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The Top Ten
Most Intriguing New Shows, 2010
A Techtite
Feature Article
This was a tougher list to make than most
previous years. Last season left a lot of gaping holes in the network TV
schedule, ranging from the sad departure of 24 (noooo!) and Lost
(awwww!), to the abysmal failure that was "Leno at 10."
That's seven hours of programming that needs to be filled right there, and
that doesn't include all the one-season wonders last year that looked good on paper, yet
quickly crashed and burned (don't let "Hank" scare you
away from TV sitcoms, Kelsey! We all still love you!). So, that
said: here are the ten new shows for the fall 2010 season that
caught Techtite's eye.
Does this mean they will succeed? Nope. However, for now; these shows'
premieres were all intriguing, or more specifically; the premiere made me
want to keep watching long after the premiere. That's all any new series can
hope for... -------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS,
Mondays at 10:00). What's it about?
Unless you live in a plastic bubble (and probably even if you do),
you have probably heard that CBS is remaking this former crime drama hit.
What's so cool?
James Caan's son Scott (from the Ocean's Eleven film series) is in
one of the lead roles. The other lead is played by Moonlight's Alex
O'Loughlin. Helping them fight the bad guys are Lost's Daniel Dae
Kim, and Battlestar Galactica's Grace Park. Did the casting agents
do a good job here or what?
What's
not-so-cool? Fanboys of a certain other crime drama are going to
hate how this freshman series bumped CSI Miami out
of its cushy Monday at 10 time slot; Miami now airs Sundays at 10. Ouch. Added
Plus: Word is that they are keeping the classic 1970's theme
song. If this is a sign of how true to the original the series will be, the
show is bound to keep the series' old fans...and gain quite a few more.
Detroit 1-8-7
(ABC, Tuesdays at 10:00) What's it about?
ABC re-enters the world of gritty cop dramas, with The
Soprano's Michael Imperioli and NYPD Blue's James McDaniel in
two of the lead roles.
What's so cool?
For me personally, I like how this new drama looks as gritty as the dramas
from ABC's "NYPD Blue" days, and not the modern "who is sleeping with whom"
days of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice,
etc...
What's
not-so-cool? The premiere is done in a sort of "documentary"
form a la COPS, which may or may not get old after awhile...depending on
where they go with the idea. Added
Plus: If memory serves Tuesday at 8 was the old time slot for
NYPD Blue back in the day, which might bring the series good luck. Maybe.
No Ordinary Family (ABC,
Tuesdays at 8:00). What's it about?
Imagine if Pixar's "The Incredibles" was live-action
and starred The Shield's Michael Chiklis and Daxter's
Julie Benz.
What's so cool?
I think what's really cool about this series is
how kids will finally have an action series to watch that doesn't take itself too seriously. When I was a very
little kid there was The Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman
and Bionic Woman and The Six Million Dollar Man. In the
80's there was The A-Team and The Fall Guy and
MacGyver. In the 90's there was Buffy and Angel and
Alias. Yet these days every action series seems to take itself way
too seriously. This series is about a family becoming super heroes. Realistic? No. Though it's a fabulous premise.
What's
not-so-cool? Early buzz for the series premiere is not too favorable,
though how many action series had a great series premiere? Even Star Trek:
The Next Generation had a horrid premiere (remember those two giant space
squids sharing a hug...?). Added
Plus: With NBC placing the
final nail in the coffin of Heroes, and "The
Cape" being bumped to mid-season; this is the only comic-book-style action series
until further notice...and so far, to be perfectly candid: I like it!
Better With You (ABC,
Wednesdays at 8:30). What's it about?
A family of three very different relationships tries to get through life
without driving each other crazy.
What's so cool?
Pointless? Perhaps...and that's what makes it cool. No political agendas.
No
social allegories. No metaphorical euphemisms for modern pop culture. This
is a classic sitcom formulae, with a classic humor edge.
Let's put it another way: this sitcom earned a coveted spot on Wednesdays
alongside The Middle, Cougar Town, and the Emmy winning
Modern Family. So yeah; someone thinks
this is pretty good...
What's
not-so-cool? ...though what if it isn't? Added
Plus: The premiere was directed by James Burrows; the man who
has seemingly directed nearly every great sitcom episode
known to modern humankind. Suffice to say the premiere looks good; after
that is anyone's guess...
Chase (NBC,
Mondays at 10:00). What's it about?
Imagine the movie "The Fugitive," only this time the
fugitive is a bad
guy, and Tommy Lee Jones' character is female.
What's so cool?
Too many crime dramas these days are filled with tons of lab work and
techno-babble. This series concentrates on the adrenaline-rush-filled chase
scenes.
What's
not-so-cool? Early promos make it appear as though the whole
series will be about the lead star's chase of one singular criminal. Seeing
as how this would reduce the series to the clichéd formula of "the bad guy
will never get caught until the series finale"...I hope not! Added
Plus: With CSI Miami bumped to
Sundays, the door is wide for the number one action series on Mondays. Sure,
Hawaii Five-0 looks very good, though if it isn't...count The Chase
in to fill the void.
The Defenders (CBS,
Wednesdays at 10:00). What's it about?
Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell as defense attorneys
in Vegas. What isn't there to love about this series idea?
What's so cool?
Belushi. O'Connell. Vegas. Enough said.
What's
not-so-cool? I am not too sure of CBS' choice of scheduling:
first Survivor, followed by the gritty Criminal Minds, and
then Defenders. Then again: if any show needed a
"lighter" show to follow it, it's Criminal Minds. One hour of
insane killers will leave viewers desperate for a lighthearted and fun
television series such as this. Added
Plus: This is the sort of series so off the wall it
would seemingly write itself. Let's just hope the script writers do not feel
the same way, and deliver scripts worthy of a Belushi/O'Connell
comedy-drama.
The Event (NBC,
Mondays at 9:00). What's it about?
In this way-too-obvious Lost clone: there is an "Event" that will change the course of humankind... What's so cool?
Lots of critics say that based on the premieres they have seen; this
is the most promising series. I would have to agree about
their opinions...of the premiere, anyway...
What's
not-so-cool? The
mystery of the "event" has already become a unintentionally humorous running gag, all over cyberspace: "I just burped! Is that the Event?"..."I
discovered a new zit...Is that the event?" Unofficial rumors
insist that the event will be revealed by the end of the very first season.
I doubt it...and I doubt I have the patience to sit idly for six years to see another
"mysterious drama's" ending that is (sorry Lost
fanboys; it just was) quite disappointing in the end. Added
Plus: Sandwiched between Chuck and The Chase;
this series has nothing to blame but the scriptwriters if the show isn't
renewed for at least one more season. Let's just hope the rumors are true
and the writers tell us what "The Event" is by then...and
pretty please: make it interesting.
Blue Bloods
(CBS, Fridays at 10:00) and What's it about?
It's all in the family in this new police drama, with dad
played by Tom Selleck, with Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, and Will Estes
as his children, all of whom are part of either the police precinct of the
law (Moynahan is a lawyer).
What's so cool?
I know my mom will hate me for saying this though (JMO) the cool part about
this show is how it doesn't look anything like the Summer sleeper hit Rookie Blue, which (sorry
mom!) was not as much about police life, and was more like "Gee! When will
that cute female rookie sleep with that cute partner of hers?"
What's
not-so-cool? While this is a minor nitpick: did they have to
once again fall prey to the reverse-sexist cliché, where the lady of the
family is the "smart one," and the men are all gruff-and-tuff policemen? Added
Plus: I liked how the dinner conversation was so realistic.
Dear old daughter does not like how her older brother punched the truth out
of a child abuser, while everyone around the dinner table had their own
differing opinion on the matter. If this is how well written the
conversations will be on this show: count me in.
Body of Proof (ABC,
Fridays at 9:00). What's it about?
A former neurosurgeon at the top of her game must quit her high profile
profession after a severe car accident. She decides to become a medical
examiner unlike any other seen before...
What's so cool?
The lead character is played by Dana Delany; arguably one of the most sadly
under-appreciated dramatic actresses in all of Hollywood. Along for the ride
are John Carroll Lynch and Star Trek Voyager's Jeri Ryan.
What's
not-so-cool? ABC has decided to bump this series to "later this
fall." Is that because later episodes are not that good, or is ABC trying to
protect the series from being swamped by all the new shows that are
premiering at once? Added
Plus: Delany and Ryan in a new
series? I'd say that confirms the male demographic; that's
for sure! Here's hoping the female duo earns the respect of the female
demographic as well. Oh, and while we're
at it: let's all hope that poor Dana Delany will not be as misused and
under-appreciated here as she was on Desperate Housewives...!
Lone Star
(FOX, Mondays at 9:00) What's it about?
Imagine a new nighttime soap, where the lead
star is 90210's "Dylon" by day, and Melrose Place's
Michael Mancini by night...
What's so cool?
It appeared that FOX might finally be getting their mojo back and
was about to
release another fine looking nighttime soap/drama. Remember the days of
90210 and Melrose (the originals)? Well, imagine one where the
lead star is a half-villain, quasi-hero of sorts, who is juggling a double
life...with two wives.
What's
not-so-cool? FOX's idiotic track record these days often means
one thing: if it isn't a B-grade cartoon, it will be cancelled. Oh, wait,
guess what kids: it already was! No joke they actually cancelled
this series just a short while after this article was ready to be uploaded.
Does that mean this list should be re-edited to not include Lone Star? Nope.
It was still a really good idea, with good potential. Too bad FOX is to busy
watching cartoons to notice. Added
Plus: Just about every
respectable TV critic (and even a few amateur critics) said they had high
hopes for this one. It is a shame FOX did not feel the same way!
---Techtite
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