Ready to hibernate...in front of the TV

Torontonians like to complain about six months of winter and how miserable it is. Another way to view winter is to see it as six months of guilt-free indoor activity. The weather is still mild outside but I can't wait for it to get frightful, especially with the TV line up this season.
True Blood

The series was heavily promoted at Comic Con 2008 with massive posters advertising a synthetic blood drink product, a free comic book tied into the main story, and tank tops with 'Fang Banger' printed across the chest. I was ready to write off True Blood thanks to the agressive marketing campaign and my prejudice against vampire stories. But a positive preview of the series in Vogue convinced me that it could appeal to audiences beyond the usual angsy suburban goth tween. Come to think of it, the show's association with HBO and Alan Ball should have clued me in on the hilarity and the nudity. The premiere episode confirmed both. Excellent.

Fringe

The new J.J. Abrams series is promising because Abrams has decided to produce a show that will not cause its viewers to bleed from the ears while attempting to understand the storyline. I was impressed with the acting and characterizations shown in the pilot even if the plot borrowed too heavily from The X-Files conspiracy bag. Anna Torv was vulnerable yet respectable in her understated depiction of an FBI agent. John Noble played the crazy scientist convincingly while remaining sympathetic. And Joshua Jackson was believable as a grown man. Who knew?

Flashpoint
Flashpoint started as a scab to the Writer's Guild of America strike but the show has won my respect for a number of reasons; a solid series that does not hide the fact that it is shot in Toronto (ie CN Tower and TTC are clearly shown, Toronto streets are referred to), with Canadian actors in lead roles (former Headstones frontman, Hugh Dillon and the martian boss from Galaxy Quest, Enrico Colantoni), and a preference for non-violent resolution to every crisis. Finally, a Canadian series with all the positives and none of the cheap lighting and hammy acting (jPod, Sophie, Heartland, fuck CBC Television).

So You Think You Can Dance Canada
Joe and I have been hooked on the American series, So You Think You Can Dance, for the past three seasons. Unfortunately, the premiere episode of the Canadian competition demonstrated the downsides of its location; the famous Canadian reserve means there is less crazy on display during the auditions but also fewer fiery performances. Plus, I hate the host, Leah Miller. She has none of the warmth and social acumen of the American version's host, Cat Deely. I'll keep watching but may well abandon ship if someone doesn't show some unbridled passion soon.

Dollhouse
I know very little about Dollhouse since I was shut out from the panel discussion at Comic Con 2008. What got me excited about the show is simply the fact that it reunites Joss Whedon with Eliza Dushku, and features that hunky Canadian actor from Battlestar Galactica. The Whedon magic begins in January 2009, just in time to distract me after the Christmas lights and shopping are done.

And it goes without saying that I will be watching Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Chuck, Dexter and House. So many shows, so little time to build a nest, pack on some pounds and grow a warm coat.