Thoughts from the Media Room - 5 Reasons to be Excited for January Television

We're a few days into January already and tv is returning to us slowly, but a lot of my cable favorites are done for another year, but thankfully a new group is starting up again. Let's see what's coming and what I'm most excited to watch.

Shameless - Season 2 - January 8th Showtime/January 9th TMN.



Summertime in Chicago, and the Gallaghers are back and up to the same tricks. Frank - after losing a bet with a fellow bar patron - is now in over his head $10,000, and Karen refuses to let him steal the money from Sheila again; Frank uses Liam to win sympathy panhandling, until the bar patron takes Liam as collateral for the money. Lip wants to continue seeing Karen, who is now attending Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings and in a sex-free relationship with a fellow group member; however, he is also preoccupied with summer courses, running a fighting ring, and selling pot and alcohol out of an ice cream truck with Kevin. Fiona and Veronica are waitressing at a local club; Fiona is seeing someone to get her mind off of Steve, though V says her new boyfriend is "a rebound" and "even looks like Steve." Ian is still working for Kash and Linda, whose marriage is deteriorating despite her pregnancy; Ian also expresses interest in attending West Point, and Lip agrees to help him with his application and grades; he is also looking forward to Mickey's release from jail. Debbie and Carl run a babysitting service in the house to bring in extra funds. Sheila is simultaneously trying to find Eddie (who committed suicide last season) and working on being outside her home.

Thoughts from the Media Room: I watched a screener for this one a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic. A very good start to the season and it's going to be a great one. Can't wait for this one to start rolling again. Makes your family seem "normal" doesn't it? But really, with the Gallaghers they are all about family and they'll do whatever it takes to protect each other. A fantastic series that should be seen by all.


Californication - Season 5 - January 8th Showtime/January 9th TMN



In reading a description of the first episode back, it seemed to give too much away, so I didn't want to post it, you can look it up on Wikipedia if you're super curious.

Thoughts from the Media Room: I watched the screener for this one last night. I forgot just how much I missed the legend that is Hank Moody. Another great start to the season, a very easy and often over used way of story-telling opens the story up to go in any direction they like. But really, I could keep watching this show forever. I really don't think too much can happen to Hank, he opens his mouth and bad shit just comes out. Another, must watch here. MUST.


Alcatraz - Season 1 - January 16th FOX



Few outsiders know the real reason why Alcatraz was closed. In March 1963, all of its inmates vanished overnight without a trace. Now, detectives Rebecca Madsen and Emerson Hauser are assigned to team up with an Alcatraz historian and comic book writer, Diego Soto, to discover the truth behind these disappearances.

Thoughts from the Media Room: JJ Abrams you say? I'm there. Nuff Said.


Being Human - Season 2 - January 16th SyFy/Space



Thoughts from the Media Room: I'll admit, I got to this one later than I should have. A very cool show, that if you're a fan of Vampires, Werewolves or Witches, you really should be watching. Don't let True Blood ruin you from watching this type of show. This one is actually good and good most weeks unlike another Vampire show I named just the sentence before.


Luck - Season 1 - January 29th - HBO



Sadly, I can't find a series description that I'm happy with. But you just watched the promo, you get the idea.

Thoughts from the Media Room: Wow. Michael Mann, director of one of my favorite movies of all time, Heat. Check. That's really all I need, you throw in the creator of Deadwood with a totally nutso cast like that. HBO. HIIIIGH Expectations. Looks fantastic.

So those are my top 5 January shows, a lot of great stuff to look forward to this month. Plus those great 5 we've also got: The Firm, House of Lies, Are you There Chelsea?, The Finder, Lost Girl, White Collar, Justified, Southland, American Idol, Archer, Touch and Spartacus: Vengeance. Going to be a great month.