Not terribly into March Madness? Never fear – there is a lot of non-athletic TV to enjoy in March. Here to keep us current is the vigilant TV trend reporter, Media Manda with what’s new on the small screen this month.
By Amanda Thornton (aka Media Manda)
How Close Can I Beach?
HGTV – Premieres March 11 at 8:30pm
Buyers with dreams of living near the sand and surf learn that sometimes the ideal house may not be right on the beach. They’ll tour different homes that offer the beach lifestyle at varying distances to the shore and witness firsthand the clear differences in space, amenities and views these homes offer. After carefully considering their options, they’ll decide how close to the beach their dream house will be.
REVIEW: Who doesn’t love the beach? HGTV’s audience definitely loves the beach. At first, I thought this was global-warming related because how close can they get without being too close, you know? But no, it’s just a normal beach house hunting show where they look at different beach lifestyles and distances to choose from. But seriously, this series looks good and I never tire of a good Beachfront Bargain Hunt episode.
Love at First Flight
Lifetime – Premieres March 20 at 10pm
Nothing tests a budding relationship like travel and the new series “Love at First Flight” takes it a step further, matching new couples to embark on a romantic (and stressful) journey across North America — with the chance to get married at the airport immediately after their final flight lands. Meeting for the first time in New York, the couples criss-cross the country towards Los Angeles, as their compatibility is tested not only by the unpredictable pressures of travel but also by a series of uniquely crafted travel-based challenges.
REVIEW: Shows like this one have been done a lot; nonetheless, they keep coming back. With the success of Married at First Sight, why not? I can’t believe people would actually want to go on dates and compete in challenges on such a long flight. I’d want a nap because I’d get motion sickness. Maybe someone will get motion sickness doing the “travel challenges” because that’d be fun to watch. Guess we’ll have to tune in to find out! Overall, the series looks interesting, if only to see people vomit on their first date on a plane.
One Strange Rock
National Geographic – Premieres March 26 at 10pm
From award-winning filmmaker Darren Aronofsky comes a mind-bending, thrilling journey that explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth—one of the most peculiar, unique places in the universe. Narrated by Will Smith.
REVIEW: I feel like I’ve heard about this show for so long from National Geographic’s press releases. I’m happy it’s finally airing and hoping that it is at least worth the wait. Judging from the preview, it looks like a series where former astronauts discuss what they think of planet Earth having seen it from a different perspective. Overall, it looks pretty good, but I hope it isn’t a Planet Earth rip-off because that’s hard to beat.
Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48
A&E – Premieres March 29 at 8pm
This series will pore through controversial cases including: the death of Casey Anthony’s daughter, Caylee; the murder of actor Robert Blake’s wife, Bonny Lee Bakley; the disappearance of Drew Peterson’s wife Stacy; the shocking death of Federal Bureau of Prisons intern, Chandra Levy; the fatal shooting of Run D.M.C member Jam Master, Jay; the Billionaire Boys Club’s obsession with money and power that may have turned to homicide; and the suspicious death of Rebecca Zahau at the Spreckels Mansion.
REVIEW: Marcia Clark seems to be making her comeback after the plethora of O.J. Simpson shows that aired last year. Sarah Paulson won an Emmy award for playing her in FX’s American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson and she brought Marcia as her date to the Emmy’s. My only hesitancy with this series is whether or not we’ll learn anything new about these controversial cases that have been talked about in numerous other shows. All in all, it looks like a fascinating series and I’m excited to hear Marcia Clark’s opinion on these other cases.
Music City
CMT – Premieres March 1 at 10pm
Music City, from famed executive producer Adam DiVello (The Hills, Laguna Beach), follows a group of young adults entering the next chapter of their lives while chasing dreams of success, fame and romance in Nashville. Faced with real choices that carry real stakes for their careers, their relationships and their futures, they must navigate the rocky road on the journey of self-discovery.
REVIEW: I was never a big fan of The Hills or Laguna Beach, but I am a fan of Nashville, the city. It’ll be interesting to see how this show lives up to its predecessors and captures the same audience now that more and more young people are cutting the cord. It’ll be interesting to see how this show pans out judging off of the very dramatic trailer.
Scripted Series
Jessica Jones
Netflix – Season Two – Premieres March 8
The Marvel Netflix series finally returns for a season two after season one premiered in November 2015. Jessica Jones seeks to get her life back in order when a new case pushes her to face what happened to her and her family. Season two’s release date also coincides with International Women’s Day.
REVIEW: Season one was so long ago! I’m re-watching it now to remember what happened. I still think Jessica Jones is one of the better Marvel Netflix series, and I hope the second season lives up to the hype that’s been building for over 2 years since the last season aired. I hope it sticks to the neo-noir feel of the first season too. Early reviews say it is just as good, so I’m looking forward to it.