OT: Summer/Fall TV (and late night open thread)

Submitted by Noleverine on

It's the off-season, it's getting pretty late, and I'm bored. I thought I would start a discussion of Summer/Fall TV shows you were excited about. 

Personally, I am most excited about Breaking Bad starting next week (July 15th). It's the final season, so I'm expecting some fireworks. Hell on Wheels, another well-made AMC show (August 12th), is another one that I am looking forward to. It's a bit more of a slow-moving show, but it definitely got me hooked during the first season.

Dexter will be starting back up in the Fall, probably around the end of September. Community starts back up in October, though it is being mvoed to a Friday night slot, where shows go to die. The League will be back in early-ish Fall.

Any shows you are all looking forward to resuming this Summer or Fall?

Anything else you guys feel like talking about?

anthem_1

July 13th, 2012 at 1:25 AM ^

breaking bad is going to have an extended "final" season. 

i believe they are going to break up the final 16 episodes over 2 years.  8 this summer/fall, and the final 8 sometime in 2013. 

AFAIK they haven't announced when in 2013 the final episodes would air - early/mid/late 2013.

 

ijohnb

July 13th, 2012 at 8:04 AM ^

has a difficult job to do.  "To the Lost" was epic television, a legendary episode (although the episode immedlately proceeding it may have actually been its equal),   However, I am concerned that the show may have sacrificed any hope for longevity with such a decisive, and ultimately climactical event and the loss of such a fascinating character. (With all due respect to Peter Drinklage, Michael Pitts should be lifting the trophy for best male lead come award season).  I am very exciting for Boardwalk, but it is very hit or miss propsition.  The show will either reinvent itself quickly and succesfully, or they may be trying to wrap things up this season.  I would not say that I would mind it, god forbid Boardwalk turns into a hanger on ( am looking at you True Blood).

Also, I am thinking that Homeland may live up to its promise as well.  That is a smart show.

MGoBrewMom

July 13th, 2012 at 1:51 AM ^

But it's pretty ridiculous....it was much more normal with just vampires, shapeshifters and fairies. I love Weeds too...but Dexter is my favorite. By then, there will finally be football. Yay!

mzdmv

July 13th, 2012 at 1:57 AM ^

I'm excited for the final season of How I Met Your Mother (finally!). They've extended it too long and it's starting to get pretty stale. It's time

justingoblue

July 13th, 2012 at 2:00 AM ^

I'm still upset I'm going through a summer with no Entourage. The girlfriend agrees with everyone about Breaking Bad, I haven't seen enough to judge.

I started watching a few episodes of Trailer Park Boys last night, loved that so far. I've also contemplated starting to watch Louie, which I've heard is very funny.

justingoblue

July 13th, 2012 at 2:18 AM ^

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Sounds like something I can deal with.

Not sure if MGoBlog is the place to admit this, but I did watch the first season of HBO's Girls this summer. I thought it was pretty funny, a more accurate depiction than a lot of shows and deals with the topic of post-college slacker life pretty well. Don't know if anyone on the board has seen any of it to confirm my assessment or tell me I have no idea what I'm talking about.

colin

July 13th, 2012 at 2:52 AM ^

Girls is legit.  Has some holes, but even more potential.  Lena Dunham is pretty damn ballsy.

Louie is one of the best things on TV.  It's amazing that something like it ever aired.  

justingoblue

July 13th, 2012 at 3:04 AM ^

1) Guess I'm watching Louie on Netflix tomorrow after work.

2) Not one, but two replies about Girls in less than forty-five minutes in the middle of the night on MGoBlog; color me shocked, for real. I do agree about Dunham having balls, and the show having potential.

indianablue

July 13th, 2012 at 9:44 AM ^

I'm only about halfway through Louie's second season and I've only found it to be moderate+.  It's funny and clever, but not that funny and clever.

 

But, to answer the question, Breaking Bad and Walking Dead are tops on my list, followed by The League and, later, Dexter. Both of those latter two seem to be kinda going downhill. Same for The Office - it's gotten pretty bad, but, since it's nearing the end, I feel compelled to finish it out.

Any suggestions for some new shows? I've always heard good things about Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones. And it sounds like Girls and Shameless could be worth a look.

Farnn

July 13th, 2012 at 8:40 AM ^

I agree about Girls.  I generally wouldn't have started watching it, but Lena Dunham was a yea behind me in high school, and Jemima Kirke was in my class.  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Blue since birth

July 13th, 2012 at 2:29 AM ^

Dish hates me and apparently isn't going to let me watch Breaking Bad. Although, they did give me 3 months of HBO when I complained... So I'll be able to watch season two of Game Of Thrones during the marathon this Sunday. Rather than waiting for it on DVD.

... Hopefully they'll get it worked out before The Walking Dead.

hart20

July 13th, 2012 at 5:27 AM ^

It's a very good show, don't get me wrong, but people make it out to be more than it really is. Not even close to being worth mentioning in the same sentence as The Wire. Game of Thrones, on the other hand, is insanely amazing. Definitely better than anything else out there and if any show has a chance to dethrone The Wire, it's Game of Thrones.

colin

July 13th, 2012 at 11:37 AM ^

This is definitely how I think about good tv.  There are tiers.  The top tier is The Wire and Deadwood.  Aaaaand, yeah, okay, I think the Sopranos also.  Then it's Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, etc.  Stuff that's really compelling but asks you to set aside certain issues.

hart20

July 13th, 2012 at 5:29 AM ^

It's a very good show, don't get me wrong, but people make it out to be more than it really is. Not even close to being worth mentioning in the same sentence as The Wire. Game of Thrones, on the other hand, is insanely amazing. Definitely better than anything else out there and if any show has a chance to dethrone The Wire, it's Game of Thrones.

ClearEyesFullHart

July 13th, 2012 at 6:11 AM ^

Directv lost all its Viacom programming, and all I could weasel out of them was a $5 credit and free Showtime for a month.

BTW if you're hard up for GOT(or any other shows) fastpasstv.ms has got your hookup.  There is a small learning curve in navigating the trash on the website, but for the most part its pretty reliable.

colin

July 13th, 2012 at 3:01 AM ^

FX really is king right now.  imo, the B+ or better shows for each:  Mad Men and Breaking Bad vs. Justified, Archer, Louie, Always Sunny, Wilfred and The League.  HBO might be closer in terms of total good shows, but even Game of Thrones, as fun as it is, doesn't top Justified, Archer or Louie.  man, it wouldn't even be close if FX could have figured out how to get Terriers an audience.  that show was terrific.

 

...also, no, I didn't forget Walking Dead.  screw that show.

Callahan

July 13th, 2012 at 7:04 AM ^

I'm hoping that SOA continues to rebuild itself after a terrible season three. Season four was good but [SPOILER FREE!] I hated the way the season ended. 

But you are completely right about Terriers. Great show, terrific finale. Check it out on Netflix. Also, the guy who played Britt is a huge Michigan fan.

hart20

July 13th, 2012 at 5:35 AM ^

And Burn Notice and waiting for a few shows to come back in the fall. I'm looking forward to Psych, Big Bang Theory, HIMYM, and Criminal Minds. To pass the time otherwise, I'm watching all the episodes of Peep Show, The Office, Oz, Freaks and Geeks, and Sherlock, whenever I get a chance. Yes, I watch way too much TV.

Doc Brown

July 13th, 2012 at 5:37 AM ^

Newsroom with Jeff Daniels on HBO is a pretty good Sorkin show. It is not as good as The West Wing but it is one of his better shows up there with Sportsnight.



Has anyone heard if they are doing another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm? I am in serious Larry David withdraw.

Frito Bandito

July 13th, 2012 at 6:26 AM ^

Dan Harmon( Creator, Producer, Writer, Everything ) was fired from Community. NBC and Sony are a joke. I won't be tuning in anymore. It's too bad as it was my favorite show...

Harballer

July 13th, 2012 at 7:33 AM ^

Sons of Anarchy and The League.  I am also ready for Shameless to come back on in the winter, that's got to me the most inappropriately hilarious show ever.

Wolverine0056

July 13th, 2012 at 8:43 AM ^

Definitely looking forward to The Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire. I have been reading the graphic novels for The Walking Dead. They are quite a bit different, but really good. 

Boardwalk Empire will be interesting since the end of last season was so crazy. One of the best shows out currently, IME. 

MGoAero

July 13th, 2012 at 9:35 AM ^

Loved the debut of Veep, can't wait for season 3 of Portlandia (reminds me of townie life in AA), and of course Archer.  Not sure that any of these are coming back in the summer per the thread title, but I sure hope so!

samsoccer7

July 13th, 2012 at 9:39 AM ^

Damages just started its last season this week. I'm excited for that. I've always been told to watch Homeland. Anybody watch it? I'm also eagerly awaiting Dexter.

Dubs

July 13th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^

I would say Archer, but it usually starts back up in January. So I'll go with The League.



Who will win The Shiva this season?!

Frito Bandito

July 13th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^

I used to be a Dexter fan.. It's gotten pretty awful. Seasons 3,5 and 6 were god awful. It's gone far too long. Why not do away with season 3 skip right to 4 and pick off in a newly combined 5/6 to make season 4 where deb is at this point in time?? If that makes any sense. Can't wait to see this show go 10 seasons and a movie.... /YTIS

Insert a certain fish being jumped by a guy in a leather jacket.

 

Also, watching The Wire after my Dexter craze has made me lose a great deal of respect towards the show..  Not even in the same ball park.

JHendo

July 13th, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3!!!!!!

 

On a related note, does anyone remember when AMC used to actually stand for American Movie Classics and they actually just played movies?  Not that I'm complaining (because all of their shows are pretty much the best on cable tv), but I do kinda miss the old AMC.