Ana and D.S. were discussing Bones, in reference to kickass heroines and, of course, television we like. We might read books by the metric ton but, speaking for myself anyway, I love me some tv. I just moved the Tivo up to the workout room in my house to launch my lazy ass upstairs on to the treadmill if I want to watch tv.
So, aside from Bones, there are a couple kickass heroines debuting on tv. I’m very curious about Heroes, which is about a group of people who discover they have superpowers. The token hot chick appears to be played by Ali Larter, and I don’t know if she can act her way out of a paper bag, but the ensemble does include at least four women, so if they’re ass kicking, I’ll be watching (from my treadmill).
In the not-about-the-heroine department, we’ve also asked the DVR to get us some episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but both Hubby and I are suckers for anything Aaron Sorkin. I’d read his holiday family newsletter and pay for the privilege.
What other shows are premiering, or continuing that feature asskicking heroines? And what shows are you looking forward to this fall?
I already reviewed “Standoff,” complaining about its hold on me because I am a romantic sucker. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to “Heroes,” and “Sunset Strip” has just been too much buzz not to try. Oh, and “The Nine” – I loved the first season of “Lost” when it was still novel and this is done by the same people. Plus I have a major crush on Tim Daly.
Otherwise I just stick by “House” and “Medium” to get my weekly fix of Hugh Laurie and Jake Weber (hottest dad/husband on TV ever!).
It took me forever to realize who Hugh Laurie was. Finally it hit me that he was the actor who played Bertie Wooster on Jeeves and the Prince Regent in Black Adder. Talk about range. And he can sustain a believable American accent!
Veronica Mars and Battlestar Galactica both have ass kicking women.
I’m looking forward to Heroes and The Nine too. Mostly, I’m a sci-fi junkie, so I usually watch Sci-Fi Channel’s Friday night line-up. Really looking forward to the return of Battlestar Galactica. I also watch their run of Dead Like Me. I loved that show and was so sad when Showtime cancelled it. I love Bones and occasionally watch House.
I’m definitely looking forward to Heroes and Studio 60, plus Ugly Betty with America Ferrara.
I’m actually not that impressed with Bones. Yeah, she kicks ass and yeah the sexual tension is good (but then Angel has some experience with that) but it stretches credibility for me.
I freaking love House though. 😀 I know absolutely nothing about medicine, so if he’s totally unbelievable as well, don’t tell me. Hugh Laurie was in Sense and Sensibility BTW. He played that silly woman’s husband. Yum. A British accent makes me drool.
As for favorite females on TV, I’m loving The Unit. Season one is playing for us on AFN now, and so far they’re getting the interaction between military wives totally right.
She’s not the heroine, but Lisa Cuddy on House most definitely kicks ass. I want to be her when I grow up.
I got addicted to Grey’s Anatomy this summer, so I’ll be continuing with that medical soap opera. I’ll also be picking up Heroes, Studio 60 on Sunset Strip, and a few others I can’t remember off the top of my head. As for kickass females, I’ll be missing Alias even though I wasn’t a Sydney fan. Irina was the most awesome tv mom ever.
I was going to say Veronica Mars, as well. It’s actually the only show (well, besides Doctor Who but that’s UK television) that I watch and will not miss. The show is fun and witty.
On the other hand, a show that’s no longer on but is available on DVD (if you do Netflix) is La Femme Nikita. It was a series aired on USA about…five? years ago and the lead character, Nikita, played by Peta Wilson totally kicked major ass.
My list includes Veronica Mars (Veronica and her friend Mac both are super-smart), Battlestar Galactica (so many female ass-kickers!), Lisa Cuddy on House, Bones and Angela on Bones (and probably Cam, too; I’m withholding judgment for a few more episodes), Rochelle-the-Mom on Everybody Hates Chris (the awesomest TV mom), and, of course, Kim Bauer on 24.
…Ha, gotcha! Kim is #1 on my list of TV Characters Who Are Too Stupid Too Live. But the others, I adore.
Random TV notes:
Standoff has two strong women (the head of the unit played badass Ana Espinosa on Alias).
Vanished was a complete disappointment to me. Watched one episode, decided I didn’t care to see anymore.
I’m looking forward to Studio 60 (it starts tonight).
I just got hooked on Battlestar Galactica. It can’t be beat for kick-ass heroines.
I worship House. Enough said. 😉
And finally. Bones. It’s ok. But the books that it is somewhat based on kick ass! The books by Kathy Reichs are totally different (the character is older, splits her work between NC and Montreal, and her love interest puts Seely to shame).
I have the first season of Battlestar Galactica but haven’t watched it. All these props for it make me want to start watching!
Of course, I’d have to start from the beginning, because jumping into a tv series in the middle is like jumping into a book series in the middle for me, just can’t do it. Makes my skin itch 😉
AngieW, you still have time to get caught up—the third season starts October 6 on the SciFi Channel, and they’re also running a one-hour recap special a bunch of times between now and then. I recommend it highly.
I’m excited for Studio 60. I am hiding the remote control if anybody else is home while it is on.
I’m also excited that I read Denis Farina isn’t going to be back on L&O. That means I can watch it again.
Angie, it was friends talking about Battlestar Galactica that made me rent the DVDs. They are definitely worth it! Now I can’t wait for the new season to begin.
La Femme Nikita – oh, yesss. I loved that show in the initial seasons, especially because of the incredible chemistry between Peta Wilson and Roy Dupuis. Rwor. It was a great show that I just couldn’t watch in the last few seasons.
I’m not big on American network television, but I’m kind of looking forward to “Heroes”. I hope it really is as good as it looks.
My spare time is full of kids and reading. Occasionally watch Sci Fi Fridays or CSI (original or NCIS – love Abby!).
Isn’t Jim Butcher due for TV this fall?
What? They’re doing Betty La Fea in english??!! Why have I not heard of this?
*dies utterly*
I’m a huge fan of crime/forensic shows, so my favs are CSI(LV), L&O, and Crossing Jordan (which totally rocks my socks) Of the new shows this year I’m only really interested in Studio 60. I was a total West Wing addict, so it’s great to see another Sorkin show, if only they could have gotten Alison Janney.
I also really like Gilmore Girls, and I hope this season will be a lot better than the past one.
Hex is a British show that has some pretty kickass women in it. I just started watching it here in Mexico on A&E. Thelma is wicked-cool. And there’s a Xena-Gabrielle thing going on there.
Bones has already been mentioned.
There’s a dearth of kick-ass heroines but I love Monk and Supernatural anyway. That’s pretty much all I watch, I’m afraid.
In between work, writing, and PhD, I don’t get to watch much TV, but I do try to spend an evening with DH each week, in which we usually watch Battlestar Galactica. Yep, there’s some kick-ass women there, in various guises.
Also, the woman who was the spokeswoman/Press Liason/whatever on West Wing – I’ve only seen a few episodes, but she impressed me. Definitely someone you wouldn’t want to face for ‘words at 20 paces’.
The (first) female detective in the UK series ‘Wire in the Blood’ was also a very strong character, too.
“Bones” is friggin’ awful! I say that both as a forensic anthropology major AND someone who really dislikes actors made entirely of wood.
The Jim Butcher show is ‘The Dresden Files’ and is supposed to be on in January on Scifi.
Studio 60’s first episode was on their web site and can be watched. I checked it out last week. My DH and I are big Aaron Sorkin fans.
We were just laughing about the new TV season last week because we didn’t know any of the new shows with the exception of Sorkin’s coming out.
The only shows we’ve watched recently are DEADWOOD, RESCUE ME and of course the WEST WING’s last season. It just never had the same snap, crackle and pop after AS left the show.
I went to a party in honor of a friend’s son, who’s one of the characters on “Studio 60”, and they were playing the pilot episode, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m excited because it’s unlike, on many levels, the other shows that are already on. So here’s to something new!
(I fear, though, that I am addicted.)
BTW, if I wasn’t supposed to have seen that episode… I didn’t.
I’m looking forward to the Jim Butcher Dresden Files more than anything else, though it isn’t a kick ass heroine show. Urban fantasy with Harry or Eric or whatever they are calling him.
Veronica Mars is great, and my teenybopper daughters watch it with me.
I’m still in mourning over Buffy and Angel. And Dark Angel, and Invasion. Sniff.
And Zoe and on “Firefly” and Jasmine on “Angel” – all very powerful women (although I don’t think Jasmine was human); I watched the first episode of “Standoff” because Gina Torres was in it, but I don’t think it’s going to be a must-watch show (not that I need any more), like “Bones”, which I tried as well because of DB and the Buffyverse guest stars. I miss having a Whedon show or three on the air too.
Will be watching House, Gilmore Girls, Boston Legal, Veronica Mars and Studio 60 (which is hopefully going to be very good and not get cancelled).
The Studio 60 premiere ROCKED, didn’t it? Blessings on Sorkin’s house, forever and ever, amen.
And Supernatural premieres next Thursday, the 28th. We get to see who survives the smoooshing of the Metallicar. Hot, wounded men in hospital johnnies—what’s not to love?
I’m thinking about checking out the premiere of Jericho. Will be interested to see CBS’s political/cultural slant on nuclear Armageddon in rural Kansas. I’m guessing I won’t last the hour, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
I could’nt be bothered with Prison Break last season, but now that William Fitchner is on it, weeeell. I loves me some Fitchner!
then there’s
Studio 60 (Brad Whitford=Brainysexy)
Vanished (good clean mindcandy!)
Prison Break
House
MI-5
My DVR is tired already!
I watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for Bailey, Cristina and Addison. I could care less about Meredith – in fact, I wish they’d write more romantic heroines like the other three.
I could’nt be bothered with Prison Break last season, but now that William Fitchner is on it, weeeell. I loves me some Fitchner!
I agree, Miri. If only I had another free hour in my week! I’ve sought out Fitchner ever since he played the blind scientist on Contact and the not-blind scientist on “Grace Under Fire.” Oh, to find a romance hero like that guy!
For Fall Television I am completely hooked on “House”- Cuddy is a great Heroine and Hugh Laurie…well -sighs-, “NCIS” -Abby is amazing, “Medium” -Patricia Arquette does an amazing job as Allison Dubois. (I also watch Criminal Minds, Numbers, CSI NY (Stella is great) and all the L&0’s..each of them have strong women in them).
For Spring/Summer- The 4400..the woman who plays Diana, Conchita Campbell who plays Maya the precog girl is such a strong character and so young. The woman who plays Alana..so many strong women in there… It’s my favorite show of all time…my ring tone for cell is the 4400 mp3 :P!