Channel Surfing: “The New Girl” is easy to love

By: Sanah Faroke/Columnist

Sci Fi: “The Secret Circle”

CW, Thursdays @ 9 p.m.

While “The Vampire Diaries” is one of my favorite guilty pleasures, “The Secret Circle,” written by the same writer, L.J. Smith, failed to capture the same magic.The Sept. 15 premiere, which was preceded by some freaky previews and creepy introduction music, introduced Cassie Blake, whose mother dies in the opening scene – courtesy of a house fire that was started by black magic.This scene was one of my favorites; it seems like the witches gain their powers when they incorporate the energies of the earth – like starting a campfire. After this incident, Cassie goes to live with her grandmother in Chance Harbor, where she meets five classmates (Adam, Diana, Faye, Nick and Melissa) who have something more in common with her than classes: they’re all witches who form The Secret Circle.

I feel TSC rushed in the drama department, cramping every cliché they could think of into one hour; Adam attempted to kiss Cassie, despite being in a relationship, Faye rebelled and created a storm she couldn’t control and the man who killed Cassie’s mother turned out to be Diana’s father, the leader of the Circle.While I felt the special effects of the show were pretty good, the acting shifted from mediocre to forced. Faye’s “bad girl” attitude didn’t have me convinced.

On Sept. 29, Cassie attends a dance with an athlete from school, causing tension with Adam. Faye tries to control her powers and uses the dance as practice, while a mysterious man comes to town asking for Cassie – maybe she needs the Circle after all.

Sitcom: “New Girl”

FOX, Tuesdays @ 9 p.m.

I’ve been wanting to watch this show since I first saw the preview and I was not disappointed. The Sept. 20 premiere stars Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day, a quirky, bubbly girl who was recently dumped and  is clueless about the dating world. She moves in with three guys, Nick, Schmidt and Coach, who try to help her get back into the dating scene.Deschanel plays her typical role as the cute girl. The guys she rooms with are all completely different and keep the audience entertained; Nick is mourning his breakup from months ago, Schmidt thinks he can get any girl he wants and Coach has a hard time talking to the opposite sex without yelling at them.

The whole family bond aspect was introduced much too early. The guys ditch an exclusive party to comfort Jess. Considering they met Jess just one week ago, to already sacrifice their plans is extremely unrealistic.

On Sept. 27, the guys force Jess to get her belongings from her ex-boyfriend’s place and Jess meets another roommate, Winston, who was out of the country playing basketball.

Musical/Drama: “Glee”

FOX, Wednesdays @ 8 p.m.

I can genuinely say that I hate musicals, but since Glee does music covers with their own special renditions, it makes the show very versatile.However, the Sept. 20 premiere of the third season left me wondering, “Is that it?” Don’t get me wrong, the first episode was not bad, but too much happened in so little time – Sam left, Mercedes has a new boyfriend and Zizes ditched the New Directions in favor of street credit – mostly serving as a way to introduce the Glee Project winners into the glee club.

A recap at the beginning of the episode would have helped. Half of the scenarios had me playing catch up, like that of Mr. Shue and Emma as well as Finn and Rachel’s rekindled relationship. Guest star and “Glee Project” winner Lindsey Pearce’s performance stood out with her “Anything Goes/ Anything You Can Do” mash-up. I hated her fake personality, but I loved her performance.

One thing I will miss is The Warblers near-perfect acoustic interpretations; Blaine has also transferred to McKinley High’s New Directions, but I’m sure a way will be found to incorporate the Warblers into the show.

In the Sept. 28 episode, Shelby Corcoran, Rachel’s biological mother, Quinn’s “baby momma” and ex-Vocal Adrenaline glee club coach return, leaving Rachel to deal with the mother see never had.

Channel Surfing is a weekly TV review column.