Thursday, September 07, 2006
Fall TV Preview - ABC Pilots
So my membership with the Museum of Television and Radio finally kicked in their free perks. I get to attend early screenings of new pilots from the major networks. How sweet is that!
Well tonight I got my first taste of what ABC has to offer ...and I must say that this might their year again. Here's my take on the good, the bad and the ugly.
High intensity and suspenseful drama grabbed us in- The Nine.
Dramedy interrupted with Ugly Betty.
Well tonight I got my first taste of what ABC has to offer ...and I must say that this might their year again. Here's my take on the good, the bad and the ugly.
High intensity and suspenseful drama grabbed us in- The Nine.
- Four words: Edge of your seat.
- Premise: Think Lost meets 24. Bank Robbery, 52 hours, 9 hostages whose lives are now altered and intermixed. What's next for them?
- Gut Reaction: Within the first 15 minutes I was hooked. The pilot leaves with you A LOT of questions unanswered. What happened in those 52 hours to these nine hostages? What now after the robbery? Who are these nine people?
- Watch out: The final scene is a definite cliffhanger.
- Bonus: Nice looking cast (Tim Daly, Scott Wolf, Kim Raver) doesn't hurt the show either. The awesome website: The Nine
~ Premieres: Oct 4th (Wed) @ 10pm.
Comedy followed with The Knights of Prosperity
- Four words: This is no Ocean 11.
- Premise: A group of Manhattanites with too much free time decide to pull a Robin Hood on a celebrity. Here's the catch - the celebrity is Mick Jagger.
- Gut Reaction: There were some funny scenes and the subtle commentary on celebrity culture through the E! News flashes of Mick Jagger's house was refreshing. But how far can the writers take this? The Knights better be careful not to cross that thin line between funny and stupid.
- Watch out: Mick Jagger's cameos.
- Bonus: Word is the show was originally pitched as Let's Rob Jeff Goldblum but he was unavailable. Really, Jeff Goldbum? Besides Earth Girls Are Easy, The Fly and Jurassic Park what else is Jeff remembered for?
Dramedy interrupted with Ugly Betty.
- Four words: My TiVo's already programmed.
- Premise: Meet Betty - she's awkward, nerdy, brainy, determined, adorable and in desperate need of the crew from What Not to Wear. As assistant to the young and cute editor-in-chief of Mode (AKA- Vogue) magazine Betty is trying to survive in a world that is all about looks.
- Gut Reaction: While I cringed for Betty in some scenes I also rooted for her! Its about time we see a show about a real young Latina woman. Whoo hoo for the adorable, socially awkward, smart square pegs! We can see past Betty's looks and her fashion faux pas but will everyone else?
- Watch Out: Bits of Salma Hayek's cameos.
- Bonus: Salma Hayek executive produces. Show is based on the hit Colombian telenovela, Yo Soy Betty, la Fea.
~ Premieres: Sept 28th (Thurs) @ 8pm
Then it was the revival of Ted Danson in Help Me Help You.
- Four words: It sure beats Becker.
- Premise: What do you do when the therapist leading group therapy is just as crazy as his patients? You play it cool like Dr. Bill Hoffman and never let them know. Coming back to TV again Ted Danson stars as a therapist who is trying to fix his patients lives as well as his own.
- Gut Reaction: Limit the patients backstories and drama. Focus on Danson, his mid-life crisis, r-ship with his ex-wife and his daughter (who just happens to be dating a man twice her age). Oh and 9:30 on a Tuesday? ABC come on, its gonna be slaughtered against House, The Unit, VMars, and L&O CI. Help it by changing the time slot.
- Watch Out: Actor Jim Rash who plays Jonathan. He's hilarious as a gay man who doesn't know he's gay. Think a more subdued and smarter Tobias from Arrested Development.
- Bonus: Jane Kaczmarek plays Danson's wife.
~ Premieres: Sept 26th (Tues) @ 9:30pm
Last but not least J.J Abrams new series: 6 Degrees
- Four words: What can't JJ do?
- Premise: 6 New strangers lives get turned upside down become intertwined and intercrossed. Who are they? What are their stories? Will their lives change due to these people? What connects them all to each other?
- Gut Reaction: Call me weak but I liked the show. Its a simple show with a somewhat realistic concept. Think about it. How often have we heard the phrase six degrees of separation? How often has it happened to you? As a New Yorker I'll admit it seems a bit far fetched that that millions of us could be connected. You know what though? I'm willing to see how these six New Yorkers are.
- Watch Out: For the littlest things - a bump, a photo, a glance. They could be the first connection between these people.
- Bonus: Nice well rounded cast (Hope Davis, Erika Christensen, Jay Hernandez and yes that is Campbell Scott from Singles). The cool website: 6 Degrees.
~ Premieres: Sept 21 (Thurs) @ 10pm.
So that's it from me...for now. Stay tuned for my take on CBS, NBC and CW new shows.
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