Cable Fall Lineup Preview

Last but definitely not least.  So with the cable fall lineup I basically just put the shows that I watch or am looking forward to trying.  There is so much cable programming that I couldn't go over all of it, especially when a bunch of it (like so much broadcast programming) is bad.  I really like how the cable networks bring out their shows in waves.  It's a much better format.  Instead waiting for three weeks to see the seventh episode of a season in December or March, you usually get 13 eps in about 14 or 15 weeks.  Then the next set of shows comes in.  With HBO right now we have True Blood, Entourage and Hung.  Next wave is Boardwalk, Eastbound and Bored.  I'm sure after that we'll get more Treme, maybe Curb and Ricky Gervais.  It's a good way to work.

The other network that makes up most of today's list is FX.  They're really coming into their own here.  With one great comedy in It's Always Sunny, and one up-and-comer in The League.  One of my top three shows in Sons of Anarchy, and now adding a hopeful in Terriers.  Justified in the spring.  It doesn't get much better than this for cable.

Sunday
9:00- Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
If you aren't excited for this prohibition drama from Sopranos writer Terrence Winter, then you got some issues. Steve Buschemi in the lead, Omar from The Wire, it's gonna be classic.
9:00- Dexter (Showtime)
I'm really glad I got caught up on this. Apparently they're not going to have one 'big bad' this season, which will be a nice change of pace.
10:00- Bored to Death (HBO)
The trailer for season two makes it sound exactly like season one. That's fine by me...I don't need development in my comedies.
10:30- Eastbound & Down (HBO)
Danny McBride is rumored to be in talks for the new head gig at The Office. Does that spell an end to Eastbound? How many seasons could this shtick really work for?

Monday
10:00- Men of a Certain Age (TNT)
Andre Braugher is great and all, but if anyone deserved an Emmy nod from this show's first season it was Ray Romano.

Tuesday
10:00- Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Probably the show I'm most excited for a return. Number three in the current power rankings but I can absolutely see it gaining the new number one spot with a good start to season three.

Wednesday
9:00- Top Chef: Just Desserts (Bravo)
Doesn't sound all that exciting. I need a full meal to be satisfied. If it's not as good as the original, I might quit.
10:00- Terriers (FX)
I've been hearing good things about this private investigator show. I also am a big Donal Logue fan from his Grounded for Life days, so here's hoping.

Thursday
10:00- It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)
If you're not watching this, you should be. Always listen to Joe Buddens.
10:30- The League (FX)
Here's a situation where the hate went too far. Sure the first couple of eps were terrible, but it did get much better as the season went on. The hate was multiplied by the fact that there wasn't enough fantasy football. Rumor is that the second season has much more fantasy.

Top Chef- This Banana Pudding Is Extra Runny Tonight

Spoiler alert...Below are some thoughts on last night's episode of Top Chef, 'Back to School'. So watch the ep, mix your dessert with a vegetable, and read what I had to say.

Timothy Dean- "Who got high and came up with this idea?"

As the cooking crew returned to the kitchen to take on their second quickfire challenge, they were informed they would be doing it in pairs. Each pair would don siamese aprons and use one hand a piece; hence Tim's crack about the producers doing drugs.

Angelo, the man who wants to win every single challenge, made it three straight as he teamed up with Tracey to make a fantastic sandwich. Tracey seems to be gay and have a crush on Angelo. Pretty strange, but I'll buy it for now.

So these two won immunity during the ensuing elimination challenge. I like how each quickfire produces a different reward for the following elimination. Sometimes immunity, sometimes first pick, sometimes choice of food, etc.

And then finally they got to the elimination of the week. 140 dollars for 50 school lunches. A tight budget for sure. The highlight was Kelly, Arnold, Tiffany and Lynne. These people fought the entire time, arguing over who was or wasn't getting credit for each dish, and then ended up winning the whole thing. As Kelly said, "Kids f*ckin' love tacos." Apparently she was right because her taco dish won her the overall prize of the week and took down Angelo's streak of three straight victories.

Speaking of Angelo...did he absolutely sabotage his group in the elimination? Peanut butter and a celery stick? Nice dish guy. You won three in a row and then came up with that? I'm all for gamesmanship, but if you think you're real nice, why not win every single time?

In the end it was Jacqueline going home for her terribly starchy and awfully unhealthy banana pudding. It was too bland and too sugary all at the same time. Tough to do, but disgusting bananas whipped up with two pounds of sugar can do that to you. I'll make a note for the next time a make a batch.

See ya next time at the judges table.

Top Chef- Desert the Dessert

Spoiler alert...Below are some thoughts on last night's season seven premier of Top Chef, 'What's Your Constituency?'. So watch the ep, pickle some beats, and read what I had to say.

Angelo- "I actually wanna be the first contestant to win every single challenge."

Even though a couple of my pals were fans of Top Chef and recommended it to me, it took last season's Top Chef Masters cooking for the cast of Modern Family to get me to watch an episode. After seeing Susur Lee and company cook for Cam and Manny, I was in for the long haul.

Tonight was my first viewing of the original Top Chef, and although it doesn't seem as appealing as the Masters edition, it still should live up to the hype I heard about it in the past. The structure is more or less the same in this version and many of the judges are the same that I got to see last spring. The one major difference...Padma. And it's a good difference.

Three dudes proved themselves to be tough competition as all three were in the top four of both the Quickfire and Elimination challenges this week. Ken and Kevin should prove to be here until the end based on their talent. Angelo won both the competitions and plans on winning all of the rest. His arrogance was prominent throughout the episode and should provide plenty of entertainment through the season.

So somebody had to go home first. It was tall, long-haired, hippy-looking John. For the first dish of the show he decided to make a little dessert. It was supposed to be a maple napoleon but according to the judges it had no maple taste. Go home pal. It's bad enough you made a dessert for your first dish, you didn't even get a maple taste in your maple dessert.

How about a new twist to Top Chef? If you are one of the first three out of the competition, you also have to get fired from your job in the real world. That would put a lot more pressure on all of the contestants. What do ya think?

See ya next time at the judges table.