Terra Nova

I will admit that I love the Sci-fi genre. So when I heard of this television show being brought to us by Steven Spielberg, I became very excited. Add to that, this summer brought us the amazing Falling Skies, and I get even more excited. Now comes opening night and while it may not have lived up to all of the hype, it did not totally disappoint.

For those of you who do not remember, this show was a year behind schedule because they wanted to perfect some special effects. I completely understand, as with a show like this, the CGI effects can make or break the show. In this case the end result is completely mixed. On one hand, the effects can be completely breath taking. On the other hand, there were times that they looked like they came from a syfy channel original disaster movie.

Some early reviews have criticized the show for being unoriginal and not being enough like the amazingly original Lost. I for one completely disagree with this notion. If the show went with the crazy Lost type storyline, would it really be that original? While the show goes with the pretty standard story lines such as family conflict, rebellious son meets a group and an attractive girl, puts his life in danger and must be rescued, the show works and I have a strong feeling this show has more original things up it's sleeves. I actually like the idea of being eased into the mystery of this place and this time porthole. I for one am looking forward to the adventure, and look forward to the show growing on us all.

GRADE: B

The Amazing Sunday

Unlike Sunday evenings of the past, it looks like a lightweight viewing night (hey always good for football!). This Sunday, I watched two television shows. I still intend on giving Pan-Am a chance, but I have yet to catch up to it on my DVR.

The Amazing Race

Another season, another race. I will be the first to admit that while I love the show, I think it may have run its course with me, but since nothing else of interest takes that time slot, I will gear up for another season of globetrotting fun. One of the things I have always liked about the show is the way the teams interact with each other as they compete. I would love to have a camera in the required off hours in between legs. In the end, watching these people run around my house could be interesting television. It is easily the best "reality" show on television, and the premier did nothing to make me think it will lose that distinction. I just hope the show retires while still on top, not becoming Survivor, Idol and the aweful Dancing with the Stars.

GRADE: A-

CSI: Miami

Probably the biggest characature in television is David Caruso's Horatio Caine(how many ways can he take off those sunglasses?). The season premier had record low ratings for the show, and really it did nothing to resurrect itself. This show actually had the lowest ratings of the three CSI's. It has always been the more light hearted of the CSI shows and used creative lighting and crazy computer systems that look like they belong in an episod of Mission Impossible. Of course, the show some how gets you to completely suspend disbelief, at take you on another thrilling mystery. This show continues the story of the finale and wraps up loose ends. The weakness....I was actually hoping Natalia died to do something that put some spice in the show.

GRADE: C

Friday Television

My favorite Friday show has yet to debut (Chuck will debut in it's final shortened season October 21), but the shows that have launched are pretty good.

CSI:NY

I will say this show is the most awkward in it's start. For one Mac Taylor (Gary Senise) and Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) are no longer in the lab and the lab is now being led by Jo (Sela Ward). Everything is not as put together with this new lab as I am used to, and I am sure these are temporary plot points, of course we wonder if too much damage will be done before bringing things back. This show was barely spared last year....I have a feeling this is the last year for this show. The premier episode was a nice and appropriate 9/11 tribute, but with the broken up cast, we have a major issue in chemistry.

GRADE: B-

Blue Bloods

This show has always been a strong show, especially in the middle demographics. Now that the show has moved on from the death of Police Commissioner Reagan's son by the Blue Templar, it is going to be interesting how the show will continue on. While this show did nothing to reveal any long term storyline, it did a good job introducing the new Mayor and the relationship the characters will have. Overall, nothing groundbreaking, but still a solid procedural drama.

GRADE: B

Person of Interest: Thursday's Must See TV

Thursday has always been great TV...okay not as much as it was back in the days of Friends.With that being said....here are some thoughts.

Person of Interest

This is the best new show on television, and the one I am heavily looking forward to next. In a way it reminded me of Enemy of the State, but in more civilian way. In fact it was like a mix of Enemy of the State and The Dark Knight mixed with Minority Report. A dark former special forces/CIA operative in a post-9/11 societs combines with a genius computer scientist that had created a computer for the government to predict and prevent major crimes. Just a plain strong TV show

The X-Factor Audition Part 2: F- This was just a plain hokey aweful show. I rather the network bring back the Jenny McCarthy Show.

Wacky Wednesday

For some reason Wednesday has been the day to move EVERY show. Note to producers: Please move a couple of shows away from Wednesday (Thursday anyone?) when you start looking at replacements. As a note to all....the 9pm central hour may be the best hour in television. Law and Order: SVU (I like the new people btw), CSI (Ted Danson is AWESOME) and Revenge equates for a challenge for any DVR.

So here we go!

CSI: Had to start here because it is an amazingly revitalized show. Ted Danson takes over from Lawrence Fishburn and adds and element of humor yet stability and makes the show watchable again.

Grade: A-

X-Factor: D Review in the link

Revenge: A One of the best new shows...check out review

Law and Order: SVU: I love this show.....but this year is a huge make it or break it. My bet is a break it. I actually like who they chose to take over for the legendary Mariska Margitay and Chris Meloni. It is tough to replace actors who have been in the role since the beginning. I don't think they will be able to, but I really like Danny Pino and Kelly Ginnish.

Grade: B

Up All Night: Good show with some flaws on the time period. Great cast, with a good sense of humor.

Grade: B+

Free Agents: Bad castings...not sure how this got past the pilot stage

Grade: F

Criminal Minds: The darkest of dramas. I actually know people who have said they would not watch because it had become too dark. They have brought the cast back together....well most of it. Finished the storyline when Prentice left and now we have a new, but limited group. Effective, but still predictable storylineline

Revenge

I had to post this review completely seperate. I will admit to alway loving Emily Van Camp (yes this straight male watched Brothers & Sisters). The concept is that a young woman is exacting revenge on a well to do family that has a really nice manor in the Hamptons. The father and wife (whom the father appeared to have a personal relationship with) set the lead actresses father to take to fall for what appears to setting up the funding for the 9/11 attacks. Emily is not only beautiful but an amazing actress. She handles this juicy role well and this role sets herself for future emmy awards. The storyline is amazing and sets you up for wondering how she is next going to set herself up for the next revenge!

Grade: A

X-tremely Disappointing X-Factor

I will say that I did have high hopes for the X-Factor. Sadly this show is horrible on many levels. I have always been a fan of American Idol, and while I did not want the same format, I rather have anything but this format. First, the host has an annoying voice over. Could care less that he has an accent, his voice just sounds stupid in a voice over. When contestants are emotional, he looks like he is not sure what he should do and looks awkward.

In addition to that, lets look at the format. In every hour, you have 50 straight minutes of bad auditions then finally a string of four or five good auditions. Not only that, we have entire segments that are obviously scripted. Lets take for example the spirit seeing girl in Thursday's episode. Did we really need to see a bunch of strange looking people mixed with random scripted power outages?

Now on the good side, the good part of the talent looks great. Maybe once we get through these bad audition episodes.

Grade: D