The Secret Circle Archives

Monday Madness: Favorite TV Sisters

Since our last poll featured TV brothers, now it’s time to vote for TV sisters!

Sisters seem to be a lot less common on TV than brothers. Like the previous poll, I only included more recent shows (2000-present, hence the absence of the Huxtable sisters), and included both half- and step-sisters (but not sisters-in-law). There are some slight spoilers for a few shows (two characters actually being sisters, a sister being still alive to be in multiple episodes, etc.).

I also did not include sisters when one of them is only in a handful of episodes. For example, Robin Scherbatsky’s sister Katie is only in 2 episodes (so far). My general rule of thumb was going with sisters who had both/all been in at least 1/3 of the episodes. Be sure to keep that in mind with any nominations!

The winner of last week’s poll was Dean and Sam Winchester of Supernatural! Second place went to the Holmes brothers (Sherlock), followed by Klaus and Elijah (The Originals), Damon and Stefan (The Vampire Diaries), and Pete, Derrick, and Randy (Enlisted)!

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 5 of your favorite TV sister duos (or trios). Be sure to spread the word so your favorites will win!

Even though there are many options on this list, I know there are sisters I left out! As always, you can cast write-in ballots by leaving a comment, and if I receive several nominations, I may add them to the poll! Want more of a say in what makes it onto the poll each week? Be sure to follow me on Twitter, since I usually ask for nominations for the next Monday Madness the weekend before the new poll.

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s Monday Madness! Voting ends around 12AM March 17th.

Who are your favorite TV sisters? (Choose up to 5!)

Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell, and Paige Matthews (Charmed) (14%, 21 Votes)
Buffy and Dawn Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (13%, 19 Votes)
Mary, Edith, and Sybil Crawley (Downton Abbey) (12%, 17 Votes)
Abbie and Jenny Mills (Sleepy Hollow) (12%, 17 Votes)
Beth and Maggie Green (The Walking Dead) (10%, 15 Votes)
Mary, Lucy, and Ruthie Camden (7th Heaven) (10%, 15 Votes)
Annie Walker and Danielle Brooks (Covert Affairs) (6%, 9 Votes)
Laurel and Sara Lance (Arrow) (5%, 7 Votes)
Meredith and Lexie Grey (Grey's Anatomy) (4%, 6 Votes)
Sarah and Julia Braverman (Parenthood) (4%, 6 Votes)
Kristin, Mandy, and Eve Baxter (Last Man Standing) (3%, 5 Votes)
Siobhan Martin and Bridget Kelly (Ringer) (3%, 4 Votes)
Amber and Abby Weaver (The Neighbors) (1%, 2 Votes)
Emily Thorne and Charlotte Grayson (Revenge) (1%, 1 Votes)
Cassie Blake and Diana Meade (The Secret Circle) (1%, 1 Votes)
Amy and Ashley Juergens (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) (1%, 1 Votes)
Jane Kerkovich-Williams and Alex Kerkovich (Happy Endings) (1%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 62

Loading ...

Share this post:

Favorite TV Show We Said Farewell to in 2012

No, we didn’t get the end of the world in 2012, but it was the end for several story worlds we’ve grown to love. Which of these dearly departed shows are your favorites?

Fans have used Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, forums, Reddit, Pinterest, blogs, and chatboxes to get the word out about past polls. Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you share this post, or you can mouse over the image above!

I know I’m missing a few shows that ended in 2012, so feel free to nominate other shows on our Facebook page, tweeting me at @waterfallbooks, or by leaving a comment below. (Be sure to stick with live-action, scripted shows.) Also, there are several shows that have been canceled, but will air their final episodes in 2013, and are therefore not included below (Fringe, Last Resort, The Office, etc.).

Without further ado, vote for up to five of the shows below! Poll will close Monday night, December 31st, so spread the word quickly!

What's your favorite show we said farewell to in 2012? (Choose up to 5!)

Leverage (48%, 556 Votes)
Merlin (10%, 117 Votes)
Chuck (8%, 96 Votes)
House (7%, 77 Votes)
Eureka (6%, 71 Votes)
The Finder (4%, 48 Votes)
The Closer (4%, 45 Votes)
Fairly Legal (2%, 28 Votes)
Common Law (2%, 25 Votes)
The Secret Circle (2%, 19 Votes)
Ringer (1%, 17 Votes)
Gossip Girl (1%, 15 Votes)
Awake (1%, 13 Votes)
Alcatraz (1%, 6 Votes)
Bent (0%, 5 Votes)
NYC 22 (0%, 5 Votes)
One Tree Hill (0%, 5 Votes)
GCB (0%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 715

Loading ...

Share this post:

Broadcast Freshmen Grading – How Did I Do With 2011-2012’s New Shows?

Aside from a few midseason debuts and several likely-canceled shows, ABC, CBS, the CW, Fox, and NBC have all made their decisions about which new shows are returning, and which aren’t. How did I do at picking which shows to watch this year?

ABC

Canceled: Charlie’s Angels, GCB, Man Up, Missing, Pan Am, The River, Work It

Renewed: Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Last Man Standing, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Scandal, Suburgatory

I tried out Missing but wasn’t hooked. I fell in love with Once Upon a Time and Suburgatory, and my feelings for the B—- are a little mixed, but generally positive. I would have tried Revenge if I had time, and I planned to preview Scandal but was deterred by less-than-stellar reviews.

I give myself an A+ for ABC.

CBS

Canceled: A Gifted Man, How to Be a Gentleman, NYC 22, Rob, Unforgettable

Renewed: 2 Broke Girls, Person of Interest

I watched How to Be a Gentleman since it was the only 1/2 hour show in an empty timeslot. I disliked both Rob and Unforgettable, giving up on episode 2 for both after allowing the pilot a little leeway. I watched 2 Broke Girls and Person of Interest from the start, and liked both (though 2 Broke Girls has degraded some over the year).

I give myself an A+ for CBS.

The CW

Canceled: Ringer, The Secret Circle

Renewed: Hart of Dixie

I only watched Ringer, which I wanted to love more than I did. Sarah Michelle Gellar and the unexpected yumminess of Ioan Gruffudd kept me watching through a rough start, but I’m glad I saw the whole thing through till the end. I watched the Hart of Dixie pilot, but medicial + the South wasn’t my cup of tea.

I give myself a C- for the CW.

Fox

Canceled: Alcatraz, The Finder, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Terra Nova

Renewed: New Girl, Touch

I watched two new Fox shows, The Finder and New Girl. Didn’t even try the others. New Girl took a bit to grow on me, but I loved The Finder from the start, and am glad I watched it.

I give myself a C+ for Fox.

NBC

Canceled: Are You There, Chelsea?, Awake, Bent, Best Friends Forever, Free Agents, The Playboy Club, Prime Suspect, The Firm

Renewed: Grimm, Smash, Up All Night, Whitney

NBC canceled 8 new shows (of which I watched 3), and renewed 4 (of which I watched 2). I didn’t watch a single episode of the other 7. Grimm and Smash deserved the renewal for being fresh and catchy, something that Awake’s excellent but dour presentation could have used. Cop shows seem to work best with a bit of lightheartedness thrown in, a fact that Grimm realized by bringing in Monroe more. Awake’s twin tragedies prevented all but a slight wry sense of humor. The conspiracy behind Awake’s two realities could have counterbalanced that, but the show’s creators seemed to be saving most of that for future seasons, which ironically prevented future seasons by not hooking viewers. Bent and Free Agents were under-promoted and misrepresented, which almost caused me to miss out on them – how much more a casual TV viewer?

I give myself a C for NBC.

What new shows did you watch this year?

Share this post:

Arrow, Beauty and the Beast TV Shows Picked Up, Nikita, Hart of Dixie Renewed By The CW – TVLine

The CW has renewed Nikita for its 3rd season (which also makes a 4th season more likely), and picked up 5 pilots to series: Arrow, Beauty and the Beast, The Carrie Diaries, Cult, and First Cut. No mention has been made of the much buzzed about Hunger-Games-meets-The-Bachelor drama The Selection.

Update: more renewal news! Fellow bubble show Hart of Dixie has been renewed (anyone think they won’t pair it with First Cut?). Also, Gossip Girl was picked up for a shortened 11-episode season 6. Already renewed: Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, and 90210, bringing the CW’s total to 11 hour-long shows. Freshmen dramas Ringer and The Secret Circle have been canceled.

The link below leads to full descriptions of the new shows picked up to series:

The Carrie Diaries, Arrow and Beauty and the Beast TV Shows Picked Up By The CW – TVLine.

Continue reading Arrow, Beauty and the Beast TV Shows Picked Up, Nikita, Hart of Dixie Renewed By The CW – TVLine

Share this post:

Monday Madness: Favorite New Show

This week on Monday Madness, it’s time to vote for your favorite new TV shows! This poll is for all live-action scripted shows that aired their first US episode between June 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012, and includes both broadcast and cable shows.

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 10 of your favorite new shows. Be sure to spread the word so your favorites will make it into the top 10!

Even though there are 50 options on this list, I know there are some shows I left out (I think there are only a few canceled shows or lesser-known cable shows left out this week)! As always, you can cast write-in ballots (for new live-action scripted shows only please) by leaving a comment. Want more of a say in what makes it onto the poll each week? Be sure to follow me on Twitter, since I usually ask for nominations for the next Monday Madness the weekend before the new poll.

Next week’s poll will focus on favorite season and series finales. Please nominate your favorite finales by leaving a comment! In your comment, be sure to note the show, season, episode title, and not-too-spoilery descriptive phrase (think of what a promo for that episode would say). For example: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2, “Becoming, Part Two.” Aided by an unlikely ally, Buffy must face Angel to save the world.

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s Monday Madness! Voting ends around 1AM May 7th.

UPDATE: This poll has closed. You can view the top ten list here.

This poll sponsored by Nannerbug Designs. Contact me if you would like to sponsor next week’s poll!

What's your favorite new show? (Choose up to 10!)

Once Upon a Time (10%, 168 Votes)
Person of Interest (9%, 144 Votes)
Grimm (9%, 144 Votes)
The Finder (7%, 111 Votes)
Bent (5%, 78 Votes)
New Girl (4%, 70 Votes)
Alphas (3%, 55 Votes)
2 Broke Girls (3%, 48 Votes)
Falling Skies (3%, 48 Votes)
Revenge (2%, 41 Votes)
Suburgatory (2%, 40 Votes)
Alcatraz (2%, 39 Votes)
GCB (2%, 39 Votes)
Touch (2%, 38 Votes)
Awake (2%, 36 Votes)
The Secret Circle (2%, 36 Votes)
Terra Nova (2%, 35 Votes)
Smash (2%, 34 Votes)
Ringer (2%, 33 Votes)
Hart of Dixie (2%, 33 Votes)
Scandal (2%, 32 Votes)
Suits (2%, 30 Votes)
American Horror Story (2%, 29 Votes)
Last Man Standing (2%, 26 Votes)
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (1%, 25 Votes)
Franklin & Bash (1%, 25 Votes)
Switched at Birth (1%, 23 Votes)
Homeland (1%, 21 Votes)
Pan Am (1%, 21 Votes)
Unforgettable (1%, 19 Votes)
Up All Night (1%, 18 Votes)
Necessary Roughness (1%, 17 Votes)
Missing (1%, 17 Votes)
A Gifted Man (1%, 16 Votes)
The River (1%, 16 Votes)
Spartacus: Vengence (1%, 13 Votes)
Whitney (1%, 12 Votes)
Prime Suspect (1%, 9 Votes)
NYC 22 (0%, 8 Votes)
House of Lies (0%, 8 Votes)
Are You There, Chelsea? (0%, 8 Votes)
The Firm (0%, 7 Votes)
Best Friends Forever (0%, 7 Votes)
I Hate My Teenage Daughter (0%, 6 Votes)
Rob (0%, 2 Votes)
Boss (0%, 2 Votes)
Charlie's Angels (0%, 2 Votes)
How to Be a Gentleman (0%, 1 Votes)
Free Agents (0%, 1 Votes)
Man Up (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 568

Loading ...

Share this post:

The CW – Pilots and Cancellations for 2012-2013

I promised I’d continue the discussion on TV show pilots in the future, and now, a month later, I’m finally getting to it. But what a difference a month can make! Many of these pilots have now signed major cast, so we can get a far better idea of what the show will be like.

And for every show a network picks up, another must depart, so we’ll be looking at which shows aren’t likely to get another season. Since scripted shows are this site’s focus, I’ll ignore any changes to unscripted shows and assume they’ll have the same amount of hours next year.

To make things a little easier as I get started, I’m beginning with the lowest-rated broadcast network with limited hours, the CW.

For 2011-2012, the CW has nine regular-season scripted shows, all hour-long dramas. Three are freshmen (Ringer, The Secret Circle, Hart of Dixie), and one is in its final season (One Tree Hill). Ringer is heading for cancellation, and Hart of Dixie isn’t far behind. Sophomore Nikita isn’t much better, but being on a Friday may give the show some leeway, and Gossip Girl hasn’t left the danger zone.

That means there will be 3-4 (or even 5 if the network wants to make drastic changes to improve in the demo) slots open for new shows next season. The CW has ordered 8 pilots, and most look like strong contenders.

Arrow

A modern retelling of DC Comic’s Green Arrow, this show has a strong cast and good buzz (especially for a superhero that looks like a caricatured Robin Hood). Stephen Amell stars as Oliver Queen, with Susanna Thompson (Kings) and Willa Holland as his mother and sister, Katie Cassidy and Paul Blackthorne as his love interest and her father, and Colin Donnell (Pan Am) as his best friend. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a dearth of superhero shows, which may give Arrow an extra edge to make it to series. And having a Warehouse 13 vet helping helm the show should only help.

Beauty and the Beast

A pretty odd choice for a remake show, but since it’s only “loosely based” on the 1980s procedural and stars Kristin Kreuk and Austin Basis, the show may do okay. Since Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, I’m going to at least check this out if it makes it to series. Fairy tales are in right now, but I have no clue what direction this show plans to take.

The Carrie Diaries

I had no interest in this show whatsoever until I heard it cast AnnaSophia Robb, whose acting I’ve loved since Bridge to Terebithia. I still don’t think I’ll watch. Sex and the City plus the 1980s? Ugh. And even if it does make it to series based off the other show’s (and movies’) popularity, the demographic that would likely watch it aren’t going to be very familiar with a show that aired a decade ago.

Cult

Mysterious disappearances surrounding a cult TV show? Sorry, but I need more than a minor character from Veronica Mars (Alona Tal) showing up to perk my interest.

First Cut

Medical shows don’t really interest me, and I’m not familiar with Justin Hartley (the CW show Smallville’s Green Arrow) or Mamie Gummer. Michael Rady I know as Kostas on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and I don’t even remember Kelly McCreary’s brief appearances on White Collar. Working at a hospital being like high school all over again could work, but I fear the concept would either disappear or be overplayed.

Joey Dakota

Romantic time-travel musical sounds a bit far-fetched, and the name of the show sounds like a cross between the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana. I’m not familiar with Amber Stevens or Leah Renee, the only cast announcements made so far. I’ll check it out for the novelty if it makes it to series, but I think it’s unlikely.

The Selection

“An epic romance set 300 years in the future which centers on a poor young woman who is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition to become the next queen of a war-torn nation at a crossroads.” That was intriguing enough. Then I found out it was being headed up by Angel and Dollhouse scribes Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain. I’m not familiar with leads Aimee Teegarden or Ethan Peck, and I’ve only seen Sean Patrick Thomas in a few episodes of Ringer. Still, I’m definitely rooting for this one, even though many are claiming it sounds too similar to The Hunger Games.

Shelter

The Help. New England resort. J.J. Abrams. That’s pretty much all that’s known about this show so far.

If I had my choice on which pilots make it to series, I’d pick The Selection, Arrow, and Beauty and the Beast (in that order). Based on buzz and cast, I’m guessing First Cut and The Carrie Diaries are more likely to be picked up than the remaining Cult, Joey Dakota, and Shelter.

What shows do you think the CW should pick up, and which shows should it cancel?

Update: cancellation and pickup verdicts for the CW here!

Share this post:

Ratings: Rob Has Grande Premiere, Finder Gets Lost in Shuffle as Person of Interest Hits Highs – TVLine

I was surprised The Finder did so poorly on its first time out, but it had a lot of competition at 9PM: Person of Interest (with most viewers ever – probably thanks to an awesome fall finale), Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, and The Secret Circle. I thought The Finder’s pilot (which featured finding a missing pilot) was decent, but I’m probably going to watch Person of Interest live from now on (maybe CBS.com’s video player stinks on purpose, since that makes people want to watch live instead). Going to check out Rob – if it’s good, I’ll be watching CBS from 8-10 on Thursdays.

Ratings: Rob Has Grande Premiere, Finder Gets Lost in Shuffle as Person of Interest Hits Highs – TVLine.

Share this post:

People’s Choice Awards 2012

I like voting for things. Especially when they have to do with my favorite shows. So I thought I’d provide a quick rundown of this year’s People’s Choice Award Nominees. Just the TV section, mind you, and only the scripted shows. I usually haven’t seen most of the movies (I did vote for Thor over the very close choice of Captain America), and I’ve don’t listen to nearly all of the music artists.

FAVORITE NETWORK TV DRAMA

Pretty much a no-brainer that I was voting for House. Supernatural hasn’t captured my attention, and while The Good Wife looks like a solid show, I’ve never seen it (blame my lawyer aversion). And Grey’s Anatomy and The Vampire Diaries look FAR too soapy for me.

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTOR

How can I choose between David Boreanaz and Nathan Fillion? Fortunately, with this award, I can vote as often as I like, so I’ve been alternating between the two. Not so when the two face each other in Round 3 of TV Line’s “Ultimate Law-Enforcement Crushes Bracket Tournament.” I don’t know how I’ll pick. Nathan has Castle and Firefly and Dr. Horrible and now Much Ado About Nothing. David has Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I’m ignoring Nathan as Caleb since I hated him in that role) and Angel and Bones.

Hugh Laurie only gets a distant third in this category, and Ian Somerhalder and Patrick Dempsey are soundly ignored by me.

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTRESS

A very easy vote for Emily Deschanel. I haven’t even heard of some of the others on the list: Blake Lively, Ellen Pompeo, Eva Longoria, and Nina Dobrev.

FAVORITE CABLE TV DRAMA

Another super easy choice, as I only watch White Collar. Game of Thrones does sound good, though, and people have recommended Dexter to me. Don’t know about True Blood and Pretty Little Liars.

FAVORITE NETWORK TV COMEDY

The Big Bang Theory gets my vote most of the time for this one, but I’ll occasionally vote for How I Met Your Mother as well. Interesting that Dr. Horrible is competing against his sidekick, Moist. I only enjoy Glee for the music, Two and a Half Men is crude instead of funny, and I’ve never seen Modern Family.

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTOR

Hmm, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) or Barney (Neil Patrick Harris)? Same as above, I’ll usually tilt toward the Thursday night show but occasionally choose the Monday night one. Alec Baldwin, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith don’t make me laugh.

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTRESS

Kaley Cuoco wins hands down over Courteney Cox, Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, and Tina Fey.

FAVORITE CABLE TV COMEDY

I don’t currently watch any of these, though I used to watch Royal Pains (seriously, why is this a nominee instead of Psych?). I may come back to the show later, I’m just not a huge fan of medical shows (House is the only one I watch now) and not too fond of the main character (loved Evan and Divya, though). It does get my vote over the shows I haven’t seen: Hot in Cleveland, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Nurse Jackie, and Weeds.

FAVORITE TV CRIME DRAMA

When I first saw the nominees for this category, I thought, Are you kidding? I’ve mentioned several times on this blog that Bones, Castle, and NCIS are my top three crime dramas, and all three were nominated this year! I voted for each of them. I’ve only seen bits of CSI and Criminal Minds episodes.

FAVORITE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW

I’ve only seen Supernatural on this list, so I voted for it, but Fringe has been on my to-watch list for a long while. From what I’ve heard, I think I’d prefer True Blood to The Vampire Diaries (too bad my favorite currently-airing vampire show, Being Human, didn’t make the list), and since zombies bore me, The Walking Dead has only appeared on my radar since its ratings are good.

FAVORITE TV GUEST STAR

I loved Jim Carrey’s appearance on The Office, and would have much preferred his character to Robert California. Katy Perry’s appearance on How I Met Your Mother was funny, but I felt like most actresses could have played the role well. I didn’t see the appearances of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Chenoweth, or Michael J. Fox.

FAVORITE NEW TV DRAMA

Twelve options is a lot to choose from, but Once Upon a Time has wowed me in all three episodes. Ringer is a close second and gets my vote every once in a while. Person of Interest has built slowly but is improving, and Grimm’s two episodes have been good enough for me to keep watching.

Out of the remaining shows, I’ve only seen Unforgettable, which I hated. Pilots sometimes don’t match the rest of a show, but I couldn’t even get halfway through episode two. I’ve heard good things about Pan Am, Terra Nova, and Revenge, but my “new shows to try out” list already had 11 shows on it (plus more than a dozen returning shows). Medically-minded Hart of Dixie and A Gifted Man didn’t sound like quite my thing, and neither did The Secret Circle or Prime Suspect.

FAVORITE NEW TV COMEDY

2 Broke Girls was super-easy choice for this category, though Suburgatory has been good and New Girl has been okay. Guessed to be not my cup of tea by the previews: Whitney, Up All Night, Last Man Standing, and Man Up. I don’t watch animated TV (the only way I think I ever would was if Joss Whedon created an animated show), so no Allen Gregory.

What did you vote for? Are there any shows mentioned that you think I should be watching?

Share this post: