The 2013 TV Season
Matt Seinberg

As I have stated previously, I love fall, otherwise known as autumn. That’s not only for the apple and pumpkin picking and the colorful foliage, but for the new TV shows all the networks roll out at the same time. I’m not going to give full out story lines and reviews, but just a quick Matt viewpoint of what I like, or don’t like

I was looking forward to the return of “Glee,” and, boy, am I disappointed. Trying to tie two story lines and new characters together is not any easy job, and creator Ryan Murphy has screwed the pooch on how he’s done it

The show keeps switching between good old McKinley High School, and New York City. I would have done it differently, having each episode focus only on one city, be it Lima, OH or NYC. So far, I’ll give this a barely good grade of B-.

The two new series I wanted to see were “Revolution” on NBC and “Last Resort” on ABC. So far, neither has disappointed me. Both are in the science fiction qua action adventure genre, and I can’t wait to see more of them. Anything having to do with the world without power, or one man having too much power is worth investing some time in. Grade: B+ on both.

CBS came on strong with another take on “Vegas,” starring Dennis Quaid and Micheal Chiklis. Set in 1961, it’s the story of a rancher turned sheriff battling gangsters in Sin City. Good cast that tries to evoke a feeling of days gone by. Grade: A

Ever since “Friends” went off the air, Matthew Perry has been trying to find his way around Hollywood, and I think he finally found a new home with NBC with “Go On.” It’s the story about a sports radio host who recently lost his wife, and is required to go for group therapy in order to return to his job. With his quick, acerbic wit and comedic timing, I believe that Mr. Perry has finally found a show that will stick around for more than 13 episodes. Grade: 

No family I know has ever been like this, and “The New Normal” on NBC is going so overboard with cruel stereotypes and poor writing that it fails. Grade: F

I like procedural dramas and Lucy Liu, but give me a break. Jonny Lee Miller, formerly lawyer “Eli Stone,” as a new Sherlock Holmes? He’s more like an idiot savant that needs a keeper more than a companion, which is where Dr. Joan Watson comes in, as a paid companion. Gee, I wonder where that will lead. It’s a big yawn. Grade: C

Who doesn’t like a good buddy show? Well, here we have two. The first is on CBS, “Partners” starring David Krumholtz, most recently of “Numbers,” and Michael Urie. Who is she? They are best friends since little kids, with one being straight and engaged, and the other is gay. I’ll let you figure out who’s what. It’s not going to last. Grade: D

“Ben and Kate” on FOX is a little different. They are brother and sister, and both have had challenges in their lives. Ben is an idiot, and Kate is a single Mom looking for the right guy. Of course Ben wants her to be happy, so he moves in to help her take care of her young daughter. Hilarity ensues! Grade: C+

Everyone likes cute animals, right? Then you have to check out “Animal Practice” on NBC, which has lots of cute animals, including a monkey in a lab coat. It’s sarcastic, sardonic and well written. Justin Kirk as Dr. George Coleman is hilarious, and add in Crystal the monkey as “Dr” Rizzo and the space between monkey and human becomes unsettled. Grade: A-

“Guys with Kids” needs to be aborted, now. There is nothing funny about new dads making diaper jokes; as if that hasn’t been done thousands of times. Hell, I’ve done it more times I care to remember, and I don’t let my kids forget it. Grade: A big FAT F. Cancel it now.

Every TV season there has to be a show about aliens living on our planet Earth, and “The Neighbors” is it. Sure, aliens can be funny, bu, unfortunately, the writing isn’t. Whoever thought that naming the aliens after famous athletes was funny should be forced to watch all the episodes of “Guys with Kids.” Grade: F.

There is so much more to come, and I have the DVR ready. I just hope my brain doesn’t turn to mush before I have to write the next review.