Hellcats Was Cancelled!!!!!

No more Hellcats. We can continue to not write about it now. We saw this announced yesterday, but we just now decided to post about it, because we just remembered that some of you readers watch that show.

One of us actually really enjoyed this show, and is kind of bummed to see it go. Other than The Vampire Diaries, America's Next Top Model (and Gossip Girl), Hellcats was the only show on The CW that either of us watched.

Ern's Five Favorite New Shows

Leeard needs a little more time to decide (three episodes instead of one or two), but Ern is pretty sure that these are the five shows worthy of viewing, if the genre is your taste, of course. Neither Leeard nor Ern really have genre biases. We like guy shows, girl shows, sci-fi, history, fantasy, teen stuff, soapy stuff, mysteries, violence, medical shows, legal shows, satire, comedies, and more. Here is Ern's list pulled from all the new shows that are still on air. Lone Star would have made the list, but the network drones took it off after two episodes.

1. Boardwalk Empire - This should come as no surprise, due to the quality, acting, history, characters, and story. It makes us feel like we've been watching this show for years. It plopped us right into Chicago mobster history with style, a little family drama, humor, and brutality. It's unpretentious for an HBO show and easy to watch, but it's not stupid.

2. Blue Bloods - Ern doesn't usually flock to cop shows, but this one pulled her in immediately. There is family drama, a secret organization of cops who act more like vigilantes, a "dirty" cop who you kind of root for, an overarching murder mystery, and, so far, interesting cases. There's really nothing else on Friday nights, so there's really no reason to skip this cop drama. Plus, it has Len Cariou in it. He's the really old guy with white hair. Broadway nerds will remember that Len Cariou was the original Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury. His voice is so great that when we watch the Johnny Depp Sweeney Todd, we watch it with Len Cariou on our ipods and mute the TV during the songs. Just hear for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kt5PsyEMWk&feature=related He's the guy who talks first and sings second (the one who doesn't sound like a creepy old man) We love that this talented old-timer is still kickin and making shows.

3) No Ordinary Family- This show was surprisingly fun, and it's good for the whole family to watch. The pacing made it easy to stick with, but it wasn't infantilizing. We hope this one can find an audience and stick around.

4) The Event- So far, this show is one of the best because we don't want to stop watching it. It's exciting, we think it's going to start focusing more on character development, and we like a high-concept show. It could get bad, like Flashforward did. But for now, it's one of the most promising new shows.

5) The Defenders- This is sort of the best by default because Ern wasn't impressed by most of the new shows. But it's a perfectly solid and fun legal drama for people who like to see laughs and twists in the courtroom.

Honorable mention: The Big C. This show is more of a comedy than Ern's other favorites, and it didn't make the top five, because it really started in the late summer. It's hard to call it "a new fun show," but it's too good not to mention it. It's light and breezy, yet respectful and true to the pain a cancer diagnosis can bring. We love the crazy main character, her precocious student (played by Precious' Gabourey Sidibe), and the main character's voluntarily homeless brother.

One to give more time to: We think that if it gets off of its "sex sells" gimmick and starts giving us smarter stories, Nikita could someday be a good show. For now, it's not as exciting or cohesive as it needs to be, but it's one Ern is keeping an eye on.

Ern's bottom five: My Generation, Chase, Detroit 1-8-7, Undercovers, Hellcats (just rent Bring It On, people; it's way better)

Thoughts on two new shows: Hellcats and Terriers

Notice: These shows are not about animals

HELLCATS
Plot: A pre-law student is forced to become a cheerleader to get a scholarship

This show is just as lame as you’d think, but I’m glad to see Ashley Tisdale getting some work outside of the Disney Channel. She seems like a sweet girl. And Aly (from Christian rock duo Aly & AJ) sure grew up nice. Man, I want a beauty mark like that. Along with a face like that. She plays the blonde lead, Marti. She’s gorgeous and charismatic, but she doesn’t fit her part. She doesn’t come across as someone who would have trouble fitting in or being a cheerleader. Comedic potential is wasted there. Watching a nerd become a cheerleader could be entertaining, but this girl is no nerd. This show would have been better if the two leads switched roles, or if they had picked someone besides Aly. Leave this show to the tweens and rent “Bring it On.” We won’t be returning to it.

Episode grade: C.
Episode grade for what it was/who it was aimed at: C+

TERRIERS
Plot: Slacker private investigators in California make a powerful enemy doing a favor for a friend

This show has potential. The pilot was entertaining, but not mind-blowing. The dialogue was not as clever as it needed to be, and the buddy-cop/crime dynamic has been done. Also, the PIs’ love lives are dull, but included in the show. However, I enjoyed most of the pilot, and I can see the writers setting up a good overarching plot arc. There were some funny moments and the lead characters are appealing. But you will guess this weeks’ baddie the second you meet him. I hope the mysteries they solve have more twists in the future. I'm going to keep watching. Terriers is officially added to blog coverage...for now.

Episode grade: B-