Are you ready for some TV? pt. 5 AMC/FX

The good and bad about AMC and F/X is that they generally don't run their shows in the traditional Fall and Spring time periods. It's good because they keep all of us in fresh programming year round. The bad part is I'm never really sure when new seasons start.

Luckily for everyone, AMC and F/X are home to some of the best, most innovative shows on all of television. It helps that they aren't required to conform to the over censored restrictions of network television. Don't underestimate the value of this for the writers. The commercial breaks during the hour long shows are better spaced than on network television and allow stories to flow more evenly and lead to more natural breaking points.
 
The All-Pros
 
I'm not including Mad Men or Breaking Bad on this list because they won't be back until next summer. However, it goes without saying that both are All-Pros and two of the five best shows on television. This is not to disparage It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League and Sons of Anarchy because all three of them are also All-Pros.





Fall Roster

Sons of Anarchy - FX Tues 9c - I was late to the Sons party but I'm here to stay now. Katie Sagal was completely jobbed by the Emmy's. Her season two performance was more than outstanding. I would like to comment on the story lines going forward into season three but I won't have a chance to see the season two finale until next week. Long live SAMCRO.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - FX Thur 9c - By far, this is the funniest show on television. I have the entire series on DVD and I still keep about thirty episodes saved on my DVR. If you've never seen Sunny then before you read any more you should go out buy the first 5 seasons on DVD and watch them back to back. If you don't want to do that at least start DVRing the four repeat episodes Comedy Central is showing every Monday night.



The League - FX Thur 9:30c -When I wrote about Community and Modern Family being the best rookie offerings last year, I completely neglected The League. Both of those other shows had full seasons to work with while The League packed just as many laughs into just six episodes. I loved the cast and being a long time fantasy football veteran there were a lot of truths in the writing. They were able to cleverly weave actual NFL story lines into the episodes. I'm interested to see how the show wears over a full thirteen episode run but I'm confident they'll get it right. Here's hoping Taco has enough Three Penis Wine to last all thirteen episodes.




Veterans trying to avoid being cut

None. These networks aren't making half-assed shows. Their entire lineups are worth the DVR space.

Rookies trying to make it

Terriers - FX Wed 9c - I'm a big believer in track records that goes for actors, directors and producers. If you ever wonder if a show is going to be good take a look at the IMDB resumes of the people involved. You'll find people who are involved with one successful show will work on others because producers and directors like to work with people they know and trust.  The creators of Terriers were the producers of Ocean's Eleven and The Shield. Based on that knowledge along with Donal Logue as the lead, I'm expecting a gritty drama with slick witty dialogue.

Rubicon - AMC Sun 8c -Rubicon has been on for a few weeks now and has been getting better with each episode. The story moves at a slow methodical pace allowing the audience to form a relationship with the characters and the underlying conspiracy driving the show. I've heard the ratings have been pretty abysmal so I'm hoping the show is given a chance to develop an audience. Based on the first month or so it appears to be heading in a similar direction as The X Files, where the writers divide time between stories involving individual cases at API and the series long conspiracy story.



Walking Dead - AMC Oct - Post apocalyptic zombie world. OK I'm in.