The Emmy Darling: Modern Family
This award show favorite should be yours too! Entering its third season, Modern Family has developed a cult-like following and its easy plot line and sitcom-like episodes allow any viewer to tune in without needing to be a religious follower. It features an ensemble cast of characters that truly are the “modern family”: what other show features an age defying couple, two gay dads and an eleven year old boy who rocks a “burgundy dinner jacket”? Sophia Vergara’s infectious accent and Julie Bowen’s deadpan comedy are reason enough to tune in on for this Wednesday night comedy act.
For fans of: Arrested Development
The New & Noteworthy: New Girl
Zooey Deschanel takes her place on the small screen in this quirky comedy about a girl who is forced to move in with three male roommates after a rough break up. Deschanel’s character seems to be anything BUT the perfect girl she played in last summer’s hit movie 500 Days of Summer; but she is somehow 10 times as charming. Her fratty new companions are constantly giving her flirting advice and pushing her to rebound–and after the pilot episode, you’ll find yourself waiting for one of them to fall for her. Deschanel’s dorky portrayal of character “Jess” is a brilliant performance and creates a character worthy of adoration and imitation.
For fans of: Friends, 500 Days of Summer
The Guilty pleasure: The Vampire Diaries
Somehow The CW has managed to combine the purity-esque vamp story of Twilight with the sex-ridden chaos of Gossip Girl. The Vampire Diaries is the perfect teen drama: It features romance and humor, a stellar Indie/Pop soundtrack, and all things supernatural. From werewolves to witches, the show manages to give a new and enticing spin to an old (and overdone) genre. And with a cast like Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, the acting far surpasses the awkward quivering and head shaking attempts of its competitors (I’m talking to you Kristen Stewart.)
For fans of: Twilight, Gossip Girl
The Nostalgic Nickelodeon: The 90’s are All That
In the past you had to scour the Internet for Doug reruns or pray for DVD release of As Told By Ginger, but now you can find these classics in a socially acceptable format with hilarious commercial interlude! Shows like Clarissa Explains It All, and All That are back in TeenNick’s new programming block. This installment is definitely long overdue—we all know there’s nothing like a two minute mashup of Hey Arnold’s “Stoop Kid” to fill your late night cravings.
For fans of: Childhood memories (DUH!)
The Surprisingly Awesome: AWKWARD.
You may have noticed by now that MTV’s recent forays into live-action television haven’t quite succeeded: The US Skins remake was not only abhorred by the Parents Television Council but also scorned by its audience as well. Enter AWKWARD., a series characterized by witty dialogue and an amazing way of capturing all the awkwardness that is (and was) high school. A plus: The show is only a half hour long, starting at 11:00, so it can easily fit into your weeknight schedule.
For fans of: Easy A, Mean Girls
The Office Knockoff: Parks & Recreation
Originally intended to be a spinoff of The Office, the mockumentary-style comedy Parks & Recreation has definitely taken on an life of its own. A cast sprinkled with SNL vets and comedic standouts from films like Stepbrothers and Funny People is sure to please in this comedy about working in a small government office. P&R tackles real topics like the failing economy and office relationships while preserving its hilarious story lines. In one episode, Amy Poelher’s character accidentally performs a marriage ceremony for two gay penguins at the zoo, and I promise you this is actually one of the least ridiculous things to occur on the show.
For fans of: The Office, Saturday Night Live
The Dwindling Favorite: Glee
Glee is a show that definitely suffered the sophomore slump, so here’s to hoping that season three can return the musical-dramady to its former glory. A revamp of the cast is likely to help; although no one can be happy the adorably “trouty mouthed” Chord Overstreet won’t be returning to the show. However, new additions to the show including former Stick It villain Vanessa Lengies and lengthy cameos from four contenders from this summer’s reality show The Glee Project are sure to spice things up. What am I looking forward to most? The Glee Project’s Irish heartthrob Damien McGinty’s debut. The girls will want him, the boys will love him, and Brittany will never be able to understand him.
For fans of: Musicals, Freaks & Geeks
The Career Comeback: Ringer
Any ‘90s girl will certainly remember Sarah Michelle Gellar’s reign as the ass-kicking queen as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and finally she’s returned to The CW (fun fact: it was The WB when she was last on it!) for our viewing pleasure. A show of a different color, we’ll still get to see some major moves as Gellar navigates the roles of twin sisters Siobhan and Bridget. The drama promises an intriguing mystery, full of “film noir” genre tales of murder, passion and deception. Although critics seem to have mixed feelings, more than just fans of Buffy will find themselves rooting for the heroine.
For fans of: Alias, Cruel Intentions
Photos Courtesy of: ABC, Fox, CW, Nick, MTv