TV To-Watch Sept-Dec 2011

Summer term's out; two weeks grace and then back to the grind on Sept 5. Not that classes will stop me from watching copious amounts of television. It never does. I tried to abstain from TV for a week, but it was a complete failure. However, I did do some (unfortunately) surface-level thinking about dark comedy that I would like to revisit in the future.

WHAT HAPPENED IN AUGUST:

Wrapped up Grey's and Modern Family. Finished the first series of How Do You Want Me? but am currently having trouble finding the first episode of the second series. Didn't watch much Father Ted. Began Wilfred, which started slow and painful but got a LOT better. If the mythology expands, I'm in for the long run (well, probably even if it doesn't, I guess).

Shooting Stars on air again! I laughed more during each episode of Shooting Stars than I did at anything else during any given week. Top form.

Louie, Wilfred, and Childrens Hospital on Thursdays this month. Fucking phenomenal. I might even prefer this Thursday lineup to my NBC lovelies during the regular season. Blasphemy!? Louie in particular is the best thing on TV right now ("over Breaking Bad? Really? Depends on my mood. But right now, YES!" --inner monologue). I was nervous this season wouldn't live up to its first, but wow did it deliver. I honestly believe it's earned its right to be considered a classic show. Watch "Subway/Pamela." Watch "Joan," "Eddie," or, shit, "Ducklings." Do yourself a favor!

Terrific Unplanned August TV: Wilfred, Catterick re-watch
Disappointing Unplanned August TV: Re-watch of Whites

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER:

Powering through The Wire. One and a half seasons down, box set ordered off Amazon (gold box deal, hell yeah). I was nervous about this show because of the hype, but I was absolutely blown away by the first season. It throws you into its world from the first minute and was often hard to follow in the beginning. But by episode 5 or 6 I found myself wondering how it was so good -- how, suddenly, were all the characters believable and fully fleshed out and relatable, the plot so engrossing and intricate? Flawless season. Perfect, subtle direction. Fabulous everything. I feel like I really know Baltimore. The last show I watched that was truly a love letter to a place in the same vein as this was when I fell in love with Dillon, Texas.

Anyway, so I guess if you didn't believe everyone in the world before: The Wire really is that fucking amazing.

So, besides that, only Father Ted and How Do You Want Me? on the side. Fall shows will be starting soon anyway (oh god).

Next Up: Ashes to Ashes, Daria, Lights Out (should really take a weekend and just bang this out...), The Street, State of Play (going to air on BBCA this season), The Comeback
Next Next Up: Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Shield, Deadwood, Six Feet Under, Delocated, The Night Shift (Iceland), Twenty Twelve

TV On-Air in September: Louie (finale), Wilfred (ending), Childrens Hospital (ending), Breaking Bad (half season left), Torchwood Miracle Day (ending), Doctor Who (Aug 27), Raising Hope (Aug 30), Glee (Sep 20), Modern Family (Sep 21), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Sep 15), Parks and Recreation (Sep 22), The Office (Sep 22), Community (Sep 22), Grey's Anatomy (Sep 22), Would I Lie To You? (Sep 9), QI (Sep 9), Fringe (Sep 23)

New Shows in September (only the ones I deemed worth trying): Ringer (Sep 13/CW), Unforgettable (Sep 20/CBS), Charlie's Angels (Sep 22/ABC), Person of Interest (Sep 22/CBS), A Gifted Man (Sep 23/CBS), Pan Am (Sep 25/ABC), Terra Nova (Sep 26/FOX), Hart of Dixie (Sep 26/FOX), Suburgatory (Sep 28/ABC)

Edit 9/8: Finished How Do You Want Me? and Ashes to Ashes. Currently watching Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle and Mad Dogs.