3 Signs It’s Time To Stop Watching That Show

Recently I was chatting with a fellow fan of a certain hour-long show which boasts a segment of the fanbase who are incredibly disgruntled. Thousands and thousands of words have been written expressing their displeasure about a certain plot development, extending to constant negativity about the show as a whole. Other fans, like the two of us who are admittedly more easygoing and optimistic, are feeling the strain of the now familiar complaints posted over and over by this other group of fans. Which led to the question: why are they still watching? From an objective point of view, a lot of these people don’t appear to even like the show they’re spending so much time arguing about, so why do they continue? At what point do you throw in the towel on a show that no longer pleases you? The answer is subjective, but here are the three signs for when it’s time for me to stop watching a show.

1. It’s a chore to watch. I have not watched Fringe since about 3/4 of the way through season 1. All of the episodes were on my DVR up until December, but I had no desire to watch them because it felt like work. Despite my hope that I would love the show, it never hooked me, so those episodes wasted away in digital limbo until I finally acknowledged that this just isn’t something I’m interested in. The last couple of seasons of Gilmore Girls were also a chore, as were a couple of seasons of Buffy, but when you’ve already invested five years in a show, it’s difficult to cut the ties.
2. It requires more of a time commitment than you can afford. Yes, Lost, I’m looking at you. I gave up on Lost toward the end of season 3 simply because I did not have the time to spend deciphering and analyzing each episode. I finally decided to wait until the series ends, then rewatch the whole thing on DVD, just to save my sanity.
3. It’s no longer entertaining. That is the fundamental point of television shows, right? To entertain us? I don’t mean every episode has to be laugh out loud funny or give me the warm fuzzies, but if, when the final credits roll, I don’t feel like what I saw was worth the time, then it needs to be cut. Of course every show has an “off” episode now and then, so I’ll give a show with a proven track record, like Chuck, a chance. But if the “off” is more frequent than the “on,” then sayonara Heroes!

What about you? When do you decide to cut a show from your watch list? Or do you stick with it to the bitter end?

NGTV Guide: Thursday, February 4

When Nice Boys collide! Josh Malina guest stars alongside TJ Thyne in tonight’s winter finale of Bones.

The Vampire Diaries – the CW 8/7c
“Children of the Damned” – In flashbacks, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople including their father, Guiseppe Salvatore (guest star James Remar, “Dexter”), and Pearl (guest star Kelly Hu, “Army Wives”), leading to the devastating events that caused the rift in their relationship. In the present, Bonnie’s (Katerina Graham) date with Ben (guest star Sean Faris) takes a frightening turn. Elena (Nina Dobrev) helps Stefan as he and Damon race to find the missing journal that belonged to Elena’s ancestor. Stefan learns the reason behind Alaric’s (Matt Davis) interest in both the journal and the town’s history. Damon discovers that an old acquaintance has returned to town with an agenda he understands.

Bones – FOX 8/7c – WINTER FINALE
“The Devil in the Details” – Brennan and Booth investigate a set of uniquely disfigured remains allegorizing biblical text. As they acquire more information about the victim, a former patient of Dr. Adam Copeland (guest star Josh Malina) at Havenhurst Sanitarium, they are confronted with suspects who are hard to characterize as either good or evil. Meanwhile, Jeffersonian intern Arastoo Vaziri reveals a secret about his past.

Supernatural – the CW 9/8c
“The Song Remains the Same” – The angels send Anna (guest star Julie McNiven) back in time to kill John (guest star Matthew Cohen) and Mary (guest star Amy Gumenick) Winchester before they can conceive Sam (Jared Padalecki) knowing that if Sam was never born then Lucifer won’t be able to use him as his vessel. Castiel (Misha Collins) sends Sam and Dean (Jensen Ackles) back to 1978 so they can stop Anna, and the two brothers are reunited with their parents. Mary recognizes Dean as a hunter since he visited her in the past once before but tries to keep the truth from John.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c – WINTER FINALE
“Jacksonville” – After a violent tremor shakes a Manhattan office building to its core, leaving only one survivor who leads the Fringe Team to believe he is not from this reality. Walter surmises that what shook the building was not geologic, but rather something discovered by him and William Bell many years ago. With another catastrophe imminent, the team races to Jacksonville, the site of Walter and William’s experiments, forcing Olivia to face her mysterious past in an effort to save hundreds of people from certain death.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“Redline” – Patrick Jane and the CBI team investigate when the body of a high-end luxury car sales woman is found in the trunk of a Bentley in the dealership’s showroom

Burn Notice – USA 10/9c
“Noble Causes” – Michael is caught off guard by a visit from his drug-dealing neighbor Sugar. But to Michael’s surprise, Sugar isn’t looking for trouble — he needs Michael’s help fending off a crew of notorious thieves.

NGTV Guide: Thursday, January 28

CBS and NBC are in reruns again? Lame!

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Dentist in the Ditch” – A skeleton is discovered at a Civil War battleground, and Brennan and Booth are called to investigate the case. Despite the location, Brennan finds that the remains belong to Dan Pinard, a local dentist. While Booth looks into a list of suspects, Vincent the intern works to clean the bones of clay residue. Meanwhile, Booth’s brother returns with surprising news.

The Vampire Diaries – the CW 8/7c
“Unpleasantville” – As Stefan and Damon try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, Stefan gives Elena jewelry filled with Vervain to protect her family and friends. Hurting for money, Matt takes a job at the Mystic Grill, where former high school football-star Ben (guest star Sean Faris, “Never Back Down”), works as a bartender. Ben comes to Bonnie’s aid when he notices Damon is bothering her. Damon and Stefan accompany Elena to a school dance with a 1950s’ theme, where Alaric (guest star Matt Davis) introduces himself to Damon.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“The Bishop Revival” – When a specific group of guests at a wedding in Brookline, MA, suffocate from the inside out, the upsetting and disconcerting crime scene has the Fringe team investigating how the toxin was delivered and targeted. As evidence is taken into the lab, it’s discovered that the wedding ceremony was a testing ground for a weaponized science experiment. Adding to the intense lab investigation, Walter uncovers an alarming formula that reveals a link to a branch on the Bishop family tree. With the escalating threat of more deadly attacks and unexpected familial ties to the case, the Fringe team stops at nothing to prevent further catastrophic events.

Supernatural – the CW 9/8c
“Swap Meat” – Gary (guest star Colton James), a teenage nerd, conjures up a body-switching spell and changes bodies with Sam. Thrilled by his new handsome and built body, Gary (now Sam) investigates a case with Dean and takes advantage of his good looks and age by hitting on women and getting drunk. Meanwhile, Sam is stuck in Gary’s teenage body, dealing with intrusive parents and high school.

NGTV Guide: Thursday, January 21

The Vampire Diaries – the CW 8/7c
“Bloodlines” – Damon takes a trip to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame, Bree (guest star Gina Torres, “Eli Stone”) and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. In the process, Damon comes face to face with someone who is determined to make him pay for past wrongs. Stefan opens up to Grams (guest star Jasmine Guy) in his effort to help Bonnie overcome her fears and accept her powers. While researching his history paper in the public library, Jeremy meets a cute-but-geeky girl named Anna (guest star Malese Jow, “Hannah Montana”) who has her own theories on the folklore of Mystic Falls. When Damon returns from Georgia, Stefan is waiting with news that will change their world.

Community – NBC 8/7c
“Interpretive Dance” – The gang discovers that Jeff  has a new girlfriend but he is determined to keep his affair a secret. Meanwhile, Troy and Britta have secrets of their own and decide to share it with their friends.

Supernatural – the CW 9/8c
“Sam, Interrupted” – A former hunter named Martin, who is currently institutionalized, calls Sam and Dean for help investigating a case in the mental hospital. The brothers get themselves admitted as patients to check out the mysterious monster that is attacking the patients, but their incarceration pushes both to the breaking point as they unleash their inner demons against each other.

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Proof in the Pudding” – Mr. White (guest star Richard T. Jones) and his team of government agents put the Jeffersonian Lab on lock down and demand that Brennan and her forensics team determine a cause of death for an unidentified, but highly classified set of remains. As the team gets to work, their findings lead them to suspect they are investigating one of the most famous presidential assassinations in history. Meanwhile, Booth’s boss, Andrew Hacker (guest star Diedrich Bader), helps him break into the lab and determine the motive behind the mystery investigation, and a frustrated Cam worries that Michelle may be keeping a big secret from her.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“What Lies Below” – When a man enters an office in Boston for a meeting, he becomes disoriented and collapses, only to have his veins erupt and spray blood everywhere. Shortly after Olivia and Peter arrive at the scene to investigate the bizarre case, it’s discovered that a lethal virus with deep ties to something very valuable is spreading, so the CDC moves in to quarantine the building and eradicate the pathogens. Isolated inside with the rest of the exposed office employees, Peter and Olivia face life-threatening circumstances, sending Walter, Broyles and Astrid on a frantic search for a solution to save them.

30 Rock - NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Winter Madness” – When Liz Lemon decides to take the TGS show on the road to cure a case of the winter blues for the staff, the anticipated trip doesn’t exactly go as planned. Jack Donaghy chooses the destination and travels with the show for his own interest, and while away from New York, the TGS crew blames Liz for all of their misfortunes.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“Bleeding Heart” – Patrick Jane and the team investigate the murder of a mayor’s aide, and Rigsby and Van Pelt make a big announcement.

NGTV Guide: Thursday, January 14

Several shows return from holiday hiatus tonight, so get ready to snuggle up with some good TV!

Community – NBC 8/7c
“Investigative Journalism” – The gang reunites after winter break and much to their surprise there’s a new addition. One of their fellow classmates is eager to join their study group and the gang must decide whether or not this particular individual is worthy. Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) signs on as editor of the Greendale Gazette Journal.

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The X In The File” – Dean Haglund (“The X-Files”) Guest Stars when an out-of-this-world case brings Brennan and Booth to New Mexico where they investigate human remains with extraterrestrial attributes. The victim is identified as a local UFO fanatic, known around town for her relentless search for alien life forms and whose latest “evidence” leads even Brennan and Booth to re-think outside existence. Meanwhile, a local sheriff refuses to release the bones, forcing the team at the Jeffersonian to work via satellite, and Angela and Jeffersonian intern Wendell (guest star Michael Grant Terry) come clean about their relationship.

30 Rock – NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Klaus and Greta” – After a wild New Year’s Eve, Jack tries to undo the damage he caused from leaving a drunken message on an ex-lover’s voicemail. In the meantime, Jenna pursues a faux relationship with actor James Franco (guest starring) in an attempt to cover up his embarrassing secret. After “outing” her sheltered cousin to his family, Liz  welcomes him to New York City, while Tracy discovers a newfound respect for women.

Fringe - FOX 9/8c
“Johari Window” – Following an unexplained attack involving hideously deformed humans, the Fringe team visits the small town in upstate New York to uncover leads surrounding the bizarre case. When it’s determined that these deformed people have managed to hide themselves for a while and they’ll do just about anything to keep it that way, the investigation takes an unexpected turn.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“Rose-Colored Glasses” – Rigsby goes undercover as an alum at a 15th high school reunion when Patrick Jane and the team investigate a double homicide that may be linked to an old prank.

NGTV Guide: Thursday, December 10

It’s a night of holiday-themed episodes and guest stars as TV land gets in the Christmas spirit!

Community – NBC 8/7c
“Comparative Religion” – A bully (Anthony Michael Hall) challenges Jeff, who’s also worried about failing Spanish. Elsewhere, Shirley plans a Christmas party for the gang without realizing that not all of them celebrate the holiday.

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Goop on the Girl” – In this first-ever on-screen pairing of the Deschanel sisters, Zooey Deschanel plays Margaret Whitesell, a distant relative of Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel). When Brennan’s father, Max (guest star Ryan O’Neal), makes contact with Margaret, he invites her to spend Christmas with him and his daughter. Meanwhile, Brennan and Booth (David Boreanaz) investigate the death of a man dressed as Santa Claus who was blown up after a botched bank robbery.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“Grey Matters” – A Fringe investigation is triggered when a patient at a mental institution undergoes an impromptu brain surgery that unexpectedly leaves his brain exposed. Despite the unthinkable circumstances, the patient’s condition and sanity miraculously improves before the Fringe team arrives. While Agent Dunham and Peter scan surveillance tapes (and Walter enjoys his pudding), Olivia recognizes a familiar face as Thomas Jerome Newton (guest star Sebastian Roche), the leader of the “shape-shifters.” As similar cases stack up, the Fringe team heads back to the lab to determine exactly how patients are being cured. Walter’s brains are put to the test and William Bell (guest star Leonard Nimoy) resurfaces.

30 Rock - NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Secret Santa” – Jack chances upon a former school flame (Julianne Moore) via a new social-networking site. Elsewhere, Kenneth struggles to arrange a holiday gift swap; Liz futilely tries to buy a gift for the finicky Jack; and a miffed Jenna must share her holiday solo performance.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“A Price Above Rubies” - Patrick Jane and the team are called to investigate the robbery and murder of a wealthy jeweler while attending a black tie fundraiser for the CBI

NGTV Guide: Thursday, December 3

It’s a lighter night than usual this week with The Vampire Diaries on hiatus until January and The Mentalist taking break. Maybe it’s time to catch up on Fringe?

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Gamer in the Grease” – When the remains of a competitive gamer are discovered in a grease truck, Brennan and Booth are called to investigate the case. The victim, Steve Rifton, is the only active player known in the gaming community to have received a perfect score on a famous video game. Steve turned his success into a lucrative partnership with a gaming referee and charged fans to play on the very machine that gave him the perfect score. But between sour business deals and bitter competitors, the team at the Jeffersonian must work to narrow down the many suspects with motive for ending Rifton’s reign as gaming king. Meanwhile, Hodgins, Sweets and Jeffersonian intern Colin Fischer (guest star Joel David Moore) take turns camping out for tickets to a movie premiere.

FlashForward – ABC 8/7c
“A561984″ – Against Wedeck’s orders, Mark and Demetri travel to Hong Kong in search of the woman claiming to know details of Demetri’s fate; Lloyd tries to come clean about his and Simon’s involvement in the global blackout – against Simon’s better judgment — and Zoey discovers the true meaning of her flashforward.

Community – NBC 8/7c
“The Politics of Human Sexuality” – Britta challenges Jeff to find a date for a night out with Pierce and his new girlfriend. Elsewhere, Annie learns about human anatomy in preparation for her health-fair presentation.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“Snakehead” – After a cargo ship runs aground, the shoreline becomes littered with bodies hosting a giant squid-like creature. The Fringe team descends upon the scene to examine the bodies and discovers that the mysterious organisms are actually giant parasites. As the investigation unfolds, Walter heads back to the lab while Olivia, Peter and Broyles race against time when they realize the case has ties to a threatening organization.

30 Rock – NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001″ – When production gets under way on Liz’s brand-new talk show, “Dealbreakers,” Jack connives to make the program a hit while tangling with nemesis Devin Banks (Will Arnett). Meanwhile, Tracy tries to prove his love to his wife (Sherri Shepherd) by participating in the ultimate Hollywood challenge.

Preparing for My Long Winter’s Nap…

I wish. In reality I’m preparing for 10 days off work. Normally that time is spent sleeping late, catching up on TV, cleaning out a closet or a junk drawer, oh, and a day or two of celebration with family and friends. This year I’ll get the celebration in, and maybe get to sleep late once, but I have a feeling the DVR, and the junk drawers, will be just as cluttered come New Year’s thanks to traveling and family commitments. That’s alright though, because we’ll still have most of January without new TV so I can catch up…oh wait, no, the networks are conspiring against me there, too.

After barely catching our breath from a whirlwind fall season, midseason for this Nice Girl starts up January 6 when Ugly Betty moves to it’s new timeslot at 10/9c on Wednesdays. Dollhouse returns for it’s last few episodes on January 9, then January 10 Chuck’s third season debuts with a 2-night, 3-hour extravaganza. I’ve had a chance to preview the first 5 episodes, and they are fantastic! (Watch for my advance review closer to the premiere.) Not to be outdone, Fox moved the next new episode of House up a couple of weeks to January 11 to compete with Chuck, following it with an unaired episode of Fringe from season 1. Leverage kicks off its winter season on January 13, then Bones and The Mentalist return January 14. And that’s just the first two weeks of the year. Being a fan of good TV is exhausting!

(Need to fill out your midseason calendar? Check out Rueben’s list of dates that matter.)

NGTV Guide: Thursday, November 19

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Foot in the Foreclosure” – Booth’s grandfather Hank (guest star Ralph Waite) comes to live with him and tags along as Brennan and Booth investigate ashes and charred remains found by a real estate agent while showing a property to prospective buyers. The team identifies the victims as plus-size lovers, neither of whom seemed to have many enemies. Meanwhile, Hank tries to play matchmaker for Booth and lets Brennan in on some family secrets.

The Vampire Diaries – the CW 8/7c
“The Turning Point” – After reading the journal left by one of the Gilbert ancestors, Jeremy is inspired to return to his hobby of sketching fantasy creatures, a talent he had abandoned when his parents died. Much to the surprise of their friends, Matt and Caroline continue to hang out together. When Sheriff Forbes tells Damon there has been another attack, he offers to track down the killer and learns a startling piece of information about the town’s founding families. Alaric steps in to help during an awkward scene with Jeremy, Tyler and Mayor Lockwood. Stefan and Elena come to a new understanding, but everything changes when Elena accidentally makes a devastating discovery.

FlashForward – ABC 8/7c
“Believe” – Bryce begins his search for the woman in his flashforward, Aaron becomes concerned over Tracy’s odd behavior, Mark attempts to track down the person responsible for texting Olivia and outing his drinking during his flashforward vision, and Demetri’s co-agents try to find the mysterious caller who forewarned him about his unfortunate fate.

Community – NBC 8/7c
“Environmental Science” – Jeff befriends Señor Chang at the gang’s urging in hopes of reducing the class’s homework load. When the pair end up hitting it off, Jeff begins receiving special perks from his new friend. Elsewhere, Troy and Abed lose track of their biology-lab subject.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“August” – When a peculiar abduction occurs in Boston, the Fringe team uncovers details of the mysterious man known as The Observer. While the bizarre case takes center stage, Walter, Peter and Astrid hit the lab to analyze unusual evidence and deal with Walter’s insatiable appetite for a milkshake.

Supernatural – the CW 9/8c
“Abandon All Hope” – Sam, Dean and Castiel track down the Colt and head off to find Lucifer (guest star Mark Pelligreno) to send him back to Hell. It’s a hunters’ reunion when the crew joins forces with Bobby, Ellen (guest star Samantha Ferris) and Jo (guest star Alona Tal) for what could be their last night on Earth.

30 Rock – NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Sun Tea” – Liz’s life turns topsy-turvy when her apartment building is transformed into a condominium complex. Meanwhile, both Jack and Tracy reassess their ideas about parenthood, and Kenneth works to make “TGS” environmentally friendly. Al Gore appears in a cameo; Nathan Corddry and Chris Parnell guest star.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“His Right Red Hand” - The CBI team is faced with a violent and shocking crime in their own office, but must work the case in spite of their alarm of who may be behind it.  Meanwhile, Rigsby and Van Pelt are definitely an “item”.

JJ Abrams Married Spy Show Begins Casting

A few months ago NBC picked up a new series from mastermind JJ Abrams (Alias, Fringe, Lost), currently titled Undercovers. The show centers on a husband and wife who also happen to be spies. Abrams appears to be expanding his oeuvre with this show, though, because it will be more of an action comedy than the drama for which he’s become known.

Fansite Abramsology dug up the casting call for the series regulars and posted them today, giving us an advance look at Samantha, Stephen, and the rest of their merry band of spies.

• Samantha: the wife, she’s very smart, hot, strong and sharp. Contenders for the role must be in great shape, and they’re looking for actresses aged 27-37.
• Stephen: the husband, he’s very attractive, smart, sharp, and has great sense of humor. Contenders for this role must also be in great shape, and they’re looking for actors aged 27-37.
• Carlton Shaw: he’s a smart, older (45-65) guy with a sarcastic wit.
• Lizzy: described as cute and a bit of a scatter brain, she’s fairly young (18-27).
• Bill Hoyt: another younger member of the team, he’s 18-29, enthusiastic and a bit of a brownnoser.

The age range for the leads is intriguing. If they cast on the younger side, then our lead couple may have only been married for a short time; if they cast on the older side, then they may have been together for a decade or more. It seems to me that the tone of the show could be very different, depending on who is cast. Who would you put in the lead roles? How about the supporting characters?

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