Tube Time

So I have had surgery on an injury I received while on my first deployment to Egypt.  I've been stuck in the house off my feet for almost 2 months.  ITS OLD!!  

I've been watching some of the new shows that started around the first of April; Southland, The Unusuals, Harper's Island and the new NBC comedy Parks and Rec.  I am a huge movie and TV  buff so I find it to be one of my guilty pleasures next to food!

I have always been a loyal fan of the CSI's and most shows like them.  I never really could catch onto CSI: New York probably because I loathe NYC but as of the last 2 years I have really become bored with the shows.  I stopped watching CSI: Miami this year and the last few episodes of the original CSI has been reaching a little too much.  But what has really been bothering me lately is the lack of story line in those shows.  Outside of the murder investigations there is nothing to follow along so it is getting very old.

The new NBC show Southland is the series that has gone into ER's time period, has one of the more annoying new lead characters of the year. It also has one of the most likable new characters. It's that kind of show: a mix of the bad and the good.

The bad one is gruff cop John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz), who barks out harsh advice and the sort of streetwise wisdom that comes with embossed exclamation points: "You're a cop because you don't know how not to be a cop!" 

The good one is rookie cop Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie), who kept his trap shut through most of the premiere and therefore came off like the truly wiser policeman. I know McKenzie is doing a lot of soulful looking into space the way he did on The O.C., but the guy is excellent at soulful gazing. Plus, by the end of the episode, his character proved he could shoot a gun really well..

Southland is certainly well-made and well-cast. Even though his character is obnoxious, Michael Cudlitz portrays Cooper's obnoxiousness with admirable commitment. The cast includes fine actors such as Regina King and Tom Everett Scott, and, as I said, I like McKenzie's performance. But the story line flows well and tons of characters and "side stories" that keep the over feel interesting and guessing wanting more.

ABC has 2 great shows I have really enjoyed so far.  The Unusuals and Castle, they go along the same cop crime scene investigation story line and both set in NYC but both couldn't be any different from the cast of characters and a few twists and turns these shows are something that could give CSI a run for its money once IDOL gets off their high horse in the Spring..

Castle is about a big shot writer Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) who helps solve cases with NYPD detectives.  Castle is a witty guy that always has something to add to every crime they solve.  Not over the top and lots of back story -- even going as far as bringing his mother and daughter on each episode.  

The Unusuals is another crime story with a set of oddball NYPD detectives who solve unusual cases hence the name..  Lots of comedy but between that there is a huge twist and something unexpected.  This show also has a huge cast that should add strength to the solid story.  Amber Tamblyn, Jeremy Renner, and Adam Goldberg.  One character is under the impression he is invisible while his partner can't sleep without a bullet proof vest and padding around his desk.

There have been lots of websites that aren't as impressed as I am and probably a bit more talented critic than I am but I'm hoping the shows will pack in enough viewers to get over the Idol hump.  Most shows fail this time of year because the huge American Idol and Dancing With the Stars.  

So what do you think?  Have you seen any of these new shows and are you impressed?