2013-2014 Network Sitcoms: The Mid-Level

There are 24 sitcoms currently airing on network television.  As I enjoy analyzing entertainment trends and making lists I have watched the first episode of each of this season's shows.  I have made a list of the eight worst sitcoms of the season, this is a list of the eight mid-level sitcoms.

16. Super Fun Night (Season 1, ABC)

I may be placing this too high.  This is one of many new sitcoms that I really wanted to like.  Like many people I am rooting for Rebel Wilson and loved her breakout in Pitch Perfect.  There is just nothing really going on.  No real jokes, no real set up for the series.  Wilson is a magnetic personality and if the show restructures to show her better it might have a chance.  But right now it is a disappointment, but has more potential than others.

15. Big Bang Theory (Season 7, CBS)

I have never been able to get into this series.  Out of all of the great comedies on television, I don't understand why this one is such a phenomenon.  I suppose if you liked the series so far you will like the season seven premiere.  It is not much different from any other episode I have seen.  Not terrible, but just not anything I enjoy.

14. Last Man Standing (Season 3, ABC)

I did not realize that this made it to a third season.  I watched the first episode a few years ago but it did not leave much of an impact.  This season's premiere surprised me at how enjoyable it was.  Sure it is essentially a c-level Home Improvement but it does entertain.  This is the type of show that you would watch a decade ago just because it was on.  It has a very nineties feel and is fine casual entertainment.

13. The Neighbors (Season 2, ABC)

I did not watch the first season but I enjoyed what I saw from this season's first episode.  It has a basic gimmick and knows how to get jokes out of it.  It is an interesting high concept and plays well as more family friendly entertainment.  I would honestly be interested in seeing more of it.

12. Mom (Season 1, CBS)

This series could use some more tact and plays things broader than it needs to, but there are laughs to be found.  Unlike most of the new series this year there are actually things going on and the character dynamics are well established.  Anna Faris has a ways to grow with her character but she makes a good lead for a show like this.  French Stewart's snobby chef cracked me up, Spencer Daniels had some good comedic timing and Matt L. Jones definitely knows how to deliver a line to a studio audience.  Of course the stand out is the great Allison Janney who elevates the comedy and the energy.  This is a multi-cam sitcom that is going in the right direction, hope it improves because it could be a fun series.

11. The Michael J. Fox Show (Season 1, NBC)

Hype was high for this and whenever that happens there is some let down.  I have seen all three episodes and it is not all there.  The show needed some more work in the development stage and the writing is not that great.  The ensemble is not interesting and there are no real jokes.  Still this is a star vehicle for Fox and he does great here.  Not the best material for him to work with, but he is a likable personality that is great to see working again.  Hope they figure out how to make it great.  If nothing else this is a great example how to build a show around a character with a disability.  Parkinsons is part of the character's life but not the only thing that defines him.  Which is an area where the entertainment really needs to progress.

10. Welcome to the Family (Season 1, NBC)

Not sure why critics are seeming to be so hostile towards this show.  It entertaining and the characters are all solid.  The main appeal is the chemistry between Ricardo Antonio Chavira and Mike O'Malley.  Their rivalry and conflicts are natural and relatable rather than mean.  I respect this series for acknowledging cultural differences without having to focus on stereotypes for cheap jokes.  This is a pleasant show that has some potential.  I enjoyed the premiere.

9. How I Met Your Mother (Season 9, CBS)

Like many people I really got into this show when it started rerunning frequently and I was won over by the clever writing and strong ensemble.  However in the last few seasons I have felt that the series betrayed my trust.  The show is built on the promise of the finale and to stretch it out to nine seasons they wasted a lot of times with stories and characters that didn't go anywhere.

But this season has a sense of urgency that has been missing.  The characters are gaining some of their likability and intelligence back.  Having Wayne Brady and Sherri Shepard as recurring characters adds to the comedy.  I could place this higher but I do expect this show to reach some lulls this season.  But the first few episodes are the best the show has been for some time.

2013-2014 Sitcoms: ABC

Tuesdays

The Goldbergs
Their two new Tuesday night sitcoms have the perfect lead-in of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The first new series seems reminiscent of Freaks and Geeks and especially The Wonder Years.  It is being marketed around 80's nostalgia, and 80's throwbacks have had differing levels of success in the past few years.  I can see this being a more difficult sell as it seems to be much more of a dramedy and not as broad as the rest of ABC's lineup.  It could potentially grow a cult following and might just surprised.

Trophy Wife
This series is produced by two of the best writers of The Office and stars a well balanced ensemble of Malin Akerman, Bradley Whitford, Michaeala Watkins, Ryan Lee, Natalie Morales and Marcia Gay Harden, who all appear to be great fits for their roles.  I could see this being a better fit on Wednesday nights as it seems similar in tone with Modern Family.  This is one of the series I am most excited for this season.

Wednesday

The Middle
Wednesday nights continues to use The Middle as its lead-in, the Patricia Heaton lead series is now in its fifth season.  Not a runaway hit, but it is dependable and well liked.  Now that it is in syndication on ABC Family and soon to be Hallmark its profile should raise considerably (ala How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory).

Back in the Game
This series features Maggie Lawson as a single mother that is good at baseball but has a bad relationship with her father (James Caan).  This series looks decent enough, albeit unimpressive.  Don't see a whole series here, but it looks fun.  It could be ABC's first cancellation of the series (see it being replaced with Trophy Wife), but it could surprise.

Modern Family
ABC's most successful series keeps its same time slot for its fifth season.  Although last season was not as well received as the three previous ones it continues to be a hit with audiences and The Emmys.  This will continue to be the cornerstone for ABC comedies.

Super Fun Night
ABC is wisely marketing this around Rebel Wilson's involvement in Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect.  Which are two female led movies that surprised at the box-office and managed to get a large enough male following.  Wilson is a star that ABC was lucky to get and she should bring in a good sized audience on her likability alone.  The series looks funny too.

Friday

Last Man Standing
ABC is smart by having their more family friendly sitcoms on Friday nights, harkening back to TGIF.  The Tim Allen lead series should continue to do decently by Friday standards.

The Neighbors
Moving The Neighbors Fridays is a good move.  The series is family friendly and if it gets enough episodes it could rerun on one of Disney's other networks.  Should do fine for a Friday night series.

Mid-Season

Suburgatory
Suburgatory returns mid-season for its third season.  See this replacing The Goldbergs or one of the Friday night series.  Pretty much just a filler, doesn't have a huge following.  Don't see it continuing past this season.

Mixology
Also premiering mid-season is what feels like How I Met Your Mother meets 24.  The series takes place in one night, which will make it less accessible for television.  There are no named stars involved but it is marketed on the creators of The Hangover (who also wrote the flops The Change-Up and 21 & Over).  This seems to be going after a similar demographic as Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B, which did not succeed.  It could find an audience online, but don't know where this would fit on its schedule.

Non-Oscars: Best Supporting Actress

The Oscar nominees were: Amy Adams, Sally Field, Anne Hathaway, Helen Hunt and Jacki Weaver.  Hunt is the only one I haven't seen and Weaver was a big surprise.  The award is Hathaway's to lose, but Adams and Field are ideal contenders.  Here are my picks for Best Supporting Actress Not Nominated for an Academy Award.

Samantha Barks, Les Miserables

I fell in love with Samantha Barks as Eponine in the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert.  I had watched that version so much and I was surprised how her performance as the same character differed on screen.  Samantha Barks takes advantage of being on screen to be much more personal and less grand.  Her character is allowed to be fleshed out a bit more too as we get why she is so obsessed with Marius.  She is neglected and has nothing in her life and just needs something.  Barks portrays the ultimate in unrequited love.  You can't help but want to save her and make everything right, but her life just gets more and more tragic.  Barks leaves a big impact in an impressive ensemble and has an incredible singing voice.

Anne Hathaway, Dark Knight Rises

I did not care for Dark Knight Rises, I was really let down by it.  However I liked everything about Anne Hathaway's Catwoman.  She was exciting and stole the show.  Hathaway was a brilliant bit of casting as she can embody the physicality and slyness.  It is a layered performance as she is a very smart character playing much dumber and helpless.  There is always a lot going on with the character and I can't think of anyone else who can convey that better.  Hathaway will win for Les Miserables, and deservedly so, but this performance is just as good and demonstrates Hathaway's versatility as a performer.

Michelle Pfeiffer, People Like Us

It has been far too long since Michelle Pfeiffer was in a good movie.  I was relieved to see her in a decent role for a change.  Her beauty is definitely toned down here as she plays normal and broken very believably.  She is captivating without having to be likable.  Her performance provides the audience into a look at Chris Pine's childhood as you can tell she was not the easiest mother to grow up with.  She has some very tender scenes.  The script does have some well placed contrivances, but the veteran actress never relies on them.  A stand-out in a terrific ensemble.

Olivia Thirlby, Dredd

A lot of movies seemed to try and incorporate a strong action female this year.  Some succeeded with characters like Katniss and Selina Kyle and others failed with Princess Merida and Kristen Stewart's Snow White. But Olivia Thirlby in Dredd is the most one of the most progressive action movie female characters ever.  Thirbly is not there as a love interest, she has a role to play on a mission.  She is believable  and competent while being naturally sympathetic and questioning.  She has the depth that Karl Urban's stoic lead doesn't and Thirlby definitely holds her own against the towering figure.  She has a fascinating character arc and leaves an impact.  You completely forget that you are watching Juno's best friend.  A very underrated performance from an unfortunately forgotten movie.

Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect

I have never witnessed an audience respond to a performance as much as Rebel Wilson's show stealing role as Fat Amy.  This is a fairly one joke character with a actress who elevates it to memorable and entertaining.  Wilson just has an energy to her and such perfect comedic timing.  She can sing and her personality is always being showcased.  There is a reason all of the marketing for Pitch Perfect features her, she owns this movie and is a stand out among other great performances.  I hope she starts getting lead roles, because supporting roles like these don't seem to be able to contain her anymore.

Other Great Supporting Performances:

Helena Bonham Carter (Les Miserables), Tabu (Life of Pi), Anna Hutchison (Cabin in the Woods), Kelly Reilly (Flight), Olivia Wilde (People Like Us), Emily Blunt (Looper), America Ferrera (End of Watch), Susan Sarandon (Arbitrage), Judi Dench (Skyfall), Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Alison Brie (Five-Year Engagement), Charlize Theron (Prometheus)