There are a lot of things that stress me out in life: what to eat for lunch, what to wear to work, what to do after work…you know, decisions in general. But few things fill me with more anxiety than figuring out what to watch on TV during the fall season. From new and returning scripted dramas and comedies to so-bad-it’s-good reality shows, each night poses a fresh dilemma between what to tune into live versus what to save for the DVR (or for that matter, skip all together).
I’m sure I’m not the only one going through this. So, this season PopWatch readers, I say we save ourselves the agony of indecision by declaring our allegiances early on. Everyday this week, I’m going to list the shows I plan to watch live, and record on my DVR, for this season’s coveted 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. slot. Then it’s your turn to share your picks. Let’s get started with Mondays below!
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
LIVE: The Lying Game (ABC Family):While I’ve always been partial to the Upper East Side dramatics of Gossip Girl’s finest, this season I’m jumping ship for freshman series The Lying Game. Both shows have similarities (backstabbing? Check.) but TLG gets the upper-hand as a result of a slew of fresh faces and storylines. (Premiered Aug. 15)
DVR: 2 Broke Girls (CBS): There’s no shortage of stories about how to make it in New York City, but thanks to the irresistible duo of Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs this one gets a solid shot from me. (Premieres Sept. 19)
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.
LIVE: Hart of Dixie (CW): No better way to follow-up the twists and turns of The Lying Game than with some comforting Southern hospitality. Also, who doesn’t love a little Rachel Bilson in their lives? (Premieres Sept. 26)
DVR: Two and a Half Men (CBS): Now that Ashton Kutcher’s moving in, I plan to be a good neighbor and keep tabs on how this series is faring. (Premieres Sept. 19)
10 p.m. – 11 p.m.
LIVE: Castle (ABC): While I’m usually already in bed during this time slot, if I happen to have a restless night I’ll spend it with Beckett and Castle. (Premieres Sept. 19)
DVR: Nothing: I’m tempted to record The Playboy Club, but for the sake of my sanity I’m going to limit myself to five shows or less on Mondays.
Okay, PopWatchers, you’ve heard my picks and now it’s your turn. Share your commitments in the comments!
Seems that my Mondays this fall belong to CBS. The only show in their line-up I don’t watch is Two and a Half Men. I’m super excited for John Locke on Hawaii 5-0!!
BTW, I don’t watch anything live. Except Monday Night Football if I care who’s playing.
MNF is the only thing worth watching on Mondays, looks like. Ima pass on the rest.
8-9 Record Terra Nova, Gossip Girl, Watch HIMYM, 2 Broke Girls
9-10 Record New version 2.5 Men, Hart of Dixie
10-11 Record Playboy Club
Why would anyone DVR Two and Half Men, let alone watch it at all?
8-9 Live: HIMYM and 2 Broke Girls
8-9 DVR: Terra Nova
9-8 Live: Hart of Dixie
10-11 Undecided – maybe DVR Playboy Club or just watch football
Wow, I have absolutely NO interest in any of the shows this guy is watching. Tonight, its Hawaii 5-0, Hell’s Kitchen and the Charlie Sheen Roast for me.
Mondays are actually a very simple TV night for me. Tonight I’m going to check out 2 Broke Girls, and then it’s The Big C. I’ll probably also check out The Sing Off (Love Sara Bareilles)
Me too, I have to watch for Sara even though I’m busy with Dancing with the Stars and the CBS comedies.
the 10 o’clock time slot belongs fully to Hawaii 5-0! I’m damn excited to see this gang back together and one Mr Terry O’Quinn joining the fun! And I guess I’ll try Hart of Dixie at 9. I do enjoy Rachel Bilson
8-9 DVR- Terra Nova
9-10 DVR- Hart of Dixie
Wed- watch Mon episodes!
I love Kat Dennings, so even though I usually don’t watch comedies (particularly those with laugh tracks or live audiences), I’m willing to at least give this a try. It will really have to earn its way onto a repeat, weekly viewing though. But I’ll try it tonight.
Chris
What a crap list!!! I cant wait to see how worthless the rest of the week will be
FYI: I saw “Whitney” and “Up All Night” ON DEMAND. The pilots air on Thursday on NBC and they both suuuucckkkk big time. Especially “Up All Night.” Not one funny original gag.
“Whitney” has potential but it better pick up quick or its out after 5 episodes. I give “Up All Night” 2 episodes (it is that bad!!!!).
Why do networks continue to turn to Christina Applegate to headline a show??? Her only successful show was “Married With Children” and people weren’t watching it for her.
8-8:30 LIVE How I Met Your Mother
9-9:20 LIVE Top Gear
DVR Two and a Half Men/Weeds
On Monday, there is only 1 show that exists: Castle
Amen!
Ditto!
I grew up in Georgia and went to college in Alabama, so that Hart of Dixie preview looks like the stupidest thing on TV this fall. It’s Hollywood’s idea of what the south is like.
In my opinion there is only one Normal culture in America, and that’s Hollywood’s culture. They just set shows in other states to try to convince viewers that there will be something different in the show. If they want dysfunctional families or “cah-razzzy” characters, they set the show in the midwest. But nothing of the actual culture of individual midwestern states is portrayed. “The Good Wife” is set in Chicago, but the shows has references to “Menlo Park” (N. Calif. ??) and NY stuff, but no
Stuff about going to cabin up north or …. And Seattle is usually the hip, cool place to set shows, but “The Killing” had no references to Microsoft or the Cascades or even Mt. Ranier or U-Dub but “The Killing” inexplicably had a mob (which Seattle doesn’t have). So there’s no surprise if they’d get Southern culture wrong. And I’ve just realized this is a random, unsolicited rant & if I’ve offended anyone, I am so sorry.
Seattle doesn’t have mobs? What was the battle for Seattle? & what city does have “mobs”?
CBS 8 to 11 PM for me. I especially want to watch Hawaii Five-O to see how they resolve the season ending cliff hanger. It will be difficult, since Wo Fat’s man killed the governor, but, they (Five-0) did take the money!