Fall 2011 TV Season - Sunday Night

While Thursday is my favorite night on television for all the great comedy we get that night. Sunday night is my favorite night for drama. This season is certainly no different.


Returning Shows:

America's Funniest Home Videos: 7:00 - ABC - October 2nd


60 Minutes: 7:00 - CBS - September 25th


Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: 8:00 - ABC - September 25th
This starts here and then it moves over to another time-slot in October.


The Amazing Race: 8:00 - CBS - September 25th
This season of the Race traveled 40,000 miles (64,000 km) across 20 cities and four continents. Filming started on June 18, 2011, with teams seen leaving Los Angeles International Airport and heading to Taiwan. As with the previous season, the starting line, which was located in the foothills of Southern California, had a unique task that the Racers had to perform before receiving tickets to their first destination. American film crews were also spotted in Hillerød, Denmark, and were suspected to be for The Amazing Race; marking the first time the Race has visited Denmark. Along with Denmark, this season will mark other first time visits to Malawi, Belgium, and Indonesia. A visit to Thailand has also been confirmed for the season. Two new game elements will be introduced in this season. The first is a double elimination and the second is the "Hazard", a penalty that one team will incur right at the starting line and that they will have to complete before checking in at the Pit Stop.


The Simpsons: 8:00 - FOX - September 25th
Where we left off:
Ned Flanders begins dating Mrs. Krabappel after saving her from a prank gone bad -- until Flanders realizes that Mrs. Krabappel has left a trail of tears behind her from the men she dated before (including Aerosmith drummer, Joey Kramer).

What's Next?
The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant hires a new security guard named Wayne and Homer soon become friends with him. Wayne has to deal with his past work with the CIA in order to rescue Homer from a Ukranian terrorist. Meanwhile, Marge dreams of appearing on the reality series Top Chef. The voting results from "The Ned-liest Catch" will be revealed. Guest stars: Kiefer Sutherland and Tom Colicchio.


The Cleveland Show: 8:30 - FOX - September 25th
Where we left off:
Over breakfast Cleveland shows off his dream comic book "Waderman" inspired by an incident when he was younger when Donna fell into a fountain. Cleveland proposes to take the entire family to Comic-con in an attempt to sell his comic book, "Waderman". Despite Donna's initial reservations, Cleveland manages to convince her to let them go. While there, Donna is horrified to find out that Robert Rodriguez is screening a Blaxploitation film that she starred in when she was younger. After paying for Rallo's silence, Donna stalks off to cancel the screening. Trying to drum up attention for his comic book, Cleveland hires Rallo to be his sidekick "Squirt" although just as they start to attract some attention, the conventioneers are drawn off by a display from FOX.

What's Next?
Cleveland is upset when he finds out that his best friend Peter Griffin came to Stoolbend and did not call him to hang out. In an effort to bond with the guys, Cleveland takes them on a camping trip hosted by guest star Rick Flair.


Desperate Housewives: 9:00 - ABC - September 25th
Where we left off:
The Wisteria Lane residents each enjoy a progressive dinner; Renee begins a short-lived relationship with a bartender; Bree sees a connection with Chuck; the housewives cover up a fatal accident.

What's Next?
While Bree gives Chuck a ride, a smell becomes noticeable; Gabrielle seeks out a priest in order to help Carlos with his problem; Ben Faulkner, a new neighbor, meets Renee; Susan withdraws from her friends because of what happened to Alejandro.


The Good Wife: 9:00 - CBS - September 25th
Where we left off:
In the season finale, Alicia and Kalinda put aside their strained relationship to prove their client's innocence of murder. After a mistrial is declared, Alicia and Will celebrate and end up taking a hotel suite together.

What's Next?
Alicia defends a Muslim student who is accused of murdering a Jewish classmate, all while navigating the new developments in her personal life, while the staff of Lockhart/Gardner deal with new changes as well.


Family Guy: 9:00 - FOX - September 25th
Where we left off:
Peter retells the story of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

What's Next?
The Griffin family win the lottery.


The Walking Dead: 9:00 - AMC - October 16th
Where we left off:
In a flashback to the initial walker outbreak, Shane attempts to evacuate Rick but is unable to do so because of soldiers executing the hospital staff and walkers breaking into the building. Thinking Rick is dead, all Shane can do is barricade Rick's door and flee the hospital. In the present, the group enjoys an ephemeral normality amidst the comforts of hot showers and wine. A drunk Shane seeks to vindicate his past actions to Lori, telling her that he had been certain that Rick was dead. Then, trying to rekindle his short relationship with her, he almost rapes her, but she manages to push him away. The next morning, Dr. Jenner explains to the group, using a computer model called Test Subject 19, the process in the brain that takes place when a person is bitten and then partially revived as a walker. Subsequently the group discovers that a timer in the lab is counting down to the exhaustion of the building's power supply and that when it hits zero the building will "decontaminate" by self-destructing. Dr. Jenner locks them in, telling them that such an end is humane, and that their deaths will be swift and painless. The group, however, believes they can survive, and attempts to break out. Rick convinces Jenner to release them; Jenner does so and tells him something inaudible before the group flees. One of the members, Jacqui, tells them she will stay no matter what, and die with Jenner. Andrea chooses the same fate, but is convinced by Dale to leave with them. They narrowly escape the building before it explodes, and then proceed to drive off.


Boardwalk Empire: 9:00 - HBO - September 25th
Where we left off:
Nucky wonders how much change Election day will bring to Atlantic City. Torrio tries to be the peacemaker between two bitter rivals with dire consequences. Jimmy, as well as Margaret, Van Alden, and Eli, ponder their futures.

What's Next?
Nucky is rocked by an insurrection among his inner circle; Chalkyʼs life and livelihood are threatened by a vicious KKK attack; Margaret copes with her sonʼs disciplinary problems; Angela vies with Gillian for Jimmyʼs affections at home; Van Alden shows his wife Rose around town as an anniversary present.


Dexter: 9:00 - Showtime - October 2nd
Where we left off:
In the season finale, Dexter's situation grows desperate when he discovers that Lumen's been set up. Despite knowing he's being baited into a trap, Dexter risks everything to save Lumen from the murderous Jordan Chase. In the Barrel Girls case, Debra lets her personal feelings lead her instincts once she concludes that vigilantes are more than just a theory. Debra closes in on Jordan after receiving a tip about his whereabouts.

What's Next?
Dexter Morgan attends his 20th high school reunion; Dexter considers his son's legacy; Debra becomes an unexpected hero.


Leverage: 9:00 - TNT - November 27th
Where we left off:
Sterling convinces the Leverage team to steal a nuclear reactor calibration weight from a high-tech skyscraper in Dubai, during an international chess tournament.


American Dad: 9:30 - FOX - September 25th
Where we left off:
Bonding with Steve at the zoo causes Stan to lose Steve in the gorilla cage.

What's Next?
Stressed out by his family and his obligations, Stan decides to buy a hot tub to relieve his stress, but literally gets into hot water when he finds out the hot tub is evil.


CSI: Miami: 10:00 - CBS - September 25th
Where we left off:
In the season finale, Horatio must capture an escapee again when their transport plane crashes and the team is shocked to discover that the fugitive has planned more than that. In the end of the episode, Randy North shoots Horatio and puts Natalia in a trunk of a car and into an ocean. Both Horatio and Natalia statuses are unknown at the end of the episode.

What's Next?
Horatio and Natalia's lives hang in the balance, as Horatio stands between Natalia and certain death. Meanwhile, it's a race against time for the team to capture escaped killer Jack Toller before he kills again.


Hung: 10:00 - HBO - October 2nd
Where we left off:
Ray considers a break from the business when he thinks that he might have a second chance with Jessica, but Lenore may not let him go that easily. Tanya tries to smooth things over with Frances after separate encounters with her mother and Damon. After an interesting ride home with Mindy, Ronnie returns to find that Jessica has made an important decision about their relationship.


How To Make it in America: 10:30 - HBO - October 2nd
Where we left off:
Cam suspects Rene of having something to do with the theft of the Rasta Monsta truck. Rachel makes a life-changing decision.


New Shows:


Pan Am: 10:00 - ABC - September 25th
Passion, jealousy and espionage... They do it all - and they do it at 30,000 feet. The style of the 1960s, the energy and excitement of the Jet Age and a drama full of sexy entanglements deliciously mesh in this thrilling and highly-original new series. In this modern world, air travel represents the height of luxury and Pan Am is the biggest name in the business. The planes are glamorous, the pilots are rock stars and the stewardesses are the most desirable women in the world. Not only are these flyboys and girls young and good looking, but to represent Pan Am they also have to be educated, cultured and refined. They're trained to handle everything from in-air emergencies to unwanted advances - all without rumpling their pristine uniforms or mussing their hair. There's Dean (Jonah Lotan) - a cocky, charismatic and ambitious new pilot - the first of a new breed not trained in the war. On the sly against company policy, he's dating Bridget, a stunning beauty with a mysterious past. A rebellious bohemian, Maggie (Christina Ricci) turns into a buttoned up professional for work so she can see the world. Rounding out the crew are flirtatious Collette (Karine Vanasse), the adventurous Kate (Kelli Garner) and, finally, Laura (Margot Robbie) - Kate's beauty queen younger sister, a runaway bride, who recently fled a life of domestic boredom to take to the skies.

Out of the two 1960's drama that have arrived this fall season, this one interests me more for some reason. I don't know why but I feel that this one has more potential to do more things with the plot. I can't help but feel that The Playboy Club will be cancled quickly. I'll be checking this one out.




Homeland: 10:00 - Showtime - October 2nd
Homeland is an upcoming American psychological thriller television series created by Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and Gideon Raff. The series stars Claire Danes as Carrie Anderson, a CIA operations officer who has come to believe that an American Marine, who was held captive by Al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war, was turned by the enemy and now poses a significant risk to national security.

This is one of the pilots I have watched already and I was hooked, the only issue I have with this one is Danes. I think Danes is a great actress, I'm just not totally sure about her in this. I got a very Rubicon-like feel when I was watching this one and I loved Rubicon. A great mystery is at play here and the ride to solve that is going to be great. But once they figure that out? Where can it go? I don't care, I just want to go for the ride. I'm all over this one.



What will be playing in my Media Room Sunday Night:
8:00 - The Amazing Race
9:00 - Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, The Walking Dead
10:00 - Pan Am, Homeland