I covered The League last week and this week I’m covering It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, FX’s flagship comedy series. Last week’s season opener for the show culminated in one of the funniest one liner’s in the show’s history in a sequence that saw Mac saying “It’s an Original Hitler” when it came to a picture Sweet Dee and Dennis’ Grandfather, a Nazi. It was an episode that harkened back to the second season and it was appreciated. Unlike most sitcoms that generally “forget” what has happened in the past of the show, it is a nice change of pace to show that the characters in It’s Always Sunny actually have memories.

And it sure sounds like the second episode will be filled with laughs, especially impressive for a show that is in its eighth season. It’s rare, and thus great, to see that the characters are still funny, not warn out, and are not getting on my nerves as a viewer. The only thing I question with the show is whether or not it can keep the laughs coming, which I bet they will seeing as though there are network shows that have more episodes, run longer, and keep up with the laughs (cue Friends and Seinfeld). I’m just glad that It’s Always Sunny is back!

Official Episode Description, “The Gang Recycles Trash”: With the garbage men of Philadelphia on strike, Frank concocts a plan to undercut the union and get the contract to collect the city’s trash. But when The Gang’s elaborate plan starts to fall apart, everyone will get their hands a little dirtier than expected.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns tonight at 10:00pm on FX Network. FX has really had our attention this week between this, American Horror Story, and Sons of Anarchy!

8PM

NBC: 30 Rock/Up All Night (comedies)
ABC: Last Resort (war drama)
CBS: The Big Bang Theory/Two and a Half Men (comedies)
FOX: Baseball Playoffs (sports)
CW: The Vampire Diaries (supernatural drama)
CARTOON: MAD (animated)
SPIKE: Impact Wrestling (wrestling)

9PM

CW: Beauty and the Beast (action drama)
ABC: Grey’s Anatomy (medical drama)
NBC: The Office/Parks and Recreation (comedies)
GSN: The Pyramid (game show)
A&E: The First 48 (docu)
HGTV: Extreme Homes (docu)
TLC: Four Weddings (docu)

10PM

NBC: Rock Center (news showcase)
CBS: Elementary (crime drama)
ABC: Scandal (drama)
PBS: POV (docu)
A&E: Beyond Scared Straight (docu)
FOOD: Sweet Genius (docu)
HGTV: House Hunters/House Hunters International (docu)

Who would have ever thought that a small drama about a biker club would become out of the most shocking shows on television? Currently in its fifth season, with the events of the last few episodes you’d think they were on the march to a series finale. The bloodshed and drama put this show on the top of the must see pile, almost edging out AMC’s Breaking Bad. for the most brutal and compelling show on television. It will be interesting if show creator Kurt Sutter can keep this high energy as the show moves into its sixth season and rumored final seventh season. For now, strap in and enjoy the ride.

Official Episode Description, “Small World”: Jax presents a dangerous proposal to the club.

Sons of Anarchy airs on FX Network at 10pm. What else is on tonight? A little something called the Presidential Debate…

8PM

ABC: Dancing with the Stars (reality competition)
FOX: Raising Hope/Ben and Kate (comedies)
NBC: The Voice (reality competition)
CW: Hart of Dixie (medical drama)
CARTOON: The Looney Tunes Show (animation)
DIY: Holmes on Homes (how to)
GSN: Minute to Win It (game show)

9PM

ABC/NBC/FOX/PBS: Presidential Debate (political)
CW: Emily Owens, M.D. (medical drama)
DSC: Alaska: The Last Frontier (docu)
GSN: Minute to Win It (game show)
ID: Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda (docu)
SYFY: Face Off (competition)
TRAVEL: Airport 24/7: Miami (docu)

10PM

USA: Covert Affairs (action drama)
FOOD: Chopped (competition)
BET: Keyshia & Daniel/The Soul Man (reality)
BRAVO: Flipping Out (docu)
COMEDY: Tosh .0/Brickleberry (clip comedy/comedy)
MTV: Underemployed (drama)
ID: Twisted (docu)

The show I just profiled in my “Shows You Aren’t Watching But Should” article returns for its fourth season! After the glorious mess that was last season’s finale, the show is poised to comeback with a bang as the guys (+ girl) get ready for the new draft. Though I’m not sure they can top last season’s spectacular spoof on the almost-NFL lockout, I think it could be close. Judging from the promos I’ve seen online, it looks like they’re going all out this year, and having a dream draft sequence that includes an appearance by rookie sensation Robert Griffin III. I’ve got high hopes for this season and I doubt I’ll be let down with this fantastic ensemble.

Official Episode Description, “Training Camp”: The League prepares for the draft and the arrival of Kevin and Jenny’s baby boy. Taco’s business dealings with Jerry Jones get the guys invited to the Dallas Cowboys’ Training Camp.

The League airs on FX at 10:30pm. What else is on tonight?

8PM

CBS: The Big Bang Theory/Two and 1/2 Men (comedies)
ABC: The Last Resort (war drama)
FOX: The X Factor (reality competition)
NBC: 30 Rock/Up All Night (comedies)
CW: The Vampire Diaries (supernatural drama)
SPIKE: Impact Wrestling (wrestling)
MTV: Jersey Shore (disgusting “reality”)

9PM

CW: Beauty and the Beast (action drama)
ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC/PBS: VP Debate (election coverage)
A&E: The First 48 (docu)
BBC: Top Gear (docu)
DIY: Raising House (docu)
GSN: The Pyramid (gameshow)
LIFE: Project Runway (reality competition)

10PM

FX: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (comedy)
HGTV: House Hunters/House Hunters International (docu)
A&E: Beyond Scared Straight (docu)
ID: Very Bad Men (docu)
TLC: Little Shop of Gypsies (reality)
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So far in our Shows You Aren’t Watching But Should column we have talked about Magic City and The LA Complex. Both are shows that you are not likely watching, but you should make an effort to check out. Today lets take a look at a comedy you should be watching…

The League
When you think of the FX Network and comedies your mind may flash to the likes of signature programs It’s Always Sunny in Philadephia and the multiple Emmy Award winning Louie, but the show that you really should be thinking about is the underrated comedy The League. The series features what I consider the strongest comedy ensemble on TV with Nick Kroll, Mark Duplass (one half of the Duplass Brothers, the guys behind The Puffy Chair, Jeff, Who Lives at Home, and Baghead), Paul Scheer, Stephen Rannazzisi, Jon Lajoe, and Katie Aselton. This cast delivers the laughs every single episode without missing a beat.

The show is the brainchild of Husband & Wife duo Jeff Schaffer and Jackie Marcus Schaffer, graduates of the Curb Your Enthusiasm school of comedy (literally and figuratively as they both worked on the show). The basic premise of the series is that it follows the members of a fantasy football league who take the league more seriously then anything else in their lives. It is a simple concept at its core but like great comedies before it, it exploits it to its max. From episodes that include riffs on the recent NFL lockout, sex, pornography, and even children’s toys, this is a show that is not afraid to get down and dirty — in fact, it gets dirtier then It’s Always Sunny, which has not shyed away from getting some seriously shameless laughs.

What elevates the material is the cast and their knack for improvisational comedy. All of them are masters of the craft and it shows. You can tell from watching that this cast is tighter then the regular cast of a typical TV show. They’re a group of people who clearly like to hang out on and off set. From the crude nicknames to the hilarious insults that are thrown at each other. This is show is underrated and I believe I know why. It’s because some people shy away from it because of the football nature of the show. “If you do not know football you will not ‘get’ this show” — those people think. I can say from personal experience, and as a fan of the show, that this is not the case. You do not need to have an extensive knowledge of football to enjoy this show. The football detailing is a minor part of the show and it will not deteriorate your viewing experience if, like me, you know zilch about the sport (I’m a hockey fan and participate in a couple of hockey fantasy leagues).

The characters in the show are absolutely hysterical in there own right and could really hold their own show if they wanted too. Nick Kroll steals the show as the cruel Ruxin, a lawyer who is not above hurling awful insults in his ongoing efforts to win the league. There is also Paul Scheer’s Dr. Andre, a man with horrible taste but a lot of pride, and of course Jon Lajoe’s stoner character Taco, an aspiring musician and crappy businessman who is baked every time he is on screen. Aselton, Duplass, and Rannazzisi round out the cast as normal characters, who again, serve out the insults better then they take.

The show has been able to snag some quality guest stars in its so far in its three season run, including Jeff Goldblum as Ruxin’s father, Sarah Silverman as Andre’s sister, and Ray Liotta as Ruxin’s boss. It is a show that is attracting talent and managing to get renewed despite lacking the eyeballs it really, truly deserves to have. I personally put this show up there with the best TV comedies airing right now. It is a stronger comedy then Parks & Recreation, Two & A Half Men, and 30 Rock at their prime.

If you want to settle in for a good laugh you need to seriously start watching this show. Seriously. Sure it is not a supernatural drama with huge effect, but it will cause you to laugh until you lose your breath. And that is a guarantee I can happily make for it. It deserves your eyes and you deserve to enjoy its laughs. The League‘s fourth season premieres on October 11th at 10:30pm on FX Network.

The summer is quickly coming to a close and you know what that means… TV IS ALMOST BACK! It is time to dust off the remote control and set the DVR to record all of your favorites. As we get closer and closer to the fall season, info is starting to spill out. Lets tale a look at some of the recent news.

Tina Majorino is jumping from her most recent gig on True Blood to another bloody show with a high body count, Grey’s Anatomy. You might remember Majorino from Napoleon Dynamite, Veronica Mars, and Big Love. She joins already announced guest stars including Friday Night Lights‘ “Smash” Gaius Charles and Californication‘s Camilla Luddington (who was also on True Blood). The show has a little more room to play around with new characters after cast regulars Chyler Leigh (Lexie) and Kim Raver (Teddy) left at the end of last season and Eric Dane has announced that he will be leaving after a few episodes into the new season. Last season was the best since the second season. The show really found a good stride and worked hard to make characters likeable again, and it showed and worked. I was genuinely surprised by the season finale and Lexie’s fate. I hope that the show can continue to surprise me next season.

Mad Man‘s awesome “partner” John Slattery will be guest starring on Netflix’s Arrested Development revival. This keeps with the tradition of Arrested Development having the best casting department in the business.  Slattery is a joy to watch and I hope that he is in as many episodes of the 10 episode season as possible. With the forth season of the cult comedy beginning production, expect a lot more news in coming weeks.

Keeping up with this week’s theme of casting news, Martin Sheen joined his son Charlie “#Winning” Sheen’s FX series Anger Management as… you guessed it, his father. The character first appeared yesterday and is described as “hyper-critical and a bully”. The series is still working off its initial order and is waiting for FX to decide to put in a massive 90 episode back order. If they go through with it, Martin Sheen will be staying along for the ride. What can we do to get Emilio on the show also? Throw in another 90 episodes? The elder Sheen was last seen in The Amazing Spider-Man as the ill-fated Uncle Ben.

Don’t forget with all the great TV that is coming up soon and all of the sitting and junk fooding out that you’ll be doing that is is important to stay in shape- and team sportswear will help you look good while doing it.

This post brought to you by Untitled Jersey City Project. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today we’ll be looking at the first episode of the Untitled Jersey City Project, an eight part web series with the quality and ambitions of a Cable series drama.

The first episode is two minutes long and introduces audiences to Frank George, an up and coming architect, who gets a call from his partner Ray Rahne. After the sound of gunshots, the call is cut off and Frank races to the construction site to find Ray dead. What follows is a modern noir; who killed Ray? What is going to happen to Frank? For that you’ll need to watch all of the episodes, but don’t expect answers to every question just yet. The acting is top notch and the production values are awesome. The show takes place in Jersey City (as in the title of the series) and they make the location shine. As with all noir, the city is a character in and of itself. The atmosphere lends to the mystery.

The series develops a lot of ideas and opens a lot of doors, but doesn’t close them. This gives the show a strong start to work from in future seasons of the show or if they expect to turn into a full length series. One thing that sets this web series apart is that it is from FX Networks and is labeled as a work-in-progress television series. You can get more information about show and even help name it at the link above.

Check out the video below for the first episode and don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments!

Tonight I’ll be busy watching an all new episode of (the best show on TV) Chuck. But what else is going on in the idiot box?

Smallville has an end date and will go out with a bang in the form of a two hour series finale on Friday, May 13, 2011. It is still hard to believe that the young Superman series is ending, and with how awesome the 10th season has been, I keep hoping that they will announce a continuing series for Lois and Clark or in the very least a spinoff for Green Arrow or one of the many other DC Comics heroes introduced in the series.

FX’s popular comedy The League will be returning for a 13 episode 3rd season! The series is based around a group of friends that are all part of a fantasy football league. It stars Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Jonathan Lajoie, Paul Scheer, Katie Aselton, and Stephen Rannazzisi.

The latest episode of CSI featured a cameo by non other than William Petersen’s Gil Grissom. Check it out for yourself here. It was great to see him back on the show, but it couldn’t be a little longer?

The post-Superbowl episode of Glee was actually pretty good (especially when compared to most of the lack-luster second season of the hit Fox musical). You can see the “Thriller”/”Heads will Roll” meshup over on Hulu.