Greetings, couch potatoes, TV addicts and occasional class-goers! Whether it's by laptop or traditional television, you will spend an inordinate time this quarter staring at a glowing box. But how to make the best of the time you're wasting? That's where I come in. Let me be your Mephistopheles-like guide into TV damnation. Here is what merits watching this fall.
RETURNING FAVORITES
Dexter
Season 5 - Showtime
September 26
Not many cable outlets carry Showtime, but don't let that get in the way of watching an excellent cable show positioned in the middle of TV's creative renaissance. The fifth season will pick up right where the fourth left off, which is to say, next to a blood-filled bathtub. Producers say that the season will not focus on a big
bad villain this year like Jimmy Smits' Miguel Prado or John Lithgow's Trinity Killer, but rather the consequences of that really, really bad thing that happened at the end of last season.
Glee
Season 2 - FOX
September 21
Chances are if you watch Glee, you don't need me to remind you when it premieres because the date is already circled on your calendar and decorated with glitter. But if by chance you haven't been obsessively counting down the days, this season begins with an episode called Auditions. A fitting name for a season that will add a foreign exchange glee-clubber, as well as increased screen-time for characters like Brittany, Santana and the wonderfully anonymous Mike Chang.
Eastbound and Down
Season 2 - HBO
September 26
Uneven at best during its first season, Eastbound and Down was rescued by the genius of Danny McBride's performance as washed-up pitcher Kenny Powers. Powers will be heading south of the border this year to restart his career. Hilarity will presumably ensue.
FIRST-TIMERS
The Walking Dead
AMC
October 31
Zombies finally crawl to TV, where they've always belonged.
Boardwalk Empire
HBO
September 19
Martin Scorsese brings us the most anticipated series of the new season.
No Ordinary Family
ABC
September 28
Like The Incredibles, only featuring The Shield veteran Michael Chiklis.
The Event
NBC
September 20
The race to fill the mystery void left by Lost begins.
Lone Star
FOX
September 27
Because you need more oil tycoon-based melodrama in your life.
Some of these series will disappoint while others scintillate, but only time and a lot of hours spent staring at a screen will help discern which is which. I, for one, will be watching all of them and hopefully helping to guide you through TV land. 3
Culture
Alec Bojalad
