Anticipation for February TV and Movies

Mid-season TV rolled out last month, bringing with it a lot of great new and returning shows for avid (or even the not so avid) TV viewer to enjoy. The same can be said about what to anticipate for February on the major and cable networks in the form of TV shows and made-for-TV movies. There are even a couple of box office movies to be excited about, but let’s first look at some of the new and returning shows that will be airing this month:

Glee

1. Glee – Not only will the show be getting the coveted spot after the Super Bowl on FOX this Sunday (February 6 – check local listings for airtime), but it will be back with all new episodes starting on February 8 at 8 PM. Coming off the big Golden Globe wins for Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer as well as blockbuster sales on iTunes, the show has become a pop culture phenomenon. The only drawback has been this season’s on-again/off-again story-telling that has had fans and critics alike a bit concerned about the show. But, we can hope that with these new episodes the show can work its way back to its former glory.

2. Justified – The FX series about unorthodox US marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) will be back for a second season starting February 9 at 10 PM. This season will find Raylan pitted against the new crime organization that moves into Harlan County after the death of Bo Crowder, which was shown in the season finale. He will, of course, be entangled with Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) again.

3. The Chicago Code – This is the highly anticipated FOX police drama that will debut on February 7 at 9 PM, which focuses on a group of dedicated Chicago police officers who are determined to bring down building magnate turned politician Ronin Gibbons (Delroy Lindo) who is suspected of being dirty to the core. Among the cast are Jason Clarke (Brotherhood), Jennifer Beals (Flashdance) and Matt Lauria (Friday Night Lights).

Being Human

4. Being Human – The UK original about a vampire (Aidan Turner), a werewolf (Russell Tovey) and a ghost (Lenora Crichlow) will be back with an all new season on BBC America on February 19 at 9 PM where Mitchell (the vampire) and George (the werewolf) are in a new locale with George’s girlfriend Nina (Sinead Keenan) – who he accidentally turned into a werewolf – as they search for ways to get Annie (the ghost) out of purgatory and search for a new way to live their lives.

Also, the returns of the CW shows Smallville and Supernatural were delayed for one week with their new mid-season premiere dates now set for this Friday, February 4 at 8 and 9 PM respectively. It will be great to get back on track with both of these shows after a seven-week hiatus.

Not to be outdone are the made-for-TV movies, all on the Hallmark Channel, that are planned in honor of Valentine’s Day, including the following:

1. A Valentine’s Date – This film will debut this Friday, February 4 at 9 PM and is about working mother Laura (Elisa Donovan from Clueless fame) who just wants to spend more time with her daughter Kelsey; but when Kelsey’s father Dylan (Brad Rowe most recently seen in General Hospital) files for joint custody, Laura is forced to take Kelsey to Texas where she confronts the lifestyle and father (Tom Skerritt) she left behind. The film also stars John Schneider (Smallville), Tracey Gold (from Growing Pains fame) and Victoria Pratt (Mutant X).

Smooch

2. Smooch – Based on the Brothers Grimm short story The Frog King, this made-for-TV movie debuts this Saturday, February 5 at 9 PM. It stars young actress Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) as a young girl obsessed by fairytales and happy endings who is searching for the perfect man for her widowed mother Gwen (Kellie Martin). The film also stars Simon Kassianides (Quantum of Solace).

3. Accidentally in Love – This movie will debut on February 12 at 9 PM and stars Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills, 90210) as a single mother who is involved in a car accident with a disgruntled actor (Ethan Erickson from the new Melrose Place) who discovers life can change in a heartbeat. The film also stars Fred Willard and Marilu Henner.

Meanwhile, there are two movies coming out this month for which I am really anxious to see. They include:

I Am Number Four

1. I Am Number Four – This film opens on February 18 and tells the story of nine infant aliens who flee their home planet to hide out on Earth, but the species that destroyed their planet has followed them and sets out to hunt them down. As the infants grow into teenagers with special powers, three of them are killed while the fourth (Alex Pettyfer) has fallen in love and now has something to stand up and fight for. The film also stars Timothy Olyphant (Justified), Dianna Agron (Glee), Kevin Durand (Lost) and Teresa Palmer (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice).

2. Unknown – This Liam Neeson-led thriller also opens on February 18 and chronicles what happens to a man (Neeson) who wakes up from a coma after a car accident during a business trip in Berlin to discover someone else has taken over his identity and left him on the run from mysterious assassins. The movie co-stars Diane Kruger (National Treasure), January Jones (Mad Men), Aidan Quinn and Frank Langella.

There is a lot of great TV, made-for-TV movie and box office films to check out this month. What are the show and movies you are looking forward to seeing? Please share.