Although the initial rush is over, the varying schedules of the different networks means that the new US TV season continues to roll out new and returning shows. Here's a quick run-down of the ones I've managed to catch...
Hank
Frasier managed to be consistently amusing and occasionally hilarious for most of its eleven seasons - pretty impressive for what began as a 'spin-off' show. Unfortunately, Kelsey Grammer's new sitcom Hank, in which Grammer's successful executive falls on hard times and is forced to move his wife and kids to a small town, turned out to be little more than Frasier recast as a traditional family sitcom - only much less funny and with patronising 'life lessons' for the audience.
I've no intention of watching the second episode, and even if you're the biggest Grammer fan in the world, your sense of humour would be far better served by watching Frasier again.
The Middle
Another traditional family sitcom that also focuses on a family struggling with economic problems, the key differences being that the family in question wasn't exactly well-off in the first place - and it was actually funny.
In many ways The Middle bears a passing resemblance to a live-action version of Family Guy, and although the second episode didn't impress me as much as the first, I think I'll stick with it for now and see how it pans out.
Stargate Universe
The latest in the seemingly unkillable Stargate franchise, Universe is SyFy's major new show for the season, and began the week before last with a double-length special that formed the first two parts of the three-part pilot, 'Air', that was concluded this week.
Essentially it's Stargate meets Star Trek: Voyager, with a healthy does of Battlestar Galactica thrown in for good measure - a motley group of military and civilian personnel are forced to evacuate through a gate when their base is attacked by aliens, and find themselves trapped on a vast abandoned starship dozens of galaxies and billions of light-years from home.
The idea certainly has some potential, even if it does wear its inspirations on its sleeve, and the set-up means that you don't need to have watched any of the previous Stargate shows (although if you are a 'Gater' there were several guest appearances to keep you happy). On the other hand, the pilot wasn't as strong as it could have been, mainly due to an unnecessary flashback structure in the first part and questionable pacing, particularly in the third part, which consisted mainly of people tramping through a featureless desert. Dramatically speaking, I'm also not convinced that it's a good idea for the stranded group to have reliable communications with Earth, as it would seem to detract from the whole point of stranding them in the first place, but I guess that the writers can always find a way to get rid of it somehow.
The main thing that kept me watching was the presence of the always-superb Robert Carlyle in a leading role, even if his character does bear more than a passing resemblance to a certain Cylon-shagging Doctor from BSG. I have absolutely no idea how they managed to snag an actor of Carlyle's prowess for a show like this, but much like Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: TNG or Edward Olmos and Mary McDonnell in BSG, his mere presence seems to raise the level of the proceedings.
So, probably one for the Stargate fans and general sci-fi geeks right now, but there's always the chance it could rise above its fairly humble beginning, so I'll keep watching for at least a few more episodes.
Californication Season 3
Thanks to Clare's reminder, I finally caught up on the second season of Californication just in time for the third season to start, and I'm glad I did. Although you sometimes can't help but wonder how much of it is simple wish-fulfilment for both the writers and David Duchovny, it's improved a lot since the slightly shaky first season, and its sharp dialogue, endearingly flawed characters and occasional moments of comic genius make it a lot of fun.
Lie To Me Season 2
There were really only two reasons to watch the first season of Fox's Lie To Me, a shockingly transparent attempt to rip-off the formula of its massively successful House - an interest in non-verbal communication and Tim Roth. So far, the second season seems to be playing down the detailed explanations of how our facial expressions and body language can tell a trained observer far more about what we're thinking and feeling that what we say in favour of the relationships between the now-established main characters, which pretty much leaves Tim Roth.
As unfailingly compelling as he is, I'm not sure whether Roth alone is going to be enough to keep me watching, especially as House itself seems to be shaping up well this season. It's still slightly more interesting than most procedurals, though.
Sanctuary Season 2
I still don't quite understand how Sanctuary got the ratings to get a second season, and I still don't quite know why I bother to watch it. It's not that it's a terrible show, rather that it's so determinedly average and forgettable - to the point where, after seeing the 'previously on' section at the start of the new season, I had to check an episode guide to remind myself that I had in fact seen the stuff to which it was referring.
I suspect I'll keep watching it, and keep wondering why, but only when I can't find anything more entertaining to occupy my time.
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