Why 2010 needs to be a big year for TV

We’re currently stuck in the awful period between the end of one TV season and the beginning of the next. There is almost nothing worth watching, and won’t be until about October when the 2010 TV season kicks into gear. On top of that 2010 needs to spawn a few decent new shows to fill the gaps that have been/will be left by the number of shows ending this year or next. Without which we’re facing the possibility of a very unentertaining 2011.

The past year has seen the end of numerous shows, either because they wound things up, were dropped by their network or a combination of the two. A couple of promising newbies also showed up, and a few old favourites (and less favourites) continued on. The question for some of those is how long do they have left.

First, lets take a quick look at what departed

Prison Break

Prison Break received two finales and a conclusion thanks to the couple of extra episodes they were given to wrap things up following the end of the 4^th season. Personally I actually thought this season was a little better than the last, but seems like many (including FOX) seemed to disagree given its falling ratings, truth is that after four season it was probably a good time to wrap things up.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

After the first season it was fair to say that TSCC was standing on thin ice and probably pretty lucky to get a second season. Perhaps they took note because the second season was a lot better, and mid-season it was probably looking hopeful for a third season. That was until the season ended and FOX chose to renew Dollhouse and not TSCC I’m sure they cited a drop in ratings (they usually do) but they couldn’t expect too much given they stuck them both in the Friday night slot which seems to be notorious as the spot where you send a show to die.

Scrubs

Wait that’s right it didn’t end, did it. Well it was supposed to, but then it was also supposed to end at the end of the 7^th season last year, but instead jumped from NBC to ABC and continued on a good as ever. However, now that the majority of the main cast have all but confirmed that they won’t be returning for season 9, it means that while Scrubs will technically be returning for 2010 it won’t really be Scrubs as we knew it.

Reaper

I don’t think its cancellation has been officially announced anywhere yet, but with the writers signed up with FOX to produce a new show, and at least one of the main cast starring in a new show this year its not looking promising. Real shame, because on the whole Reaper is great (ignoring the disappointing finale), maybe we’ll get lucky and it receive another chance, but I’m not holding my breath. It’s only hope may be, if you believe the rumours, a move to the SyFy channel, rumours which were squashed almost as soon as they surfaced.

The noobs

Dollhouse

A lot of hype, a long wait, it started off very slowly, improved slightly, had a couple of good episodes and then fell in a hole again. And it still somehow managed to get picked up for another season. Go figure. There are those out there that praise Joss Whedon like a god, and yes the couple of episodes that he said would be good were good, the fact is the rest really weren’t up to the same standard. For season two he either has to be more involved in the story telling of every episode or find better writers. I want to like Dollhouse, but I’m just not feeling it, yet.

Fringe

Personally I was always going to like Fringe, it has JJ Abrams at the helm, and if Whedon is some peoples TV ‘god’, then I guess Abrams would be mine. It started out ok, but I really wanted it to develop some sort of deep, weird and wonderful mythology in the vein of Alias and Lost. After it returned from its mid-season hiatus, this deeper mystery started to develop more, yes each episode was still a mostly self contained story but it was all tied back into the bigger picture. And after the number of things that were revealed in the finale, I’m really keen for the next season and hopeful that it continues to get better so that I have a possible replacement for Lost.

Better off Ted

I’m not even sure how to describe Better off Ted. It’s odd humour, but that’s what I liked about it. It’s not likely to have the longevity of something like Friends or Scrubs, but it does fill a small gap. It may have only had a short run (although the first season isn’t actually over, it just been off screens for several weeks), but it sounds like it’ll also be back in 2010.

Old dogs with new tricks (and old ones too…)

Lost

It’s no secret, I’m kind of obsessed with Lost, and it will be sad to see it go. Season 6 will be the end for Lost, and its been known for a couple of years which is great because they’ve been able to build things up and answer questions more frequently over the past couple of years. The way that season 5 ended with its ‘white out’ leaves the possibility for almost anything to happen in the final season, best of all was that most of the fan theories were (quite literally) blown to pieces by the end of season 5, its just a shame that we have to wait almost another 7 months until it continues. oh, and if we don’t get the answers we seek there will be trouble.

24

After a very long, writers strike induced wait, 24 was finally back. Many moons ago Kiefer signed on for 5 more seasons and 2 movies (or something like that) and from what I can work out next years season is the 5^th year of that deal. So, will 24 continue past season 8? I’m not sure, I always thought season 7 would have been a good end point (7 days in a week), but I’m not complaining if we get to keep seeing Jack have the worst day of his life. again.

Heroes

I think about 15 minutes into the start of this season everyone was thinking “god, I hope this is the last season”, and things didn’t improve. There were perhaps only 1 or 2 episodes that were any good, but the repetition and reuse of storylines is getting very old, even bringing back the old writers didn’t help. Heroes steep decline started with its monumentally disappointing season 1 finale and hasn’t achieved a whole lot since. This was all summed up when once again the three most powerful characters on the show were about to come head to head in an epic battle… and… they closed the fucking door and all we saw were some flashes of light from beneath the door. LAME. Please NBC, when this next season (which has been cut back to ‘only’ 18 episodes) sucks give Heroes the axe. Even the recent casting announcements like Robert Knepper (T-Bag from Prison Break) are unlikely to help.

Supernatural

Season 4 was different, Angels stepped in to try and ‘help’ Dean and Sam stop Lucifer breaking out and just like Lost it ended with a ‘white out’. Apparently there was talk that season 5 would be the end, but apparently they’re contracted for a 6^th season as well. However I’m guess season 5 will be about putting Lucifer back in his box, which leaves what exactly for season 6?

Dexter

Lastly, I can’t not mention Dexter, everyone’s favourite serial killer, behind Lost its close to being my favourite show on TV. It returns for season 4 late September making it one of the first shows to return. It’ll be all over before Christmas though being only a 12/13 episode season, not to worry, its bound to be a good, short season.

What does that leave for 2011?

Dollhouse and Fringe (although based on the seasons past Fringe probably has a better chance) could still be around for a third season. Scrubs probably won’t survive it rebirth, Lost will be gone, 24 might be gone, Heroes should (hopefully) be gone and Supernatural might be back for its final fling. That’s not leaving a lot worth watching, with the exception of Dexter which will be back for season 5.

Does 2010 hold anything of real promise?

The major networks have already announced their schedules for the next year, so is there anything that might fill the gaps. Here are few that could potentially do just that, so long as the networks give them a chance, either that or they’ll be shit, guess we won’t know till we watch them.

V

Today, the world woke up to find spaceships over every major city. The Visitors claim to have come in peace, bringing gifts of medical miracles and technological breakthroughs. They promise to do no harm. They’re lying.

Flash Forward

A mysterious global event causes everyone to black out simultaneously for two minutes and seventeen seconds, and each person sees a glimpse of their lives six months from now. When they wake up, everyone is left wondering if what they saw will actually happen.

Human Target

Based on the popular DC Comics comic book and graphic novel, HUMAN TARGET is a full-throttle action drama centered on CHRISTOPHER CHANCE (Mark Valley, FRINGE), a unique private contractor/security guard hired to protect.

Day One

In the aftermath of a global event that devastates the world’s infrastructures, a small band of survivors strives to rebuild society and unravel the mysteries of why the event took place and what the future has in store. Told from the point of view of an eclectic group of neighbors in a Van Nuys, California apartment building, this journey of survival will show us that hope is found in the smallest of victories and heroes are born every day.