Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Monday, 10 p.m. on NBC, Sunday, 10 p.m. on CTV
Premiere: September 18 on NBC, September 17 on CTV
Cast:
Matthew Perry….Matt Albie
Amanda Peet….Jordan McDeere
Bradley Whitford….Danny Tripp
Steven Weber….Jack Rudolph
Show Premise : It’s Saturday Night Live as a primetime drama. After this SNL clone’s former boss goes nuts on live TV new network hotshot Jordan McDeere suggests hiring two former writers, Matt Albie and Danny Tripp, who were fired a few years back and have made themselves a solid career in Hollywood. Albie and Tripp, who has a drug addiction, try to restore Studio 60 to its former glory.
What We Liked About The Show :
Romo: I thought it had a very solid cast. I think Matthew Perry was suprisingly solid in a dramactic role, Bradley Whitford doesn’t lose a step from The West Wing and Amanda Peet looks just as hot as ever.
Murtz: I also think the cast is good, but read below for my thoughts on that. I think the show definitely does have potential in terms of developing storylines down the line.
What We Didn’t Like About The Show :
Romo: I’m not sure this is “my type of show.” I mean I can appreciate the show on its merits but I don’t see myself becoming a fan of it. It doesn’t have a real good “hook” or if its does the hook missed me. Then again I never got into CSI or The West Wing.
Murtz: I was not the big fan that everybody else is and was. While it has apparently received critical acclaim, it is definitely not something that I would stop my plans for… yet. I think that a lot has been said about the cast and how strong it is, but just because Matthew Perry was on Friends and Bradley Whitford was on The West Wing, that doesn’t automatically mean that they will be amazing on Studio 60. The thing is that it does have potential. I just think the premiere could have been handled better.
Final Verdict :
Romo: I think it’s a very well made, quality show that has solid backing from the network. There are no particularly glaring problems with the show but it could become a bit too “snobby” for network TV and not appeal to the masses. 8/10
Murtz: Production value is decent and both CTV and NBC are backing it strongly, just as my colleague said. The problem is that I really don’t see it going anywhere. I mean maybe the love triangle can engage interest, but this is something that I would watch on DVD only if a hot girl gave it to me as a gift. I wouldn’t buy it, nor would I skip a date with the aforementioned hot girl to watch it. Now if the girl isn’t that hot and is only average, I would definitely watch. Seriously though, the show will probably be good. First episode left me wanting more, and that just might be a good thing. Please note though, that I am basing this strictly on the first episode. It could get better. 6/10
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: I think it will survive at least two years because of the money and star power behind the show. Whether it becomes a super hit or not, well I wouldn’t bet against it but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned into more of a Sports Night than a West Wing.
Murtz: It’s lasting for awhile.
Kidnapped
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Wednesday, 10 p.m.
Premiere: September 20
Cast:
Dana Delaney….Ellie Cain
Delroy Lindo….Latimer King
Jeremy Sisto….Knapp
Timothy Hutton….Conrad Cain
Show Premise: The Cain family has their 15-year-old son kidnapped. Conrad Cain is a self-made millionaire and they kidnappers obviously want some of that coin. Cain hires Knapp, a private investigator who specializes in these cases to find his son. But the FBI, under Latimer King become involved. Very much the Mel Gibson Ransom on film, mixed with Without a Trace and 24, as the whole season will revolve around the one case. Very similar premise as Vanished/
What We Liked About The Show :
Romo: Great cast. I’ve always loved Delroy Lindo, who ironically enough was in Ransom as an FBI agent, all we need now is Gary Sinise as the bad guy. Jeremy Sisto has proven his acting chops in Six Feet Under and most of the public already know both of the parents, Dana Delaney and Timothy Hutton. Sisto really shines in the pilot.
Murtz: I have always liked Dana Delaney. I think she is a strong talent and the acting is pretty good in the first episode.
What We Didn’t Like About The Show :
Romo: Like most of the serial shows it has the problem of keeping the audience interested for a whole season. Heck the first season of 24 barely survived the chopping block. It’s hard for these types of shows to make it. And what happens next year?
Murtz: This show has similarities to Vanished and some other stuff that I have seen before. I don’t know if the concept is unique enough to make it must-see.
Final Verdict:
Romo: It’s worth a look. How it develops over the first five or six episodes will be interesting to see. 7/10
Murtz: My attitude to this one was take it or leave it. Some will dig, some won’t. I think the score of 5/10 is fair because that’s exactly how I see it. Passable.
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: As I said before this type of show has a tough go for it. Truly its 50/50.
Murtz: Romo asked what happens next year and I don’t have any ideas. That’s a bad sign. I don’t see this one making it.
Heroes
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Monday, 9 p.m. (listed as midseason show for Global, no time slot yet)
Premiere: September 25
Cast:
Adrian Pasdar….Nathan Petrelli
Ali Larter….Niki Sanders
Milo Ventimiglia….Peter Petrelli
Greg Grunberg….Matt Parkman
Hayden Panttierre….Claire Bennet
Masi Oka….Hiro Nakamura
Show Premise: A group of random people all over the world realize they have “super” powers such as flying, indestructability (think Wolverine), pre-cognition, stoping time through will power and a few other more mysterious ones. The pilot hits of an impending crisis that could put the planet in danger. Think The 4400, X-Men but with the darkness of the very underrated Unbreakable.
What We Liked About The Show:
Romo: Everything! Ever since I watched this pilot back in May I have been dying to see more and have told everyone I know to watch the show. Solid cast, stunning premise, love the comic book feel, oh and a solid amount of hot chicks, (and the guys are decent looking if you are into that).
Murtz: I have to agree. The best premiere of the bunch undoubtedly. This show captured me immediately and the cast is spectacular. Greg Grunberg is phenomenal and I adore Ali Larter. I think Masi Oka’s Hiro Nakamura character also has a lot of possibility. I think that good premieres leave you wanting more, have far-reaching possibilities and feature characters that you actually care about. This show had all of the above. It’s like a cooler Smallville. I think Farah Syed will totally dig this.
What We Didn’t Like About The Show:
Romo: Could get in danger of taking itself too seriously and not have any “fun” moments. Possibly would fall into the problems Lost, Twin Peaks, and The X-Files have encountered when trying to take on such a broad overarching premise.
Murtz: Nothing.
Final Verdict:
Romo: The best pilot I screened and the one show I have as “Don’t you dare call when it’s on.” 10/10
Murtz: This is must-see television. In fact, it was worth watching all of the premieres just for this as the show is just that good. It’s like finding a new ‘Lost’ and that is always an enviable position to be in for a new show. 10/10
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: It’s been getting iffy reviews as some critics have said it’s “too smart,” I think they are just too stupid. If you don’t get Heroes go watch the brain-killing Two and a Half Men at the same time.
Murtz: I think this will succeed. I see a couple of seasons at minimum.
Friday Night Lights
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Premiere: October 3
Cast:
Kyle Chandler….Eric Taylor
Scott Porter….Jason Street
Gaius Charles….Brian “Smash” Williams
Connie Burton….Tami Taylor
Zach Gilford….Matt Saracen
Minka Kelly….Lyla Garrity
Show Premise: Follows the lives of a high-school football coach and his players in a small Texas town; based on the book and movie of the same name.
What We Liked About The Show:
Romo: I love football so this show appeals to me on that ground. The cast is decent, if mostly unknowns. The pilot did a good job of setting things up. Seems to have pretty decent production quality.
Murtz: I love Kyle Chandler. I have followed him on a few shows. He was on Early Edition (one of my favorite shows) and made an appearance on Grey’s Anatomy which is where I was hoping he’d stay. I like the sports hook for a drama as well as it has been awhile since that has been done.
What We Didn’t Like About The Show:
Romo: After seeing Two-a-Days on MTV, I honestly think Friday Night Lights doesn’t quite feel as real and not as entertaining.
Murtz: I have heard a lot of good things about Two-a-Days, but haven’t seen it yet. What I didn’t like about Friday Night Lights? Maybe the fact that it isn’t airing on Fridays. In all seriousness, I think that is where it would do really well. I also thought the first show moved way too quickly. Unlike Justice though, I don’t think it was done as effectively. I also would have liked to know the characters more.
Final Verdict:
Romo: Enjoyable, but I’m not sure I would go out of my way to watch the show. 6.5/10
Murtz: Average. I would watch if I was home. 6/10
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: Football fans will give it a shot, if it can keep that group intersted and add the young female market by showing off the young guys, it could survive.
Murtz: Kyle Chandler is good and I wouldn’t bet against him, unless he is doing a football program. Kidding. This one is dicey. I am on the fence.
30 Rock
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Wednesday, 8 p.m. on NBC, Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. on CTV
Premiere: October 11 on NBC, October 10 on CTV
Cast:
Tina Fey….Liz Lemon
Alec Baldwin….Jack Donaghy
Tracy Morgan….Tracy Jordan
Jane Krakowski….Jenna Maroney
Show Premise:
Liz Lemon runs an sketch show ala SNL but Jack Donaghy enters her work life and decides to play an active role in how the show is run, telling her who to fire and who to hire. She is sent to hire Tracy Jordan, who just pulled a Martin Lawrence by losing his mind in public, (heck let’s just say he IS Martin Lawrence).
What We Liked About The Show:
Romo: Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. They are two talents who really carry the show.
Murtz: I like Tina Fey a lot. I also like the original concept and how it satirizes Saturday Night Live. Tracy Morgan is awesome as well.
What We Didn’t Liked About The Show:
Romo: Pretty much everything else. It seemed I was laughing at the wrong points and not at the times when I was supposed. The unintentional comedy was high but that doesn’t carry a show.
Murtz: I didn’t like the fact that it used so many actors from SNL. That’s probably what bothered me the most. It almost felt like I was watching an SNL episode at times where Alec Baldwin was the special guest host. While it had its moments, I wasn’t laughing too much.
Final Verdict:
Romo: Very mediocre, take away Baldwin and Fey and the show wouldn’t even make a sketch on SNL. 5/10
Murtz: I think it was okay. I really like Tina Fey and always have. I think she is brilliant and for that reason alone, I think the show is decent. 7/10
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: I can’t see it really sticking around that long although with Fey and Baldwin on board NBC will give them more chances than other shows.
Murtz: Not a long-term keeper, but will earn a second glance. Depends completely on what else sticks.
The Black Donnellys
Networks: NBC and
Time slot: Not determined yet (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 10 p.m.)
Premiere: Midseason 2007
Cast:
Billy Lush….Kevin Donnelly
Tom Guiry….Jimmy Donnelly
Jonathan Tucker….Tommy Donnelly
Michael Stahl-David….Sean Donnelly
Olivia Wilde….Jenny Reilly
Show Premise: Paul Haggis of Crash fame returns to the small screen with a story about four Irish brothers surrounded by organized crime in New York City. The brothers will do anything to protect each other and soon become involved with the local mobsters. Think The Sopranos but instead of Italian, Irish guys and younger, throw in a bit of Boondock Saints and you’ve got a good idea.
What We Liked About The Show:
Romo: Gangster shows are always fun and since I’m part Irish, that adds a bit to this equation. Haggis manages to add that slick, dark style he was known for before going to film.
Murtz: Not too much. The show’s concept went completely over my head. Once again though, I think it is because they tried to finish an entire season in one show. So really what I liked about the show is just the hope that it can get better.
What We Didn’t Like About The Show:
Romo: It felt a bit hollow compared to Sopranos and not as realistic. A better comparison is the showcase show Brotherhood, which so far seems to blow the pants off this series.
Murtz: I didn’t like most of it. I couldn’t understand what the characters were saying. I saw some fat guy trying to escape after being tied up which made me laugh briefly, but aside from that it just didn’t do it for me on many levels. I didn’t like the plot, the characters, or the storylines. I like Irish accents as much as the next guy, but not when they are so coerced.
Final Verdict:
Romo: This was the toughest show to judge because while so much happened in the pilot it made me wonder where this show will go next. 6.5/10
Murtz: Hated it. I will never watch again. It happens sometimes. At least these networks both have Global.
1/10
Likelihood Of The Show Succeeding :
Romo: It’s been getting a great deal of buzz and the network seems to be strongly behind it, giving it the ER time slot starting in 2007. I think it will stick around until next year.
Murtz: I am going to go out on a limb and say that the Donnellys will not be coming back.
