If the post title above was framed as a Jeopardy answer, the proper response might be “What are four shows I’d like to see on USA Network?” In that case, three out of four ain’t bad, really. But, it’s not a Jeopardy thing, just some quick and somewhat random thoughts.
Burn Notice is set to return on June 4. I am trying to see if I can get some Burn Notice schwag and if I can, I’ll post some type of “guess the ratings for the season three premiere of Burn Notice and win!” post in the next day or so. I just watched a screener of the season premiere and am excited about its return.
Given the 3-5 episodes USA Network typically airs of NCIS every Monday through Friday coupled with marathons where they air many more episodes, I will be caught up on NCIS in no time at all. It is the adult version of SpongeBob when it comes to weekly cable ratings domination. I understand the appeal of this procedural. Quirky but likable characters. It’s typically extremely formulaic, but it works well and it’s not the first time the show’s creator Donald Bellisario has had success with such a formulaic approach. Long ago, I was also a huge fan of one of his earlier creations, Magnum P.I. I was also a fan of Bellisario’s Quantum Leap, but stylistically NCIS smacks more of Magnum)
I watched the screener of the pilot for Royal Pains which bows on June 4 at 10pm after Burn Notice. In general, I liked it and it looks to skew a bit younger than Burn Notice (and certainly NCIS!) which is probably a good move for USA. My only complaint was that having seen like 100 NCIS episodes in the last nine days (see above), even though I always skip commercials during DVR viewing, I’ve still probably seen the promos for Royal Pains 200 times already. As a result, the first 12 minutes or so of the screener I saw seemed unneccessary and handled well by about 15 seconds worth of the promos.
I’m not sure most of those minutes I found worthless didn’t get cut from the version that will air on USA next week though. The pilot was around 65 minutes without commercials, but is only scheduled to last 75 minutes when it airs on USA. So either they are running it with seriously limited commercial interruptions, or a lot was cut out of the version I saw, and I’m guessing for the better if that’s the case.
Outside of the first 10 minutes or so, I did enjoy the episode, and it will be interesting to see if they can make the premise work as a weekly procedural. I’ll definitely be giving it another look.
Chuck! I hear Chuck begins filming in late July and that most of the budget cuts were the kinds of behind the cameras cuts you’ll never notice. So, you’ll still likely see all your favorite characters on the show next year. If Emmett Milbarge is one of your favorite characters, you might be disappointed, but that seems more like to involve Tony Hale’s starring in FOX’s Sons of Tuscon than budget cuts. Will Sarah be working at Subway next season? That seems to still be up in the air. I think that is a function of how much Subway is willing to pay for that kind of product placement. That’s not anything I’m all that interested in, but if you are, you’ll catch wind of it well before the next new episode of Chuck airs.
I hear ya. I watched a lot of the NCIS marathon they had on Saturday and there was seriously a commercial for “Royal Pains” in every commercial break!
I’m excited Burn Notice is finally back
I’ve been wondering about Royal Pains. USA has had a pretty good track record lately, but the promos made it seem like it could go either way.
OMG!! we almost went 7 days without a chuck post!
not that im complaining or anything.
If filming begins in july, wouldn’t that mean that (theoretically) if one of NBC’s fall shows epic fails, Chuck could slip in early?.
just thinking out loud here…
Hey hey, Burn Notice is finally back. Love that show, love Bruce Campbell. I gotta say, though, much as I enjoy Fiona’s choice of clothing, Gabrielle Anwar needs some more meat on her bones, so to speak.
@djm
Theoretically if an NBC show fails, i guess that could happen, but who knows how they would figure that out and even though, Chuck coming back early would be awesome, I rather have them do some serious promotion for the show during the olympics and have a really good turn out ratings-wise. If they decide to spring it up all of a sudden, I don’t think we would get the Same numbers. Even though this looooong wait is killing me, I rather have the show get more viewers and have a chance to return for more seasons.
yay! for Burn Notice and Royal Pains. When I first heard of Royal Pains and its link to Burn’s Producer/Writer, it was going to be a must see show. I hope it doesn’t disappoint.
Burn Notice, it never disappoints, June 4 cant come soon enough.
PS Robert, you need to learn how to rip the screeners you get so you can share them with fellow TVBN fans
i just started watching Burn notice last season and i like it
its a really fun show
royal pains looks all right
i just can’t wait for Psyche and monk to start back up
I’m trying to find a fun show like Chuck to fill the void during the hiatus. I watched season 1 of Burn Notice and I like it a lot. Question for the Burn Notice fans, will it be confusing to watch season 3 before season 2? Season 2 DVD’s don’t come out until mid – June.
Re Chuck808.
Yes, Season 2 is where they focused more on the long running arc. Season 1 (which I found a little boring) was your typical formulatic procedural.
@Chuck808, it’s just my opinion, but no, I don’t think it will be too confusing. I think the “previously on Burn Notice” at the beginning of the first episode of season 3 will catch you up sufficiently and you will not be confused, nor will it impair your enjoyment of season 2 if you go back and watch them later.
Edit: while I agree with Rich that season two had a much bigger arc than season one, and also agree it improved, it was still very much procedural in both seasons, and far closer to something like NCIS or House than say Lost, Battlestar Galactica or Mad Men.
Even shows like NCIS and House have multi-episode arcs, but both are shows I can watch completely out of order without being confused in the least. The downside of skipping S2 is that when you go back to watch it, there will definitely have been some things already spoiled but I don’t see any risk of being confused. In fact, i think you could watch the season 3 premiere without having ever seen a single episode of Burn Notice and not be confused.
Thanks for the quick response. I think I’ll check out the first episode of season 3 and then decide if I should fill up the DVR or just watch.
When does Psych come back on? Chuck’s got nothing on that show when it comes to obscure 80’s references.
I watch Chuck and Psych. You would enjoy Psych on USA if you like Chuck.
So Emmet is out , I know a lot of the fans hate this character , but it’s a pity to do not have the talent of Tony Hale on board …
But OK maybe he got a more important role in Sonss of Tucson
Oh gosh! Chuck again!
Oh jeeez ! ABCFanatic again and again ….and again
Chuck808 says: “I’m trying to find a fun show like Chuck to fill the void during the hiatus.”
Check out Leverage on TNT, which returns for season 2 on July 15. Not intended to be as funny as Chuck, but plenty of comedy, action, slick plots, good acting, engaging characters. You can’t miss. It’s not terribly serial, so you won’t have any trouble dropping in on any episode. You can watch six full episodes on the official Web site, although not the first episode which is where the team came together. But you can see episode one here:
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=ADMIMWWR
I may check out Burn Notice this summer as well and download the previous episodes. Anwar looks like her character can keep me interested. And it’s spy stuff.
RHS ..we can say that the female roles are for you the main parameter to evaluate a show LOL
My tastes are for shows with strong and kick-ass female characters, and a show that’s funny to boot. I’m watching Weeds. Protagonist is funny and strong in her own way, although I’ve yet to see her kick ass. Anybody else have any other suggestions? Pls. don’t suggest any of the TNT characters.
UH: Well, hot babes aren’t the only thing, otherwise I’d be downloading all the CW shows! LOL!
There’s gotta be some interesting premise first and foremost.
The correct Jeoprady question to the answer above is: what four shows I wouldn’t watch even under torture?
“which bows on June 4″
What? How about we let Variety use the pretentious incomprehensible teenage pop language, and tvbythenumbers is the straight talking English speaking website for sensible people?
And should we start to write “Chuck(and Sarah)”
I don’t Watch Jay Leno that much. I thank him for coming to MI to support our workers . I think that much Talk Show is too much to be honest. With the Tonight Show and Jimmy Fallon. I think People would get Bored Fast. I like Chuck to have a full season instead. I know I’ll watch Chuck even if I have to watch it from the NBC web site the next day should I have to work late Mon Night.
Well… this kinda does it for me… I won’t be back at tvbythenumbers.com – I can get the analysis form other sources, without Chuck-isms in each and every post.
Too bad that a site that once had a great approach drifted into ignorance
I hear that we don’t get to see Chuck until January. True or false?
March not january
imkeh, have you tried “In Plain Sight” on USA Network?
Sorry guys but …. are you all from US and awake @ 4.30 am ???
Malone , depend on who told you
imkeh, if you like strong female characters, I recommend renting the first season of Veronica Mars.
Chuck808: The first episode back in Burn Notice’s 3rd season picks up where the story left off last season so you should probably give it at least 2 episodes before you decide if you need the backstory. The 2nd episode jumps right back to the typical week to week story. Though I’d still say you should watch both if you can. You don’t need the backstory to follow along but it’d help when characters re-appear.
@Chuck808 or anyone else interested:
USA will be airing all the episodes of “Burn Notice” leading up to the June 4th premiere.
Season 1 will air Tuesday, June 2 from 6am-2pm and Wednesday, June 3 from 6am-11am
Then season 2 will air Wednesday, June 3 from 11am-3pm and Thursday, June 4 from 6am-6pm
So, if you really want to watch them now, you can record and watch all the episodes you may have missed.
@imkeh, I find Gabrielle Anwar’s character on Burn Notice to be as kick-arse as she is gorgeous. Sharon Gless is great as Mom too – and very funny! I can somewhat relate to your opinions, as I find that strong female leads are often ruined by being written as pining for the male leads in most TV shows. Sure, there’s the on-again-off-again romantic element in Burn Notice; but Anwar plays it very well. No pining involved, IMHO. Male and Female leads are equally screwed up on this one
.
If you haven’t watched it, give Burn Notice a shot.
Re: CHUCK (the show that DOESN’T – contrary to SOME peoples’ opinions – SUCK): They HAVE to have somebody working at Subway. Sarah would be a logical choice, but let’s be honest, as great as Subway’s sandwiches are, their employee uniforms leave a lot to be desired. Sarah had “way cool” uniforms both at Wienerlicious and at Orange Orange. (Truthfully, however, I don’t think we’ll see the Orange Orange back next year. THEY NEVER, EXCEPT MAYBE ONCE, HAD ANY CUSTOMERS!! It was just Sarah wiping the counter or stacking paper cups. You can’t stay in business very long that way.
I think the BETTER choice would be to have CASEY working at Subway! (Remember, HE quit the Buy More, too!, so technically he’s “cover-unemployed.”
Here’s my scenario. Chuck goes back to work in some kind of computer specialty store – one of those smaller kind of places still located in a strip mall. Casey works next door at Subway – and Sarah works at in the same mall – but at HOOTERS!! So this way on Monday nights the CHUCK fans can have their choice of eating footlongs or wings while watching CHUCK!
Just a thought.
And all this Burn Notice stuff is getting me to “take notice.” I’ve caught some of the episodes that have been running on USA the last few nights. It looks like it’s worth the watch!
Actually I love the idea of Casey grunting to Subway customer : “grunt…take your damn 5$ footlong …moron ”
UH – That’s why I think it should be Casey, too. Could you see him having to deal with a customer who isn’t sure what they want? Asking him which bread is “better,” or “what comes on that sandwich” or asking for one thing and then in the middle changing their mind. All the while he’s holding one of those loooong Subway bread-cutting knives in his hand! It would be “AWESOME” baby!
BTW as an absurd the only guy difficult to place is exactly Chuck .
If they want to remain consitent with the end of season 2 he cannot come back with a Buy More type job ( my opinion the role must evolve )
With Emmet out and all these subway stuff I see the buy more phasing out ( Big Mike start a franchise of Subway with jeff , Lester and Casey ? )
And Morgan and Anna ? Benhihama place in the Mall ?
( I’m courious to see how many upset TVBTN purist will post after this ehehehe )
Oh I’m following the suggestion of RSH about leverage the premisis look good
In Plain Sight, I don’t like the lead character. I will definitely check out Veronica Mars. I did like the eps I watched but doesn’t it get canceled in a “leave-me hanging” note? I hate it when that happens. I’ve been fortunate the two other shows I’ve loved aside from Chuck (buffy and alias) ended the show in their own terms.
I have heard great things about Burn Notice,so I may check it out. I like that it has short seasons too, which can be a curse or a blessing, I guess.
As for Chuck S3, I envisioned the following: Chuck opens up his own software store in the same store as the Buy More so that the Castle doesn’t go to waste (plus it’s about time). He can hire Jeff and Lester, even Anna. Subway opens up at Buy More and Sarah there. Morgan can be shown as having changed his mind about what he wants to do. It could even be a running gag on the show. The software business can conceivably do business in one way or another with Buy More.
“I watch Chuck and Psych. You would enjoy Psych on USA if you like Chuck.”
I’ve tried watching Psych a few times because it seems like something I would enjoy. It’s funny and seems lighthearted like Chuck, but I just haven’t really been able to get into it yet. I hate not having any shows to watch!
Chuck starts filming in late July?! That’s awesome! I’m going to be in California for the first time in late July for Comic-Con and while I was planning on touring the WB lot at some point, I figured there was no chance of the Chuck cast being there. Now I’m even more excited!
The idea of Sarah working at Subway definitely smelled of too much product placement to me – I like the ridiculous fake stores the show makes up, and besides, I really don’t see how you’re gonna turn the Subway uniform into something sexy, which has been a requisite for anywhere Sarah worked. I love the idea of Casey working there, though! He’d be a “green shirt” again, heh.
Sarah is sexy also with a Salvation Army uniform on
imkeh –
Veronica Mars’ first two seasons are really fantastic and I highly recommnd you give them a shot. Both are self contained season-long “mysteries” with “smaller” story lines and even stand alones. But what really got me are the characters: most are well developed, likeable and also quite layered, which makes you interested in the interaction between them and even care about the relationships aspect (which I normally don’t care for).
The third season, however, is a miss. It started off as shorter story arcs and then fell apart in its sesond half. You can either give it a miss altogether, or, since you may find yourself deeply attached to the characters, follow it through to discover there really is not conclusion, but it’s also not entirely left up in the air. Sort of a blah ending.
I believe Morgan will be working at Subway, you can not have Chuck Casey or Sarah work there, they are too busy saving the world. Morgan on the other hand will get dumped by Anna and the Buy More will not take him back. To be close to Chuck and the gang, he will work at Subway next store to the Buy More next season. I bet I am right. I also predict right now Chuck will be back sometime in November on either Weds. or Friday nights. Some of NBC’s new shows will not last the fall and NBC will be forced to bring back Chuck earlier than they wanted too.
I am guessing they wouldnt call it subway … probably something clever that can not be mistaken for anything but subway. I am on board with someone working at subway on the show … it just makes so much sense considering the interaction outside the show.
Leverage is good … dont expect top of the line good .. but it has heart and its easy to watch. Psych is good … give it a few episodes .. it grows on you. I keep looking at burn notice … havnt giving it a chance yet .. but its hard not too when Bruce is on the show.
I think Psych is August 7th … the main characters and the show writers are on twitter. http://twitter.com/psychwrites
Veronica mars was really good. I am surprised they canceled it … bad move in my opinion, but I dont know the details so maybe it had to be done. I am pretty sure it ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger but cant remember how much of one. I think there has been talk of a movie but not sure how much traction it is getting.
Susan … we get it , you dont like certain shows … thanks for sharing. I notice you dont elaborate on shows you do like … afraid we might make fun of your favorites? I am a fan of good tv , so I am kind of interested in knowing what these great shows are you like to watch. (I of course apologize if you have mentioned your shows in another thread, I dont read every comment/thread.)
I find it hard to believe some people think this site has lost credibility somehow because there are a few Chuck posts … doesnt make sense to me. Its not terribly difficult to not click a link and click on a different one.
Like Robert, I got a little sneak peek at the Burn Notice episodes (sorry, no secrets to spill here) — and can definitely say it shouldn’t confuse too many people to jump right into season three without having watched any/all of last season. The recap at the beginning of the premiere is a little longer and should do nicely to fill in the blanks. You get the general idea of who Michael Westen is, the sort of hoops he had to jump through last season, and then the show picks up where it left off (with Michael jumping from the helicopter, and thus we find him making a rather long swim back to shore).
Thought the premiere was pretty good, but episodes two and three are just dynamite. For fans of the show who are all about the spy techniques and homemade gadgets, you’ll get your fill for sure
I remember reading or watching something about the third season of Veronica mars. I think the network forced Mars to change its show format, hoping to get more viewers.
Apparently they believe shows with long complicated story arcs lose viewership or dont gain any because its hard to get back into it if you miss some episodes and even harder if you havnt seen any episodes at all.
Re: In Plain Slight –
I do enjoy the show on occasion, but I am pretty certain the reason is its lead actress, who I liked since her days on Murder One (and I still do, despite what seems like a botched lip-job). I do realize, however, that she and her character are deal makers or breakers here: those who don’t care for her character would probably give this show a miss. And the family drama is nothing we haven’t seen before either.
Other than IPS, none of the original USA lineup appeals to me (I don’t consider CI to be part of this category since it migrated after several seasons at NBC). Psych is blend (not to mention its stale humour) and despite the appearances by Cybill Shephard, I have never been able to get into it. Burn Notice I gave a shot mainly because of Bruce Campbell, but it reminded me too much of a few 90s trashy shows, and the flat writing didn’t help either.Sharon Gless and Bruce Campbell notwithstanding, I bailed.
TV is mostly off at my place during summertime.
well, the numbers for VM were hopeless either way, but Dawn Ostroff’s crude intervention ruined the show creatively.
I actually don’t mind the Royal Pains commercials. Maybe it’s because I’m actually really excited to see the show, or because I can’t get enough of Mark Feuerstein, but I still find the promos amusing even though I’ve seen them before.
I love the cast so far, from what we’ve seen. Can’t wait until it premieres!
Well I’ve been reading a lot that if I love Chuck I’d probably like Burn Notice so I think I’m gonna give it a try! Question though….are the season 1 and 2 episodes reairing in order? Because sometimes shows in syndication reairing aren’t in order. If they are I can just DVR them and get caught up and see if I like the show!
Also, in regards to Chuck’s cover job….I’m with all of you in that I’d love to see him do something more worthwhile and see Chuck grow and not disappoint Ellie. But I have a feeling he might be back at the Buy More because think about it, they’re off saving the world all the time and the perfect cover is that he’s doing an “off-site install.” If he had a real job he couldn’t just leave whenever he wants and not get fired. Besides I think it was Chris Fedak who said in an interview once that they (writers/producers) imagine the CIA is always protecting Chuck’s cover, coming up with fake receipts from fake off-site installs. Even though they don’t write this into the story, that’s what they imagine. So seriously, that’s pretty much the perfect cover isn’t it?
iheartchuck, the backstory in Burn Notice does have a flow through the season, but IMO not following it from episode A to episode Z isn’t a big impediment to enjoying the show.
New shows I have learned about, and will be watching, since visiting this website for the fifteen days of Chuck, include Burn Notice, Leverage, and then perhaps Psych if I hear more about it.
One thing is perfectly clear, if I don’t like any of those shows for any particular reason I will certainly not peruse threads about those shows like a mindless angry troll, I will simply continue to click on threads which mention my favorite show and let the other fans have their fun too.
Imagine that!
I think I’m going to miss the Orange Orange shop if they substitute it with something else. I liked the inner design (and I would totally love to have both a spy base and frozen yogurt shop at my fingertips 24/7). But Subway’s fine, I guess…Anything to keep the advertisers happy, right? Because they can keep Chuck going for a loooong time if we keep them in good business.
I think Yvonne should wear the Orange Orange uniform and just turn that tank top green, with green Chucks of course.
I hope they make the Subway integration somehow funny.
Who knows? If they put CASEY at Subway, then Sarah/Yvonne, could still be at the Orange Orange. But it seems like they switched her employment each season now. Perhaps that’s due to cost-cutting however. In Season 1, she had a “boss” (that squirrely guy with the really bad hair and weasely voice), and in Season 2 at the Orange Orange, she was the ONLY employee you ever saw there (thus eliminating having to pay another actor, even if in a minor role).
I think somebody mentioned on a previous post having more than one of them work at Subway, which would REALLY be a hoot – but that would definitely make it difficult for them to keep bolting for missions. But then again, it hasn’t seemed to stop Chuck, Sarah, or Casey from leaving WHERE EVER they’ve been working at. I guess what I’m saying is that we don’t have to apply the normal logic to “how can they just disappear from their jobs (at Subway if that’s how it works out),” because THEY JUST DO IT – and yet they seem to keep their jobs regardless.
But as far as Yvonne/Sarah, I think they’re going to “raise it up a notch” again in Season 3 like they did in Season 2 with regard to her work uniform, where ever she winds up working.
Sarah needs to be working at Victoria’s Secret. That is just so obvious.
RSH, you should be working at the Politically Incorrect Institute. Also very obvious.
As I like to say, “I’m radical, heretical, unconventional, politically incorrect, and occasionally down right weird.”
I could have suggested Sarah – or better yet, Casey – should be working at the local porn DVD/books/magazines emporium or even a strip club.
But that might be better suited to Morgan and Anna – or the two weirdos at the Buy More.
Ehi thank you guys the Burn Notice suggest was good, i saw yesterday the first 2 episodes and i found them funny, a good way to spent the time till march;
RSH, nice idea the Victoria’s Secrets