5 New Prime-Time Shows: What to Watch, What to Skip
by Shannon Keirnan
Synopsis: Joe and his gay best friend Louis work together in their business as architects, and meddle in each others’ lives with often unanticipated results. The show airs Mondays on CBS.
Verdict: 3/5 stars. The completely predictable and neatly-wrapped up plots for each episode drag, as well as the assortment of stereotyped characters, but the occasional punchy or raunchy joke manages to keep it from being a complete disappointment. The lack of depth within the characters is hard to ignore (especially the unexplored, surface relationship between Joe and his fiancée Ali), but it seems like the writers are starting to make an attempt to delve in a little more, so it might be worth sticking around for.
Watch it: If you thought “Will and Grace” was hilarious but a little too high-brow.
Skip it: If you hate repetitive jokes, contrived story lines, or the stereotypical gay best friend character.
Synopsis: The show follows human-hating DVM George Coleman, whose practice has just been picked up by his wide-eyed ex-girlfriend Dorothy, as he lords over a motley crew of veterinarians, groomers, and techs. The show airs Wednesdays on NBC.
Verdict: 3/5 stars. The syrupy plot lines and predictable endings are cringe-worthy, but the one-liners and overall silliness and over-the-top melodrama can still entertain. The characters are hard to get attached to—beyond primate Rizzo—as their motivations are still up in the air this early in the season and they remain pretty stagnate. NBC throws in some “character” moments for them to learn from and develop, but they’ve yet to ring true or show anything beyond the basics.
Watch it: If you think every joke can be amped up by a cute quirky monkey.
Skip it: If you have any knowledge of the animal medical field, or you will be in agony over the sheer quantity of glaring errors and inaccuracies.
Synopsis: Immature friend Chris, Nick, and Gary all hang, and sometimes try and raise their families. The show airs Wednesdays on NBC.
Verdict: 2/5 stars. I’ve yet to see one plotline that doesn’t have me thinking, didn’t I already see this somewhere else? The jokes fall flat the majority of the time, the situations aren’t particularly inventive, heartwarming, or interesting, and the relationships between the men and their families don’t keep my attention. Now and then a genuine moment will crop up, as if by accident, and I’ve got to say I’m impressed by quick-talking Nick (Zach Cregger), but without some better concepts and character development, this show is going to struggle.
Watch it: If you think producer Jimmy Fallon is a comedy god, you love every Tyler Perry laugh track, and mindless comedy is just what you need after a hard day of pretending to father your children.
Skip it: If you have anything better to do on a Wednesday night. Spend time with your kids.
Synopsis: A Sherlock Holmes spin-off, recovering addict Sherlock Holmes solves crimes in New York with the help of his live-in babysitter, Joan Watson. Check it out Thursdays on CBS.
Verdict: 3.5/5 stars. There is some potential in there, though the show has its shaky moments. There’s at least some chemistry between Holmes and Watson (Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu), and having a new murder to solve every week keeps things interesting. There’s even some character development going on, like the little mystery behind Holmes’ move to New York. Lucy Liu is always a delight to watch, and Aiden Quinn puts in a good performance as Captain Gregson. Some of the big reveal moments are a little far-fetched, but I’m willing to suspend disbelief for a few more episodes and see how it continues.
Watch it: If you think “NCIS” needed more scarves, Chinese takeout, dark lighting and jerky hand motions.
Skip it: If you are a die-hard BBC “Sherlock” fan and can’t bear to see the name of Sherlock slandered.
Ben and Kate:
Synopsis: Goofy, wandering brother Ben moves back in with his sister Kate to help her raise her daughter Maddie, but will Kate end up raising him as well? The show airs Tuesdays on FOX.
Verdict: 3.5/5 stars. I desperately want to hate this show but something about it keeps pulling me back in. The concepts are silly and contrived, but maybe just silly enough that I don’t mind? Side-kicks deadpan BJ (played by Lucy Punch) and overeager Tommy (Echo Kellum) make the show, and Ben’s (Nat Faxon) odd habit of running his mouth off is stupidly hilarious.
Watch it: If you want to relax into something not-too-difficult and enjoy a few punchy one-liners.
Skip it: If you’re actually interested in watching the family dynamic grow, or anticipate more than a few brief moments of screen time for poor Maddie (the adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones).