2010 Pilot Scoop

I've been breaking down all of the new Fall TV shows so that you know what to expect, but we've finally reached the end of the road: my last pilot scoop! Get the 411 on ABC's The Whole Truth — then don't forget to print out my calendar to save the date.

What it's about: Maura Tierney stars as Kathryn Peale, a ruthless prosecutor and the right hand of the DA. At the other end of the courtroom sits Jimmy Brogan (Rob Morrow), a defense attorney and old friend of Kathryn's who revels in going toe-to-toe with her on high-profile cases. We see both sides of the trial through their perspectives until ultimately a verdict is reached. But is the outcome the correct one? The truth is revealed in the final moments.

Where it works: The writers have cleverly thought out and detailed each plot point. As the case unravels with new twists and turns, everything intersects in a way that kept me intrigued and more importantly, seems somewhat plausible.

Where it doesn't: Despite its moments of ingenuity, the pilot often falls back on cheesy lines and stale conventions like black-and-white flashbacks. Both of the lawyers also seem a bit like caricatures — she's the hard-nosed woman who fought her way to the top; he's the member of the boy's club who likes sports.

Am I hooked? The pilot is smart, but as procedural dramas go, I'm not completely wowed.

When is it on? The Whole Truth premieres Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 10 p.m.

Get a look at more photos when you read more

I've already given you a refresher on the returning Fall TV shows, but we still have a few more newbies to cover too (keep them all straight with this calendar). For today's pilot scoop, take a look at Fox's new comedy, Running Wilde.

What it's about: Steven Wilde (Will Arnett) is the self-centered, not-too-bright son of an oil tycoon who lives in the lap of luxury thanks to daddy's dollars. Steven's only friends are the help and a competitive next-door neighbor, but he continues to long for the one childhood girl who got away: Emmy Kadubic (Keri Russell). Emmy now resides in the jungle with her fiancé (David Cross) and daughter Puddle (Stefania Owen), where they spend their days helping indigenous people. In an effort to get in Emmy's good graces (and her pants), Steven gives himself a humanitarian award so she'll return for the ceremony and the two can rekindle the old flame.

Where it works: Arrested Development writers James Vallely and Mitchell Hurwitz are behind the script, giving us small glimmers of the offbeat humor that made that show a cult favorite. Of course, it helps that they have some of the same actors — Arnett and Cross — delivering lines.

Where it doesn't: The series was already off to a shaky start when producers decided to re-shoot the pilot and swap a few cast members. Despite the change, the humor still feels like it's trying too hard, and some characters are grossly unrealistic to the point of being unlikeable. I'm also disappointed by Russell who feels like the wrong casting choice (even though I love her).

Am I hooked? I like the actors, so I'll keep watching and hope the show improves.

When is it on? Running Wilde premieres Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 9:30 p.m

More sneak peek photos plus a video promo when you read more

My friends, we're entering the homestretch with just a few more Fall TV previews left before the shows start arriving! Plan accordingly with my printable premiere calendar, then read on to get the goods on NBC drama Chase.

What it's about: U.S. Marshall Annie Frost (Kelli Giddish) is the mastermind behind a team that, in simple terms, hunts down the bad guys. Annie's presented as a tough, guarded (but not unfeeling) woman with a troubled childhood. In the pilot, Annie is hot on the trail of a serial killer while simultaneously trying to train a newbie Marshal (played by Jesse Metcalfe).

Where it works: The series is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and the pilot moves quickly and is all wrapped up with a big red bow at the end. I also like that the lead character is a woman who is confident enough to get respect at work but isn't lacking a sensitivity chip.

Where it doesn't: There's just nothing in Chase that grabs the audience by the throat, which is actually what the intention of a series like this should be. The writing is subpar, the plot is mildly interesting but quickly forgettable afterward, and none of the characters stand out enough to make a mark.

Am I hooked? No, but I'm not entirely turned off either. I'll give Bruckheimer's magic a few episodes before I make a steadfast DVR decision.

When is it on? Chase premieres on Monday, Sept. 20 at 10 p.m.

To watch a promo, just read more

Fall TV is almost here! But before we get to the premieres, I still have to finish up a few of my pilot scoops. Today's selection is $#*! My Dad Says (or as the network execs like to call it, Bleep My Dad Says). The pilot was reshot after the role of Henry was recast, but here are my thoughts on the network's first attempt.

What it's about: $#*! My Dad Says takes the popular Twitter feed by Justin Halpern and turns it into a TV show. William Shatner stars as the father in question, an irritable and outspoken retiree named Ed who rattles off advice to anyone and everyone. When his writer son Henry (Jonathan Sadowski) finds himself strapped for cash after losing his job at a men's magazine, Ed offers to let Henry move in. Henry accepts, knowing all too well the pearls of "wisdom" he'll have to endure. Mad TV vets Will Sasso and Nicole Sullivan also star as Vince and Bonnie, Ed's older son and daughter-in-law.

What works: It's Shatner! When you have a show that's built around Twitter barbs, he's the man you want delivering them. His presence alone should bring in an audience.

What doesn't: Like I mentioned before, the pilot I saw actually starred a different actor as Henry (Ryan Devlin of Cougar Town), who was later replaced with Sadowski. It's never a good sign when a show has to do such a drastic overhaul, but Devlin wasn't even the issue for me. The real problem is that the episode relies solely on forced one-liners without much else holding it together. It needs to care less about staying true to its tweet inspiration and focus more on Ed's relationship with his sons.

Am I hooked? I'll throw Shatner some support, but it's going to need some help to stay afloat.

When is it on? $#*! My Dad Says premieres Thursday, Sept. 23, at 8:30 p.m.

To see more photos and a video promo, just read more

I've been giving you a sneak peek of the new Fall shows over the past several weeks, but guess what? We're nearing the home stretch! With only a few series left to cover, I bring you my latest pilot scoop: ABC's Detroit 1-8-7. Read on to decide whether you'll watch, and then print out your TV calendar to keep track.

What it's about: Sopranos vet Michael Imperioli plays Louis Finch, a star homicide detective in Detroit's worst crime area with a reputation as an eccentric. Tight-lipped Finch keeps to himself, but when he's paired up with a chatty rookie partner (Jon Michael Hill), he's forced to show the kid the ropes.

Where it works: Whereas most procedural dramas get weighed down by heavy subject matter, Detroit 1-8-7 includes offbeat comedic moments thanks to Finch's strange methods for doing business (case in point: he talks to his partner over the phone, even when the guy is in the same room). It's also refreshing to have a crime show take place in a locale that's not New York or LA.

Where it doesn't: The series was originally shot mockumentary style, but producers later decided to ditch the format. The problem is that the pilot still includes a few character looks to camera and shaky shots that just don't jive with the rest of the show. The '70s music also gives it a slightly campy feel, and the titles are a bit cutesy. Basically, you have conflicting elements that don't mesh.

Am I hooked? I do appreciate some of the humor, but the show needs finessing.

When is it on? Detroit 1-8-7 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 10 p.m.

Photos copyright 2010 ABC, Inc.

More Fall TV coming at you! I know it's difficult to keep track of all the new shows on the horizon (download my calendar if you need some help), but the season premieres are almost here. Figure out which programs you're going to watch using my pilot scoops, and then check out my latest entry: ABC's Body of Proof.

What it's about: Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delaney) is a former neurosurgeon who was forced to quit her job after a serious car accident. She now serves as a medical examiner, relying on her keen observation to examine the bodies of the deceased to find out how they died. Using her talents, she teams up with detectives Bud Morris (John Carroll Lynch) and Samantha Baker (Sonja Sohn) to solve local murders, though Hunt's strong-will is a constant source of conflict.

Where it works: The show almost resembles a female version of House from the intricate medical mystery to Hunt's very House-like epiphany. It's kind of intriguing to watch it unfold, but I'm more interested in Hunt's home life. We get a quick glimpse at her inability to connect with her teenage daughter, which should eventually give her more dimension than the frosty, workaholic stereotype.

Where it doesn't: Hunt's medical conclusions often feel like a stretch, even for someone of her brilliance. The show could benefit from keeping the cases a tad simpler and really taking the time to connect the dots.

Am I hooked? I'll probably stick with House for my procedural drama fix, but Hunt could make for an interesting character once they give her more than one note to play.

When is it on? Body of Proof premieres on Friday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m.

To see more photos and a preview clip just read more

There are a ton of new shows out this Fall. How to choose? With my handy pilot scoops, I've been giving you the pros and cons of each new program so you can decide what to watch and what to skip (don't forget to mark them off on your calendar while you're at it!). Today's selection: CBS comedy Mike & Molly.

What it's about: Melissa McCarthy (Sookie of Gilmore Girls!) stars as Molly, a woman fed up with her size. Her mother Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz) and pothead sister Victoria (Katy Mixon) are oblivious to her plight, chomping down on brownies in Molly's presence without giving it a second thought. So Molly seeks help elsewhere: from an Overeaters Anonymous group. It's there that she meets a cop named Mike (Billy Gardell). The two immediately bond over their similar struggle and begin a relationship.

Where it works: McCarthy is full of charm, delivering jokes with just the right touch of self-deprecation. When Molly complains about her weight, it never comes across as too whiny or annoying, a trap the show could have easily fallen into. Her chemistry with Gardell also takes on a sweetness that makes you root for them as a couple.

Where it doesn't: Some of the fat jokes feel tired already, and this is only the pilot. The Biggest Loser aside, how long can a show possibly last with weight-loss as its main hook? The writers will have to focus more on the relationship between Mike and Molly and comment less on their size in order for this to work.

Am I hooked? Not yet. I like McCarthy, but she's not enough to get me coming back every week. I'll be waiting to see if this one does well with critics and viewers.

When is it on? Mike & Molly premieres on Monday, Sept. 20 at 9:30 p.m.

To see more photos and a preview clip, just read more

My pilot scoops are here to give you a feel for the new TV shows you may be giving a chance to come Fall, and today I'm taking aim at ABC's family drama No Ordinary Family.

What it's about: The Powell family is a disconnected bunch, and in an attempt to bring everyone closer, father Jim (Michael Chiklis) proposes a vacation to the Amazon. When their plane crashes, a phosphorescence in the water imbues them each with a different super power (for instance, mom Stephanie (Julie Benz) gets speed, and daughter Daphne gets telepathy). In the pilot, we see the family's myriad problems with each other, the development of their abilities, and the struggle to understand what the new powers mean. Two vets from my favorite shows also star: Weeds's Romany Malco and The O.C.'s Autumn Reeser.

Where it works: If I can't have Julie Benz on Dexter, I'll gladly take her here, as a warm, sympathetic mother (who's less clueless than Rita). Plus, the construct of the superpowers as a means to bring this family closer is a definite heart warmer.

Where it doesn't: The pilot is trying to be too many things to too many people. It wants to be a family show and make each character relatable, but instead each one becomes a cliche. Namely, Stephanie is the classic conflicted working mother torn between job and family, and her teenager Daphne is a bundle of angst. We've seen all this before, so they're really going to have to break out of predictable character arcs to keep people interested.

Am I hooked? I have to say, I was only vaguely interested in the pilot, but when the news came out that Twilight star Jackson Rathbone is joining the cast, its stock shot way up. There may be a place for it on my DVR after all.

When is it on: No Ordinary Family premieres on Tuesday, September 28 at 8 p.m.

To see some photos and a preview clip, just read more

Tomorrow is September 1, which means we're just a couple of weeks away from all the new TV shows I've been telling you about. Today I'm shedding the spotlight on ABC's new drama My Generation.

What it's about: A group of high school seniors (including Jaime King and True Blood's Mechad Brooks) participate in a documentary project that shadows them in their senior year as the class of 2000. It's a typically Breakfast Club-esque crew: we've got the cheerleader, the jock, the rich kid, the brain, etc. Ten years later, the camera crew is back to check in on the former adolescents to see how far they've come. The viewer gets an inside peek at the juxtaposition of their past and present lives, and how their connections to each other have changed.

Where it works: Though the mockumentary has been done before with shows like The Office and Modern Family, the new series definitely provides a fresh spin. An ensemble cast keeps you on your toes, and cutting between time periods keeps the episode moving while slowly unfolding the many storylines.

Where it doesn't: Though we've got characters to spare here, I didn't fall in love with any of them — and that's a problem. It's hard to get a viewer attached to everyone, but it's a bad sign that there was no connection with this many opportunities. I was also expecting the show to be a lot lighter and it's actually kind of heavy.

Am I hooked? Let's just say I've got high hopes for this one. Though the pilot didn't wow me, the premise did — and since this is typically the kind of show I love, I'll give it time to lock me in.

When is it on? My Generation premieres on Thursday, September 23 at 8 p.m.

To see more photos and a video promo, just read more

Are you ready for Fall TV to start? I'm giving you a preview of all the new shows with my pilot scoops so you can be in the know too. Today's new series? NBC legal drama Outlaw.

What it's about: Playboy Supreme Court justice Cyrus Garza (Jimmy Smits) switches gears and resigns from the court when he's rattled by a heart-wrenching death row case. Vowing to change the system, he goes back to his roots as a lawyer and assembles the requisite ragtag legal team, including familiar faces like Jesse Bradford and Carly Pope.

Where it works: Veteran actor Smits is always fantastic, and he tackles the suave but conflicted role of Garza with aplomb. Plus, the aforementioned case evokes your sympathy and the desire for Smits and his team to save him.

Where it doesn't: In trying to make the show accessible, the writers painfully dumb down the story. The script also does no favors for Pope, who plays a cliched bad-girl private investigator.

Am I hooked: Not especially. While his acting may be great, Smits's character isn't particularly appealing; nor are his blandly written castmates.

When is it on? Outlaw premieres Wednesday, September 15 at 10 p.m.

To see a preview clip, just read more