The Good, The Bad, and the SPOOKY: Sleepy Hollow Edition

It's almost Halloween everyone! I hope you're all carving your jack-o-lanterns and getting your various costume components together as we speak. In honor of one of my favorite holidays, I'm going to be counting down my favorite Halloween TV episodes next week. But today, we're exploring a show that's tailor made for this season: Fox's, Sleepy Hollow.

Now I know I'm a few weeks late on this one, but I have to admit, this show was not on my must watch list. In fact, I originally put it in my "No way" category because it seemed like something that was bound to be cancelled right away, and I didn't want to waste my time. Shows how much I know! Turns out, America has loved spending time in the Hollow - it's one of the biggest hits of the season, and it has the honor of being the only new show of the fall that's already renewed for season 2. 

So now that I've jumped on the bandwagon and finally watched the pilot, it's time to break out the fun sized candy and enjoy the first (and probably only) edition of The Good The Bad and the Spooky: Sleepy Hollow Edition.

Nicole Beharie and Tom Mison in Fox's breakout hit, Sleepy Hollow

You guys, this show is straight up FUN. It's straight up crazy too, don't get me wrong, but man, is it fun.

The Premise: 

The Headless Horseman has returned to modern-day Sleepy Hollow (which is still plagued with unexplained phenomena) and a resurrected Icabod Crane has teamed up with young cop, Abbie, to stop him from reuniting with the four horsemen of the apocalypse and cutting off other people's heads. Yep...

The Good: 

When you have a crazy bananas premise like this one, you have to at least have believable performances, so thank goodness the two leads are really bringing it in this one. Nicole Beharie (most recently seen as Jackie Robinson's wife in 42) is great as Abbie, a police lieutenant with one-time dreams of being in the CIA. She's been called crazy in the past for a vision she had as a child (four white trees which we later find out represent the four horseman), so she's the only person who actually believes Icabod is telling the truth. Tom Mison is also quite funny as the time traveling Crane - his curious reactions to the mysteries of the 21st century are pretty perfect - and paired with Beharie, the two provide a center to a show that could easily spin off into space.

The Bad:

This is a common concern for me with high concept pilots such as this one, but the question is, where can we go from here? If Icabod ever becomes comfortable in this new world, I think a lot of the magic will be gone, but he can't keep being fascinated by automatic car windows forever. Also, there is the potential for this show to become bogged down in it's own mythology - let's hope that it stays a goofy/creepy romp and never becomes a chore.

The Spooky:

- When Abbie was looking at the horseman's ghost in the window, but then it cracks and turns out it's just a mirror! I'm ashamed, but I jumped at that.

- The whole scene in the barn when **SPOILER!** Abbie's partner gets killed, was very scary - the Headless Horseman himself isn't as creepy as I thought he would be, but that's honestly ok with me. I don't need any more nightmares, thank you very much.

- What's up with that scary, time-traveling Reverend? He's dead now (I guess) but that definitely gave me the creeps.

Sleepy Hollow will return to Monday November 4th at 9PM on Fox (hopefully I'll be caught up by then) and I think it's just crazy enough to get the Under the Dome treatment, don't you? Check back every week for my recaps, Sleepy-heads! 

See you all next week for more Halloween fun, and enjoy the World Series Everyone! 

Let's Talk About Masters of Sex, Baby

I can say without hesitation that Masters of Sex is the best new show to premiere this fall.

Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan star in Showtime's Masters of Sex.

Sure, I'm not exactly going against the grain with that statement (critics everywhere seem to agree), but in a fairly weak pilot season, Masters clearly stands out from the pack for it's overall quality, it's supurb performances, and its surprisingly un-cyncical outlook on life, relationships, and of course, sex.

Sex on TV can be tricky. Either it's censored and unrealistic (see: every sitcom in history), or it's there-must-have-been-a-mistake-on-the-hotel-bill graphic and degrading. But we've got something different going on here, and I like it.

In general, I think it's weird that we're all so much more freaked out by the idea of sex on TV than we are about the hyper-violence on so many so-called "quality" shows these days. That's a post for another week, but the question has to be asked: Why are are we collectively more comfortable watching someone get their head cut off than we are watching two people being intimate with one another? And if that is true, will a show like Masters ever be as big a commercial success as something like Breaking Bad? After seeing the first three episodes of this brilliant series, I'm holding out hope that it's a possibility.

Based on the true story of William Masters and Virginia Johnson - expertly played here by Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan - Masters of Sex tells the story of how their controversial research on human sexuality began in the late 1950s. Surrounded by stigma and conducted in secret (at least initially), Masters and Johnson's studies boldly explored a field that was essentially a career killer, and seen as off limits to "legitimate" scientists. Their groundbreaking discoveries helped to dispell many commonly held myths about sex, and revolutionized the way the medical community approached sexual dysfunction and treatment - a topic that is still taboo today.

Don't be fooled by the advertising. Masters is not just another Mad Men with a whole lot less ad talk and a whole lot more doin' it. Aside from the general time period, the beautifully detailed sets, and costumes to die for, this couldn't be any less like the trevails of Don Draper & Co. (But fun fact: Jon Hamm and Michael Sheen have both played one of Liz Lemon's dysfunctional boyfriends on 30 Rock!). On a lesser show, this facinating premise could become a joke; a story told with an eyeroll: "Look at how backwards people were about sex back then! Isn't that hilarious?". But here, the audience gets a refreshing TV experience: a look at two fully realized characters, their story told lovingly and with the utmost respect for their work. It's as if the whole world on this show is somehow "lighter" than most, but not trivial in any way; the characters positive, but not naive to reality. If I had to compare it to anything it certainly wouldn't be to Mad Men, but maybe to Call the Midwife in it's overall energy and delivery - these people are real: smart, flawed, and dedicated to their work no matter what obstacles stand in their way. Oddly enough, the often vibrant color scheme and the male/female team dynamic at times reminded me of the late Pushing Daisies, a much more fantastical show, but one that also seemed free of any real evil (while Masters may have Beau Bridges' uptight college provost against the main characters, he's more of a curmudgeon than a villain in the first three episodes).

Masters isn't as much a plot driven show as it is a character study, so I'm not too concerned with giving anything away about the first few episodes (plus you can look up the true story of Masters and Johnson online, so "spoilers" don't really exist for this one), but just to cover myself, some plot points may be given away below.

-Favorite character: Betty, the lesbian prostitute.
Too bad Annaleigh Ashford's midwestern, sarcastic Betty is only slated to be in these first few episodes (I like to think she's having fun for a little while with the Pretzel King) because she may be my favorite break out character of the fall season. Here's hoping she'll be back later in the series to keep Masters in check with more perfectly delivered one-liners, since, let's be honest, she's the real master of sex here.

-Favorite montage: Virginia acting out different scenarios in which she tells Bill they are not going to have sex for the study.
During the second episode, Virginia spends her whole morning getting her kids ready for school while rehearsing different speeches to Bill about why it wouldn't be right for them to replicate the study with each other - Bill feels this will increase the reliability of the study since watching people have sex all day will certainly transfer onto both of them as researchers (um, good try Bill, but no). I know for sure that I'm not the only woman who has imagined herself delivering a difficult speech to her boss, friend, or loved one, and anticipating their different reactions, but I had never seen that shown on TV before in such a realistic and creative way. An excellent visual depiction of something that's so relatable, it immediately pulls you in.

-Favorite bit of irony: That a man who has dedicated his life to studying the ins and outs of sexual relationships sleeps in a separate bed from his wife.
I know this was more of a time period detail, but it's pretty funny how Masters' day to day work in the field seems to be so separate from his home life, and the sex scene between he and Libby may be the most awkward and uncomfortable thing I've seen in a while. I'm looking forward to the show developing Libby's character more, especially after last week's pregnancy news. Caitlin Fitzgerald was playing her kind of creepily at first (don't call your husband "Daddy", please. It's super gross.), but I've grown to like her more and more with each episode. Here's hoping she actually confronts Bill for lying to her about the reason they could not conceive - it could really cause problems for both Virginia and Ethan (Nicholas D'Agosto), but Bill needs a wake-up call, STAT.

Once the show figures out more about who they want Ethan to be - he's the only real problem character here - we could have TV perfection on our hands. Until then, this is still the only new pilot of the season that is good enough for appointment viewing in my opinion, so get watching!

Masters of Sex airs tonight at 10PM on Showtime.

Just a few things before I go to the pet store and get myself a rabbit. Just one, or we could be in trouble real fast...

- I told you punk kids last week that I don't have a Twitter, but that doesn't mean I can't periodically check in with the cancellation bear. He eats shows that are destined to be cancelled (as predicted by tvbythenumbers.com) and you can follow him at @TheCancelBear to learn more. There's been a lot of bear chow this season already, but I predict he'll devour Once Upon A Time in Wonderland next... 

- I didn't do a review of NBC's comedy block yet, and good thing too, because it looks like it's about to change. Welcome to the Family has, predictably, been cancelled, so Parks and Recreation will be airing back to back new episodes for a while until Community comes back from the grave in January. NBC is really struggling with it's sitcoms this year, so we'll see how the shake-up impacts their dismal ratings. 

- Scandal. Just pour yourself some wine and watch. That is all.

NEXT WEEK: What the heck is Sleepy Hollow, and why is everyone and their mother watching it? I take on one of the biggest hits of the season to find out!

Fall TV Tweets!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I went on a little hiatus last week - it was my birthday, so things got a little crazy (in the best of ways!). But no worries, I'm back! And with a lot of ground to cover...

Beware of the fall TV coma.

Now you may be surprised to learn, I don't have a Twitter.

Get with the times, Grandma!

Alright already. I'm not a luddite (I do use Instagram, after all) I just never felt I needed it. Still, I kind of like the idea of getting a thought out in 140 characters or less, and since I honestly had no idea which of the many premieres to dive into this week, I figured I'd give you a bunch of quick takes of the shows I've seen so far this season.

So here goes - Liz's TV "Tweets" Volume 1 -  Reviews of New and Returning Shows in 140 Characters or Less!
 

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - A solid pilot led to a lackluster 2^nd episode. Giving it one more shot, but this fan is disappointed #notsuper

 

Parks and Recreation - Hilarious as always, P&R brings it with a jam-packed start to season 6. Spoiler: Ron gets married! #eagletonsux

Masters of Sex - This sex-researcher period drama is good drama, period. Entertaining, funny, smart, and intriguing #sopsychedforsundays

Homeland - Things are falling apart on Homeland, but that might not be a bad thing for the series #carrie'schin #outtacontrol

How I Met Your Mother -  The gang is back for one wild wedding weekend and some of the funniest episodes in recent years. #butwhere'sthemotherbeenlately?

Scandal -  Don’t tell but the real scandal is I haven’t seen the premiere yet (Pope and Associates have done a good job keeping that on the DL) #solate

Parenthood - The Bravermans returned in full force with three amazing episodes that have all caused my mother and I a lot of anxiety #noduhicried

Lucky 7 - Already cancelled by ABC. Oh well, make room for the players #isureknowhowtopickem


Look out, Retta. Once I get around to getting a Twitter, you've got some clear competition.

 

Fall sitcom-watch update: I am sticking with both Mom and Trophy Wife for the foreseeable future.

Don't give me that look. 

 

Sorry this was kind of a mini-post, but I promise I'll be back next week with much more on my new favorite show of the season, Masters of Sex. Get pumped!

 

The Good, The Bad, and The Funny: Mom Edition

Welcome to another edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Funny! This week, I'm talking about the new CBS sitcom premiere, Mom, but before I get into that, I have some fun news:

Remember a few months back when I told you about the return of the Extra Hot Great podcast? Well one of my favorite features on their show is the TV Canon - a place where listeners can send an audio recorded submission that describes their favorite episode of their favorite show. As luck would have it, the crew chose my Happy Endings submission for the podcast this week, and they inducted it into the canon (meaning the majority of the hosts voted, and felt it belonged with the best of the best)!!

What?? I know. Best. Day. Ever! Y'all know how much I love Happy Endings, so to hear everyone discussing it on the show was really special, and since I've been a fan of the podcast since its first iteration, needless to say I've been psyched beyond belief all week.

So thanks, Extra Hot Great, for making me EXTRA happy this week! 

You guys are amazing.

To listen to my submission for Happy Endings Season 2, Episode 21: (Four Weddings and a Funeral Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral) and the rest of this week's EHG episode, click here! 

And now, onto the business at hand: 

It's a been a big week for TV premieres, but I'm going to break it down nice and slow for ya. Today, I'm all about:

Mom (Premiered Monday, September 23rd on CBS)

The Premise

Recovering alcoholic, Christy (Anna Faris), is trying to juggle sobriety along with a dead-end waitressing job, her two kids, and her married boyfriend. But things get more challenging when her mother and former addict, Bonnie (Allison Janney), suddenly comes back into her life. 

The Good

Anna Faris and Allison Janney are both really good in this pilot, and I'm interested to see how their relationship develops over this season. Something else that usually doesn't get enough attention is the set design - you actually believe that Christy and her kids could live in this house on a waitress' salary, which is a nice change of pace from the usual TV depiction of "working class" homes which are often way too unrealistic (ex. Two Broke Girls, you definitely cannot afford that Brooklyn loft). Also, I kind of have this weird crush on Nathan Corddry (United States of Tara, Children's Hospital), so hopefully they'll figure out how to use him better (aka, put him on screen more).

The Bad

Like I said, the main actresses are both good. The problem is, they may be a little too good for the material they have to work with. A lot of these jokes are real clunkers, and as interesting as our main duo are, the supporting characters are mostly tired stereotypes: the child-support-owing dead-beat ex, the bored, angry teenager who hates her mom - come on sitcom writers, create a teenage character that's more than just a sequence of eye rolls please - and the harsh, pompous chef Christy works for are all characters we've seen a million times before.

The Funny

- Anna Faris' tearful shift at her restaurant was cringe-worthy and great. The bummed-out happy birthday song she has to sing to one of the customers is only made better by the sad "Oh no..." she delivers as soon as she sees the cake.

- I liked Christy explaining to her boyfriend's stuck-up wife, "CLOUD-ia" that her name is actually pronounced "CHRIST-y".

- Her son, Blake Garrett Rosenthal, is the kid in the deleted scenes from Bridesmaids! And he's funny!

Final Verdict: As sweet as the pilot was at times, I give this show one more episode before I'm asking for the check.


What else is new? New pilots that are worth checking out for the week of 9/23:


Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Premiered Tuesday, September 24th on ABC)

Trophy Wife (Premiered Tuesday, September 24th on ABC)

Masters of Sex (Premieres Sunday, September 29th on Showtime)

That's it for this week, TV fans!

Fridays are the new Wednesdays: check back every Friday next month for more pilot and season premiere reviews!

BONUS: The Best Moments from the Emmy Awards!

The Emmy's were on this past Sunday, and as an award show obsessed crazy person (I prefer "enthusiast", but I'm not denying my addiction), I watched everything from the red carpet convos to the final awards. So here's a bonus post just for YOU! Below is my rundown of the 2013 Emmy Awards' Best Moments (you can find the "worst" moments all over the internet, but ain't nobody got time for that).

Enjoy, my fellow TV lovers. Enjoy.

The Red Carpet

My GAWD. Did everyone look extra amazing this year, or was it just me? My personal favorite of the evening was Tina Fey, who, to quote my mom "looked like a 50's bombshell" in this killer blue dress:

Of course the annoying cornball banter from the E! commentators got on my nerves as we started into the second hour (I told you, I literally watched all of this), but overall, Ryan and Giuliana managed to bring some fun to the usual celebrity awkwardness that always follows the question: "What are you wearing?". Let's hope they keep more funny, weird stuff like the "mani-cam" - a mini red carpet for the ladies to show off their manicures and jewelry - in for future broadcasts.

Plus, who doesn't love a good celebrity photo bomb? 

...Or two?

The Host

Neil Patrick Harris was just great (did you expect anything less?). With help from past Emmy hosts - including Jane Lynch, Conan O'Brien, and a tap-dancing Jimmy Fallon - and a totally game Kevin Spacey, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler in on the bit, what started out as a weird opening became laugh-out-loud funny. Plus, the "middle of the show" number - featuring complicated backflips and a singing and dancing Nathan Fillion and Sarah Silverman - brought NPH's signature energy to what is usually the boring part of the show.

I also loved the pre-taped "Excessive Hosting Disorder" sketch, which featured Harris and the rest of the How I Met Your Mother cast (along with their signature "Intervention" banner), and a guest spot by another self-admitted hosting addict, Arsenio Hall. Of course, Harris' genuineness and commitment to everything was what really made this an A+ hosting job in my book.

The Awards

I want to apologize to anyone who actually bet money on my Emmy predictions since they were nearly all dead wrong (you can find the full list of winners here). But as our host astutely pointed out midway through the show, everyone was probably losing their office Emmy pools since there were surprises at every turn. 

This theme for the night was set early on when the first award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy unexpectedly went to my personal Emmy dream pick, the hilariously funny Merritt Wever, from Nurse Jackie. Wever was as surprised by her win as the rest of us, and ended up delivering what was, in my opinion, the best Emmy speech of all time:

God, I love her.

And sure, there were plenty of obviously wrong, yet predictable choices (Claire Danes for Homeland, Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory, and...what? Modern Family won for Best Comedy again? Come on, guys. Get with it.), but other underdog winners like Veep's Tony Hale and  The Colbert Report were what made this night interesting since it really felt like it was anybody's game for the first time in years.

While there was a certain heaviness this year from the many extra long, yet poignant "In Memoriam" segments, the show refrained from getting too sad with understated bits like Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Veep parody acceptance speech with Tony Hale, and over the top goofy moments, like Will Ferrell and his kids presenting the last two awards in shorts and crocs. Overall, a good time was had by everyone, including this award show buff. Bye for now, Emmy's - we'll see you in 2014!

Comedy Block Recap: Fox Tuesday Edition

And so it begins...the onslaught of TV ads.

They're on buses, on taxis, and in the subway. They're in magazines, in the paper, and popping up on the sides of all your favorite websites. They're even being dragged behind planes over the beach! And you thought you could have your last fudgie-wudgie bar of the summer in peace.

Finally, when you thought you were safe, a tiny ad for a new series appears during a show you already don't have time to be watching.

Don't panic - DVR was invented for a reason. Plus, I'm here to help - I'll be working overtime these next few weeks so you don't have to! Today, I'm starting off with the first big batch of network premieres:  

Fox's Tuesday Night Comedy Block!

Here's the breakdown:

8PM: Dads (New)
8:30PM: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (New)
9PM: New Girl (Season 3)
9:30PM: The Mindy Project (Season 2)

I watched the whole shebang this week, so ladies and gents, lets see how they stack up!

Dads 

(AKA, the show I knew I was going to hate from the start, and actually promised I wouldn't watch, but stupidly did anyway)

I don't want to say I was right, so instead I'll just say I WAS SO RIGHT OH MY GOD WOW.
This show was really bad, guys. I don't even know where to start, so I'll throw it all out there at once: Dads is behind the times, stupid, badly acted, super-racist (and a complete failure at it's attempt at being ironically so), plus it's so un-funny it actually hurts. Question: Who are these characters, and why should we care? This pilot didn't provide any answers. And with great shows being cancelled, the fact that this one made it to air drives me bananas. I only watched the whole thing because I was reviewing it, but if you can make it past the first commercial break without changing the channel, you deserve a medal of honor (or a glass of cold water in the face, because you probably just fell asleep in front of the TV). I can't stress this enough: don't waste your time. Episode Grade: F 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine 

(AKA the new show I was most excited about this season)

And now for something completely different! It's been a while since I've seen a pilot episode of a show that's this self-assured and funny, so I have high hopes for Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Andy Samberg is hilarious as usual, but he won't be carrying this show on his own - Terry Crews, Andre Braugher, Chelsea Peretti and the rest of the talented cast bring a lot of fun and heart to this promising cop comedy. The show still has some developing to do, so let's hope Fox allows it to grow and keeps this series on the air longer than the sweet, yet short lived Ben and Kate (which occupied this time slot last year) If not, it would be a crime (I should be arrested for that one! Hey-yo!). Episode Grade: B+

New Girl  

(AKA my favorite show on TV right now)

I was so excited for this show to return after its incredible season finale last year, that naturally I couldn't help but be a little disappointed at this otherwise fine half-hour of TV. It definitely had its moments (Winston "puzzling" in his sweatshirt pants, Paradise-Nick and Paradise-Jess' attempt at leaving their troubles behind in Mexico), but I guess I was hoping to be welcomed back into New Girl world with a little more interaction between the four roommates. Still, what do I really have to complain about? My favorite ensemble on TV is back, and I'm sure they'll hit their groove within the next few episodes. I'm really interested to see how the show deals with Schmitt's romantic problems - he can't keep juggling two ladies this whole season, but man, I wish Merritt Wever could stay for all 22 episodes - and the newly formed official Jess/Nick couple. My biggest wish is that they develop Winston even more, as the brilliant Lamorne Morris deserves some juicy plot lines of his own. Perhaps when Brenda Song finally gets released from the train wreck that is Dads, she can go back to being Winston's love interest again? Episode Grade: B Show Grade: A+ times a million

The Mindy Project   

(AKA the show I didn't like in the beginning, but recently grew to love)

I am a huge fan of Mindy Kaling - she's a comic genius who wrote some of the all time best episodes of The Office, and her book is probably one of the funniest things I've ever read - but I was so disappointed by the pilot episode of this series that I didn't initially give the show a second chance. Thankfully, I was coerced into revisiting the show and I am beyond happy that I did. Things improved a lot last season - both character and plot wise - and it's one of the only shows I consistently laugh out loud at while completely alone (my test of true sitcom greatness). This season begins with our heroine's return to her beloved New York from Haiti, and her (FIRST FIVE MINUTES SPOILER) engagement to hot minister/boyfriend, Casey (am I the only person who absolutely hates this guy?). We'll see how long that lasts though, since in other news, Danny and Christina are finally dunzo. With guest star James Franco shaking up the office, I can't wait to see what's in store for Schulman and Associates this year, but I'm definitely crossing my fingers for a Morgan/Betsy hook-up - make my dreams come true, Mindy Project! Episode Grade: -A Show Grade: B+

OVERALL: Fox's Tuesday Comedy Block would have been absolute perfection if they replaced Dads with their better fitting single-camera comedy, Raising Hope (and who knows, they still might!). Until then, just watch the last three shows for the perfect laugh-filled evening. Tuesday Night's Grade: B- (Without Dads: A)

Just one more thing for all my Dome-Heads out there!

We've finally made it! It's time for Leah's Under the Dome SEASON FINALE Recap, Week of 9/16:

"A truly gripping finale it was this week! The butterfly finally hatched within the mini dome and started creating black splotches on all of the glass - like a voodoo doll, the same thing happened to the actual dome! Everyone was shrouded in darkness, leaving viewers struggling to make out Barbie's hot facial features. During this dark chaos, Julia walked around just fine with a shot wound in her chest, and Barbie took down two guys while wearing handcuffs! (Maybe he's used to performing feats while handcuffed...? Ok, I went too far). Amazingly the mini dome crumbled and the butterfly emerged to land on Julia - apparently SHE is the crowned monarch from the prophecy! In a practical progression of events, an alien thing communicates to the kids via Nori's deceased mom's body. At the end, we are left with Barbie dashingly standing at the gallows (Big Jim built a noose of course) while Julia made pink stars shoot in the sky when she threw the black mini egg in the lake. This was very reminiscent of the elderly lady in Titanic throwing the necklace in the water, and just as awkward...Obviously due to this amazing plot line, I can't wait for the show to return! Who am I kidding? My viewing is dependent upon Barbie's presence heating up the screen. He better survive the gallows in the next season!"

Until next summer Under the Dome, and thanks for taking one for the team, Leah!

How will NBC's Thursday Comedy Block compare? Check back later this month to find out!

The Good, The Bad, and The Funny: Trophy Wife Edition

You may know by now that when it comes to TV, I have a pretty good sense of what's worth watching.
But you might not know about my other sense. My sixth sense.

You see friends, I am a psychic.

Wait, wait! Don't go away - I have proof. Let me just get out my crystal ball and open up my third eye...

Hmm. Hmm. I see...YES.

It appears that you...did not want to get up and go to work today.

See? It's spooky how accurate my gift is, right? Maybe I should get my own show on TLC. I guess since I'm from Long Island, I can call it The Long Island Medi...wait. I think that one's taken.

Oh well, we can work out the logistics later.

 Don't worry, Theresa! I swear I won't take away any of your business.

But wait! I'm also sensing that to unwind after your crazy workday (or school day, or day in general...my gift isn't that honed yet), you enjoy watching sitcoms. Hmm...but it appears that you are overwhelmed with the choices available to you this season, am I right? Truthfully, you don't have to be a mind reader to know that there are too many sitcoms on nowadays to waste your time with middle-of-the-road-type misadventures and shenanigans. Plus, these characters' lives better be so interesting that you can escape into their worlds and forget your problems, even for 22 measly minutes. Don't worry - I'm here to help with this new feature: The Good, The Bad, and The Funny. Each installment will give you a brief look at a new sitcom coming out this season, with the goal being to let you lovely people know: "Is it worth my time?" and most importantly, "Will it make me laugh?".

My psychic ability has allowed me to see this week's sitcom early!

It's ABC's Trophy Wife 

NOTE: Ok, I'm not that good. But ABC has released the pilot online before the show officially premieres Tuesday, September 24th. Want to see into the future? You can watch it ahead of time too at abc.go.com.

The Premise: 
Kate (Malin Akerman), a young woman with a wild past, goes from party-girl to step-mom when she falls in love and marries Pete (Bradley Whitford), an older gentleman who already has three kids and two ex-wives, all of whom are still a big part of his life.

The Good:
Malin Akerman, who has brought charm and humor to supporting roles in the past (Couples Retreat, 27 Dresses, Burning Love), shows she can really carry a sitcom here. With her sweet yet goofy style, she elevates a premise that seems a little too familiar (it's like Step-Mom with one less wife and one less kid, right?) while proving her talent for physical comedy as well. The other characters don't feel quite as developed yet, but hopefully we'll be getting to know the rest of this great supporting cast which includes Michaela Watkins, Natalie Morales, and Marcia Gay Harden (bonus points for all the amazing ladies they got to be on this show!).

The Bad:
After this first episode, I'm not sure how much further Trophy Wife can take it's main premise, so something is going to have to change in order to keep things interesting. The writing could use a punch-up too, since with a cast like this, there's no excuse for the strained dialogue, flat jokes, or overly-cute, smart-alecky kid stuff and snarky teen eye roll moments we've seen a million times before.

The Funny:
When Kate has to drink the water bottle full of vodka to protect her step-daughter, Hillary, from getting caught by her mother, I was in stitches. Akerman's initial reaction to knocking back that much booze was on par with Kristen Wiig's immediate whiskey-induced cough/gag from the plane scene in Bridesmaids (and that's high praise coming from me). With more laugh-out-loud moments like this, Trophy Wife could be appointment viewing. For now, I give it 3 episodes to improve before the two of us divorce - amicably, of course. 

Just a few things before I print up my psychic business cards (they're going to say: Liz's Psychic Services. I knew you were going to read this when I handed it to you.)

- Leah is BACK with a super-sized Dome update! Weeks of 9/2 & 9/9: "Things went bananas in the last two episodes. Mean lady Maxine shot Julia because she wanted Barbie to herself (again quite understandable due to his hotness). Big Jim really hates Barbie now so he got the whole town to believe that Barbie has been shooting people, including Julia, and so the hunt for the fugitive ensues! Poor hot Barbie is just so noble in the process. In other news, crazy big Jim caught on about the mini dome and is on the search for it (it's hidden at skater-boi Ben's house - how sneaky)! Within the dome there lies a mysterious trippy color-changing egg and a caterpillar ready to bloom into a butterfly. Joe thinks Barbie is the 'monarch' that will be crowned, just like the butterfly prophecy said. I say Barbie can be my monarch any day! We'll just have to wait and see what happens in this ridiculous town plauged with very bad acting."

- Also, it's football season, so to celebrate, two of my biggest crushes favorite gentlemen came together once again, this time with "The Evolution of End-Zone Dances". And the world was a wonderful place:

Join me next week for more sitcom fun as I dive into Fox's Tuesday Comedy Line-up!