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Midseason TV Timeslot Wars: Which Shows Will You Watch, DVR or Skip?
It's 2013, and with the new year comes a new outlook, new resolutions and yes, even new TV viewing habits. Midseason TV: Check out the day-by-day schedule Not that there's anything wrong with the shows you already love, but some scheduling changes have necessitated a rejiggering of priorities. While some series aren't continuing past the midseason mark — XOXO, Gossip Girl! Adios, Partners! — new shows are stepping in to fill the void. And since most of us didn't get a second DVR for the holidays, we still need to pick and choose how these new offerings will figure into our limited viewing time (if at all). Below are four of the busiest midseason timeslots and our take on what to watch, DVR, skip or just watch online.
It's 2013, and with the new year comes a new outlook, new resolutions and yes, even new TV viewing habits.
Midseason TV: Check out the day-by-day schedule
Not that there's anything wrong with the shows you already love, but some scheduling changes have necessitated a rejiggering of priorities. While some series aren't continuing past the midseason mark — XOXO, Gossip Girl! Adios,Partners! — new shows are stepping in to fill the void. And since most of us didn't get a second DVR for the holidays, we still need to pick and choose how these new offerings will figure into our limited viewing time (if at all). Below are four of the busiest midseason timeslots and our take on what to watch, DVR, skip or just watch online.
MONDAYS AT 8/7C
Key Battle: The Carrie Diaries vs. Bones vs. The Biggest Loser
Now that Gossip Girl has signed off, The Carrie Dairies takes its place. It will take on a new cycle of The Biggest Loser and The Bachelor as well as fan-favorite Bones. Over on CBS, How I Met Your Mother pairs with Rules of Engagement.
Watch: Bones
There's a reason why this forensics procedural has lasted eight seasons and landed on the TVGuide.com readers' Top 10 list for Best Actor and Actress for 2012. Bones consistently delivers an alternately thrilling, humorous, intriguing and emotional story that adds up to a satisfying hour of television.
DVR: The Biggest Loser, The Carrie Diaries
Although we're thrilled that Jillian Michaels is back to whip America into shape, the addition of children competing on The Biggest Loser this season could change the impact of the show (remember The Amazing Race's awkward "family" season?). This way, we can fast-forward through the commercials and excessive crying scenes. And we're cautiously optimistic about The Carrie Diaries, which also fills Gossip Girl's New York fashionista niche. Add in the charismatic AnnaSophia Robb as young Carrie, and we're more than willing to give the Sex and the City prequel a try.
Winter TV: Get scoop on all the must-watch new shows
Skip: The Bachelor, Rules of Engagement
Is it a guilty pleasure? Sure, but in its umpteenth season, The Bachelor franchise has become so predictable (no matter how many dramatic rose ceremonies promised) that we'd give it a rest ... for this season at least. As for Rules of Engagement, the sitcom has proven its ability to survive whether we watch it or not.
Watch Online: How I Met Your Mother
Now that it's likely the series' penultimate season, we don't want to take a chance on missing an episode through a faulty DVR or interrupted programming. We will find out the identity of the mother!
MONDAYS AT 9/8C
Key Battle: The Following vs. 2 Broke Girls/Mike & Molly vs. 90210
Ignoring the second hour of ABC and NBC's reality shows (see above), we only need to focus on whether to stay with CBS comedies or 90210 or try out Fox's much ballyhooed new drama The Following.
Watch: The Following
After watching an early preview of the nail-biting serial killer drama, we understand why big-screen star Kevin Bacon chose The Following for his first regular TV gig. He plays an FBI agent trying to overtake a network of serial killers who are connected to a man from his past. We won't want to miss a single moment of this psychological, cinematic thriller or run the risk of getting spoiled.
DVR: 2 Broke Girls/Mike & Molly
We love the chemistry between the leads on Mike & Molly, and Emmy-winner Melissa McCarthy always keeps us on our toes. As for 2 Broke Girls, Ryan Hansen's hilarious Candy Andy has completely added new life to the sophomore sitcom.
Skip: 90210
The show has gotten so bad that even our diehard devotee friends admit they should stop watching. Make this one of your new year's resolutions. You'll thank us.
MONDAYS AT 10/9C
Key Battle: Castle vs. Hawaii Five-0vs. Deception
Yes, our Mondays are just jam-packed with tough decisions. In this third timeslot battle for the night, two mainstays — Hawaii Five-0 and Castle— go head to head again. Deception is NBC's newcomer entering the fray.
Watch: Hawaii Five-0
Hawaii Five-0 consistently proves that some remakes of classic shows can work. With all the action, sunny locales and "carguments," it's just plain fun. Besides, if we don't watch it live, how will we be able to choose our own episode ending?
Returning Winter TV: Where we left off and scoop on what's to come
DVR: Castle
Now that Castle and Beckett are settling into their relationship we're relying on the writers to keep them together for a little while at least. Unfortunately, that also means it's not something we must watch live.
Watch Online: Deception
Although this may seem like Revenge-lite on the surface — an attractive woman with an ulterior motive infiltrates a wealthy family — we like Meagan Good enough to sample the first episode to see how it differs. Regardless, we won't get too attached since it will be supplanted in late March when Revolution returns in this timeslot.
THURSDAYS AT 10/9C
Key Battle: Scandal vs. Elementary vs. Do No Harm
While Scandal and Elementary have remained in place from fall, NBC has added psychological drama Do No Harm to the midseason mix.
Watch: Scandal
Hello? TVGuide.com users votedScandal as its No. 1 show for 2012! The series has really picked up in its second season, and the twists keep coming. There's no chance we'll miss our weekly fix of such shamelessly over-the-top entertainment.
DVR: Elementary
Recording this Sherlock Holmes procedural allows us to rewind Jonny Lee Miller's cheeky zingers to our heart's content. We love banking a few episodes of Elementary at a time for relaxing mini-marathons of brilliant deductions.
Watch Online: Do No Harm
This looks to be schlocky melodrama at its best ... or worst. As a modern-day revamp of the Jekyll & Hyde tale, Do No Harm promises an angst-y hero, surgeon Jason Cole, who is misunderstood when his alter ego wreaks havoc on those he holds dear. We're curious how this plays out in a contemporary setting.
Do you agree? How would you handle these timeslot battles? What are your viewing habits?