NEW BLOG SERIES: Bunny Ears!

For some reason, I feel compelled to find an America I recognize and feel comforted dwelling inside. That has led me to this new blog series, where I randomly choose a network TV show and watch its first season. 

For this experiment, I’m interested in:

1. What language and themes make it to network TV?

I have listened to comedy writers on podcasts for more than 10 years, so I feel I have a nuanced grasp of how show business works. This includes how difficult it is for language to make it past a gauntlet of opinions on what is palatable for the average American. 

I’m interested in learning what topics and language makes it to the broadcast and if any of these choices surprise me in 2025.

2. Does something last past one season?

I’m curious as to how long a show I randomly choose lasts in the network TV landscape. 

3. Showing appreciation for human writing and acting and 20-episode seasons and reasonable breaks between seasons of TV

All of my comfort shows are witty, well-written sitcoms with multiple, 20-episode seasons that premiered reliably every fall. If I want these shows to keep happening, I need to tune in.

4. Comfort in participating in something

Network TV served a prominent role in my childhood. I remember Fraiser droning in the background of family dinners and laughing over new The Simpsons episodes each Sunday. My friends grieved the last episode of Friends during my freshman year of high school.

I’m interested in jumping into conversations surrounding a new piece of entertainment and observing how fandoms develop for new characters and plotlines. How long does it take for fandoms to grow? Can we recreate network TV watercooler nostalgia?

5. Find something new I’ll genuinely like

Of course, I hope to find a hidden gem of entertainment that will become a new comfort show to fall asleep to forever! 

Bunny Ears: Season 1

For this inaugural experiment, I chose 10 network television shows that all premiered in January 2025:

1. Shifting Gears – ABC
2. Extreme Makeover-Home Edition – ABC
3. Suits LA – NBC
4. The Hunting Party – NBC
5. Grosse Pointe Garden Society – NBC
6. Hollywood Squares – CBS
7. Watson – CBS
8. Going Dutch – FOX
9. Extracted – FOX
10. Doc – FOX

From there, a randomizer website chose … Going Dutch, the new military workplace comedy from executive producers Denis Leary and his son.

Each week I will watch the show, check in with any fan conversations and read reviews for Going Dutch. This show has been initially ordered for 10 episodes, which will carry us to mid-March–after which I will move on to a new series premiere. 

Read the other installments of this series here.