Every year, I fly to NYC for the TV network Upfronts. Upfronts week is when the four major broadcast networks (and their underappreciated adopted misunderstood step-sister who was raised by wolves, The CW) present their upcoming fall programming to the advertisers. It’s about selling their product to the people who buy it, so the networks put on quite a show — they throw big parties, they host red carpets, they make Joshua Jackson take like a zillion pictures with strangers, it’s a whole thing. And it’s a lot of work, a lot of early mornings and late nights and ruining your favorite shoes in the inevitable rain.

It’s simultaneously the best and worst part of my job. Like, don’t get me wrong, it’s super fun, but this year it all made me so tired that when I left NYC, I paid $35 extra to check my carry-on because the thought of actually carrying it on was too exhausting to even imagine.

Anyway, the point of all of those words is this: Upfronts make me tired. But when I get home to LA, TV networks reward my hard work by sending me pilots. I’ve now watched pretty much all the pilots from all the major networks. (I skipped ones I knew I wouldn’t like, like ABC’s “The Neighbors,” a sitcom about extraterrestrials in New Jersey, and CBS’s “Made in Jersey,” a drama about a girl from Jersey who decides to be a big fancy Manhattan lawyer which is just a WILD concept because nobody ever comes to Manhattan from New Jersey because Manhattan is just so glamorous and edgy and blah blah blah not interested. This makes me sound like I hate New Jersey, but I don’t. I totally watch “Jersey Shore.”)

We’re not allowed to actually review the shows yet because some of them may undergo changes by the time they air in the fall, and also because posting reviews now does the networks very little good, promotion-wise. If you run in certain social media circles, you’ve probably seen TV reporters tweeting about the shows, but not saying much of anything substantial. We’re not trying to torture you guys by keeping the goods to ourselves, we’re just not allowed to review right now. It’s sort of an unspoken deal with the networks — if they give us screeners, we’ll adhere to their embargo.

Having seen most of the screeners, I’ve decided which ones I’ll be watching next season, and I figured I’d put together a little schedule — not only for my own peace of mind, but because a lot of you guys share my TV tastes or, for some bizarre reason, trust my TV tastes.

(Note: At work, we haven’t really discussed who will be covering what shows yet, so this will probably change depending on what gets assigned to my beat list, but this is what I’d be watching if I wasn’t limited by my job.)

So here’s what I’ll be watching this fall. New shows are in italics (with links to where you can watch clips).

MONDAY:
8:30 p.m. – “Partners” (CBS)
9:00 p.m. – “Gossip Girl” (The CW)
DVR: “The Voice” (NBC), “Bones” (FOX)

TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m. – “The Voice Results” (FOX)
9:00 p.m. – “New Girl” (FOX)
9:30 p.m. – “The New Normal” (NBC)
10:00 p.m. – “Parenthood” (NBC)
DVR: “Happy Endings” (ABC), “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23″ (ABC)

WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. – “Arrow” (The CW)
9:00 p.m. – “Supernatural” (The CW) (Winchester Wednesdays, bitchessss.)
10:00 p.m. – “Nashville” (ABC)
DVR: “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC), “Modern Family” (ABC)

THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. – “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW)
9:00 p.m. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
10:00 p.m. – “Scandal” (ABC)
DVR: “Elementary” (CBS), “Glee” (FOX)

FRIDAY:
9:00 p.m. – “Fringe” (FOX)

SUNDAY:
9:00 p.m. – “Revenge” (ABC)
10:00 p.m. – “666 Park Avenue” (ABC)
DVR: “The Good Wife” (CBS)

Yes, that’s a metric fuckton of TV, but I get paid for this stuff, and I also get to (legally!) watch on east coast time, so I get a head start.

I kind of feel like I’m a grown up now, because for the first time in my life, I’m watching more shows on ABC than I am on The CW (or The WB, RIP). I’m going to tune in to “Gossip Girl” against my better judgment because it’s the final season, but I have a feeling I’ll drop off after a couple episodes, because I just don’t really love the show anymore and I think people who watch TV they don’t like are crazy in the head.

The “New Girl” vs. “Happy Endings” clash is the worst timeslot battle of all, though I will say that “Elementary” vs. “Scandal” on Thursday nights was a tough one for me. I’m really psyched for “Elementary” — the pilot was excellent. (Also, to me, it feels much more similar to “House” than to “Sherlock,” oddly enough.) I think Wednesdays will be my favorite night, though — so excited for the whole “Supernatural” team that they got bumped out of that Friday slot and back to midweek.

I’m actually more excited for midseason than I am for the fall offerings, to be honest. At midseason, I’ll be adding “The Following,” “Carrie Diaries,” “Do No Harm,” and probably “The Goodwin Games.” Maybe “Cult,” too.

What are you gonna watch?

4 Responses to “stuff i love: television. duh.”

1. Lucile Says:
   

   I’ll watch Grey’s anatomy even if I’m still not over Little Grey’s death, Once Upon a Time, TVD, The Lying Game, Hart of Dixie,Parenthood and Nikita. I’ll probably watch all the pilots that I can to figure out which one I’m gonna follow. I haven’t read anything about them so far. And i’ll guess i’ll be reading your tweets to know if i’m missing one very good show :=)

2. Natalie Says:
   

   OMG I want ur job… right now! I’m so completely and hopelessly jealous! I live in Australia and it is extremely hard to keep up with the awesome TV that is happening right now! But I’m moving to London next month so maybe I’ll have more of a chance there! Maybe I should just move to LA and somehow score a job like yourself! Can’t wait for some more info and reviews!! <3

3. Rachael Says:
   

   The TV watching part of your job I could handle but the “upfronts” part? Being in the same room as Joshua Jackson and not trembling like a frightened puppy? I could never do that. Thanks for handling it like a champ and bringing us all this delicious info.

   I can’t wait for Partners, The Carrie Diaries, Arrow, Nashville, 666 Park, etc etc etc.

4. Samantha Says:
   

   It may sound odd, or it might be incredibly common for you, but I am extremely jealous of your job and am fascinated by the fact that you get paid to do what you do. In fact, your job is my dream job.

   I have incredibly similar taste in television as you do (especially TVD and the classic Dawson’s Creek… and most CW shows in fact). I’m looking forward to my favorites coming back, such as TVD, Grey’s Anatomy, Hart Of Dixie, Modern Family and of course Cougar Town. As for new shows, I am looking forward to Arrow, The New Normal, The Carrie Diaries, and Elementary.