Pilot Watch

I'm looking forward to fresh midseason options once TV returns from its hiatus, and the CW's Life Unexpected is at the top on my list. The network appears to have a lot of faith in the new series, handing it Gossip Girl's Monday 9 p.m. slot until that show returns. Life debuts on Jan 18, but let's take a peek at what we can expect.

What's it about? Lux, a 15-year old girl who's been passed around through the foster care system. As she approaches her sixteenth birthday, she decides to seek emancipation by tracking down her biological parents — Baze (a bar rat who has no clue that he's even a father) and Cate (a local radio DJ). Both thirty-somethings are having difficulty with the notion of growing up, but once the judge grants them temporary custody of Lux, they're forced to accept some very adult-like responsibility.

Who's in it? Shiri Appleby, Kerr Smith, Brittany Robertson, Kristoffer Polaha

The good: The promos are touting the show as Juno meets Gilmore Girls, and I'm crossing my fingers that it lives up. The witticism that's associated with both of those appears to be here in the pilot. Plus, I'm glad to see WB alums Kerr Smith (Dawson's Creek) and Shiri Appleby (Roswell) find a home again on their old parent network.

The bad: A big reason Gilmore Girls was such a success — other than the banter — was the relationship between Lorelei and Rory, and I'm just not feeling the same pull here with Lux and Cate. Also, it's more a warm-fuzzies kind of show which could be a challenge. Is the same audience that ogled over the Vanessa-Dan-Olivia threesome really going to be interested in a tame heartwarmer about an adopted teen?

Will I watch? Definitely — well, at least the first few episodes to give the show a fair shot. If it's anything like Gilmore Girls then I'll give it my allegiance. But if it loses steam a few weeks in, I may just tune out.

To watch a preview for the show and view a few pics, just read more

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