Fun Friday: Remembering Robin Williams

Robin Williams is no small loss to entertainment fans. Everyone has a favorite Williams character, from alien to sailor, nanny to genie, and his wide range of roles really showcases what a great actor he was. I particularly loved his variety of voices, which he trotted out constantly, even in an interview I did with him last Spring about his final TV series, The Crazy Ones. Take a look and remember him in some of his most memorable parts.

Courtesy of: Infographic World

Though he would not have been returning to the small screen this season, he does have forthcoming films, but we will still miss his presence in the world of comedy for years to come.

The Crazy Ones: Sleeping with the Client

I don't know about you, but I'm not really interested in seeing Robin Williams in a robe after he's been intimate with a client. The fact that Zach also did the same only worsens the situation, but this comedy continues to swirl the drain because I want it to be more. I want it to have substance. I hope that it gets better. But if Hamish Linklater is going to perpetually be the loser who can't do anything right, I'm going to check out. And, as I've been trying to convince myself that I like this show for a while now, I'm going to go ahead and pull the plug now.

The Crazy Ones "Breakfast Burrito Club" (S01E04): Simon is forcing Sydney to take a vacation, so she heads to Hawaii with a women's adventure group. [I don't get it... are we supposed to hate Sydney?] When a meeting gets moved up, she wants to stay and work, and changes her flight. But, they're getting nowhere fast. [I also noticed how perfect Sydney's circles were! and BEFORE the show pointed it out.] Sydney is dreaming of advertising for Dole, but Andrew reads more into it and kisses her. [whaaa???] Because they're stumped, Simon goes to cook at the diner where he worked before he was in advertising, hoping for inspiration. They wind up quitting but some out with an eleventh-hour plan, and Sydney is still able to take her vacation. 

In other office gossip, Andrew is back with Nancy Cardigan, and Zach is crushing on someone. The group convinces Andrew to burn his cardigan. [why wouldn't they let Sydney get her binder??]

Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Crazy Ones "She's So European" (S01E05): Simon and Sydney go to a meeting with Helena, a European woman with an e-date service. [I started to think that she was actually from Europe, based on how the other characters were treating her, and that made me confused over why she'd use an advertising agency in Chicago, but eventually I came to agree that she's either living in the US now and that's where her company is based, or she's in the American market.] Sydney worries about what Helena will think of her outfit, while Simon has his own concerns... they use him as an example to create a profile to check out the system. [whoa. 6'2" is internet-speak for 5'8". I know everyone fudges a little, but seriously??] Off the clock, Helena has sex with Zach... AND Simon. [it bothers me that nobody has a problem with her actions... there's more jealousy than upset!] When the guys can't solve their feelings amongst themselves, they turn to Helena, though it's not like she can bring them closure. [I hate Sydney's jeweled collar.]

Andrew has a voice-over meeting, but the talent thinks he's a hippie. When Andrew asks him for a second take, the guy pretty much leaves. [ouch!] Andrew gets a second chance, thanks to Simon, but there are still problems... right up until Andrew stands up to him and earns his respect. [so odd!]

The Crazy Ones: How I Learned to Drive

I hadn't noticed the uniqueness of the opening before (if it existed)... I I like the different skyscrapers draped in the actors' images. It is cute and themed well for the series. However, I am also really starting to wonder how long this comedy will last... with me. Numbers-wise, it's doing fine. Interest-wise, I'm just not there. I want so much to like it, but it's just such a shallow show. I'll give it one more episode to truly hook me... otherwise I'm just going to feel like I'm being led along by the stars... a remora in a way, if you will. 

CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Crazy Ones "Bad Dad" (S01E03): Simon and Sydney pitch a family angle to a car insurance company, but their true-to-life depiction of learning to drive is not like anyone else's. When they observe a focus group watching it, the group's mixed reactions (mainly thinking that the dad is crazy and the daughter is b!tchy) makes them second-guess their approach. [it was a bit horrifying!] Sydney realizes that she never learned to drive because she was so scared from her traumatizing experience, so Simon decides to re-teach her. She winds up hitting someone who is also learning to drive, but the daddy-daughter pair still bond when they camp in the park together. [totally random!] 

Elsewhere at the office, it becomes clear that Zach is Simon's remora, and Andrew is Zach's. They sucklefishes mooch off ideas, cast aside food, old lovers, and more. [six sisters?? wow!] 

The Crazy Ones: Sydney Stages a "Spectacular"

After two episodes, it appears as if the actual storylines in this series are short. The 22-minute installments are filled with jokes, which is great. But, it also makes for a rather shallow comedy, and I'm not sure that is what I'm looking for. For instance, Simon and Zack modeling for the models was funny, but not that believable and also a little annoying after a few poses. Sydney solving the "spectacular" problem on her own was great for the character, but apparently she isn't ready to construct such a thing entirely on her own... having grown up in Chicago, you would think she might have a grasp on how detrimental wind can be! At least they were able to turn a disaster into a success, even if all that would do for me is remind me of the incident in the first place! 

The Crazy Ones "The Spectacular" (S01E02): A coffee campaign isn't going well, so Simon wants Sydney to start from scratch. The company offers up a "Spectacular" event, so they need to find something on par with putting a guy in space. [how much money do these companies have if that sort of thing is a goal??] They come up with a way to get coffee to pour from a three-story-high pot, but when it is especially windy, the liquid blows all over the crowd like rain. [gross! I would totally be angry at the coffee company for staining my clothes!] Sydney spins it into a Killer Coffee that is Dangerously Good, parodying an old horror flick.

Richard Cartwright/CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Years ago, Simon created a "Spectacular" where he dumped PopRocks into a pond, destroying its ecosystem and wildlife. To make up for it, he raises some ducklings pro bono for the pond's rehabilitation. He gets Andrew to help, and the young man really appreciates the attention it's getting him, even if the "special tasks" aren't exactly glamorous. [um, this is just like Tom Sawyer whitewashing the fence, no?]

NEW SHOW: The Crazy Ones: McDonald's with Kelly Clarkson

Of all the pilots I have seen this season, this one seemed the shortest. Sometimes that can be a good thing (as in, "time flies when you are having fun"), but sometimes it's not such a good thing (like the idea that absolutely nothing happened and it was a waste of 23 minutes). In this case, I'm not sure which it was, but there were definitely some great moments in the episode. For one, the title of the series was explained with a nice reference to the 1997 Apple commercial that talked about "The Crazy Ones" being inventors throughout history. But, when you already have names like Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar on the series, do you really need Kelly Clarkson? I wonder how many celebrities will appear, and how that will affect the chemistry on the show.

Richard Cartwright/CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Crazy Ones "Pilot" (S01E01): Sydney and Andrew work with kid commercial actors eating cookies, but bigger problems soon pop up, like McDonald's executives potentially dropping the ad agency. But, Simon pulls an eleventh hour idea where they update a 1972 spot's lyrics with new images and music to make it relevant today. [aren't reboots a bit overdone?] They have 24 hours to find a music icon for the commercial, and Simon gets Kelly Clarkson to agree... kinda. [Sydney constantly telling Lauren to stop laughing because it encourages Simon was amusing.] Kelly really wants to sing about sex, as she wants to re-brand herself, so Simon and Zack let her do a sex song, then try to change it into what they need. It doesn't work, however, and Sydney has to sing in a restaurant to get Kelly to agree to doing what they need: a fast food jingle.

Fun Friday: My Fall Broadcast Network Picks

So, back in June, I broke down all of the new broadcast network pilots, giving a little summary about what they're about and which interest me the most. [CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, CW] (I also did this in 2012 and 2011, if you're nostalgic.) Below is a look at just the ones I'll be tuning in to watch this fall, starting September 17th! We looked at how our DVR will fit it already, but this is to remind you why these shows are worth checking out, in premiering order. When we get closer to mid-season, I'll post another article with those picks in it as well.

Dads (FOX Comedy, premieres 8pm Tuesday, Sept. 17th) has gotten a lot of flack, especially because of the stereotypes and racist jokes in the pilot. I support Seth MacFarlane and will be checking it out for his work, as well as the acting of Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi, but the story of two grown men whose fathers move in with them certainly does not sound like the best idea all season.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (previously just S.H.I.E.L.D.) (ABC drama, premieres 8pm Tuesday, Sept 24th) is Joss Whedon's spinoff from the Avengers film and based on the Marvel characters. There are many rumors about the series because of the secrecy everyone involved has kept, but the pilot screening at TCA proved to be very adventurous and exciting, so hopefully the season will follow suit.

The Goldbergs (ABC comedy, premieres 9pm Tuesday, Sept. 24th) is about a family in the 1980s. Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and three kids make up the core unit, with the youngest son a budding filmmaker, resulting in a lot of narration. There are great things about the series (Patton Oswalt, for one), but I have great hesitations about this one because some of the story premises sound a bit annoying.

Lucky 7 (ABC drama, premieres 10pm Tuesday, Sept. 24th) has seven coworkers from Queens winning the lottery. I think its biggest obstacle will be the in media res beginning but with the right flashbacks, it could still work. Plus, the big focus on "blue collar" folks and their ways of life in the multicultural Queens is appealing to a broad audience with so many upper-middle-class families on TV today.

Crazy Ones (CBS comedy, premieres 9pm Thursday, Sept. 26th) is more than just Robin Williams playing a random old guy with daughter and business partner Sarah Michelle Gellar. The premise behind the advertising firm's ideas and the addition of Hamish Linklater weigh-in well for the program. It sounds a little odd for a CBS offering, but there is still potential if it can get a good start. 

We Are Men (previously Ex-Men) (CBS comedy, premieres 8:30pm Monday, Sept. 30th) marks the return of Tony Shaloub and Kal Penn to comedy, playing two of the four men in the show. I find The Exes very funny, but this show's addition of the guys' exes may or may not be the greatest idea. Still, the talent and driving theme seem to be worth the time to see how a few episodes will play out.
 
The Michael J. Fox Show (NBC comedy, premieres 9pm Thursday, Sept. 26th, though normal airtime will be 9:30) can be a challenge to watch, as witnessing the suffering of someone with Parkinson's can be uncomfortable. However, Michael J. Fox is about as famous as they come, so seeing him live out the story of his life with some changes (like his profession being a NYC newscaster) could be grand.

Welcome to the Family (NBC comedy, premieres 8:30pm Thursday, Oct. 3rd) will either find an audience or it won't, and I think that's all there is to it. It's Reba with older kids and cultural differences, minus Barbara Jean. The more I learn about it, the less "staying power" is seems to have, but I just have a feeling that there could be a silver lining behind it all...

Sean Saves the World (previously The Untitled Victor Fresco/Sean Hayes Project and Happiness) (NBC Comedy, premieres 9pm Thursday, Oct. 3rd) is one of the weaker series that interests me, as Sean Hayes playing a gay man raising a teenage daughter is, quite frankly, a blah concept. However, the supporting characters and plotlines could turn this one around.

Fun Friday: My Potential Fall 2013 Watching Schedule

Now that we've looked at all of the upcoming pilots on the broadcast networks, it's time to see just how hard my DVR will be working! I was initially afraid that I wouldn't be able to get all of my hopefuls to fit with my in-progress series, but it seems that the networks are playing nice and not over-burdening me on any specific nights, though my Thursday is filling up fast! For a chart view of the schedule, check out TVbytheNumbers.

The broadcast networks ordered 49 series for next season, plus some miniseries and specials. After going through all of them, 16 interest me, which makes for a busy watching schedule, especially when you factor in the five returning broadcast network shows and the dozen or so cable shows we cover. Last year I picked out 15 new series (though Mistresses has yet to air and Crossbones is being counted again this year), so it's not as crazy a number as you might think.

Mondays I'm blocking 8-9:30 on CBS (How I Met Your Mother, We Are Men, 2 Broke Girls), and that's it. This is nice because it's the same block I started with last season (when Partners was in the 8:30pm slot), and because a lot of the cable shows I enjoy air on Mondays.

Tuesdays are all ABC with one CBS slot, the 8pm Dads. I'll be on ABC the entire three hours of primetime (S.H.I.E.L.D., The Goldbergs, and Lucky 7), except for 9:30's Trophy Wife.

Wednesdays have The Middle returning at 8pm on ABC, but are otherwise empty, unless I want to waste some time hate-watching Revolution on NBC at 8pm. I'm surprised that Wednesdays will be so bare!

Thursdays are busier than expected - I've got some CBS (The Big Bang Theory, The Crazy Ones, and Two and a Half just for fun), but I also have 8:30pm-10pm over on NBC, where they'll show Welcome to the Family, Sean Saves the World, and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Fridays has The Last Man Standing, plus The Neighbors if I want some guilty pleasure viewing.

Saturday has nothing for me, though I will be picking up Bob's Burgers on Sundays as it enters its fourth season. 

Why doesn't this sound so rough? Well, partly because a bunch of my selections are being held as midseason replacements or late starters, including Friends with Better Lives, Intelligence, Star-Crossed, About a Boy, The Family Guide, Undateable, and Crossbones. Let us know below how tough your own schedule will be!

Looking Ahead: CBS & The CW for 2013

With CBS only picking up eight programs and the CW only five (no comedies for them!), I figured I'd combine those two networks into one post. Honestly, CBS is doing so well that they can afford to take risks and try out higher budget shows than the other networks, but it seems like they've still got some solid options, which is good. The CW is becoming more and more of a true player in the broadcast network game, but it seems that this season's selections are SO niche that it's very difficult for the average viewer to find something worth their time. This isn't a new problem for them, per se, but it certainly seems worse with this batch than those of the past two years!

I'll be trying out one drama each from CBS and the CW and three of the CBS comedies, so that should keep me busy, at least for a few weeks! I did do a couple of Examiner pieces on the CBS offerings, so for more details, check here and here. 

CBS COMEDY:
Crazy Ones is a father-daughter workplace comedy with Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar starring, and Hamish Linklater (Matt from The New Adventures of Old Christine) as well. I'll give it a go for both the premise and the talent, but I don't have high hopes for the series. 

CBS

We Are Men was previously known as Ex-Men because it focuses on four guys living the single life with exes in their lives. Talent includes Kal Penn and Tony Shalhoub, and for them alone, I'll be giving it a try. I think that the premise is ridiculous (TVLand already has The Exes, after all), but maybe it'll turn out to be better than I'm expecting. 

CBS

Friends With Better Lives has a group of thirtsomethings in different life stages wondering if their friends have it better than they do. Not gonna lie... this show hits a little close to home for me. I don't have a lot of friends in the same stage of life, so I'm quite enthused to watch this one and see if it plays out realistically. James Van Der Beek might bring it down, though, so let's hope that doesn't happen.

Mom has a newly sober single mother trying to get it together while her mother berates her. I found the concept boring and the trailer worse, so I'm staying away.

The Millers (previously The Unauthorized Greg Garcia Project) is Will Arnett as a newly divorced man whose parents (including Beau Bridges) move in with him. I'm so sick of this multi-generational household concept that I could scream! 

CBS DRAMA:
Hostages features a surgeon who is scheduled to operate on the POTUS. She is told that if she doesn't kill him while he's under the knife, her family will be killed instead. I don't think this is anything more than a movie (though it's not a bad plot), and Jerry Bruckheimer just isn't enough to make it worth it.

Intelligence follows a man, Gabriel, who has been implanted with a super-computer microchip, allowing him to connect to (and hack) the Internet, the telephone, and satellite data. Gabriel helps the government. I think a lot of people will tune-in to this updated Six Million Dollar Man program, but I don't think they'll stay. That said, I'll try it out. 

CBS

Reckless is two lawyers struggling with mutual attraction while dealing with a police sex scandal. Television does not need more of this, and I think it's already played out to boot. I'm ignoring it.

CW DRAMA:
The 100 is based on not-yet-published books set 97 years after nuclear war destroys civilization. 100 juvenile delinquents are sent back to Earth to attempt re-colonization. I've had my fill of futuristic apocalypse dramas, and I really don't think that the majority do all that well. Pass. 

The Originals is probably the CW's most-promising pilot, based on the fact that it's a spinoff of The Vampire Diaries. Set in New Orleans, Klaus faces off against his "diabolical former protégé," Marcel. As many of you know, rarely am I into the supernatural, so I'll be moving right past it.  

Star-Crossed (previously Oxygen) has Aimee Teegarden in love with an alien. The boy, part of "The Orion 9," have spent the past ten years in an internment camp and are just being integrated into suburban life. Add in Maggie Elizabeth Jones and it could be worth an episode or two, however ridiculous it may sound.

CW

Reign is for the history lovers, telling the story of Mary, Queen of Scots' rise to power, beginning when she arrives in France. I considered checking it out for the period aspects alone, but after seeing promos and a clip, I don't think it's for me.

The Tomorrow People is based on a UK series where people are evolving to possess the powers of teleportation and telepathy. Across the globe, these gifted citizens must come together to defeat the forces of evil. This one probably interests me the least, but sounds like the kind of show that might be shlepped to Comic-Con to grow an audience.

Any of them sound like something you'd watch?

[quick links to the other networks: ABC, FOX, NBC.]