Monday
Studio 60 on Sunset Strip (NBC): Is written by “The West Wing” creator, Aaron Sorkin, and stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet, Steven Weber and many more talented actors. It’s about the backstage politics in television and what really happens behind the scenes of a popular Saturday night show. It’s fast-paced, well-written and one of my favorites this season.
The Class (CBS): I wasn’t terribly impressed with this one. It’s about a group of people who were all a part of the same third grade class. Jason Ritter, Jon Bernthal, Lizzy Caplan star. It had a few bright moments, and actually the second episode was funnier than the pilot. But I’ll be watching “Studio” and “Heroes” (Which I’ll talk about ad nauseum next week) on Mondays.
Tuesday
Smith (CBS): I think fans of “Oceans 11” will get into this. It’s about a career criminal, played by Ray Liotta, who is determined to get out of the business – after a couple more jobs. I love Virginia Madsen, who plays the wife, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t care about any of the characters, and that’s important if you want me to invest my time. It wasn’t bad, just not my thing.
Wednesday
Jericho (CBS): A mushroom cloud looms on the horizon and the folks in the small town of Jericho are worried. When they discover nuclear explosions have destroyed Denver, Atlanta and several other cities, the townsfolk don’t know what to do. This is more a study of human nature, than anything, but I found it fascinating. I watched the first two episodes and I’m curious enough to watch more. Skeet Ulrich, Pamela Green and Gerald McRaney star.
Kidnapped (NBC): Jeremy Sisto, Dana Delany, Timothy Hutton, Delroy Lindo and Will Denton star in this serialized thriller where the teenaged son of a wealthy family is kidnapped. Jason Smilovic (“Lucky Number Slevin) created the series and I like his writing style. I liked the show, but it has some tough competition on Wednesdays.
Thursday
Six Degrees (ABC): There are some great actors in this one, including Hope Davis and Campbell Scott. It’s about six people in New York City and how their lives intersect. It’s airing after “Grey’s Anatomy,” so I suspect it will do well, but it didn’t blow me away. That said, I’d watch a second episode just to check it out.
Shark (CBS): James Woods is a cutthroat defense attorney who ends up working for the prosecutor’s office when a case goes bad. His character is damaged goods, and that’s what makes this one so much fun to watch. Jeri Ryan also stars. I’m not big into the law shows, but this one is definitely worth checking out.
Friday
MEN IN TREES (ABC): After, she discovers her fiancé has been cheating on her, a motivational speaker (Anne Heche) lands in Alaska and decides to stay. This is a quirky, small town dramedy along the lines of “Northern Exposure.” I liked it, and it will most definitely make the TIVO list. And just in case you think it’s a chick thing, a lot of the guy critics liked it too. Not that I need the validation. (Smile)
I’m probably the only goober in the room excited about Rachel Ray and Megan Mullally’s new talk shows. I like both of these chicks, and I hope their shows rock! That said, I’ll be watching and I’ll let you know.
I didn’t care for the Jericho pilot. I saw it online last week. It didn’t really plow me away.
Men in Trees is going to get canceled. I’ve seen the first two episodes and it doesn’t really have enough to keep it going through the season.
LOL, okay so maybe Men In Trees is a chick thing. But you aren’t wrong about it being cancelled. The numbers were beyond rotten. I still liked it. Probably, mostly, for the cute guys.
I was more fascinated with the human drama in Jericho, and I liked the second episode more. It won’t make it either. The competition is too stiff that night.
I just watched the Heroes season premiere. HOLY CRAP! That show is amazingly good. I can’t wait to see what happens next. That was really amazing. Monday nights are going to be awesome this year.
Here is the link so everyone can check it out.
http://tv.yahoo.com/feature/fall06/?d=503
I told you! I’m dedicating an entire feature to it next week! My favorite show of the season, well along with Ugly Betty. Favorite two shows.
I’m so happy to see someone else pumped about Ugly Betty. I haven’t seen the pilot yet, but after watching its presentation during the UpFronts and reading about the success of its adaptation in like a bajillion other countries, I think it will be great to watch ABC’s version. And how can you not root for a girl with bangs and braces working in high fashion?!
I totally agree. The show has everything. Comedy, drama. I’ve seen the first two episodes and they are great.
It appears the first two casualities of the new season are upon us. I hope you enjoyed Happy Hour and Justice. I liked both of these shows but Justice is almost the exact same show as Shark. I was curious which one would get axed first.
Same with Kidnapped and Vanished. I’m betting Vanished gets killed off first.
I told you Happy Hour wouldn’t be long in this world. Even though I liked it. :-) I would guess if Vanished doesn’t pick up soon in the ratings, that it won’t be back after baseball.
Quick note: It’s Stephen Webber in Studio 60, not Tim Daly.
Webber plays an exec-with-pole-up-butt wonderfully.
LOL, Scott thank you so much. Tim’s actually in “The Nine” and I always do that with those guys. Always. Ever since they were in “Wings” together. It’s sad because I know better, and I should have doubled check. :-) And yes, Stephen is the best. I especially loved him this last Monday. Did you see Aaron Sorkin in the writer’s room. How fun was that?