The new TV season is about to launch (you won't see some shows until October, however)--so here's my list of the new shows I plan to check out. My television watching has seen a precipitous drop since my youth, and this summer (aside from televised sports), I have watched perhaps just an hour or two of television a week. So some of these shows may only get a viewing or two before I make my keeper-picks.
Heroes (NBC, Mondays) - A modern superhero tale starring an ensemble cast just discovering their new powers--lives will intersect like in the movie Crash. Intriguing, but I wouldn't expect it to last, people have a hard time connecting to these characters on TV, but maybe the world is ready now.
Runaway (CW, Mondays) - An innocent man on the lam, the difference is he's traveling with his family. Could be unique.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC, Mondays) - Matthew Perry comes back as the un-Chandler. Looks like a great premise, with a funny, realistic structure, plus Amanda Peet. I always like shows set in the world of the media. 
Friday Night Lights (NBC, Tuesdays) - Much like the movie, it is reportedly a realistic family drama about a high school football team.
The Knights of Prosperity (ABC, Tuesdays) - Reminds me of last season's My Name is Earl--a bunch of low-IQ/low-lifes plan a caper throughout the season--to burgle Mick Jagger. Jagger makes an appearance.
Smith (CBS, Tuesdays) - One name says it all: Ray Liotta. The guy lights up the screen. I'm interested in this because of him. It is kind of cool that it's a show about a crook and his normal family, but I wonder if it will cross the line and make the viewer compartmentalize his evil-doing?
30 Rock (NBC, Wednesdays) - Same premise as Studio 60, same network, same thing with a number in the name. Reminds me of when ER and Chicago Hope went on the same year. Somebody's not going to make it. This one may even be more interesting to me than Studio 60 as it is going to have a lot of inside digs at SNL (with many of that cast coming over). Alec Baldwin is in it--I feel about him as I do about Ray Liotta, so I'll watch. Not such a shame for a movie star to become a TV star anymore. If I were to bet, I'd pick Studio 60 to outlast 30 Rock (Perry, no SNL connection needed), though I can't figure out why you'd put Studio 60 up against Monday Night Football--oh, that's right--it's MNF is now on ESPN.
The Nine (ABC, Wednesdays) - 9 strangers trapped in a bank during a botched robbery are forever linked.
Twenty Good Years (NBC, Wednesdays) - Stars Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow as two buddies trying to live their last 20 years with gusto. It could be fun--but will likely become a drivelling TV-formula, much like Two and a Half Men.
Discovery Atlas (Discovery Channel, Sundays) - Each episode takes you to a country (first one is about China) and uncovers it in depth. Documentary-style and featuring over 40 locations per episode. Future programs will focus on Italy, Brazil, and Australia.
-----------------------------------------------------
These are new shows I'll probably check out, but I can't imagine sacrificing the time to watch them consistently:
- Family Trip (TLC, Mondays) - You watch a home movie of a childhood vacation, and then are wisked back to the same location as an adult to see how it's changed. Neat idea.
- Freak Show (Comedy Central, Wednesdays) - Cartoon featuring second-rate superheroes who do thankless jobs for the Pentagon.
- I Pity the Fool (TV Land, Wednesdays) - Mr. T is back with a
positive message in need of a hand-up, not a hand-out. - Jericho (CBS, Wednesdays) - The apocalypse hits Kansas in the form of a mushroom cloud. Prodigal son faced with a new challenge. Likely won't last--apocalyptic type concepts don't play well on network TV.
- The Dick Cavett Show (TCM, Thursdays) -- Cavett returns to do more talk with great guests on a tricked-out version of his old 1970's set. He will also introduce re-issues of his old show.
- Paula's Party (Food Network, Fridays) - Another opportunity to see Savannah-based cook Paula Deen. How can you resist?
- Roadtrip Nation (PBS, Fridays) -- I don't even know what this is about, but I love the promise.
Comments