So Far So Good: One Blogger's Quick Review of Fall TV

OK, so it's only been like a month since the Fall TV season started, but what better time to evaluate the shows that have invaded my weekly routine and a few that just haven't quite made the leap to must-watch.

With "30 Rock" returning this week -- featuring a delightful guest spot from the ever-creepy Steve Buscemi -- the demands on my television watching (and my DVR) will only increase, so it's time for a little editing down of my weekly watching routine. So, who's in and who's out?

"The Good Wife": OK, so the politico-geek in me nearly squealed when last night's episode made reference to a shady real estate developer named Gerald Koztco that Chris Noth's embattled state's attorney Peter Florrick may have had dealings with. Ummm, Tony Rezko, anyone? Anyone? This show just seems to get better with every episode, and it's become a must on my list.

"Community": If John Oliver and Ken Jeong are in every episode, I would watch nothing but this show on repeat. Although it was hit-or-miss last week, the show has managed to pull off its ridiculousness with ease. It's a got a great "Scrubs"-esque cast of secondary characters like Jeong as Señor Chang that'll definitely keep me hooked for the season.

"Glee": Unfortunately this one's out. It's not that I don't find it funny. It's not that I dislike it. It's not that I don't think Jane Lynch deserves every award under the sun for her hilarious turn as Sue. It's just that the whole musical angle of it -- kind of important to the premise of the show -- bugs me in a scratch-your-eyes-out way, and I just can't get past it.

"Modern Family": Here's another critical hit I'm just not feeling the love for, although I may watch for Shelley Long and Benjamin Bratt who show up as exes on the show. It's funny and well-written, but I'm feeling underwhelmed by the premise and the characters. I think this'll just have to be one of those I watch when there's nothing else on.

"The Vampire Diaries": Oh, I admit it. This is my guilty pleasure for the season, but I don't feel so guilty anymore since I found out that Ken Tucker of EW enjoys this show almost as much as I do. It's a lot darker than I originally imagined (there have already been a couple of fairly gruesome deaths that I may have fast forwarded through on the DVR). And ever since the show revealed a potential anti-vampire coalition including the local Sheriff and a TV news reporter, it seems the show actually has a plot that goes beyond teen angst and brooding looks.

All in all, it seems like the fall season has been shaping up pretty well. Any fall shows you think I should be watching or shows that you think I've treated unfairly? Let me know in the comments below.

-- Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypresssgazette.com