It's possibly the worst time of the year. The holidays have ended, back to work, you're broke from the holidays, going out and Christmas all together and right up and until last year, January was pretty much a bleak month for viewers and shows too... It was always those degraded-cancelled shows in the US which would air right about now.
Not this year. M-Net's bringing all your favourite series, and some fresh new ones back even earlier this year giving you a reason to stay home and enjoy some top class local and international television!
1. Pushing Daisies
(Premieres Tuesday, 19h30)
Granted the it's the replacement show for one of my 2007 Fav's, Ugly Betty (which returns in June 2008!), but since M-Net decided on almost a month hiatus before airing it, I've come to peace with it and eager to check this series out, fueled by the 653 ads already aired!
M-Net’s newest darkest romantic comedy seems like it’s going to a magical hit. This romantic comedy shows us the strange world of a man, Ned, who can bring dead people back to life through the power of his touch. The people he touches, however, can only stay alive for one minute, and if they don't die again, someone else nearby will die.
Ned decides to use his ability to solve crime. He and a local investigator, Emerson, bring murder victims back to life and find out who killed them, to cash in on case-solving rewards. But, when Ned brings an old crush back to life, and decides to let her live, things start to get complicated...
2. The Coconuts
(Airs Wednesdays, 19h30)
M-Net took the plunge and developed it’s first local comedy sitcom (a few years behind the SABC tho), but judging from the first episode, quite a good start into the world of local sitcom.
This hilariously political incorrect sitcom tells the story of a White South African family, the Greenes, who whilst on holiday are victims of a ancestral thunder storm which changes the inverts the family’s race to being Black and changing the domestic worker, Patience to being a White person.
Unable to come to solution to revert back, the family decide to diverge into new identities learning the routes of being black, while Patience learns being White doesn’t change her role in the household.
Added to the mix is the Black neighbours who I think personally are bigger coconuts that the actual Greene Family.
The sitcom seems to have nailed the edge of South African comedy, and it's incorrect racist slurs don't make you want to cringe- a true sign of good local comedy.
This 13 episode 'sitcome airs on Wednesday nights and really is a Must See For Local TV!
3. Grey’s Anatomy 4
(Premieres 04 February 2008, 19h30)
Okay so it's not big news- since it's finale aired early December, M-Net's been promoting the hell out of the new season of Grey's which is returning sooner than ever. Still I couldn't help myself and needed my Grey's fix.
A friend of mine gave me the first 8 episode of Season 4 and while I don't want to ruin the show for anyone, it does feel a bit empty without Kate Walsh (Dr. Addison) and Issiah Washington (Dr. Preston Burke). However that is made up with newcomer Dr. Lexie Grey, who plays Meredith's half sister. Dr. Lexie Grey made her appearance in the penultimate season 3 episode, when she flirted with Derek at the bar... What is it with these Grey women and McDerek?!
The Grizzie (George and Izzie) storyline continue in Season 4 and takes a dramatic turn, Callie's role as the new Chief Resident is hardended with Bailey's dislike and Bailey's Nazism is lost in the process. Meanwhile Meredith's personal soap continues with Derek and Cristina, believe it or not bounces back quicker than ever after Burke's departure, especially when a new possible rival for her is announced as Burke's replacement which is actually an old face!
After both Addison and Ava/Rebecca leaving, Alex takes a turn for the worse - well at least his physical appearance and its left a lot to be desired with his old attitude bouncing back. Biggest change of all - all interns are first year Residents - so there's more bossing to do, and a whole new wack of Interns including George O'Malley who decides to repeat his first year.
4. Private Practice
(Premieres Next Thursday at 19h30)
From the creator of Grey's Anatomy comes a show which finally allows Kate Walsh- who plays the every so gorgeous and talented Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery-to shine.
After spending this holiday season watching Grey’s Anatomy 1 – 4, I noticed that Grey’s didn’t allow Addison’s true beauty to shine. She was incredibly toned down with those horrible glasses and some (hilarious) facial expressions.
Judging from the 563 Private Practice ads which M-Net had aired – I swear I’ve seen more hours of Private Practice ads than there is completed episodes of the first season- Addison really shines in this role and is as glamorous, charming and stylish as ever.
Kate Walsh shines as Dr. Addison Montgomery
The series was derived from a two hour back-door pilot (The Other Side of This Life, Part 1 & Part 2) used in the third season of Grey’s Anatomy, viewers will remember it when it aired in November last year.
After reaching a dead end at Seattle Grace, Addison takes a road trip and returns to Ocean Wellness in Santa Monica where she accepts a job and starts her life over again with her two best former friends and together start a private practice. Unlike Grey’s, Private Practice takes a lighter, comedic tone to the medical profession and I personally am counting down the hours till Addison graces our screens on Thursday nights replacing ER.
5. Desperate Housewives 4
(Premieres Thursday 31 January 2008, 19h30)
Susan, Lynette, Gabrielle, and Bree are back for a delicious fourth season in Wisteria Lane. Good news- No one (yet) has fallen pregnant so there wont be any Maternity leave for any of the actresses, such as Marcia Cross' three month abscence from the show last season!
Better news- there's some new neighbours on the street and without giving too much away, there's some competition for Bree, and some Gay neighbour which make Susan's life a little mishap.
Picking up where last season ended, Season Four opens with posed questions such as did Edie die? What's going to happen with Gabby and Victor's Marriage since she cheated on him with Carlos on her Wedding day? Will Bree be able to keep her fake pregnancy a secret? How will Lynette deal with the Lymphoma? Will Susan get her Happily Ever After?
Unfortunately the return of the Ladies of Wisteria Lane means we have to bid farewell to the Walker clan of Brothers & Sisters which airs it's Finale next Thursday- be sure not to miss it. On a positive note, Brothers & Sisters 2 is scheduled to return once Desperate Housewives 4 ends it's run!
Be sure not to miss the vicious incredible Episode 8 on March 20, 2008! It's going to blow you away- literally!
6. Nip/Tuck 5
(Airs Wednesday, 21h00 NOW ON M-Net Series)
Keep checking back for more previews for all new and upcoming exciting series!
Change is inevitable. Tell that the whoever scheduled the fifth season of Nip/Tuck which now airs on M-Net Series. Don't know why the show made a jump but instead M-Net decided to air the Glenn Close thriller, Damages.
Season 5 picks up directly after Season 4's rebroadcast. Fear not if you've missed it, we're just a few episodes into the new season. After packing thier bags and moving from beautiful Miami, Sean and Christian move to the L.A to start up thier new practice and I've always waited to see these two hit the Hills of Hollywood and literally, they do- as seen in the promo!
Don't miss Christian and Sean take Hollywood's plastic surgery by storm!
7. Prison Break
(Premieres Tuesday 05 February 2008, 20h30)
Originally set to Premiere in March 2008, Prison Break returns a bit earlier with it's fourth season with even more action and excitement.
Now locked up in a Panamanian prison known as Sona, Michael, T-Bag, Bellick, and Mahone try to find a way out. Much to their devastation, they soon find out that the prison has been abandoned by the authorities because of the immense threat from the vile inmates.
Michael seeks for an inmate named Whistler in the prison sewers. As Lincoln is puzzled by Sara's sudden disappearance, he learns that LJ has gotten into some trouble.
Trivia: Look out for the show's new opening theme. Due to Season 4 being filmed in Sona rather than Fox River, the show has remixed a new Opening Sequence with a remixed version of the original tune used!
8. Weeds
(Airs Tuesdays, 22h30)
Little Boxes, Little Boxes... is the tune your unable to get out your head and just reminds you how much you missed this show. Especially after seeing the second season rebroadcasted on M-Net Series, Go and M-Net Holiday with a cliffhanger finale just made you itch like a druggie for the third season!
The third season opened up with Nancy goes in search of both of her sons while trying not to get shot by either U-Turn or the Armenians. Celia gets Silas to make a confession and he gets arrested. Dean and Doug have a talk about their marriages. Andy gets punched in the face.
With all good things that come, there sadly are some things we'll say goodbye to, to make some place on the schedule. Sadly some goodbyes are needed for these shows which are ending or already coming to an end:
Brothers & Sisters, CSI: Miami, The Tudors, State of Mind, ER, Daybreak, CSI: New York and Heartland.
And Fortunately we have some other shows to look forward to over the course of 2008:
January 2008:
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader: SA Version (New)
Back To You (New)
Damages (New)
Feast of the Uninvited (New)
Big Bang Theory (New)
Desperate Housewives
Private Practice (New)
The Coconuts (New)
February 2008:
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Grey's Anatomy
Without a Trace
Prison Break
March 2008:
Dexter
My Name is Earl
April 2008:
30 Rock
Californication (New)
Friday Night Lights
Sarah Conner Chronicles (New)
May 2008:
Smallville
The Riches
June 2008:
Ugly Betty
Eli Stone (New)
Women's Murder Club (New)