TV Surveillance

I was wrong. About a lot of things.

Even though I consider myself something of an amateur expert on television, someone who makes calculated suggestions or arguments based on facts and knowledge of the industry, I’m also absolutely willing to admit when I’m off-base. And unfortunately, I’ve been wrong a lot this season. So as a mea culpa to all you, I went back through my columns and blog entries since September and found the biggest errors.

Mistake 1: Changing my column handle and style.

What I said then (Jan. 13): “Like all the greats, I know how to go out on top. But just because Surveillance is gone doesn’t mean I am. I’ll still be talking television, but instead in a format that will give you four points on why I believe something.”

What I think now: I think the “here’s what you should watch” format is stale, but slapping you in the face with bolded arguments is already boring to me. Thus, “TV Surveillance” is back, but its past format is not.

Mistake 2: Predicting cancellations for “Fringe,” “Community” and “Castle.”

What I said then (Jan. 13): “These three fan favorites are all great series in their own right, but the numbers just don’t add up.”

What I think now: As of today, it thankfully looks like all three will return. Ratings for “Fringe” have shockingly improved, “Castle” is doing damn well for ABC,  and “Community” looks like a lock for season two since NBC already gave a similar pick-up to the lesser-rated “Parks and Recreation.” Of all my flubs, this is the one I’m most satisfied to admit, since all three of these series deserve another year — or five.

Mistake 3: Calling “White Collar” the best new drama series.

What I said then (Nov. 5, 2009): “No offense to the infectious ‘Glee,’ surprisingly solid ‘Vampire Diaries’ or sharply written ‘The Good Wife,’ but USA has done it again with its newest dramedy ‘White Collar.’”

What I think now: “White Collar” is fun and all, but each one of those series I mentioned in November are better. “Glee” is certainly not a straight drama, but it does feature more truly emotionally dramatic scenes than the always-light “Collar.” Of the lot, “Vampire Diaries” might actually be the best, which sort of makes me sick to say.
Mistake 4: Thinking “FlashForward” would be good.

What I said then (Sept. 23, 2009): “(T)his high-concept program just feels right. What I’ve seen has been very, very solid and the care with which executive producer David S. Goyer seems to be handling the show — pre-planned arcs, emphasis on character, online presence — is so on point.”

What I think now: Puke. Perhaps my biggest error of them all. “FlashForward” has been a colossal disappointment, but I deserve it for actually thinking it would be solid in the first place. All those things I noted in September that would be strong suits have either been non-existent (character) or detrimental (pre-planned arcs, online presence). I’ll be shocked if it’s not canceled.

Mistake 5: Calling Monday “Must-See TV”

What I said then (Sept. 9, 2009): “Monday is quickly becoming a cluster of awesomeness. Each network is bringing the goods every hour.”

What I think now: Mondays are fine, but many of those I noted back in the fall are either losing their cultural relevance — “House,” “Gossip,” “Dancing,” “CSI” — or flat-out sucked enough to get canceled or put on the bubble — “Trauma,” “Heroes,” “Lie,” “Leno.” There might be a lot of things on Monday, but too few of them are that good.

So as you can see, I messed up a few times. But I hope you can forgive me, and the rest of 2010 will be better. I hope.