There's Nothing On...Sundays

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New series are blocked in red; returning series in a new time slot are blocked in orange.

One of the chief complaints about television programming is that there's nothing on.  This is the first part in a daily series to look at what actually is on each night.  The focus will be on broadcast network programing and some of the key offerings on cable; there's no way to cover the hundreds and hundreds of cable networks.

The Big Gun:  Sunday Night Football (NBC)

No program will garner as many viewers or probably offer as many thrills as Sunday Night Football.  There's no two ways about it.  The rest of the networks will just have to divy up those of who remain behind.

DVR Gridlock:  Sundays at 9:00

CBS has broadcast television's best drama, The Good Wife.  ABC has moved its most successful new drama in 5 years, Revenge.  HBO has one of its most ambitious if not entirely successful drama, Boardwalk Empire.  Showtime has its once signature drama, Dexter.  AMC airs the most successful basic cable drama currently broadcast, The Walking Dead.  Five hour long dramas, many considered to be must sees--what to do?  Revenge is easily excisable; it had moments of delirious glory last year, but was mostly de rigeur for prime time soaps.  The three cable dramas all air again later that same night, so that makes it easier to catch them all.  Football overruns--and they will be legion--will affect the start time of The Good Wife, but it is available OnDemand in most markets.

If I could only choose two shows I would pick The Good Wife and The Walking Dead.  Both were inconsistent last season, but showed real promise towards the end.  Boardwalk Empire, I like a lot, but only when I am watching it.  I never have a drive to see the next episode right now.  Dexter has finally done something with its plot that it should have done three years ago, and I am interested to see how that plays out, but after two years of less than thrilling, it won't take much for me jump ship for good.

Most Eagerly Anticipated Returning Show:  Homeland

Twisty and filled with some of the best performances on television, Homeland is the shocker favorite to win the Best Drama Emmy.  There wasn't a more exciting new show last season, and it promises to deliver more of the same this year.  Claire Danes and Damian Lewis both return in a series about terrorism that is the godson of 24 but feels far more realistic, human and frightening.  Credit must go to the series leads--they are wonderful.  I have purposefully tried to avoid reading/hearing anything about the second season, because every plot charm for the series is rooted in the "Oh, shit!" moment.  I say bring them on.

Most Promising New Series:  666 Park Avenue

I'm a big fan of the horror genre, so it's not shocking that 666 Park Avenue is on my radar.  The series is about a young couple who move in to a New York apartment building--a New York apartment building of the damned.  It sounds hokey, and it probably is.  But if it has a sense of humor about the premise and Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Terry O'Quinn (Lost) and Vanessa Williams (Desperate Housewives) bring their A games, I'll be in for the long hall.

Also of Note:

--Bob's Burgers can't come fast enough for me.  What a weird (and funny) series.  I'm especially looking forward to the later this season crossover with Archer (Jon Benjamin provides the voice talent for both series leads).

--I could bail on The Amazing Race this season, and not think twice about it.  They need to focus less on adapting their show to keep up with whatever flavor of the month is happening in reality competition series, and focus more on solid casting (I haven't watched a season finale in two seasons) and making more interesting challenges (they seem so tired).

--The Homefront will watch Once Upon a Time; The Kid is a big fan.  I'll be curious to see if the show (which finally has a story to tell in the real world) solves its narrative struggles, and delivers as solidly on the Storybrooke side as it has on the story book one.  I love the visuals here; I sure do like looking at the series, even if I don't always enjoy watching it.

Series blocked in green get unequivocal recommendation; series blocked in yellow are definitely watchable but problematic.