News & Notes
On Episode 73, “What to Watch in July – Summer 2010,” of the TV times Three podcast, Amrie, Rae, and I discussed the series premiere of Huge and previewed all the new and returning summer shows that are premiering in July. Including Eureka and Haven, which premiere tonight.
Prime Picks
Friday Night Lights (NBC): New. Coach is urged to adjust his coaching style. Vince’s mom has a medical emergency. Tim gets Tami into an uncomfortable situation.
Eureka (Syfy): Season Premiere. Something happens and the gang tries to figure out how to fix the problem. Plays again later. The third season finale episode replays right before. Review: I know, you’re reading that description and asking, “can he be any more vague?” Well, I don’t do spoilers and tonight’s episode is big, really big. But, it could easily be spoiled with the wrong slip of the keyboard. What I will tell you is that tonight’s episode is outstanding and what it sets up for the season arc is the biggest they have done to date. Did I mention it was big already? Well, it is. Every reason I could list as to why I liked this episode so much and why you should watch would be a giant spoiler, so you’re just going to have to watch and then you’ll see why I didn’t want to say anything.
Haven (Syfy): Series Premiere. An FBI agent, played by Emily Rose (Brothers & Sisters), is sent to Haven, Maine to track down an escaped con. While there she stumbles upon a much bigger and stranger case. She also may have come across information about her past, as she grew up without a family. Eric Balfour also stars. You can find them on twitter via @EmilyRoseLA and @EricBalfour. You can also follow the show’s creator via @havensam. Plays again later. Review: Haven starts out a bit rough. I’m not sure about some of the other characters besides Rose’s FBI Agent Audrey Parker. I do think the show has some potential to turn into something good. It fell somewhere in the middle for me, as it didn’t make me want to instantly watch the next episode, but it didn’t make me not want to watch either. They can definitely have fun with the abilities and powers that residents in this sleepy little seaside town seem to possess. But, for me, it was the way the episode ends that pushed me over the hump in thinking there might be something here. The mystery of the town and its residents is fine, the case that introduces us to the players is okay too, but when the main character gets her own reason to stay after wrapping up her case, that is when I got interested. I’m not fully onboard yet, but hope that Haven meets or exceeds the potential established in the premiere over the next few episodes. I’ll be really interested to hear your thoughts on this one.
Other Options
- Flashpoint (CBS): New. Two episodes play tonight. In the first, the team is dealing with a sniper that has set booby traps in a stadium that is to be leveled. In the second, the team is dealing with a prison riot that two civilians are trapped in.
- Supernatural (The CW): Repeat. The “Changing Channels” episode replays, where Sam and Dean are stuck being characters in different TV shows by the Trickster.
Sports Notes
- ESPN has NASCAR racing action with the Nationwide Series: The Dollar General 300.
- ESPN2 has second round coverage of the Women’s U.S. Open golf tournament.
- Versus has coverage of the Tour de France: Stage 6. Replays multiple times.
Late Night
- Memphis Beat (TNT): Repeat. This past Tuesday’s episode, “Love Me Tender,” replays.
- Rescue Me (FX): Repeat. This past Tuesday’s episode, “Change,” replays.
- Warehouse 13 (Syf): Repeat. This past Tuesday’s second season premiere episode, “Time Will Tell,” replays.
TV Marathons
Oxygen has 12 episodes of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.
Spike TV has nine episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger.
USA has 12 episodes of House.
I understand that Friday Night Lights repeats on Tuesday afternoons on some other network. Is anyone aware of the network and the time on Tuesday?
Marvin, I’m not sure if Friday Night Lights replays on cable or not. Since it doesn’t play this week, can’t look ahead and see any replays. But, you can always watch the last five aired episodes at http://ww.NBC.com or http://www.Hulu.com starting the day after they air on NBC.