2009 Pilot Watch

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will actually be worth watching? Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick is HBO's new comedy Bored to Death which will team up with Curb Your Enthusiasm on Sunday nights, starting September 20.

What's it about? Bored to Death opens as Jonathan Ames watches his girlfriend move out of their apartment and begins to assess his life as a single, 30-year-old struggling writer. As he contemplates how to win her back and what to do with his free time, Jonathan poses as an amateur private detective after a little inspiration from his favorite crime novels. Hijinks ensue.

Who's in it? Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Olivia Thirlby.

The good: The star-studded cast alone is enough to draw an audience, and fans of Schwartzman will enjoy his portrayal of yet another lovably quirky character. The humor isn't in your face, but the subtle jokes and offbeat characters keep the story afloat. Plus, the first season boasts a handful of special guest stars including Parker Posey and Patton Oswalt.

The bad: If I wasn't a Jason Schwartzman devotee, I'm not sure how I would feel about the pilot. Like I said, the humor can be dry and viewers may be disappointed by the lack of laugh-out-loud moments. The first episode isn't bad, but I fear that it may not live up to expectations.

Will I watch? I'll probably watch most of the first season, but I don't envision myself rushing home on Sunday nights to check it out in real time.

To see photos and watch a preview for the show, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick is NBC's nursing drama Mercy, which is pinch-hitting for Parenthood on the Fall schedule.

What's it about? Mercy follows a trio of nurses — and the doctors and other hospital workers who surround them — in and out of the hospital where they work, showing their interactions with patients and the way work spills over into their daily lives.

Who's in it? Taylor Schilling, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jamie Lee Kirchner, James Tupper

The good: The show swings for a sort of Grey's Anatomy-with-nurses vibe, and Schilling's Veronica is like an even more damaged, but still appealing, Meredith Grey. The pilot does a pretty solid job of introducing the characters and giving us a thumbnail sketch of their personalities. The writers seem to have lots of material to mine in the relationships — both personal and professional — between nurses and doctors.

The bad: I'm really not sure what kind of show Mercy wants to be. A drama? A dramedy? A soap? Something seems off in the tone, because in the course of one hour it's snarky, deeply dramatic, and a little romantic, but it also doesn't any of those marks particularly well. I think it's a show that needs some time to figure itself out — and that might have happened if it had gotten to keep its original midseason slot. Now that it's airing in the Fall instead, I'm worried it'll be a mess — or, at best, a copycat of other medical dramas.

Will I watch? Unless I hear and see better things as September approaches, I'm tempted to tune this one out.

To watch clips from the pilot and see more photos, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick: ABC's drama Eastwick.

What's it about? The lives of three women are changed forever when they are brought together by a handsome devil (literally) who helps them harness their powers as witches. With magic, they learn to stand up for themselves, turn personal desires into reality, and raise a little hell.

Who's in it? Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price, Jaime Ray Newman, Paul Gross.

The good: Now that Lipstick Jungle is resting in peace, it's nice to see a fresh new trio of women to cheer for (or, well, fresh duo and Price, who moves over from Lipstick). It's a fun, wish-fulfillment type of show, and who hasn't thought about how cool it would be to have magic powers?

The bad: Translating a movie to a TV series can be difficult, and it seems like Eastwick doesn't know what kind of show it wants to be. The pilot was funny and campy, but it also took on some pretty heavy themes. It plows through a lot of story lines in the first episode, making me wonder if it's going to burn out before it even gets started.

Will I watch? It's debatable. I'll probably check out the first few episodes, but I'm not ready for a season-long commitment just yet.

To check out a preview video, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick is ABC's highly anticipated FlashForward, which I was lucky enough to see at TCA last week.

What's it about? The world is turned upside down when everyone on the planet suffers a blackout at the exact same time, immediately causing devastating car accidents, explosions, and deaths. Once that smoke is cleared, it becomes apparent that during the blackout, each person got a quick glimpse at life six months into the future.

Who's in it? Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Dominic Monaghan, Sonya Walger, Gabrielle Union

The good: The pilot has a little something for everyone. It's full of action, suspense, and mystery, but it's a character-driven show at heart. There are solid performances from familiar faces, and by the end I was asking myself the same ethical questions the characters were about whether I would change my future if I could. The pilot picks up momentum quickly, ends with a cliffhanger, and raises many questions — I'm already on the edge of my seat for more.

The bad: Of course we're supposed to take the show with a grain of salt, but there were still a few things I didn't buy. For one, many of the characters seem surprisingly calm after their apocalyptic episode. It felt a bit self-involved that they're more concerned about what their visions mean for their personal lives than why the event occurred or what it means for the world at large. I'm also a bit worried about all the comparisons between FlashForward and Lost. The creators and cast do their best to separate the two, but it feels like everyone is counting on the new show to be another cult favorite — and that's a heavy burden to carry.

Will I watch? Absolutely. Besides Glee, this is easily the show I'm looking forward to most.

To watch a preview of the show and see more photos, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick is the CW's Melrose Place reboot.

What's it about? As if you don't already know! TV's most scandalous apartment complex is back with a new set of 20-something tenants who just can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Who's in it? Ashlee Simpson, Katie Cassidy, and Michael Rady are among the newbies, while Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro are among the veterans who will appear.

The good: Right off the bat, the pilot is a lot more fun than what we've seen from 90210. It's fresher and more exciting, and it doesn't feel like it's trying so hard. The cast of characters is a mysterious bunch, but not everyone fits into the typical stereotypes.The crossover between old and new Melrose Place residents is smooth and makes (relative) sense, which makes me excited for potential appearances from other original stars.

The bad: As we're prone to seeing on the CW, there's a big lapse in realism here. It doesn't really make economic sense that most of these kids can afford their lavish digs with their low-paying jobs, though the original series wasn't exactly an accurate mirror of society either. There's also so much going on in the first episode, it might not take very long for the storylines to take a turn for the absurd.

Will I watch? Yup. I'm still watching 90210, too, so it looks like I'll be camping out on the CW on Tuesday nights.

To check out a few new trailers plus a ton of photos, just read more

Here's the latest on two cool women coming soon to a small screen near you:

• Gabrielle Union is joining the cast of Flash Forward, playing a criminal defense attorney named Zoey. Zoey will be a recurring character, and she'll also have a romantic arc on the show, though there's no word on which other cast member that will involve. (But wouldn't she be cute with Joseph Fiennes? Just sayin'.) Producer David S. Goyer said he knew the moment he met her that she was their Zoey: "She's witty, soulful and beautiful." Aw!
• Alfre Woodard is joining the cast of Three Rivers on CBS. In the medical drama — which stars Alex O'Loughlin of Moonlight fame — she'll play Sophia Jordan, the head of surgery at Three Rivers Hospital, a renowned center for organ transplants. She replaces Julia Ormond, who played the role in the pilot. While Sophia wasn't a particularly major character in the pilot, I could imagine her being a bigger factor as the series goes forward.

Are you excited to see either of these women back on TV?

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick: the Fox action drama Human Target, which will launch after American Idol next year.

What's it about? Christopher Chance is a bodyguard to the extreme, boldly throwing himself into the line of fire to save his clients' lives.

Who's in it? Mark Valley, Chi McBride, Jackie Earle Haley

The good: The pilot is full of fast-paced, one-wrong-step-and-you-die action, not unlike 24. As he showed on Fringe, Valley has a strong presence on screen, and he makes an appealing action star. McBride and Haley don't have a ton of screen time in the pilot, but it was enough to make me want to see more from their characters — McBride as Christopher Chance's business partner/manager, Haley as a renegade hired gun — who add a bit of snark and comic relief.

The bad: From what I knew about the comic book series on which the show is based, I was expecting Christopher Chance to literally become the target of the bad guys who are chasing his clients. To find out he's just their bodyguard was a bit of a bummer. Some of the action was a little cheesy, and the success of the show might depend on the writers' ability to find new and dangerous scenarios for Chance every week. We get a hint that the show might explore what compels Chance to take these dangerous jobs, but it's mostly lost in all the train-jumping and heist-stopping.

Will I watch? We'll see how the TV schedule shakes out come January, but I'm not jumping out of my seat with anticipation.

To check out a trailer and some photos, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick: the NBC comedy Community.

What's it about? A group of misfit students at a community college come together, Breakfast Club-style.

Who's in it? Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs Allison Brie, John Oliver, Yvette Nicole Brown, Danny Pudi

The good: Community feels like a show that has potential. It preys on Hollywood stereotypes, really working its Breakfast Club metaphor and riffing on some other TV and movie conventions — a bunch of which can be seen in the preview video below. The interactions between McHale as a lawyer who's been sent back to community college and Oliver as the college's crafty dean are among the funniest moments in the pilot. The writers have created an interesting group of characters, and it's fun to watch all the alliances form and fights break out.

The bad: When the jokes miss, they really miss; I still laughed more than I cringed, but it was close. Rather than introduce the characters (except for McHale's), we're just thrown into their world, and it was a little frustrating to figure out why I was supposed to care about their relationships. I like a pop culture reference as much as the next gal, but this show toes the line of having too many. McHale is a funny guy, but I'm still not 100 percent convinced he can carry a comedy as an actor.

Will I watch? I'll check it out again. I think it'll fit well in NBC's Thursday lineup.

To check out a trailer and some photos, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick: the CW's drama The Vampire Diaries.

What's it about? Based on a book series of the same name, the show focuses on a teenager named Elena who becomes the object of affection for two competitive brothers . . . who also happen to be vampires.

Who's in it? Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley

The good: Since executive producer Kevin Williamson also made Dawson's Creek and Scream, it's probably not surprising that this show finds a sweet spot between witty teen banter and creepy suspense. Dobrev and Wesley are fine in their roles, but it's Somerhalder who really pops, and as soon as he swoops in, the show is instantly better for it. The basic outline of the story seems flexible enough to work for multiple seasons, should the show become a hit.

The bad: Some lines are unforgivably cheesy ("It's the fog. It's making me foggy"). That could also be a good description of the special effects, which are occasionally laugh-out-loud silly. The whole "diary" aspect of the show seems a little clunky and unnecessary on screen. The pilot drags a bit before Somerhalder shows up.

Will I watch? I'll probably TiVo it, though I wouldn't commit to pushing my regular Thursday shows aside for it just yet.

To watch a promo for the show and see some pictures of the cast, just read more

The networks have announced their Fall schedules, but which series will be worth watching? Throughout the Summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's pick: the NBC drama Parenthood.

The show's premiere has been moved to midseason due to Maura Tierney's medical issues, which is a little sad because I'm kind of excited about Parenthood now. I hope Tierney's surgery and recovery go smoothly!

What's it about? Loosely based on the Steve Martin movie of the same name, Parenthood focuses on the Braverman family, a group of wildly different adult siblings and their parents and children living near each other in Berkeley.

Who's in it? Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Monica Potter, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Erika Christensen

The good: Jason Katims of Friday Night Lights wrote this script, and the man just knows how to write a TV show. By the end of the 50 minutes, I had a good sense of all of the characters and felt thoroughly invested in their lives. A lot of storylines are packed into this pilot, but it still felt well-paced. The big surprise to me was Shepard, who looks like exactly the right pick for the slacker Braverman brother.

The bad: Parenthood could run into the Brothers and Sisters problem, with too many characters and not enough time to show them all (especially the kids — I occasionally forgot about the existence of a child or two). The first episode is bleaker than I expected, with every character having his or her share of problems, and a little bit of humor could really help the show from getting too heavy.

Will I watch? Absolutely. At the end of the show, I felt a little sad and a little emotionally manipulated — but in a way that made me want to tune in again.

To watch a promo for the show and see some pictures of the cast, just read more