Now, overall this was a very solid premiere that keeps the old trope of bad guy and good guy working together alive though it does have a few missteps. The cop, Elizabeth Keen played by Megan Boone, is actually an FBI profiler who is sought by Red after his capture. Initially I thought “Yeah this is his daughter” but so far it doesn’t seem to be the case though her father has a sordid past. Anyways, I didn’t mind the very unlikely situation of FBI swarming the house with 5+ cars and a helicopter but what I did mind was the fact that this chick thought she was going to go in for a half day at work and then meet her husband for an adoption meeting. (You know because the family ties theme wasn’t punching you in the face already. ) Another thing that bothered me was her whiny ass husband who was shocked that his wife who was just essentially abducted by the FBI IN A FUCKING HELICOPTER couldn’t make their hearing. (They should be denied. They couldn’t even plan two separate life events without fucking it up, things aren’t looking good) Before I get to the awesome stuff my last annoyance that I can remember is why didn’t that Generals daughter kick and scream while being kidnapped? That’s like my first response to anything when I was a kid and definitely to being taken.

Alright now the fun stuff. While the acting is all solid from a cast of mostly unknowns (to me) Spader’s Red steals the show obviously and carries the scenes even if he doesn’t have to. I particularly liked the scene where he was overlooking the FBI’s intel and rearranging and chastising them for some of their prime suspects. This wit and sarcasm continues throughout the episode and will no doubt continue through the show as this man Red has a long arcing game plan with pieces seemingly in place well beyond any scope we can see. I also liked the scene where Keen stabbed Red in the neck when she wanted answers I felt it was nice they didn’t pussy foot around plus they showed that his coolest kid in the room act will only go so far.

The Blacklist has already set out a ton of mysteries for fans to try and unravel. Why does Red want Keen? Whats the deal with the husband? Red’s overall plan, Red’s Family? Keen’s Family? and probably more that I can’t think of right now but the story is ripe with directions to go and so far is heading on the right one. It seems to have a case of the week feel to it but it will clearly have season long story arcs. Also Red has escaped and shown dominance so many times that this show could be around for awhile since the obvious deadline of him being useless to the FBI will undoubtedly be brought up.

NBC has a bad habit of getting rid of their dramas early; Freaks and Geeks, Awake, Black Donnellys, Journeyman (wait am I the only one that watched that?!), etc… So there is no free lunch here. Here’s to the hopes it gets as many seasons as Las Vegas.

*I know he is from Boston Legal too I just wanted to piss off Joel

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Dads
Dads is story about 2 guys who work at a video game production company who have to deal with their old crazy and kooky dads. Thats about the nice as this is going to get…

First off I don’t want anyone reading this to think “well you clearly went into Dads with a negative view and judgement was clouded by it” That’s wrong, I laugh at dumb shit all the time I absolutely hate Big Bang Theory but I have seen some of it before and yes I have laughed at parts but overall it just ain’t my thing. That being said I watched Dads expecting to chuckle and laugh at parts and I didn’t at all.

What a pile of shit this was. It started with a big THUD as the opening joke was “What kind of Wizard is he?” replied with “a magical one” lulz were had by many judging from the canned laughter but I can only bet those people were watching something else. Dads is so shticky and sitcom-y and it’s in every bad way possible. It doesn’t necessarily leave a bad taste in your mouth since it’s never really good to begin with. The clichés and jokes are so dated and bad that even if this came out in 2004 they would all be tired and overused.

While I generally like half of the cast in Green, Ribisi, and even Mull they all just kind of fall flat here. I’m also not above jokes that could be deemed sexist or racist, and Dads has them all out in full force in the premiere; from Asian school girls to racist dad(s) saying don’t trust the Asians and thanks to the maid (but was actually Ribisi’s wife who might be the worst actor on the show altogether), to small Asian penis jokes. That’s pretty much Dads in a nutshell. Two asshole sons have to deal with their asshole-ish dads with canned laughter to try and trick you into thinking you should laugh now. I don’t see a bright future for this but who knows its got Seth McFarlane’s name on it so that may carry it.

I give this 6 episodes until cancellation

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Now for the good, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine is really good. B99 is led by Andy Samberg as a hotshot detective Jake Peralta who is a good detective but likes to goof off and is put head to head with his new by-the-books Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher). I laughed my ass off during this, granted after Dads maybe my bar was set lower,but there’s not much bad I can think of about this show it was genuinely funny. I really hope this stays around. I think I have been jaded in the past so I don’t have high hopes. This will probably be lucky to get a full season and Dads will be renewed by the end of the week. Lets just hope those meaningless ratings stay up. (They probably won’t) Most people I bet tuned in to see if its worth throwing on their DVR schedule (It is). FOX had a great cop comedy in The Good Guys two years ago and has a chance of having an even better one now. We just have to hope FOX doesn’t fuck it up. (They will)

Watch This. I give it a whole season with possible renewal.

New Girl

I’ve only watched a few episodes of the New Girl on Netflix when my girlfriend was watching so I’m assuming this show has found its footing since it’s the 3rd season. Nothing much has changed here from the formula I saw in I’m assuming was the first season. Though I have heard Damon Wayans Jr’s Coach character might return since Happy Endings is over(*tear*) . For those that can’t stand Zooey Deschanel’s whimsy and girly girly attitude, I’m not sure why you are still watching. This is its 3rd season so get off the train already, that’s her bread and butter and its in full force. To be honest when I watch this show I get the same feeling as I did watching Girls on HBO, it’s kind of the guys that are carrying the show.

This show isn’t going anywhere for a couple more seasons or until someone decides to do something else. If you’re going to watch this though a girl should probably be present/nearby.

The Mindy Project (Which will now be referred to as TMP with James Franco)
This is another show I watched with the lady, though its not nearly as airy and light as New Girl. I like TMP with James Franco much more. Quick tangent, I didn’t really like MADtv all that much but man Ike Barenholtz, Keagan Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and even Will Sasso have been cracking me up as of late (If you are wondering about Sasso, google “Sasso Lemons”) Anyways everyone here is on point. The addition of Franco doesn’t disrupt the flow the show has created thus far. TMP with James Franco is at its best when it’s being brutally honest (almost too much so) and the self deprecating humor at Kaling’s expense is still funny while not seeming bully-ish not to mention she handles it well and quips back just as much.  One thing that I don’t like is the formerly skinny guy is fat now bit, It’s Always Sunny In Philidelphia just did this. It didn’t really lend too much to the story so I doubt it will here either except the opportunity for a few more fat jokes. Maybe it was to pull some of the fat jokes off of Kaling?

This show seems like it has a few seasons left in it. It’s biggest hurdle will be once again FOX and whether or not they decide to go a new direction if they feel somethings not working.

Overall a solid start for FOX’s comedy block, I’m sure there are a lot of those that hope Dads gets dropped and maybe Ben and Kate returns to take its place but I think McFarland has brought in so much money to FOX that he will be given a pass and be allowed to finish out the season. I hope that Dads shiftiness doesn’t affect what otherwise could be a solid block of good to great shows.

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