Hits and Misses so far for 2009/2010 Television Season Part 1 (ABC)

We're over a month into the new season of television and there is a picture forming of how shows are doing, and I'm starting with ABC which has the most new shows this season.

Breakout hits:

Modern Family undoubtedly is the new comedy hit of the year. Getting rave reviews from critics and fans, Modern Family's ratings have stayed in the healthy 3s.

Cougar Town has had definite success though less than Modern Family. The ratings are dropping, but so far, Cougar Town looks like it will be staying.

Questionable:

FlashForward was touted as the next Lost by ABC, but clearly it hasn't lived up to the billing, and the ratings for the past few weeks have reflected that. While I expect a renewal, FlashForward needs something to jump start the ratings, lest it fall to the wayside like Heroes.

The Middle did well enough to be picked up for a full season by ABC, but the ratings are still poor. I am guessing it won't be renewed, but it may have a chance depending on how well Scrubs and Better Off Ted do.

Misses:

The Forgotten failed from the beginning. Another cop drama, but the twist is that they're not actually cops, and no one cared.

Hank was terrible from the beginning and the viewers acknowledged that by not watching. Sorry Kelsey Grammer, better luck next time.

Eastwick is actually a decent show that I would watch if I had more time, or was more interested in girly shows, so I don't understand how Eastwick has had such low ratings. It will most likely be canceled.

Returning Shows:

Grey's Anatomy is facing stiff competition from all networks, but so far, it has dominated Thursdays, blowing out CSI which used to be its main competitor.

Castle may be considered a winner having received a full season pickup and increasing ratings per week. If it continues down the path, it could be renwed and be a solid show for ABC.

Ugly Betty was put on Friday and looks like it will die there.

I know there are more shows, but these are the more important points that I see.

Review - Cougar Town Season 1 Episode 6 A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)

I've been holding on through six episodes, and I think I've reached my breaking point. It's become too unrealistic and nobody is that likable. Over the top is fine, but it needs to be balanced with some humanity, which is clearly lacking.

The characters are their actions are outrageous and aren't tempered by anything. Jules totally overreacts to everything, breaking up with Josh instantly. Bobby seems a tad on the side of insanity, and Jules friends have nothing better to say than crazy thoughts. Sure it's funny, but has a very empty feeling. I would equate the show to watching a constant blooper reel. It's funny, but there's a point when it gets old.

Score: 8.5/10

Review - Cougar Town Season 1 Episode 3 Don't Do Me Like That

I don't know what to think about this show anymore. It's funny and I laughed quite a bit, but the story was stupid. I'll have to watch a few more episodes, but there is no narrative drive that could make Cougar Town even partially reasonable. With another episode dedicated to Jules having sex, I really didn't care. I thought I could live with the weak premise as long as it was funny, but apparently not. I'm now wondering whether because I'm a guy the premise seems stupid. Do women like the show more than men?

Jules goes around town getting ready for the big night after her tenth date with the younger guy. It's funny how she has to prepare. There were funny moments, but I think it went over the top at times. I know Bill Lawrence embraces unreality, but Cougar Town  had some heartfelt moments in the first two episodes that were clearly lacking in episode three. The sex isn't great, but Jules realizes that she should take care of herself before anyone else. I doubt Jules will become a Randian, but after seeing her help her friends throughout the episode, I thought it was a nice lesson.

The most puzzling part of the show is Jules's neighbor Grayson who likes dating younger women. His storylines are random and have little relation to anything Jules is doing. In this episode, Jules tells him to be nice to the women he dates which he starts doing. The downside is that the girl is really annoying and he has to let of steam by screaming.

Travis and Bobby spend some quality father-son time which amounts to hanging out with Andy on a boat on land. Travis gets pissed, and Bobby calls Jules to deal with him. As part of her taking care of herself, Jules ignores him, and the situations works out without her.

Score: 8.4/10

Review - Cougar Town Season 1 Episode 2 (S01E02) Into the Great Wide Open

Cougar Town has really grown on me since the pilot episode. I may actually continue watching. I still don't like the premise or the plot of the episodes; however, the acting on Cougar Town, especially by Courtney Cox is top notch, and the jokes are well-written. Bill Lawrence is very talented and I am looking forward to the Scrubs redux next year.

There's not much else to say about the show. Everyone involved in the show took a pretty stupid concept and turned it into a genuinely funny show. If I had to point out one bright spot, it would be Dan Byrd who plays Travis, Jules's son. He did a great job in the last episode and works well with Courtney Cox.

The plot was dumb again, but there were many funny moments. Jules doesn't have any good stories about her twenties and goes out partying. She gets wasted and her friends have all kind of things to say to her. I know it doesn't sound funny, and it's hard to convey the hilarity when the situation is so stupid, but just watch the first 2 episodes. You're guaranteed to see something you like.

Score: 9.0/10

ABC's Cougar Town takes on different subject

Bill Lawrence's (Scrubs) new comedy Cougar Town airs tonight but I have a review already. Courteney Cox plays Jules Cobb, a recent divorce that just can't get back into the dating game. There's nothing wrong with her, except she's over 40 and there's slim pickings at that age, not that I have any experience. Seriously.

Basically the show revolves around a group of older woman and sex. I don't really like the idea, but there's certainly lots of jokes the writers can make out of it. I'm curious to see the demographics that watch the show. I'm a guy, and the whole idea of the show is unappealing. Even after watching the episode, I still felt ambivalent. There were plenty of funny moments that I laughed at, but I would like to see more before I put my seal of approval on it, not that any really cares.

One of Jules's friends is Elle played Christa Miller who has sex with her unattractive husband, but is fine with it. Her other friend is Laurie played by Busy Philipps who pushes her to find guys. Eventually she finds a young guy and has sex with him 3 times, learning later his name is Matt. Her friends have funny reactions to this as expected.

Her son Travis (Dan Byrd) is in high school and is humiliated by a real estate sign her mom has that shows all her assets. Apparently, kids are stealing the signs to do things... He also walks in on Jules and Matt, and later his dad is at the high school mowing the lawn shirtless. His life must suck.

I'm not sure if I'm going to watch next week. My Wednesdays are open, but I just don't like the concept. Watching a show about cougars doesn't really interest me though I'm sure others like it. It's a preference thing, and I'm not going to dock any points for that. The acting and writing were good.

Score: 8.7/10