.  How can you not like that? B+

Pan Am- New show trying to ride the 60’s wave of Mad Men.  Looks very promising with a slick, attractive cast.  You could really see the budget spent on the pilot.  Cinematography, sets, fashion were all top-notch.  Not as edgy as Mad Men but I actually think that’s a good thing.  I love Mad Men’s style but it has become too R rated for my taste with almost every character being a philanderer or cheat (plus a few of the plot strings have become ridiculous). A-

Monday-

Dancing with the Stars- new season has stretched the meaning of ‘star’ to the point where some of the pro dancers are more famous than the stars.  For instance, does dating George Clooney really make you a star?  That said, still immensely entertaining.  I especially enjoy watching it with my DVR so I can fast forward all the fluffy montages and rehearsal scenes.  I just like to watch the dancing! B

How I Met Your Mother- this show has been weak for the last 3 seasons, especially last season. The once funny Barney gags are tired and the entire cast (and writers) seem bored.  Hope they can revitalize it but I think this season it might be time to finally meet the mother and end the show.  C

The Sing Off- Despite it being the 3rd season had never seen the show but the draw of Sara Bareilles as a judge and a team from my alumni BYU called Vocal Point was too much to resist.  I enjoyed this acapella competition; although, I think all 3 judges are far too nice. They need a Simon Cowell to be a little tough on the teams! A

Two and a Half Men- Never seen the appeal of this show but I had to watch out of curiosity.  If anything I think Ashton Kutcher was better than Charlie Sheen.  Still, not that funny.  C

Two Broke Girls- Terrible, cliched comedy.  I thought every laugh was tired and predictable.  F

Tuesday-

Glee- I was into this show for about 6 months.  It had a strong pilot and you know I loved the music at the beginning.  Unfortunately the plot lines got ridiculous really fast and the kids stopped behaving like high school students and more like 30 year olds. Plus, I think they are dipping really deep to find new songs and to work those songs into a coherent plot (they didn’t have a song in this weeks episode until about 20 minutes into the show so they are becoming more sparse in their song offerings) .  Nothing new this season has excited me but it is nice to see Idina Menzel as a full time cast member.  Almost makes me tempted to watch. C-

New Girl- Only new show I watched on Tuesday (aside from results night of Dancing with the Stars).  This is a strange little show that I can’t say I recommend but I also think it has potential. Zoey Deschanel plays a girl who is dumped by her boyfriend and moves in as a roommate with a group of guys. The pilot had good moments but its tone was also all over the place.  I couldn’t decide whether it was a slapstick comedy or a drama.  Second episode also mixed.  Still, I see some potential (Btw the producers were so smart to get this show out on itunes for free download weeks ago.  I don’t know why more shows don’t do that.  It creates such buzz). C+

Wednesday-

Survivor: South Pacific- Another guilty pleasure of mine.  Repeating the gimmick from last season the producers have brought back 2 veterans; although, I don’t think either Coach or Ozzy will be able to put on the Survivor school that Boston Rob displayed last season.  They also have Russel Hantz’s nephew to see if villainy runs in the family.  Could do without the Redemption Island gimmick but no favorites so far.  A

The Middle- The funniest show on television that people don’t seem to be watching.  Glad ABC hasn’t given up on it.  Hilarious opening episode on the perils of camping with a family.  Watch this show!!  The kid actors are also the best in television. A+

Modern Family- I hate to say it but I think this show peaked in its first season.  Last season I felt was basically a repeat of the same gags from season 1.  The premiere for season 3 didn’t make me laugh.  I didn’t think the Lilly jokes were funny and the kids on the show are not very good.  Especially Manny is so wooden.  I feel like you can see him thinking of his lines before he says them. C

Up All Night- This is the show I am most excited to tell people about.  I don’t know when I’ve laughed harder at a pilot.  Hopefully the rest of the show will live up to it but the first 2 episodes were hilarious.  It is about a couple who give up their partying ways when they have a baby- a situation that could be ripe with cliches but it all works.  There is a scene where they are changing the baby’s diaper which made me laugh my head off.  The pilot is a free download on itunes right now so check it out!  I want this show to last!  A+

X Factor- American Idol all over again and I’m done with that show why would I tune into this? Nice to see Simon and Paula back together but really I agree with David Spade who said ‘all the good singers have been found’.  They really seem to be digging deep for this show.  D

Thursday-

Project Runway- The new season technically started a month or so ago but I thought I’d mention it.  This season may be the jumping the shark moment for the show.  Last week’s episode where they had to make outfits for a band was terrible.  It looked like a tacky 70’s party.  Maybe all the good designers have been found. I don’t think they’ve  had a really strong season since Christian Seriano won. D

Big Bang Theory-   Another show that peaked in its first season.  The last season was low on laughs and too focused on sexual humor.  I think they need to get back to the ensemble gags that used to work so well.  Its become too Sheldon based. C+

I didn’t watch any premieres Friday or Saturday so that’s it.  I know its a ridiculous amount of television for one human being to watch but I was sick!  If I could only recommend 3 shows it would be Up All Night, the Middle and the Amazing Race.