2ND ANNUAL FALLING FOR TV

It’s what you’ve all been desperately waiting for: my shortlist of which new television shows to watch this fall.  I’ve noticed that three of my must-see shows are on CBS, and none of them are on the CW. I feel old.

 

Mom (CBS)
Premieres Sept. 23rd at 9:30/8:30c

Anna Faris is Christy; a newly sober, single mom of two children who moves to Napa Valley to live with her critical, estranged mom, played by Allison Janney. Christy also has to contend with a married boss/lover, a crazy co-worker and an irresponsible ex-husband.  Sounds like just the right amount of dysfunction for my taste.

Hostages (CBS)

Premieres Sept. 23rd at 10/9c

Toni Collette plays a surgeon hired to operate on the President of the United States. Before she even has time to update her LinkedIn profile, Dylan McDermott shows up as a rogue FBI agent who threatens the lives of her family if she doesn’t follow his orders to kill the president.   

 

Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC)

Premieres Sept. 24th at 8/7c
The adventures of six agents who are members of a covert crime-fighting organization. Clark Gregg reprises his role as Agent Phil Coulson from a movie I’ve never seen but which apparently made a little money at the box office last year. Personally, I will be watching because Joss Whedon is awesome. Also, the creative team has collectively worked on Alias, Angel, Smallville, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Lost and Heroes so this may be worth giving a shot.
 

The Goldbergs (ABC)

Premieres Sept. 24th at 9/8c
A comedy about a loud, smothering Jewish family set in the 80’s. You had me at loud. The Goldbergs is a semi-autobiographical show from creator Adam Goldberg. It’s being compared to The Wonder Years, which makes me feel really old because I was around Kevin’s age when that show was on, and now I’m closer to Jeff Garlin’s age. Oy vey. The comedy stars Jeff Garlin and Wendi McLendon-Covey.

 

The Crazy Ones (CBS)
Premieres Sept. 26th at 9/8c
I’m kind of wishing that Robin Williams had played Sarah Michelle Gellar’s father on Buffy, but I guess I’ll have to settle for this David E. Kelley sitcom about a family run advertising agency. James Wolk apparently impressed producers with his ad man character on Mad Men because he is also employed at this ad agency. The buzz is around Kelly Clarkson’s cameo in the first episode, but personally I will be watching to see if James Wolk helps to hire any nurses for Robin Williams’ mom.
 

The Michael J. Fox Show (NBC)

Premieres Sept. 26th at 9:30/8:30c
The preview for this show made me chuckle so I will definitely be tuning in to watch Fox playing a character based on his own experiences living with Parkinson’s. Fox will play Mike Henry, a news anchor returning to work after a five-year hiatus. This looks like just the right combination of heart and comedy.

 

Almost Human (FOX)
Premieres Nov. 4th at 8/9c
Set 35 years in the future when all cops are obliged to be partnered with highly evolved human-like androids. This latest sci-fi offering from J.J. Abrams doesn’t look nearly as layered as Fringe but I always like to give his shows a chance. I am admittedly unfamiliar with the male leads Karl Urban and Michael Ealy, but the female leads make up for that (Minka Kelly and Lili Taylor).

 

About a Boy (NBC)
Midseason; Tuesdays at 9/8c
Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) is the executive producer of this remake of the 2002 film (based on the bestselling novel by Nick Hornby), so be prepared to laugh and cry at least ten times during every episode. The super cute David Walton plays the man-child who lives next door to a needy mother (played by Minnie Driver) and her precocious 11-year old son (played by Benjamin Stockham).

 

Us and Them (Fox)
Midseason; TBA
Let me get this straight: Rory Gilmore is now dating Jason Ritter, who dated Sarah Braverman on Parenthood, played by Lauren Graham, who played Rory’s mom on Gilmore Girls. This all seems a little incestuous but Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel seem cute together so this may just work after all.

And please take a moment during commercial breaks to follow me on Twitter and like me on Facebook.

 

LABELS

Yesterday I did something completely out of character. I registered for my very first 5K run. This might not seem like a particularly remarkable feat, but for those who know me personally this is a big deal. I believe my greatest athletic accomplishment thus far has been being named Gym Class Athlete of the Month in my high school newspaper. My lack of athleticism is a tad embarrassing since I happen to be married to an NCAA champion, but my four-year-old has been teaching me a few skills on the basketball court so I like to think of myself as a work-in-progress.

Exactly one year ago I did something else that was also completely out of character. I started this blog. I remember spending hours mulling over whether I should share my first post but eventually I just took the plunge. Initially, I cringed at the thought of sharing my thoughts. My words. I mean, at least twenty people must have read that first post! Ironically, my first blog post was about embarrassing myself when I fell off a stationary bike in my first spin class. Now, one year later, I am writing about preparing for my first race. I’m not running a marathon, but it’s still nice to think that I’ve made a little progress.  

Sometimes I get a little jealous of my boys. Their days are filled with all of the various activities we have planned for them: gym classes, playdates, soccer, swim lessons, music class, etc. We are always pushing them towards new experiences, introducing them to new people and bringing them to new places where they can explore and learn. Adults don’t have it quite as easy. If we want to do something new we have to plan it ourselves, carve out time in our tight schedules, and then follow through. We all have so many daunting obligations to work, family and friends that doing something new, something for ourselves, becomes a non-priority.

I’m not sure when it happened, but at some point during the past few months I started thinking of myself as a blogger. A writer. Labels are a funny thing. When you’re younger and in school labels often just fall into your lap. You’re the class athlete, class clown, drama geek or bookworm. As an adult, I’d like to think that I have a little more control over how people perceive me and how I want to spend my time. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that sometimes you have to label yourself and just let life catch up to that.

Over the past year I decided to call myself a blogger. And a runner.

I’m looking forward to deciding what to call myself next.

P.S. If you want to give me a one-year blogging anniversary present, please like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter!