Midst of Midseason Premieres

So what if classes have kicked in and you have no time to waste? Hours spent watching television are anything but wasted, we all know that.
 
We’re right in the midst of midseason premieres, so if you’ve already grown tired of watching the same old stuff all fall, there’s a whole new crop of shows to try out.
 
I watch a lot of television—not too much television, but a LOT. (I don’t have a problem, I don’t have a problem). So when I start seeing previews for new TV shows, my heart tends to skip a beat. But there are always so many shows to choose from, and I can’t possibly watch them all, at least not right now. I’ve picked a select few to dedicate myself to, and so far, these shows seem to demonstrate varying levels of promise:
 
House of Lies (Showtime)
 
A comedy about a manipulative team of “management consultants” (whatever that means) who essentially try and swindle the 1% each episode, House of Lies is so far not living up to its impressive cast.
 
I had high hopes for this show: I love Kristen Bell (who was badass as the heroine of Veronica Mars), Ben Schwartz (also known as the hilarious Jean-Ralphio in Parks and Recreation) and Don Cheadle (who has been amazing in everything I’ve seen him in, from Crash to Hotel Rwanda). But so far, this show has been merely mediocre. The acting is great, but the show just isn’t that funny—at least not yet. I’m sticking with it, and hoping it improves.
 
The pilot can be watched here http://www.putlocker.com/file/0192E6E337122782#
 
Read more (http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/01/house-of-lies-review-the…) about House of Lies.
 
House of Liesairs on Sundays, 10pm  (Showtime)
 
Smash
 
Smash combines the public’s continuing love of Marilyn Monroe and the (initial) success of Glee as a television musical, with a dramatic behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for a new Marilyn musical on Broadway.
 
It takes a lot for me to watch an entire TV show online without pausing at some point to check Facebook, and Twitter, and my email. Generally it takes me about two hours to watch on 45 minute show, because I just can’t stay focused. But Smash held my attention. I didn’t want this show to end. I had some trepidation about watching this show, after hearing it was “Glee for adults” (apologies to Glee fans) but I gave it a try because I was curious to watch Katharine McPhee’s acting, and I’m so glad I did. McPhee, and the rest of the cast, was great—I can’t wait to see what comes next.
 
The pilot (special preview) can be watched here http://www.hulu.com/smash
 
Read more (http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/22/smash-on-nbc-is-a-love-letter-to-broadway-and-marilyn-monroe.html) about Smash.
 
Smash premieres on February 6 (NBC).
 
Touch
 
Focusing on a single father (Jack Bauer) and his supposedly autistic, definitely mute, absolutely genius son, Jake, Touch is based on the idea that the world’s population is entirely connected through fate in ways only certain people, people like Jake, can see.
 
I’m ashamed to admit it, but this show made me cry. Twice. I don’t totally buy into the whole “the entire world is connected by red threads” idea, and I have no idea how this pilot will turn into an interesting, cohesive series, but I still couldn’t help but care about the events unfolding on the screen in front of me. The premise is interesting, the show suspenseful, and the characters believable—even if the connections between all of them aren’t.
 
The pilot (special preview) can be watched here http://www.putlocker.com/file/0154A0AEA7177A7E
 
Read more (http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/01/touch-review-pilot-episode-11.html) about Touch.
 
Touchpremieres on March 19 (Fox).
 
A full midseason premiere schedule can be found here http://www.cinemablend.com/television/2012-Midseason-TV-Premiere-Schedul…