What I Watched - Fall Premiere Challenge Part 3
Posted by kittson on Sep 30 2007 | Tagged as: Television, Review, What I Watched
While the last set was filled with geeks and slackers, this group of shows seems to be all about the alpha male…and female. We have three about the lifestyle of obscenely rich New Yorkers, two about rogue detectives with nothing to lose, one about a world-class neonatal surgeon, and one show with a new bionic woman that makes the original look like Wang. As you might expect, these over-achievers faired a little better than the nerds.
Private Practice (ABC) – We loved Addison on “Grey’s Anatomy”. Her quirky charm provided a counterbalancing lightness to the primarily bleak cast of characters. This spin-off (a brave gamble or simple laziness?) feels a bit superficial and makes me wonder why they messed with a good thing over at Seattle Grace to create this lesser show that offers nothing new. Score: 6
Bionic Woman (NBC) – I feel like I should like this show, and I may eventually. They’ve got all their ducks in a row. The look of it is very slick. The premise is well developed and plausible (while you’re watching it, that is, not later when you’re trying to describe it to your co-workers). But I don’t really like this Jamie Sommers. Right now she’s just cold and angry. I want her to enjoy kicking ass. Score: 7
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) – After his father’s suspicious death, Nick George (Peter Krause) reluctantly assumes his role as p
ersonal lawyer to the Kennedy-esque Darling family. This show features a solid cast, including Jill Clayburgh, Donald Sutherland, and one of the other Baldwin brothers (Billy, if you care). Smart writing and a rich array of characters (some sympathetic, some not so much) turn what might have been just another night soap into a genuinely compelling pilot episode. Score: 8
Life (NBC) – Detective Charlie Crews has been exonerated and reinstated after spending twelve years in prison. He’s a little crazy, but he’s got a lot of money and women, and, boy, does he solve good crime. Score: 8
Gossip Girl (CW) – I don’t know how they did it in two episodes, but I’m already worried Chuck will foil Ryan and Marissa’s…I mean Dan and Serena’s(!) chance at love. Okay, it’s not terribly original, but “Gossip Girl” is definitely going to be the guilty pleasure of the season, so don’t believe me when I tell you I’ve stopped watching it. Last Week’s Score: 7. Score: 7
Back to You (Fox) – There were some legitimately funny moments in this second episode (who knew a ring-tone could actually make me laugh), but the repeated killing of goldfish (the gag on which the entire episode was based) was anything but. The possibility for another Grammer-length run for this sitcom is looking bad. Last Week’s Score: 7. Score: 6
Big Shots (ABC) – The ads for this show are pretty misleading. It appears to be about four misogynistic Wall Street sharks who spend too much money and take advantage of women for sport. Some of that is true. They are successful businessmen who enjoy the finer things. But this show is more “Sex in the City” than “Entourage”, and the women in their lives mostly take advantage of them. Score: 8
Moonlight (CBS) – I haven’t seen a drama this bad since the pre-“Monk” days of original programming on cable. Not only is the concept of a vampire detective completely unoriginal, but the cast is so uninspired I can’t help thinking the “casting couch” is alive and well. The good news is it runs opposite “Friday Night Lights”. Score: 4
On Wednesday we’ll take a look at “Aliens in America” (which is actually not a science fiction series), “Cavemen” (which is actually not the first series based on a commercial), and “Carpoolers” (which nobody’s talking about). Plus we’ll also get our first final score with “K-Ville”.
If you’re interested in watching any of the shows you may have missed, most are available for download on iTunes. You can also check out the shows’ websites. Many of them stream episodes for free.
