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The incredibly wacky and weird "Adventure Time" is back with new episodes starting tonight at 8pm on Cartoon Network
The incredibly wacky and weird "Adventure Time" is back with new episodes starting tonight at 8pm on Cartoon Network "Mid-Season" (whatever that means, just call it a new season already) premieres begin in earnest this week with plenty of great shows to choose from. Don't forget tocheck out our interview with Michael Cudlitz whose "SouthLAnd" premieres tomorrow night on TNT at 10pm.
With all the premieres and new episodes being aired this week, we were shocked when reading the 1/7/11 issue of "Entertainment Weekly" that the only show that they gave an "A" rating to for the week was ABC's "Wipeout." OK, saying "shocked" is an exaggeration because that lack of editorial seems to be typical there. Stay tuned to the TV Junkie for the next several weeks as we pick our way through the myriad of new shows being offered to find the best for you.
--- Christmas week musings: The lack of original programming during the Christmas-to-New-Years transition has always baffled us. Most people are trapped at home during these days if they have kids on Christmas vacation, or they are trapped at their relatives' house and everyone is desperate for some decent content on television but all (for the most part) we're presented with are reruns. Surely this would be an ideal time to get some decent shows in front of, literally, captive viewers. Obviously, this is also a very active travel time but in-between the traveling is a vast amount of down time with not a lot of options. Doubtless the networks and Nielsen Corp. have run the numbers on this week+ and have determined it's not worth the investment but we're convinced that there's a Catch-22 element at work as well, one, that if it's exploited properly could give a show a leg up on the competition if it's marketed and presented correctly during fruitcake week.
--- Rest In Peace: Anne Francis died yesterday in Santa Barbara. She co-starred with the recently deceased Leslie Nielsen in the incredible science fiction film, Forbidden Planet, which, ironically, just aired on TCM this weekend. Francis was a fixture on TV after her own series "Honey West" folded in the mid-1960s, appearing as a guest star on dozens of shows for the next 40 years. She will be missed.
--- Weekend Football Highs and Lows TV-Wise: The Rose Bowl may have been a big deal in greater Los Angeles but its viewing numbers dropped from last year's - this can be attributed to its move from ABC (broadcast) over to ESPN (cable). We did see a lot of complaints on Twitter about college bowls being shifted around during the Christmas week with some people missing them due to new broadcast dates and times. If the college game is all about tradition, then perhaps tradition should be adhered to by having it on its traditional day?
In the professional game, last night's Seattle Seahawks/St. Louis Rams game brought in huge numbers for NBC despite the fact that the Seahawks are entering the playoffs with an astoundingly poor losing record. The losers were winners in more ways than one.
--- The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: "Adventure Time," "Regular Show," "The Closer," "Men Of A Certain Age," Letterman (Brian Williams, Paula Abdul), Ferguson (Lisa Kudrow, Matt Braunger)
8:00pm Adventure Time Cartoon Network - New episode! The best kids' cartoon show that adults can enjoy as well.
8:00pm How I Met Your Mother CBS - Afraid they will never get pregnant, Lily and Marshall decide to see a specialist; Robin begins her new job.
8:00pm The Bachelor ABC - Season Premiere.
8:15pm Regular Show Cartoon Network - Season Premiere.
9:00pm Greek ABC Family - Season Premiere.
9:00pm The Craigslist Killer Lifetime - Premiere.
9:00pm The Closer TNT - Season Finale. The arrest of a crack addict exposes a questionable rehab facility and leads Brenda's squad on a race to find a missing woman.
9:55pm Hawaii Five-0 CBS - McGarrett discovers new clues in his mother's murder when his sister is kidnapped.
10:00pm Men Of A Certain Age TNT - Joe feels conflicted after finding out some news about his former bookie; Terry begins to embrace the benefits of having a regular job; Owen makes a business decision without consulting his father.
10:00pm Castle ABC - When Castle's novel "Heat Wave" becomes a movie, actress Natalie Rhodes accepts Beckett's invitation to visit and learn about the character she will play; Natalie observes Castle and Beckett's investigation of the murder of a matchmaker.
10:00pm In the Bedroom With Dr. Laura Berman OWN - Series Premiere.
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - News anchor Brian Williams; TV personality Paula Abdul.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Director Ron Howard; celebrity Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi; Sick Puppies perform.
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Actress Patricia Heaton; reality-TV personality Brad Womack; Josh Groban performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actress Lisa Kudrow; actor Matt Braunger.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actress Gwyneth Paltrow; comic Wyatt Cenac; animal handler Jeff Musial; Best Coast performs.
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.
