Campus Chronicle

Issue date: 9/15/03 Section: Arts & Leisure

Media Credit: Photo provided Angel and the gang

Let's face it. My taste is impeccable.

Therefore, I present to you my picks for your Fall 2003 viewing pleasure. New or old, comedy or drama - you'll find them all here.
Except reality shows. I hate those.

Angel - The WB
Fifth season began 10/1
Wednesdays, 9pm
In syndication on: TNT

Oh Buffy, we'll never forget you. But alas, we must move on. And the newest season of Angel is the perfect grieving mechanism. With a new - yet familiar - cast member, new digs and - for some - new powers, the PIs may have taken on more than they can handle.

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about - for shame! Don't let the vampire backdrop fool you. Joss Whedon has produced some of the finest quality television this generation. So tune in already!

Charmed - The WB
Sixth season began 9/28
Sundays, 8pm
In syndication on: TNT

This show survived a major cast change midseries for a reason. While often bubblegum in plot, the Power of Three also consistently portray sisterly loyalty, womyn power and the classic fight of Good v. Evil. Plus now there's a missing angelic husband and a new powerful baby that would put Tabitha to shame!

Alias - ABC
Sundays, 9pm
Third season began 9/28

"What the fu...?!" flew out of every viewer's mouth upon watching last season's cliffhanger to this spy drama, which mysteriously threw Sidney two years into the future. And she's just as clueless as we are. Boyfriends are married, enemies are allies ... there is much to catch up on in the coming year.

Tru Calling - FOX
First season begins 10/30
Thursdays, 8pm

Either Fox has put this new sci-fi thriller on a suicide mission by placing it opposite Friends, or it has incredible trust in the loyalty of Buffy fans. The former vampire slayer is now playing a normal person working graveyard at a morgue. Gross, right? But get this - she hears dead people. Not so normal after all, right? And then she goes back in time and saves their lives. It's like Back to the Future and The Sixth Sense all wrapped together with a little signature slayer attitude thrown in. Watch it while it lasts!

She Spies - NBC (in DC)
Second season began 9/28
Sundays, 1am (that's not a misprint; it's on after SNL!)

Chased into syndication after NBC dumped it, this satiric take on women crimefighters is worth checking out - that is, if you can find the show! And the dialogue's so bad, it's good. Feminist-laced parody or just another form of exploitation? You decide!

Web editor's note: There has recently been a major cast change to the show that presumably will start at the beginning of the second season. Jack, you will be sorely missed. *sob* Meanwhile, I can no longer be sure that the sardonic wit I have come to love will remain with the absence of this character. Time will tell.

Boston Public - FOX
Fourth season began 9/19
Fridays, 9pm

When isn't David E. Kelly pissing us off? Whether it's rape (the season opener), drugs, bras, gang shootings, the n-word ... there's always controversy brewing at this underfunded public high school. But the faculty - conveniently including singers and a former corporate lawyer gone good - manage to handle it just fine. Mostly.

The Lyon's Den - NBC
First season began 9/28
Sundays, 10pm

I have a confession to make. I've never seen West Wing. Yes, I know, shocking. But Rob Lowe's reputation nonetheless precedes him. Here he plays a do-gooder public interest lawyer sucked into an evil Beltway law firm to take the place of his deceased mentor. But something's afoot - did one of his new colleagues murder his mentor? Gasp!

K Street - HBO
First season began 9/14
Sundays, 10ish pm

Fiction or reality? Must we choose? Co-directed and produced by George Clooney (who knew?!), this show centers around political consultants and lobbyists like James Carville and is filmed in the Beltway. Do you really need more reason to watch?

Judging Amy - CBS
Tuesdays, 10pm
Fifth season began 9/23
In syndication on: TNT

You know you should watch. Single career mom. Important family law issues (but alas, that soon may change...). An opinionated Tyne Daly. But you don't. One of the most feminist shows on TV, Amy is definitely worth an hour of your oh-so valuable time.

Whoopi - NBC
Tuesdays, 8pm
First season began 9/9

Two years is the statute of limitations on withholding terrorist jokes. Whoopi said so. With outlandish characters, anti-Bush jokes and classic Whoopi humor, this show should be a hit....

Joan of Arcadia - CBS
First season began 9/26
Fridays, 8pm

As an atheist, I think this show has potential. Joan is a normal teenage girl ... except God appears to her in forms that range from a cute boy to a "lunchlady." Then he tells her to do stuff. But nothing as heavy as taking over an army. More like "get a part-time job." The little psycho.

Skin - FOX
Mondays, 9pm
First season begins 10/20

Primetime porn! Now do I have your attention? This is Romeo and Juliet, but with strippers. She's the daughter of a porn king. He's the son of a Latina judge and a DA intent on pulling a Giuliani. And the kids are both hot. It's starcrossed loving, racial tension, objectification of women and power-hungry fathers in this season's most guilty pleasure.

Karen Sisco - ABC
First season began 10/1
Wednesdays, 10pm

Screw Law & Order. The lead in this show is based on Jennifer Lopez's character in Out of Sight - a U.S. Marshall who spends her time catching bad guys and ignoring the naggy men in her life (her father and boss). The character will share a taste in men similar to her movie counterpart. But don't expect an appearance from Clooney - he's busy with his own show (see above).

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools