Benjamonster's TV

666 PARK AVENUE Starring: Rachael Taylor, Dave Annable, Robert Buckley, Samantha Logan, Mercedes Masohn, Helena Matteson, with Vanessa L. Williams, and Terry O'Quinn Based on the Book by Gabriella Pierce, Developed by David Wilcox Written by David Wilcox, Directed by Alex Graves 666 Park Avenue is a creepy new drama from ABC about an upscale apartment building (The Drake) and the demonic forces that may be at work within the building. Young couple Henry Martin (Dave Annable) and Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor) become the new managers at the building which is owned by the mysterious Gavin Doran (Terry O'Quinn) and his wife Olivia (Vanessa L. Williams). Rounding out the main cast is another couple, Brian and Louise (Robert Buckley and Mercedes Masohn), a beautiful woman across the street, Alexis (Helena Matteson) who has her eyes on Brian, and a mysterious girl Nona (Samantha Logan). THE GOOD: Well, I love the ambiance of a classic, old hotel in upscale Man...

ABC   8:00 College Football Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 CBS 8:00 Vegas (Repeat) Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 9:00 Hawaii Five-0 (Repeat) Viewers: 3.6 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 10:00 48 Hours Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 NBC 8:00 Revolution (Repeat) Viewers: 2.5 million, 18-49 demo: 0.5 9:00 Law & Order: SVU (Repeat) Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 FOX 8:00 College Football Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2

MADE IN JERSEY Starring: Janet Montgomery, Pablo Schreiber, Stephanie March, Toni Trucks, Erin Cummings, and Kyle MacLachlan Created by Dana Calvo Written by Dana Calvo, Directed by Mark Waters Made in Jersey is a new legal drama from CBS that is basically a by-the-book procedural. At the center of the show is Martina Garretti (Janet Montgomery), a young lawyer who was born and raised in New Jersey but has joined a Manhattan law firm led by Donovan Stark (Kyle MacLachlan). Rounding out the main cast are co-workers at the law firm and her boisterous New Jersey family including her mother Darlene (Donna Murphy). THE GOOD: I must say this is the first show that actually surprised me in that I liked it much more than I thought I would. There is nothing original about it at all but that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable hour of TV. Though it's a procedural that was dealing with a murder in the pilot, the show had a sort of light whimsy to it. I thought Jan...

ELEMENTARY Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, and Aidan Quinn Based on the Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Created by Robert Doherty Written by Robert Doherty, Directed by Michael Cuesta Elementary is an updated retelling of the famous Sherlock Holmes stories. In this interpretation, Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) is a recovering drug addict formerly from Scotland Yard now living in New York City and working on cases there. His sober companion is Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu), yes Joan not John. In a small ensemble, the only other main character in the show is NYPD Captain Tobias Gregson (Aidan Quinn). THE GOOD: I liked a lot about Elementary . I don't mind that it's little more than a "case of the week" show. After all, Sherlock Holmes basically invented that style. I am also a big fan of the new setting and approach to the show - having Sherlock as a recovering drug addict and Watson as a female with a broken past of her own - adds dimension to ...

LAST RESORT  Starring: Andre Braugher, Scott Speedman, Daisy Betts, Camille De Pazzis, Dichen Lachman, Daniel Lissing, Sahr Ngaujah, Autumn Reeser, Jessy Schram, and Robert Patrick Created by Karl Gajdusek and Shawn Ryan Written by Karl Gajdusek and Shawn Ryan, Directed by Martin Campbell Last Resort is a new high octane conspiracy drama from ABC. It centers on the crew of the fictional USS Colorado. When Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) is given orders through a suspicious channel to launch missiles against Pakistan, he questions the order and it relieved of his duties. Second in command Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman) does the same thing and an attack is launched against the submarine. Though it is claimed to be from Pakistan, they quickly discover the order came from the US. Now that they are enemies, the crew lands on the island of Sainte Marina and takes over a NATO facility determined to prove their innocence and stay alive. Rounding out the large cast ...

GOOD WEEK: "GREY'S ANATOMY" In premiere week, many returning shows delivered smaller ratings than last year's strong premiere week numbers. This was seen on hit shows such as Modern Family, Criminal Minds, CSI, Dancing with the Stars, How I Met Your Mother, The Middle, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, and others. But there was one veteran drama that had a significant uptick year to year and that was Grey's Anatomy . In its ninth season, the medical drama delivered a stellar 4.4 demo, only trailing Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory for the week in the demo. This is a great performance for a show that looked like it was on its way down for the past couple years until last spring's uptick. Then it followed a strong spring with a premiere number that was only topped once all last season. It may be old, but it remains one of TV's hottest shows. BAD WEEK: DEAD ON ARRIVAL NEWBIES Premiere week always brings a couple duds but it seems like there w...

THE NEIGHBORS Starring: Jami Gertz, Lenny Venito, Simon Templeman, Toks Olagundoye, Clara Mamet, Tim Jo, Ian Patrick, Max Charles, Isabella Cramp Created by Dan Fogelman Written by Dan Fogelman, Directed by Chris Koch The Neighbors is a new outlandish sitcom from ABC that wins the award for oddest concept in the 2012-13 season. The show centers on married couple Debbie and Marty Weaver (Jami Gertz and Lenny Venito) and their kids (Clara Marmet, Max Charles, and Isabella Cramp) who move into a new neighborhood. The thing is, the entire development they move into is comprised of aliens. The aliens are all named for professional athletes and are led by Larry Bird (Simon Templeman) and Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye) whose children are Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo) and Dick Butkus (Ian Patrick). THE GOOD: Oh boy, what do I say about this one. I guess I should start by saying that I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. In fact, I liked it more than Partne...

ABC 8:00 Shark Tank Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 9:00 Last Resort (Repeat) Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 10:00 20/20 Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 CBS 8:00 CSI: NY Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 9:00 Made in Jersey Viewers: 7.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 10:00 Blue Bloods Viewers: 11.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5   NBC 8:00 Grimm (Repeat) Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.7 9:00 Grimm Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 10:00 Dateline NBC Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 FOX   8:00 The X Factor (Repeat) Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 9:00 Fringe Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 On Friday night, CBS sprung a leak in its lineup which was way down from last fall. At its new time, CSI: NY started off the night hitting a series low. This could definitely be the final season for this long running drama. At 9pm, the series premiere of Made in Jersey was DOA with a terrible 1.1 demo as it could only manag...

ABC 8:00 Last Resort Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2 9:00 Grey's Anatomy Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4 10:00 Scandal Viewers: 6.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 CBS 8:00 The Big Bang Theory Viewers: 15.7 million, 18-49 demo: 5.0 8:30 Two and a Half Men Viewers: 12.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5 9:00 Person of Interest Viewers: 14.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9 10:00 Elementary Viewers: 13.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 NBC 8:00 SNL Weekend Update Thursday Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 8:30 Up All Night Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 9:00 The Office Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 9:30 Parks and Recreation Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 10:00 Rock Center with Brian Williams Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8   FOX   8:00 The X Factor Viewers: 9.4 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 9:00 Glee Viewers: 5.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4 On Thursday night, ABC had a trio of drama premieres. At 8pm, the series premiere of Last Reso...

THE MINDY PROJECT Starring: Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Anna Camp, Zoe Jarman, Amanda Setton, Stephen Tobolowsky Created by Mindy Kaling Written by Mindy Kaling, Directed by Charles McDougall The Mindy Project is a new show from successful author and TV writer Mindy Kaling ( The Office ). In the show which is somewhat of a vanity project, she stars as resident OB/GYN Mindy Lahiri, a girl whose not real put together but wishes her life was like a romantic comedy. The remainder of the cast - Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Zoe Jarman, Amanda Setton, and Stephen Tobolowsky play co-workers and, in some cases, possible love interests. Also in the cast is Anna Camp as Mindy's sister Gwen Grandy. THE GOOD: This show didn't have it all put together, which I will talk about soon, but it did have some really good moments. There were a lot of good subtle one-liners and also some funny commentary on society. They didn't seem to be the punchlines to jokes bu...

BEN AND KATE Starring: Dakota Johnson, Nat Faxon, Lucy Punch, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Echo Kellum Created by Dana Fox Written by Dana Fox, Directed by Jake Kasdan Ben and Kate is a new sitcom with a male and female lead, only this time they are siblings. Older brother Ben (Nat Faxon) is a dreamer who hasn't been able to hold down a job or a girlfriend. Younger sister Kate (Dakota Johnson) is a young mom to Maddie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) and the opposite of Ben - straight laced and unwilling to take risks. Rounding out the main cast is Ben's friend Tommy (Echo Kellum) and Kate's friend and co-worker at a bar, BJ (Lucy Punch). THE GOOD: Comedies are much tougher to judge on pilots than dramas because the timing and familiarity doesn't happen right out of the gate. So I look for promise and potential in the premise and dynamics and I definitely saw it in Ben and Kate . Nat Faxon is playing a type but does it well with charm and a good sense  of co...

ABC 8:00 The Middle Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9 9:00 Modern Family Viewers: 14.4 million, 18-49 demo: 5.5 9:30 The Neighbors Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2 10:00 Revenge: The First Chapter Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 CBS 8:00 Survivor Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 9:00 Criminal Minds Viewers: 11.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 10:00 CSI Viewers: 10.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5   NBC 8:00 Animal Practice Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4 8:30 Guys with Kids Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6 9:00 Law & Order: SVU Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 FOX 8:00 The X Factor Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4   On the third night of premiere week, ABC rebounded from a couple tough days to start the season with a good Wednesday performance. At 8pm, The Middle had an hour long season premiere. While slightly below last season's premiere, it got its best numbers since January 11. This unheralded show continu...

VEGAS Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Chiklis, Carrie-Anne Moss, Taylor Handley, and Jason O'Mara Created by Nicholas Peleggi and Greg Walker Written by Nicholas Peleggi and Greg Walker, Directed by James Mangold Vegas is a new period drama from CBS set in 1960 Las Vegas when casinos were going up and replacing the once rugged frontier. The show is very loosely based on a real life figure, rancher Ralph Lamb (Dennis Quaid) who became Sheriff. He contends with mob boss and casino owner Vincent Savino (Michael Chiklis) who has underhanded methods of getting his way. Rounding out the main cast is Assistant DA Katherine O'Connell (Carrie-Anne Moss), Ralph's brother, Deputy Jack Lamb (Jason O'Mara), and Ralph's son Dixon (Taylor Handley). THE GOOD: I really liked a lot about Vegas . I loved period pieces and this one really sets the tone of 1960s Las Vegas and the contrast between the rising casinos and crime associated with them and an old western...

ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 11.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 10:00 Private Practice Viewers: 6.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 CBS 8:00 NCIS Viewers: 20.5 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1 9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles Viewers: 16.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4 10:00 Vegas Viewers: 14.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5 NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 11.6 million, 18-49 demo: 4.2 9:00 Go On Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7 9:30 The New Normal Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 10:00 Parenthood Viewers: 4.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8   FOX 8:00 New Girl Viewers: 5.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8 8:30 Ben and Kate Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 9:00 New Girl Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8 9:30 The Mindy Project Viewers: 4.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4 On Tuesday night, CBS's drama lineup returned and there continues to be amazing performances by TV's top drama NCIS . The show, now in its tenth season, returned as strong as ever and only slightly down from la...

We're just a day into the new fall season and NBC has already handed out a renewal. Of course it should come as no surprise that NBC is going to lock in early. It has officially confirmed a spring edition, as we already knew, and also ordered an edition next fall, which will be the show's fifth. NBC's decision to start airing a fall cycle seems to be paying off so far as The Voice led NBC to a rare win on the first night of the season. In an era where are reality shows are declining due to age ( American Idol, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars ) or lack of originality ( The X Factor ), The Voice still feels fresh and different. As has previously been announced, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will take the spring edition off and be replaced by Shakira and Usher. NBC is hoping Aguilera and Green return for Fall 2013. The rotating judges might benefit this show especially if they are coming and going.

ABC 8:00 Dancing with the Stars Viewers: 14.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5 10:00 Castle Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 CBS 8:00 How I Met Your Mother Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.6 8:30 Partners Viewers: 6.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4 9:00 2 Broke Girls Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7 9:30 Mike & Molly Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1 10:00 Hawaii Five-0 Viewers: 8.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 NBC 8:00 The Voice Viewers: 12.2 million, 18-49 demo: 4.4 10:00 Revolution Viewers: 9.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4 FOX 8:00 Bones Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3 9:00 The Mob Doctor Viewers: 3.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3 On the first night of the 2012-13 season, it was surging NBC in first place as they have vastly improved their Mondays. At 8pm, The Voice was down 1.4 million viewers and three tenths in the demo which is not a bad drop at all considering ABC and CBS gave much more competition. It was still above its premiere two weeks ag...

ABC 7:00 Emmys Red Carpet Live Viewers: 5.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 8:00 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Viewers: 13.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.9 CBS 7:00 NFL Overrun Viewers: 24.0 million, 18-49 demo: 8.7 8:00 60 Minutes Viewers: 12.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7 9:00 Person of Interest (Repeat) Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0 10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat) Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 NBC 7:00 Football Night in America Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.2 8:00 NFL Pregame Viewers: 8.7 million, 18-49 demo: 3.7 8:30 Sunday Night Football Viewers: 21.3 million, 18-49 demo: 8.7 FOX 7:00 American Dad! (Repeat) Viewers: 1.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 7:30 The Cleveland Show (Repeat) Viewers: 2.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1 8:00 The Simpsons (Repeat) Viewers: 3.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 8:30 Bob's Burgers (Repeat) Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 9:00 Family Guy (Repeat) Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 9:30 Family Guy (Repeat) Vie...

PARTNERS Starring: David Krumholtz, Michael Urie, Sophia Bush, Brandon Routh Created by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick Written by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, Directed by James Burrows Partners is a new sitcom from CBS from the creators of Will & Grace and based on their real life friendship as a straight man and a gay man. In this show, straight Joe (David Krumholtz) and gay Louis (Michael Urie) have been friends since childhood and are now co-workers as well. They balance their friendship and work with their significant others, Ali (Sophia Bush) and Wyatt (Brandon Routh). THE GOOD: Hmmm... this is a tough one. It had a theme song, I'm always a fan of that. Sophia Bush was ok in her role, the best of a bland bunch. The creative team is good - Will & Grace was a very popular show in its time and James Burrows has directed more classic sitcoms than any other. With that kind of pedigree, you'd think that maybe this show won't be so ghastly once t...

The season officially begins tomorrow but before it does, here are my official predictions for what will make it to season two. Of course it is a crapshoot as always. Last year , I correctly predicted that Suburgatory, 2 Broke Girls, Person of Interest, Up All Night, New Girl, and The X Factor would make it to a season two. Of course, I also thought Charlie's Angels, Pan Am, Prime Suspect, Terra Nova, and Allen Gregory would join them. I mistakenly guessed that Last Man Standing, Revenge, Once Upon a Time (!), Unforgettable, Whitney, and Grimm would be cancelled while I correctly predicted the cancellations of Man Up!, How to Be a Gentleman, A Gifted Man, The Playboy Club, and Free Agents . Here we go! Shows I Think Will Make it to a Season 2 Nashville (ABC) Malibu Country (ABC) Vegas (CBS) Elementary (CBS) Go On (NBC) The New Normal (NBC) The Mindy Project (FOX) Ben and Kate (FOX) Notes: I don't think we'll see as many hits in the fall this year but I think thes...

ABC 8:00 College Football Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8 CBS 8:00 CSI (Repeat) Viewers: 5.0 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8 9:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat) Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 0.6 10:00 48 Hours Mystery (Repeat) Viewers: 5.3 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 NBC 8:00 College Football Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0 FOX 8:00 College Football Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

And here we are at Sunday. Coming later today is a recap of my Fall Preview week and tonight's Emmy awards!! Also check out my Sunday preview from last year and 2010 ! ABC 7:00 America's Funniest Home Videos (24th season) 8:00 Once Upon a Time (2nd season) 9:00 Revenge (2nd season) 10:00 666 PARK AVENUE ABC is making some big changes on Sundays in the post- Desperate Housewives era. After the always reliable America's Funniest Home Videos is the second season of Once Upon a Time . Once was a big gamble that paid off handsomely for ABC as the show became one TV's top new dramas and is now the solid 8pm rock for the network. The big move comes at 9pm where another freshman success story - Revenge - moves from Wednesday 10pm to the higher profile Sunday 9pm. Wednesday's loss might be Sunday's gain as the show seems like a good fit with the equally indulging Once . I don't think ratings will skyrocket on Sunday but I think they'll be up. Rounding o...