Spring Break
Mid-season television an overall sucess
Issue date: 11/12/09
With the 2009-2010 television season underway, I thought it would be a good idea to let readers know what's hot and what's not. Listed below are a few of the shows currently gracing televisions all across the nation.
How I Met Your Mother
Going strong through its fifth season, How I Met Your Mother finally sees Ted getting closer to meeting his future wife. However, the group's dynamic has suddenly shifted as, against all odds, Barney and Robin start dating.
It's almost a shame really, since it means that viewers won't get to see Barney in his natural environment, picking up girls for one-night stands with all sorts of wacky pick-up lines and obscure back stories.
On the other hand, it does allow the audience to see a loving and caring side of Barney Stinson.
But as this week's episode pointed out, some things are just not meant to last. In Barney's own words: "Daddy's home." This season's jokes are still hilarious and it is definitely a show to watch.
Californication
Almost the epitome of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, the third season of Californication sees Hank Moody change things up in his life as he begins to teach writing at university.
A lack of familiar faces is certainly discernible as Mia takes off on a nationwide book tour and Karen leaves Hank and Becca to go live in New York.
The show is still a blast to watch as Hank gets himself into some kind of trouble at almost every corner and the awkward tension rises as Charlie and Marcy's relationship seems to be falling apart. It really is a must-see for all.
Dexter
Everybody's favorite blood splatter analyst/serial killer is back and hungering for blood, but things aren't as easy as they used to be. Caught between the needs of his family, his newborn son and a string of murders taking place in Miami, Dexter barely finds time to satisfy his "dark passenger."
Things certainly are different this time around, but the show still retains its dark humor and suspense as a new serial killer surfaces in Miami and threatens Dexter's very existence. John Lithgow guest stars.
The Office
Many have said that Americans simply don't know when to stop, and that certainly may be true in The Office's case.
The original BBC series ended after its second season, while the American one is puttering on through its sixth.
It's still an entertaining show to watch, but it is quite past its prime. Recent episodes do not stack up anywhere near those of the earlier seasons and jokes never really floor audiences like they have in the past.
Instead, it has become a show that is watched simply for the sake of watching something.
30 Rock
With a slew of Emmys and Golden Globes in its basket, 30 Rock does not disappoint, even as it progresses through its fourth season.
The characters that audiences have come to love are still there and very much the same. Tracy and Jenna feel threatened as Liz searches for a new actor for TGS while everybody's favorite boss, Jack Donaghy, gets a visit from his old archenemy Devon Banks.
The show is still funny as ever with its quirky jokes and blatant satire of product placement.
Family Guy
Family Guy has slowly been dipping lately, but it did, however, manage to finish off the last season quite strong, making it clear that Seth MacFarlane and the gang have not lost their touch.
While their eighth season didn't cause much of a stir when it started up again, last week's two episodes were some of the funniest they've made for a while, indicating that there's still plenty of material for the residents of Spooner Street.
South Park
Trey Parker and Matt Stone have certainly not been pulling any punches lately, going after the WWE, Whale Wars, Ghost Hunters, the Japanese and even bikers.
They don't even try to disguise their message through allegory but rather they blatantly come out and say it. South Park is another show trailing off past its prime, trying to regain its lost glory.
While it may be downright hilarious at times, it can be extremely obscene, vulgar and offensive at others.
Viewers never really know what they're going to get, but all they can do is hope for a good episode because, more often than not, there's a 50-50 chance that it won't be.
So there you have it, a brief look at the ups and downs of this year's television season so far. Some shows are still going stronger while it is evident that others are on their last leg.
How I Met Your Mother
Going strong through its fifth season, How I Met Your Mother finally sees Ted getting closer to meeting his future wife. However, the group's dynamic has suddenly shifted as, against all odds, Barney and Robin start dating.
It's almost a shame really, since it means that viewers won't get to see Barney in his natural environment, picking up girls for one-night stands with all sorts of wacky pick-up lines and obscure back stories.
On the other hand, it does allow the audience to see a loving and caring side of Barney Stinson.
But as this week's episode pointed out, some things are just not meant to last. In Barney's own words: "Daddy's home." This season's jokes are still hilarious and it is definitely a show to watch.
Californication
Almost the epitome of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, the third season of Californication sees Hank Moody change things up in his life as he begins to teach writing at university.
A lack of familiar faces is certainly discernible as Mia takes off on a nationwide book tour and Karen leaves Hank and Becca to go live in New York.
The show is still a blast to watch as Hank gets himself into some kind of trouble at almost every corner and the awkward tension rises as Charlie and Marcy's relationship seems to be falling apart. It really is a must-see for all.
Dexter
Everybody's favorite blood splatter analyst/serial killer is back and hungering for blood, but things aren't as easy as they used to be. Caught between the needs of his family, his newborn son and a string of murders taking place in Miami, Dexter barely finds time to satisfy his "dark passenger."
Things certainly are different this time around, but the show still retains its dark humor and suspense as a new serial killer surfaces in Miami and threatens Dexter's very existence. John Lithgow guest stars.
The Office
Many have said that Americans simply don't know when to stop, and that certainly may be true in The Office's case.
The original BBC series ended after its second season, while the American one is puttering on through its sixth.
It's still an entertaining show to watch, but it is quite past its prime. Recent episodes do not stack up anywhere near those of the earlier seasons and jokes never really floor audiences like they have in the past.
Instead, it has become a show that is watched simply for the sake of watching something.
30 Rock
With a slew of Emmys and Golden Globes in its basket, 30 Rock does not disappoint, even as it progresses through its fourth season.
The characters that audiences have come to love are still there and very much the same. Tracy and Jenna feel threatened as Liz searches for a new actor for TGS while everybody's favorite boss, Jack Donaghy, gets a visit from his old archenemy Devon Banks.
The show is still funny as ever with its quirky jokes and blatant satire of product placement.
Family Guy
Family Guy has slowly been dipping lately, but it did, however, manage to finish off the last season quite strong, making it clear that Seth MacFarlane and the gang have not lost their touch.
While their eighth season didn't cause much of a stir when it started up again, last week's two episodes were some of the funniest they've made for a while, indicating that there's still plenty of material for the residents of Spooner Street.
South Park
Trey Parker and Matt Stone have certainly not been pulling any punches lately, going after the WWE, Whale Wars, Ghost Hunters, the Japanese and even bikers.
They don't even try to disguise their message through allegory but rather they blatantly come out and say it. South Park is another show trailing off past its prime, trying to regain its lost glory.
While it may be downright hilarious at times, it can be extremely obscene, vulgar and offensive at others.
Viewers never really know what they're going to get, but all they can do is hope for a good episode because, more often than not, there's a 50-50 chance that it won't be.
So there you have it, a brief look at the ups and downs of this year's television season so far. Some shows are still going stronger while it is evident that others are on their last leg.
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