Southland (TNT, 10 p.m.) — Can we talk about Southland, and more specifically, why aren’t you watching it? It is the best cop show on television. Two weeks ago, Regina King gave a performance that slapped the wrinkles off of geriatric Emmy voters. Michael Cudlitz is the most complex, interested gay character on television. And yet, Ben McKenzie has signed on to another pilot, and thanks to low ratings, the future of Southland doesn’t look good. That’s a damn shame.
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.) — If you don’t have a DVR and you’re watching The Americans instead of Southlandd, then you get a pass. But, really: You need a DVR. I mean, come on: If you are watching The Americans, you probably have cable, and DVRs are practically bundled with cable. Anyway, I’m curious to see if The Americans can build off of last week’s sly episode.
Boston’s Finest (TNT, 9 p.m.) — I hear that this cop show, from producer Mark Wahlberg, gives proper respect to the Boston police. That’s pretty much all I know about. Hopefully, it grabs huge ratings and boosts Southland.
Survivor: Caramoan – Fans vs. Favorites (CBS, 8 p.m.) — This season is great in that I hate nearly everyone. I cannot stand Phillip, and he cannot be voted out soon enough.
Suburgatory (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) –They’re pairing first runs of Suburgatory with reruns of Modern Family, which can mean only one thing: Suburgatory will be replaced by season’s end. Actually, I think I knew that. Isn’t Sarah Chalke’s single-mom comedy taking the slot in April?
Duck Dynasty (A&E, 10 p.m.) — Based on the fact that its ratings were the highest on cable last week (and in fact, beat American Idol in the 18-49 demo), I gave the show a shot. It’s dumb, and it is so obviously scripted. And yet, I couldn’t hate it. There’s something weirdly charming about those Louisiana hicks.
Psych (USA, 10 p.m.) — I’m always so stoked for the return of Pscyh, but I’m usually a little letdown by the actual episodes. It’s just not the show it once was.
LATE NIGHT LISTINGS: Jessica Simpson is on Kimmel; Christina Hendricks is on Ferguson; Neil DeGrasse Tyson returns to The Daily Show, and Matthew Fox is on Conan for some reason.
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I would be very sad to see Southland go AGAIN. I don’t understand why the ratings are low, but when we live in a world where The Bachelor has high ratings what should we expect?
I’m so out of touch about The Bachelor and its appeal. A friend on facebook posted this photo and I thought it was of William Katt…
Yes! I didn’t use the word “scripted”, but what I felt about Duck Dynasty (in the two episodes I saw, back in season 1) was that they were given situations by the producers, and that the guys themselves were fairly clever for rednecks and ran with it. But it’s entirely possible they’re being fed lines, too. The oldest guy is the funniest one. Not that they all don’t look ancient.
Frankly, I’m just not interested in another police drama, and haven’t been since the Shield won that genre.
HOWEVER, I am extremely excited for Big Brother Canada tonight. It is the absolute worst thing I’ve ever seen, and just goddam delightful. All hail the simulacrum!
Evidently McKenzie signed on as the male lead of a CBS drama, which I assume is a procedural that your dad will like.
Good to see the guy make the rare successful transition from teen idol to grown-up actor, but you’re right that doesn’t bode well for Southland’s future. Their ratings had been inching up each episode, so I was feeling optimistic.
Emphasis on “was”.
I don’t know – McKenzie’s character could easily screw up royally or just get fed up and leave the force. Cudlitz and King could right the boat if he jumped ship.
he’s not exactly the most compelling character on Southland. he’s not bad or anything but the only other character more boring than him is Regina King’s. the show could easily continue on without him
Shawn Hatosy(?) has been great too. McKenzie is important, but the show doesn’t really rely heavily on the characters’ big ‘story’, but on all the little stories happening around the characters. I think it could be alright.
I think what I read somewhere was that he got the pilot but he would still have to do Southland if it is renewed.
NO! Fuck You and Fuck Southland! *goes back to The Wire*
I’m with you, I’m sure Southland is better then most of the crap that is on, but the Wire has ruined me for cop shows. I didn’t even enjoy the Shield because it couldn’t compare.
I’m really going to have to watch The Wire. Next time I get horrifically ill…
Interesting comment Brocolli Rob. I’m just about to finish The Shield. I was going to start on The Wire but I think I will wait until I’m completely done.
I love Southland, but will be the first to admit that there’s not a lot of variety in the characters from season to season. The same themes have blurred the seasons to me. The closeted gay cop that is getting over a pain pill addiction hates his rookie trainees. The independently wealthy bachelor cop loves playing cop. The cop tormented by the ex-wife and child custody issues. The racist old cop. And finally, the single mom cop. Nothing has changed from season to season, and yet I still wait with anticipation to catch each episode.
it’s not supposed to be serialized or anything. every episode is basically brutal slice of cop life vignettes. that’s what makes it stand out and makes it unique.
The invisible cop that nobody sees. He hasn’t changed at all.
@squabbler: You’re kind of describing a less-sexy and well-mannered versions of “Rookie Blue”.
BTW, if you haven’t checked out Rookie Blue, it’s hilarious. It’s like Grey’s Anatomy with hotter chicks and, oh yeah, it’s set in freaking Toronto.
And don’t forget C. Thomas Howell. I swear he was born to play Dewey!
and Dustin’s wrong about Survivor. Phillip is a god damned crazy delight and it’s Shamar that is ruining the show.
You’re spot on about Psych. There was something…off about last week. Hopefully it was just Shaun being manic over his dad getting shot and they get back to normal tonight…and lets cut out the deus ex moments like Juliet showing up completely unannounced right at the moment Shaun needs help
I’m not a fan of the new “whoosh” special effects for him spotting stuff.
Agreed, what the hell was that? That better not happen all season.
Eh, I like a little comedy to break up the utter dread of despair that is waiting for that BJ-Friendly Russian chick to get two in the back of the skull in The Americans. That’s why Workaholics/Kroll Show beat out Southland.
By two in the back of the skull do you mean Supermanned?
Shitty, I watch Southland weekly with my GF. *Sigh* The show is excellent and it’s a shame nobody watches.
I’m probably not watching any of this. But there are always good shows to look forward to. As long as so many shows are getting spinoffs, how about a decent one, like
“Justified: Portland” or “30 Rock: Los Angeles”?
So The Americans might just be the darkest show on TV. It’s very close to Breaking Bad in terms of fucked up-ness. As far as Southland, they have seasons 2-4 on DVD for like 40 bucks. If Season 1 was available somewhere I might check it out.
There was a few GIF-able moments of Christina Hendricks bouncing up and down on Ferguson tonight.
Michael Cudlitz is the most complex, interested gay character on television.
If I had .gif privileges I’d be countering this statement with Max Blum in trapped in a trashcan.
Fuck Boston’s Finest. One of those asshole tried to attack me while I was partying at his brother’s house (whom I am friends with). Fucker was drunk and thought I was an easy target to start a fight with (I’m short). Fuck those assholes.
/Cool story bro
Love Southland. Glad TNT took it over and stuck with it. I just really wish they would repeat episodes at 2:00 a.m. and play them without the bleeps.
Boston’s Finest is exec-produced by DONNIE Wahlberg, not Mark.
Psych was alright I enjoyed the jab at the Mentalist. The problem is the show has been on so long now with no real turn over (this show does miss Jimmy Simpson’s “Mary”) that it is more about watching the actors having fun on the set than it is about the shows writing.
I’m not watching ‘Southland’ because it’s a cop show. Period. No cop shows, no lawyer shows, no medical shows. They’ve been done to death. “Justified” is about as close to a cop show as I’m willing to get.
There are just certain settings that been exhausted by the entertainment industry. I’d like to see a moratorium on any show or movie that revolves primarily around cops, lawyers, doctors, vampires (!!) or werewolves. Basta.
this juts makes you sound dumb
Boston’s Finest is exec-produced by DONNIE Wahlberg,,,not Mark