PilotWatch: MADE IN JERSEY

CBS Fridays @ 9/8c

What's it about?
MADE IN JERSEY is a drama about a young working-class woman who uses her street smarts to compete among her pedigreed Manhattan colleagues at a prestigious New York law firm.  Martina Garretti finds her firm's cutthroat landscape challenging, but what she lacks in an Ivy League education she more than makes up for with tenacity and blue-collar insight.  After just a few weeks, firm founder Donovan Stark takes note of Martina's ingenuity and resourcefulness, as does third-year chair Nolan Adams, who is part of Manhattan's royal literati; Riley Prescott, a second-year at Stark & Rowan and the daughter of the former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden; her sassy secretary, Cyndi Vega; and River, a former LAPD detective turned firm investigator.  With the support of her big Italian family, including her sexy older sister Bonnie and her encouraging mother Darlene, Martina is able to stay true to her roots as a bold, passionate lawyer on the rise in a new intimidating environment.
(from CBS.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you really, really need another lawyer drama in your life.
• ...you really, really need another depiction of big-haired Jersey girls in your life.
• ...you really, really need something mindless to do at 9pm on your Friday nights.

So, how was it?
Until the moment I sat down to watch the pilot of MADE IN JERSEY and saw that the run-time was 42 minutes, I could have sworn that this was a new CBS sitcom.  I mean, just look at that poster up there.  What about that says serious lawyer drama?  I seriously thought this was going to be a comedy.  And maybe that would've been better.  As it is, MADE IN JERSEY is nothing more than your run-of-the-mill courtroom procedural.  The only thing that separates this show from the pack is that its lead is (GASP) a big-haired Jersey girl.

The pilot feels like a Direct-to-Video ripoff of LEGALLY BLONDE that you would find on the back shelf of Blockbusters (back when Blockbusters existed).  Just like Elle Woods, our heroine Martina Garretti solves murder cases with the help of her knowledge of fashion and hair care.  Really the only difference between this show and that movie is that the lead is an accented Italian instead of a ditzy blonde, it takes place in Manhattan instead of Harvard, and it's played totally straight instead of being a hysterical satire.  So basically, it's LEGALLY BLONDE without anything that made LEGALLY BLONDE great.

All that being said, MADE IN JERSEY isn't the worst show I've ever seen.  There's just nothing remotely special about it.  You've gotta give kudos to the creators for trying to give people a more serious look at Jersey girls after their horrific portrayals in shows like JERSEY SHORE and the REAL HOUSEWIVES franchise.  But why then, if that was their intent, did they cast British actress Janet Montgomery (ENTOURAGE, HUMAN TARGET) as the very Italian Martina, complete with over-the-top accent and an introduction where we see Martina go into a meeting in just her bra and jacket after spilling soap all over her blouse?  They crafted a serious drama to humanize this girl from Jersey, and then made her just another parody.  I suppose her clumsy behavior and heavy accent are supposed to make her relatable, but really they just make her a different kind of stereotype.

There's the usual roster of guest stars (Kyle MacLachlan, Donna Murphy, Felix Solis), but none of them are given enough to do to really elevate the show past mediocrity.  It doesn't help that the show was given the oddest of time slots.  Friday evening is usually the death slot shows get moved to when they're on the verge of cancellation or at the end of their runs -- it's not really a place new shows get a chance to thrive.  And it's sandwiched weirdly between CSI: NY and BLUE BLOODS, both of which seem targeted at a very different audience than MADE IN JERSEY.  Between the poor advertising, the terrible time slot, and the unoriginal premise, this show never really stood a chance -- it premiered to a miserable 1.1 rating, down 20% from A GIFTED MAN'S premiere last year, a show that didn't make it past its first season.

And the verdict is:
Atrocious. I will never watch this show again. Ever.
Maybe atrocious is too harsh of a word for this show, but I certainly have no intention of watching it ever again, and I doubt many other people do either.  Given the lower standards of Friday night, MADE IN JERSEY could potentially stretch itself out for a full season, like A GIFTED MAN, but certainly no further.  But the fact that it premiered a good bit lower than A GIFTED MAN points towards an early cancellation.  So if for some reason you did find yourself connecting with Martina, don't get too attached.

What did you think, Fellow Addicts?  Do you predict an early death for MADE IN JERSEY?  Or do you think it has potential to grow?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of MADE IN JERSEY?

PilotWatch: ELEMENTARY

CBS Thursdays @ 10/9c

What's it about?
ELEMENTARY stars Johnny Lee Miller as detective Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson in a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases.  Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.  A successful surgeon until she lost a patient and her license three years ago, Watson views her current job as another opportunity to help people, as well as paying a penance.  However, the restless Sherlock is nothing like her previous clients.  He informs her that none of her expertise as an addiction specialist applies to him and he's devised his own post-rehab regimen - resuming his work as a police consultant in New York City.  Watson has no choice but to accompany her irascible new charge on his jobs.  But Sherlock finds her medical background helpful, and Watson realizes she has a knack for playing investigator.  Sherlock's police contact, Capt. Tobias "Toby" Gregson, knows from previous experience working with Scotland Yard that Sherlock is brilliant at closing cases, and welcomes him as part of the team.  With the mischievous Sherlock Holmes now running free in New York solving crime, it's simple deduction that he's going to need someone to keep him grounded, and it's elementary that it's a job for Watson.
(from CBS.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you like your crime procedurals gussied up with a bit of flair.
• ...you like your television shows with a bit of stylish cinematography.
• ...you're curious to see whether or not the world has room for yet another adaptation of Sherlock.

So, how was it?
Between VEGAS and now ELEMENTARY, this seems to be the season of CBS trying to disguise their crime procedurals inside what initially appear to be more interesting shows (a period gangster drama, an adaptation of a beloved character).  Thankfully, ELEMENTARY manages to succeed where VEGAS falters, due largely to the fact that it doesn't really try to hide that it's a procedural.  While I tuned in to VEGAS expecting a network version of BOARDWALK EMPIRE only to be disappointed by its procedural nature, with ELEMENTARY, everyone was expecting a show about an eccentric British detective solving a series of murders in New York City.  Maybe it's because my expectations were more in line with what I ended up getting, but I by far preferred ELEMENTARY.

The one thing the two shows do have in common (other than being procedurals) is the high quality of actors that were attracted to the projects.  ELEMENTARY stars Johnny Lee Miller as Sherlock (you may remember him as the villain Jordan Chase from Season 5 of DEXTER or as the hallucinating lawyer ELI STONE), and Lucy Liu as Watson (no introduction necessary, I hope).  Mr. Miller brings the same kind of manic energy to the role that has become synonymous with the role of Sherlock.  That high-pitched energy may take some getting used to for some viewers (much like Dr. House's eccentricities), but it's a rhythm you settle into eventually.  And whereas other actors who have portrayed Sherlock have imbued that frantic energy with playfulness or insanity or what have you, Mr. Miller fills his mania with a deeply-rooted sadness.  He's obviously very intelligent, driven and socially inept like all Sherlocks, but there's a depression to the role that I'm interested to see explored more fully (that will also answer the question of his "fall from grace" and departure from London, I'm sure).

Casting Ms. Liu as a female Watson was a stroke of genius.  She's actually a very underrated actress (coming off a great arc on SOUTHLAND), and brings a nice juxtaposition of steeliness and insecurity to her role as a former surgeon who finds herself relegated to glorified babysitting.  A large part of the thrill of the first hour was watching Liu's Watson discover how much she actually likes solving crimes.  The creators have promised that there will never be any romance between Holmes and Watson, and I hope they keep that promise -- their relationship is already so well-crafted and specific, it'd be a shame to ruin it with will-they-won't-they drama.

The pilot is beautifully shot, with a gorgeous slow-motion murder opening the hour.  Other standout shots include a visit to the opera and the grisly discovery of a body.  The murder mystery itself was, if not the most brilliant, at least serviceable in introducing the audience to Sherlock's capabilities.  Sherlock has always been unique in the way that he solves crimes, and that will help ELEMENTARY remain memorable against the countless other procedurals on the air (I hope).  Instead of using high-tech forensic tools or chasing suspects on foot through grungy alleys or battling it out in the courtroom, Sherlock is old-fashioned in his clue gathering.  He simply notices things that no one else does, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of both the world and the human mind that help him piece things together that no one else can.  He's more Hercule Poirot than Gil Grissom.

ELEMENTARY may not be the most unique new show this season -- it's another procedural, another adaptation of an oft-adapted source -- but it has enough going for it in its strong leads, its detail-oriented crime-solving, and its beautiful cinematography, to make it a sure-fire hit for CBS.  And what Sherlock fan won't want to stick around to see this version's take on Moriarty?

And the verdict is:
Solid. I'm interested and will definitely keep watching.
With the built-in brand name, I don't think there's any way ELEMENTARY won't be one of the biggest drama hits of the season.  I predict a long life for this show.  And it may actually have the honor of being only the second show I've ever followed on CBS (the first being THE GOOD WIFE, natch).  For someone who's not a huge procedural fan, I'm interested enough to give this one a shot for a while.  Hopefully it continues to live up to its stellar pilot.

What about you, Fellow Addicts?  Did you love ELEMENTARY?  Or are you too tired of the countless Holmes adaptations to give it a shot?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of ELEMENTARY?

PIlotWatch: THE NEIGHBORS

ABC Wednesdays @ 8:30/7:30c

What's it about?
Marty Weaver just wants the best for his wife Debbie and their three kids.  That's why he's moving them to Hidden Hills, New Jersey, a gated community complete with its own golf course.  Marty is certain that their new home will be a dream come true.  And then, they meet the neighbors.  The residents of Hidden Hills are a little... different.  Larry Bird introduces himself as the "leader" of the community.  Then, he presents his wife, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and their two sons (yes, they're named after famous athletes -- Dick Butkus and Reggie Jackson).  After Debbie and Marty frantically try to make sense of the weird neighbors -- very European? A cult? Amish athletes? -- they discover that the entire Hidden Hills community is comprised of aliens from the planet Zabvron.  Turns out the Zabvronians have been holed up in Hidden Hills for the past 10 years, awaiting instructions from back home.  And the Weavers are the first humans who have ever lived amongst them.  At first, the Weavers are ready to cut and run.  But the aliens seem harmless enough.  And there is a lot of closet space... So, they decide to stay and help their new neighbors adapt to life on this confusing planet we call home.  As the Weavers and the aliens face the struggles of everyday life together, they discover that some things -- the ups and down sof marriage, the desire to be a good parent and raise a happy family -- are universal.  Intergalactic, even.  And the Weavers realize they've found an ally in the family next door... even if they do cry out of their ears.
(from ABC.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you enjoy non-sequitur bizarro humor.
• ...you're six years old.
• ...you have absolutely nothing better to do while you're waiting for MODERN FAMILY to come on at 9.

So, how was it?
For the network that airs the show that has won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series three years running, ABC has sure had some of the biggest sitcom duds lately.  Last year it was the horrific cross-dressing comedy WORK IT! and this year it's the bizarre, infantile alien comedy THE NEIGHBORS.  Both are destined to be the long-remembered laughing stock of their respective seasons -- but whereas WORK IT! definitely earned that title, THE NEIGHBORS is actually a better show than that politically incorrect mess (though that's not saying much at all).  It's not offensive, it's just... not a good show.

Much derided before its actual premiere for its low-brow, high-concept premise, THE NEIGHBORS never really stood a chance.  It boggles my mind that the series ever even made it to the air -- how many people along the the chain of command had to think it was a good idea?    Imagine the pitch: A suburb populated entirely by extraterrestrials with the names of famous athletes.  I'm sorry, what?  Unlike the other famous alien sitcom, THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN, which used aliens assimilating into human society to actually, you know, say things about human society, THE NEIGHBORS seems aimed more at sight gags than social commentary.  The aliens in this show aren't trying to assimilate into society, they're living isolated, which means they let their freak flags fly.

What passes for humor in this show is pure randomness: aliens walking llamas instead of dogs, trimming hedges with chainsaws instead of clippers, throwing dirty dishes out of the window instead of washing them, etc etc etc.  I guess there may be some people out there who actually find these things funny instead of weirdly mystifying.  The only time the show tries to delve into human concerns, it's disappointingly simplistic and cliché: both the aliens and the humans learn a Very Important Lesson about marriage and what it means to be in a true partnership.  Awww.  Warm fuzzies all around.

The only performance worth writing about is that of Jami Gertz (STILL STANDING) as the mother of the human family that moves to the alien subdivision.  She's clearly an actress of a pedigree way beyond the material, and she strives nobly (but vainly) to elevate every scene she's in with a grounded sensibility the rest of the show could desperately use.

And the verdict is:
* Atrocious. I will never watch this show again. Ever.
As the review for Time put it: "THE NEIGHBORS' problem [...] isn't that it's about aliens.  It's that it has nothing interesting to say about people."  Amen.

Take it away, Fellow Addicts!  Did you find something to like about THE NEIGHBORS?  Or did you just find yourself scratching your heard in bewilderment?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of THE NEIGHBORS?

PilotWatch: VEGAS

CBS Tuesdays @ 10/9c

What's it about?
Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis star in VEGAS, a drama inspired by the true story of former Las Vegas Sheriff Ralph Lamb, a fourth-generation rancher tasked with bringing order to Las Vegas in the 1960s, a gambling and entertainment mecca emerging from the tumbleweeds.  Ralph Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life.  Recalling Lamb's command as a military police officer during World War II, the Mayor appeals to his sense of duty to look into a murder of a casino worker - and os begins Lamb's clash with Vincent Savino, a ruthless Chicago gangster who plans to make Vegas his own.  Assisting Lamb in keeping law and order are his two deputies: his diplomatic, even-keeled brother, Jack, and his charming but impulsive son, Dixon.  Ambitious Assistant District Attorney Katherine O'Connell, who grew up on the ranch next to the Lambs, also lends a hand in preserving justice.  In VEGAS, two powerful men - Lamb and Savino - are engaged in a fierce battle for control of the budding oasis, and for both of them, folding is not an option.
(from CBS.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you enjoy period dramas about gangsters.
• ...you enjoy procedural crime shows.
• ...you're a fan of big movie stars headlining your TV shows.

So, how was it?
I'll admit I didn't know much about this show going in other than it was about Las Vegas in the 1960s and it starred Dennis Quaid as a sheriff and Michael Chiklis as a gangster.  Given the period setting, the gambling theme, and the presence of corrupt law enforcement and Chicago gangsters, I was expecting something along the lines of a network version of BOARDWALK EMPIRE.  Imagine my disappointment then, when I watched the pilot and found out that VEGAS shares more DNA with LAW & ORDER than it does with that terrific HBO drama.

Turns out that VEGAS is a pretty standard procedural crime drama disguised in the glitz of a period Vegas setting.  It's as though CBS execs were like, "We need a new idea for a tired format. I know!  Let's set in Las Vegas...IN 1960!"  Actually, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what happened.  Subtlety is not VEGAS' strong suit.  Just look at that poster up there.  There's Dennis Quaid in a white hat against a white background carrying a gun.  Next to him is Michael Chiklis in a black hat against a black background holding a wad of cash.  Gee... I wonder which is the good cop and which is the bad gangster?  The introduction of the characters on the actual show isn't much better.  Dennis Quaid's Ralph Lamb is introduced as he's herding cattle and getting into an argument with a sleazy guy responsible for scattering Lamb's herd.  Clearly he's down-to-earth, noble and strong.  Then Michael Chiklis' Vincent Savino disembarks from a big fancy airplane complete with black hat, squinty leer, and ominous music playing in the background.  Clearly he's rich and menacing.  The show quickly jumped into a not-very-interesting murder mystery and I groaned aloud in disappointment.

Now.  I've gotten all the bad stuff out of the way first.  I'm sure it sounds like I hated the show.  I didn't, really.  It actually has a lot going for it.  Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis are both terrific: Quaid's Lamb is definitely the good guy, but has enough grit and hidden anger to keep him from being entirely uninteresting.  And while Chiklis' Savino is definitely a take on the kind of gangster role that Bobby Cannavale is currently portraying on BOARDWALK EMPIRE (the unpredictably dangerous one), Chiklis is such a watchable actor that he managed to remain engaging.  There's also an absolutely terrific cast of supporting players: Carrie-Anne Moss (THE MATRIX) is a surprisingly strong presence as Katherine, a strong-willed ADA with a childhood connection to Lamb.  Jason O'Mara (TERRA NOVA) is much better suited to his role as Jack, Lamb's stalwart right-hand-man who also happens to be his brother, than he was in last year's epic dinosaur flop.  And Michael O'Neill (from every TV show ever) is great as Ted, the town's capable mayor who shares a past with Lamb.

Secondly, the period setting is extremely well-done: it creates a fantastic atmosphere and the exteriors of the old-time Vegas strip are beautiful.  While it may just be a trick to disguise the procedural nature of the show, it works surprisingly well -- the pilot doesn't feel half as bad as it might have if it were set in modern-day Vegas.  And the hint of an overarching plot between Lamb and Savino has me hopeful that the series can grow into something more than a rote procedural.  After all, one of my favorite shows on network television right now - FRINGE - started as a procedural that many considered an X-FILES ripoff, but evolved into one of the most compelling, smartly-written, mythology-based sci-fi series of all time (imho).  I hope that VEGAS ends up having less in common with CBS' procedurals (CSI, NCIS) and having more in common with THE GOOD WIFE (another CBS drama that is basically a legal procedural and yet is also so much more than that).  I don't know that I will keep tuning in week after week for CSI: VINTAGE LAS VEGAS.

And the verdict is:
Okay. I may give it another episode or two to see if it gets better.
Like FRINGE and VEGAS' fellow CBS drama THE GOOD WIFE, I'm willing to give VEGAS a little time to develop into an interesting show before completely writing it off.  I was disappointed that the pilot was as procedural as it was, but there were enough good things about it (acting, production quality), and enough hints of an underlying storyline between Lamb and Savino that the series could eventually take off in a less tired, more exciting direction.  Here's hoping!

What did you think, Fellow Addicts?  Were you drawn in by the glitz and glamor of VEGAS?  Or were you similarly disappointed by its procedural nature?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of VEGAS?

PilotWatch: PARTNERS

CBS Mondays @ 8:30/7:30c

What's it about?
PARTNERS is a comedy based on the lives of creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, about two life-long best friends and business partners whose "bromance" is tested when one of them is engaged to be married.  Joe is an accomplished architect who leads with his head and not his heart, especially in his love life.  That's in stark contrast to his gay co-worker, Louis, who is spontaneous, emotional and prone to exaggeration.  Both have found joy in their love lives: Joe is newly engaged to Ali, a beautiful and sophisticated jewelry designer, and Louis' companion is Wyatt, a vegan nurse who Louis insists is just a promotion away from becoming a doctor.  As news of Joe's engagement settles, time will tell if their business and personal bond can adapt to the addition of two other important relationships.
(from CBS.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you're a die-hard WILL & GRACE fan.
• ...you're a die-hard Michael Urie fan.
• ...you've been dying to see the actor who most recently portrayed Superman play a gay vegan nurse.

So, how was it?
Sitcoms centering around two characters who can never develop romantic feelings for each other seem to be in this year.  First there was BEN & KATE with its sibling protagonists, and now there's PARTNERS, featuring Joe and Louis, childhood friends and business partners, one of whom is straight and one gay.  This is again a welcome change from the tired will-they-won't-they trope.  That being said, I was totally prepared to hate this show, seeing as it's a CBS sitcom with a laugh track (there's not a single one of those I enjoy).  Even though PARTNERS was created by the same men who created WILL & GRACE, I was braced for the worst.

Imagine my surprise then, when I found myself not hating it.  It seemed to me to be a step above the usual CBS fare, probably due to the talent of the men who crafted the show -- WILL & GRACE is probably one of the most successful and well-loved sitcoms of the early 2000s.  Joe and Louis feel like much more well-rounded, real characters than any of the caricatures in ANIMAL PRACTICE or GUYS WITH KIDS (for example).  Granted, it's still a sitcom, so they still fit into "types" (the fussy gay, the schlubby straight dude), but Michael Urie (UGLY BETTY) and David Krumholtz (NUMB3RS) are skilled enough as the leads to flesh their characters out and make them relatable.  Even Sophia Bush (ONE TREE HILL) is likable as Joe's fiancée, and her frustration with his closeness to Louis is surprisingly understated (on any other sitcom it would've been played for over-the-top laughs).  Brandon Routh (SUPERMAN RETURNS) is the one weak link in the cast.  His comedic timing is not up to snuff and he's just too...vanilla to really add anything of import to the show.  He's tall and good-looking and that's about it, at least so far.

Like any sitcom, there were jokes that fell flat, predictable plot lines, and a sappy ending where everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow, but there was enough freshness -- in the concept and the acting -- to keep me from groaning every three seconds.  If I enjoyed mult-cam sitcoms with laugh tracks, I would probably love this show.  Unfortunately, this format is just not my cup of tea, and I really don't see myself tuning in on a regular basis.  But, and this is high praise from me, if I found myself with nothing else to watch and this was on my TV, I might not change the channel.

And the verdict is:
Meh.  Not the worst but not for me.
There has never been a CBS sitcom that I enjoyed, and I absolutely loathe laugh tracks, so I was all ready to give this one an atrocious rating.  PARTNERS turned out to be surprisingly not atrocious, but it's also not the show for me, through no fault of its own.  I'll be surprised if this show doesn't find an audience somewhere.  It's definitely not the worst sitcom of the year, in no small part due to the absence of a monkey costar.  (Doesn't that just reek of desperation?? Ugh...)

What did you think, Fellow Addicts?  Were you as surprised as I was by how not-horrible PARTNERS was?  Or did you just find it plain-ole-horrible?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of PARTNERS?

PilotWatch: LAST RESORT

ABC Thursdays @ 8/7c
(premiering 9/27)

What's it about?
500 feet beneath the ocean's surface, the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado receives their orders.  Over a radio channel, designed only to be used if their homeland has been wiped out, they're told to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan.  Captain Marcus Chaplin demands confirmation of the orders only to be unceremoniously relieved of duty by the White House.  XO Sam Kendal finds himself suddenly in charge of the submarine and facing the same difficult decision.  When he also refuses to fire without confirmation of the orders, the Colorado is targeted, fired upon, and hit.  The submarine and its crew find themselves crippled on the ocean floor, declared rogue enemies of their own country.  Now, with nowhere left to turn, Chaplin and Kendal take the sub on the run and bring the men and women of the Colorado to an exotic island.  Here they will find refuge, romance and a chance at a new life, even as they try to clear their names and get home.
(from ABC.com)

You should watch if...
• ...you're a fan of non-procedural, high-concept drama.
• ...you're a fan of complex characters making ethically ambiguous decisions.
• ...you're still searching for something other than a medical/cop/lawyer/LOST-ripoff show.

So, how was it?
This early in the season, with only THE MOB DOCTOR and REVOLUTION to compete with in the drama category, it probably doesn't mean much for me to say that LAST RESORT is by far my favorite premiere so far, but I predict it will hold on to that title, or at the very least stay close to the top of my list.  When most shows that premiere are at least similar to (if not outright clones of) other, better shows, it's so refreshing when something truly unique comes along.  And I think we can all agree that a show based around the crew of a rogue submarine taking over a tropical island and founding the world's smallest nuclear country has definitely never been done before.

The show was created by Shawn Ryan, the creator of the critically-acclaimed FX hit THE SHIELD.  He has infused LAST RESORT with the same complex characters, ethically ambiguous situations, relentless tension and impossibly high stakes, while simultaneously keeping the show fresh and exciting.  Major kudos to him. It doesn't hurt that the pilot was also executive-produced and directed by Martin Campbell, the man who directed one of the best action movies of the past couple decades, CASINO ROYALE.  Once the action starts, it's non-stop for the rest of the episode and maintained at an expert level with impressive-for-television special effects, but never at the expense of interesting characters.

It certainly helps that those characters are portrayed by a team of impressive actors.  Andre Braugher (HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET, MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE) commands the submarine as Captain Marcus Chaplin.  It's a captivating performance of a man you immediately like and root for and assume will be your typical good-guy-in-charge -- however, by the end of the episode, faced with a number of impossible decisions, his true nature becomes less clear and I, at least, began questioning his actual level of sanity.  It's a huge arc for one episode and Braugher's last, captivating monologue left me with chills.  Scott Speedman (UNDERWORLD) is our strapping young hero, which could easily have been a bland role, but he manages (somewhat surprisingly) to imbue it with enough humanity to make you root for and sympathize with him.  His XO Sam Kendal is definitely less of a grey area than Braugher's Chaplin, so he and the writers will have to be careful not to dip into cliché, but so far I like him.  Robert Patrick (the T-1000 himself) is a vaguely menacing presence as Master Chief Joseph Prosser, whose exact allegiances are a bit mysterious.  Daisy Betts (OUT OF THE BLUE, HARRY'S LAW) is reserved but compelling as Lt. Grace Shepard, a woman in a position of authority on a submarine filled with men (and all the complications that entails).  Bruce Davison (X-MEN) and Autumn Reeser (HAWAII FIVE-0) lead the supporting cast on the mainland side of things.

LAST RESORT is not without its flaws.  The pilot is so ambitious, it easily could have been a two-hour episode.  It's jam-packed and, while not overly convoluted in plot, things do move so fast that it's easy to lose track of exactly what's going on.  And anything that doesn't happen on the submarine (back in Washington DC or among the natives on the island) is simply not as interesting by comparison, at least so far.  I understand that the DC storyline especially is important for the deeper mythology of the series, but I kept wanting to get back to Chaplin and Kendal whenever we strayed away, which is as much a testament to the power of their story as anything else.  These small gripes are probably just typical pilot problems that will resolve themselves as the show goes on.  But even if they don't, they're minor enough that I would still be hooked.

And the verdict is:
Certifiably ADDICTive. A must-see.
My first "addictive" rating of the season.  This show instantly earned a place in my weekly schedule, and I can't wait to see what happens next.  My biggest fear is about the longevity of the plot (it almost feels like it should be a miniseries), but I have enough faith in Shawn Ryan and the capable cast to let things play out for the time being.  Hopefully everyone involved can keep up the quality work at a consistent level every week.

Take it away, Fellow Addicts! Are you addicted to LAST RESORT? Or did you find its ambitious plot hard to swallow? Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of LAST RESORT?

PilotWatch: REVOLUTION

NBC Mondays @ 10/9c

What's it about?
What would you do without it all?  In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions and SUPERNATURAL's Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology - computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights - has mysteriously blacked out forever.  A drama with sweeping scope and intimate focus, REVOLUTION is also about family - both the family you're born into and the family you choose.  This is a swashbuckling journey of hope and rebirth seen through the eyes of one strong-willed young woman, Charlie Matheson, and her brother Danny.  When Danny is kidnapped by militia leaders for a darker purpose, Charlie must reconnect with her estranged uncle Miles, a former U.S. Marine living a reclusive life.  Together, with a rogue band of survivors, they set out to rescue Danny, overthrow the militia and ultimately re-establish the United States of America.  All the while, they explore the enduring mystery of why the power failed, and if - or how - it will ever return.
(from NBC.com)

You should watch if...
•...you're still on that quest for the next LOST.
•...you're still on that quest for the next HUNGER GAMES.
•...you're still on that quest for the next post-apocalyptic-family-adventure-mystery-action-science-fiction-drama-journey-futuristic-crossbow-wielding-romantic-sword-fight-mythology-show.

So, how was it?
Every year since LOST vacated the airwaves, it has become a tradition for at least one network to try their hand at the sweeping science-fiction mystery show with a large cast of characters and deep mythology.  First there was FLASHFORWARD.  And then there was THE EVENT.  And then TERRA NOVA happened.  What else do these shows have in common?  Oh that's right.  None of them made it past one season.  (The exception being V, if you include it in this category, which made it a whopping TWO SEASONS.)  The question is: Will this season's FLASHFORWARD TO THE EVENT OF THE LOST TERRA NOVA be the one that survives?  Get your bets in now.

I will go right ahead and say that I did not find REVOLUTION as horrendous as some of those other LOST-wannabes.  That being said, it is definitely still in their category and shares many of their same traits.  Like last season's TERRA NOVA, it wants to be a dark, epic sci-fi adventure while still cultivating a family-friendly audience.  Folks, you can't craft a decent sci-fi story if you're afraid of alienating viewers.  Sci-fi by its definition is a niche genre, and you will only be successful if you embrace that quality and cater to the audience of people who love it.  Look at FRINGE.  It has survived five whole seasons by embracing its weirdness and not being afraid to take risks (and the show is decidedly un-family-friendly in its gross-out sci-fi cases).  Is it the highest-rated show on television?  No, but it is critically-acclaimed, passionately loved by its audience, and survived literally five times longer than TERRA NOVA did.

Anyway, back to REVOLUTION.  At the same time as it tries to capitalize on the audience still looking for the next LOST, it also capitalizes on the audience still rife with HUNGER GAMES fever.  Our heroine, Charlie, is a resourceful young woman who ventures into the woods outside her ramshackle village with a bow to hunt.  Ring any bells?  The character breakdown for casting Charlie was probably lifted word-for-word from Suzanne Collins' description of Katniss.  She is spunky, has a rebellious nature, and is always trying to take care of her family.  She is deeply affected by the death of her father and the absence of her mother, and takes action to protect her younger sibling.  She ventures with a bow through a post-apocalyptic terrain, confronting a ruthless futuristic government to protect her family, which will -- I'm sure -- lead to the sparking of a revolution.  This is not to say the actress, Tracy Spiridakos (BEING HUMAN), is less than capable.  She does a fine job, but her character is such a carbon-copy, it's impossible not to compare her performance to that of Oscar-nominated Jennifer Lawrence.

She's joined by Billy Burke (TWILIGHT, 24) as Charlie's caustic uncle Miles who is hesitant to join his niece on her trek, but is impressively capable with a katana when spurred to action.  Giancarlo Esposito (BREAKING BAD, ONCE UPON A TIME) does a typically fine job as the leader of the militia that kidnaps Charlie's brother, although his character is thus far so blandly eeeeevil that he does all but rub his hands together while chuckling menacingly.  Zak Orth is Aaron, a former Google-billionaire who plays REVOLUTION's version of Hurley's chubby-comedic-relief.  Then there's sci-fi goddess Elizabeth Mitchell (LOST, V) as Charlie's mother.  She's briefly glimpsed in the opening sequence and then assumed dead...but we all know you don't cast Elizabeth Mitchell in your show if she's not going to be important and kick some sci-fi butt.

The big question of the pilot is why technology has stopped working.  It's not just electricity, as society skips anything like steam engines and immediately reverts back to medieval times complete with horses and swords (and yet everyone looks like the just finished shopping at J Crew...interesting...).  I feel like this is a big missed opportunity, as steampunk is such a cool genre that hasn't been effectively portrayed on TV in a while.  But whatever.  The only explanation that is given is this: "Physics went insane."  Well okay then.  I assume we'll get more of an explanation as the show progresses, and that actually worries me.  It was the too-complicated mythology as much as anything that was the downfall of FLASHFORWARD and THE EVENT, and I would almost prefer the blackout remain a mystery than have some uninteresting-techy-gobbledegook thrown at me down the line.

All this probably makes it sound like I hated REVOLUTION.  I didn't.  I found Ms. Spiridakos an appealing lead (even with her stolen character), Mr. Esposito is always a welcome presence on my screen (even though he hasn't been given much to do yet), and the difference between REVOLUTION and other LOST-ripoffs is that REVOLUTION actually has LOST's creator as part of the team.  So I'm hoping that REVOLUTION finds its stride and survives for longer than one season, although I won't be terribly surprised if it doesn't.

And the verdict is:
Okay. I may give it another episode or two to see if it gets better.
It is often difficult to judge an entire show by its pilot alone, and this problem is only compounded when the show is as ambitious as REVOLUTION.  So I'm definitely willing to keep giving it a chance (I did, admittedly, watch every episode of TERRA NOVA last season, continually hoping it would improve).  My love for J.J. Abrams and my hope that this will be the show that finally survives, will keep me tuning in at least for a few weeks.  Maybe this will be the one that breaks the post-LOST sci-fi curse.  Only time will tell.

Your turn, Fellow Addicts!  Are you giving REVOLUTION a chance?  Did you like it better or worse than TERRA NOVA/THE EVENT/FLASHFORWARD?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of REVOLUTION?

PilotWatch: THE MOB DOCTOR

FOX Mondays @ 9/8c

What's it about?
For most physicians, the Hippocratic oath is sacred.  But for one Chicago doctor, who is indebted to the mafia, saving lives isn't her only concern.  THE MOB DOCTOR is a fast-paced medical drama focusing on a young female surgeon caught between two worlds as she juggles her promising medical career with her family's debt to Chicago's Southside mob.
(from FOX.com)

You should watch if...
•...you're a medical procedural junkie.
•...you're a crime procedural junkie.
•...you're a plucky-young-pretty-resourceful-heroine junkie.

So, how was it?
FOX must have pretty high hopes for this show, considering it's the only new drama they're premiering this fall.  So it's really a pity the show isn't any better than it is.  That's not to say it's horrible - I'm sure there will be many fans, as THE MOB DOCTOR is essentially a mash-up of the medical and crime procedural genres.  But for anyone looking for an original drama with three-dimensional characters, this will likely fall short.

Jordana Spiro (MY BOYS) is Grace Devlin, our plucky-young-pretty-resourceful heroine doctor who is dedicated to medicine and loves cute kids but unfortunately has a debt to the mafia that requires her to occasionally pull screwdrivers out of mobster's frontal lobes.  Spiro is likable enough and could easily carry a well-written show, but this character is too one-dimensional to really let her shine.  We're led to believe that Grace is smart and capable, but then she has her mob boss's phone number programmed into her phone UNDER HIS REAL NAME.  What, her boyfriend doesn't think it's weird that infamous mafioso Moretti is calling her up on her cell?  Grace isn't the only one to act uncharacteristically stupid; after Grace is assigned to save a man who is a mob informer, Moretti sends her a flower arrangement complete the utterly un-subtle note: KILL HIM.  You know, because there are no such things as nosy coworkers who might want to know why someone other than the pretty surgeon's doctor boyfriend is sending her a flower arrangement.

The rest of the cast is rounded out by a bunch of character actors in roles that all seem lifted from better shows (and losing at least one dimension in the process).  Zach Gilford (stuck playing a doctor for the second subpar show in a row, after OFF THE MAP) is Grace's handsome-smart-talented-understanding boyfriend.  William Forsythe (BOARDWALK EMPIRE) is Constantine, a mobster straight out of a direct-to-video Goodfellas ripoff.  There's also an arrogant doctor who doesn't give two craps that he's responsible for the death of an eight-year-old boy, a stuck-up coworker who makes life difficult for Grace, a sexy-but-doofy brother who is in deep with the mafia, and a sleazily-charming mobster who's got the hots for Grace.  Even Zeljko Ivanek, one of TV's greatest character actors is utterly wasted as Grace's chief of surgery.

Grace's main conflict in the pilot is whether or not to kill the informer as ordered.  Doesn't this seem like the kind of moral dilemma we should be spending the season leading up to?  Shouldn't we spend some time getting to know Grace and her life and the day-to-day of what she has to do for the mob before jumping right into the highest life-or-death decision?  Isn't killing someone about the worst thing her mob boss could ask her to do?  What else is the season going to build up to?  I'm not sure, but I probably won't be around to find out.

And the verdict is:
** Meh. Not the worst but not for me.
Like I said, I wouldn't be surprised to see this show find an audience -- it's got a cast of solid actors and just the right blend of medical cases, crime drama, and a little action to keep some people hooked.  It just didn't have enough originality or substance to earn a spot in my ever-burgeoning Hulu queue.  But I also wouldn't be surprised to see this show canceled by November/December and replaced midseason by something else.  It's a coin toss.

What did you think, Fellow Addicts?  Were you attracted to the medical/crime blend?  Or turned off by the stock characters and cliché plot twists?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of THE MOB DOCTOR?

PilotWatch: GUYS WITH KIDS

NBC Wednesdays @ 8:30/7:30c
(premieres 9/26)

What's it about?
GUYS WITH KIDS is a new comedy from Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jimmy Fallon about three 30-something dads who try to hold on to their youth as they face the responsibilities of having kids.  Thankfully, Gary, Chris and Nick have each other to help navigate the highs and lows of fatherhood - while still trying to remain dudes.
(from NBC.com)

You should watch if...
• you're a 30-something dad trying to hold on to your youth as you face the responsibilities of having kids.
• you're a huuuuuge Jimmy Fallon fan.
• you're feeling nostalgic for the 90s.

So, how was it?
Where to begin?  Anyone who knows me knows that I am in no way a fan of multi-cam sitcoms with live audiences and/or laugh tracks.  Comedy has evolved so much since the era of live studio audiences, I don't understand why every TV season at least one network thinks it's a brilliant idea to try to recapture the magic of that bygone era of clearly fake sets and broad humor.  Usually it's CBS, but this year NBC has decided to branch out of its critically-lauded, low-rated niche comedies like COMMUNITY and PARKS AND RECREATION and aim for a wider audience (read: broader comedy).  Thusly, the network has now given us such gems as ANIMAL PRACTICE and now GUYS WITH KIDS.

Truth be told, GUYS WITH KIDS is nowhere near as awful as that dead-on-arrival atrocity, ANIMAL PRACTICE.  Neither is it as soul-suckingly horrendous as last year's WORK IT! or HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN.  But neither is it worth wasting my time to tune in for again.  It's just not my cup of tea.  But if you are a fan of a studio audience telling you when to laugh, then this is the show for you.

Everyone is serviceable in their roles, though there are no earth-shattering performances or multi-dimensional portraits of complex characters.  Anthony Anderson (TRANSFORMERS) plays Gary, the loud-mouthed stay-at-home dad.  Zach Cregger (THE WHITEST KIDS U'KNOW) is Nick, the goofy oddball of the bunch.  And Jesse Bradford (ROMEO + JULIET, BRING IT ON, SWIMFAN) is the handsome and intelligent yet inexplicably inept Chris.  All three fill their roles fine while not bringing anything particularly special or new or exciting to them.

The show as a whole feels like a throwback to a bygone era of television: the live studio audience, the characters drinking Capri Sun, the Titanic-themed parties, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guest-starring and, of course, 90s It-guy Jesse Bradford.  Several times I found myself thinking, "Which decade are we in?"  Maybe this show will go down in history as a period piece.   You know, DOWNTON ABBEY, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, GUYS WITH KIDS.  They're all the same, really.

And the verdict is:
** Meh.  Not the worst but not for me.
I actually had to invent a new category for this show because I can't in good conscience give this the same rating as I gave ANIMAL PRACTICE and WORK IT!, but I can also tell you right now that I will never be tuning in again.  So now there's a category between Atrocious and Okay.  If you like 90's nostalgia and laugh tracks, there's no better show out there for you right now.  I would normally predict a quick cancellation for this show, but with Jimmy Fallon on board as executive producer, I can see this one sticking around a bit longer than I would otherwise assume.

What about you, Fellow Addicts?  Were you surprised by how un-atrocious GUYS WITH KIDS was?  Or did you find it just plain awful?  Or did you actually like it?  Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!

What did you think of GUYS WITH KIDS?