Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: So far, my favourite of the pilots, if only by a nose. The premise? A writer/director team is lured back into running a sketch show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, after it's present director has a meltdown on air, condemning the show, the network, television, and America in general. It's all tremendously meta and clever, very funny when it wants to be, but very clearly a drama at its core.
I like that it's self-referential, and that that makes it a little bit daring in its scathing look at the sterilization of media. I like the cast, Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford as the writer and director respectively, with Amanda Peet and Stephen Weber as the studio heads, and the always lovely Sarah Paulson (or as I like to call her, Miss Isringhausen) joining D.L. Hughley to lead the sketch actors. The show isn't flashy, and the drama is subdued, but I found it to be engaging, well-written, and well-acted, and it's a show that, if it catches on, I could see staying fresh for a good long run. (Airs Mondays, 10/9c, NBC)
The Nine: Tied for second place, along with Jericho, for my second favourite spot. This is the opposite of Studio 60. It is flashy and sensational and melodramatic with romance and violence and shouting matches. It opens with an introduction to its main characters, moments before they all wind up in a bank holdup. From there, we go immediately to the moment they're all released, two days and a whole lot of trauma later. Shell-shocked, we watch as they try to return to their lives and find that nothing is the same.
The concept really wasn't something that intrigued me; it all seemed too dramabomb for words. But what sells this show is the ensemble cast. Some faces will be familiar (Tim Daly, who I love, Scott Wolf, Chi McBride), some won't, but straight off the bat, they click. Despite that you've only known the characters for minutes, you can feel the nine survivors. At no point do the relationships seem thrown together or forced, despite that the entire two days that took them from strangers to friends is absent to the viewer. I suspect that, as time goes on, bits and pieces of those two days will be revealed. I do wonder about the longevity of the premise, but I look forward to seeing them try. (Airs Wednesdays, 10/9c, ABC. Premieres Oct. 4.)
Jericho: Oh, Skeet Ulrich. I remember when you were but a wee, murderous teenager, and look at you know. All grown up in time for the nuclear apocalypse. And I'm a sucker for that. I can't help it. In the opening moments of Jericho, we're introduced to the citizens of the town of same name. Joining Skeet are Shoshannah Stern (Weeds), Mr. Hearst (of Deadwood, whose real name I can't remember at present) as the mayor, Ashley Scott (Bird of Prey), and others. Immediately thereafter, we are introduced to a mushroom cloud in the distance. The town is seemingly unharmed, but its residents soon find out that they may be in the minority there.
Now this is a concept I can get behind. Something very new, and something that could be incredibly well-done for a good long time, if it shows some imagination. I picture it turning into something like The Stand, but continuing on through the rebuilding instead of stopping just as it gets started. Of course, it could also run out of steam very, very quickly, especially with LOST as it's competition. I've got my fingers crossed, though, because the pilot showed tremendous potential, haunting and beautiful, terrifying without every going overboard. Not to mention the bonus points earned by featuring songs by both The Killers and Snow Patrol. (Airs Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS. Premieres Sept. 20.)
Traveler: Jay, Taylor, and Will are on a road trip, played by Logan Marshall-Green (The O.C. as Trey Atwood), Matthew Bomer, and Aaron Stanford (X2, X-Men: The Last Stand as Pyro), shortly following their collective graduation from law school. Jay and Taylor pull a stunt in a museum, rollerblading down the stairs and out the front door. Will calls just as they get outside and apologizes. Seconds later, the building explodes. Suddenly, Jay and Taylor are wanted as terrorists, and on the run, and the road trip has turned into a flight from the law.
This show came out of the blue for me. I'd never heard of it before I watched it, but I found it to be very well-done. It looks to be The Fugitive for my generation, and I'm definitely going to be watching. (Mid-season replacement TBA, ABC)
Knights of Prosperity: This is one of those shows where, despite the premise, you're either going to love it or hate it based on its lead. I love Donal Logue. I loved The Tao of Steve, I loved Grounded for Life, and I love this show. Logue plays a janitor who is tired of being such, and comes up with a plan. "Let's rob Mick Jagger." So, with the help of a merry band of misfit friends, that's exactly what he sets out to do. And yes, Mick Jagger is really in it. This show is hilarious, and if it doesn't stick around, I'm going to cry. (Airs Tuesdays, 9/8c, ABC. Premieres Oct. 17.)
The Class: Err.. Slightly less hilarious, this one. With no real stars to take the lead, The Class is dependent on the chemistry of it's ensemble which, unlike The Nine, was not readily apparent. The premise? A thirtysomething falls in love with a woman who turns out to have been from his third grade class. As a surprise to her, he plans a third grade reunion party to which only a handful of people show up. Hijinx ensue. It had a few really funny moments. I won't deny a few good laughs. By and large, however, it felt kind of awkward and forced, much like poor Joey did. It could get better. It's got the pedigree to do so, and I'll probably give it a few more episodes before making a final judgment, but if it doesn't get better, there's clearly plenty of other stuff to watch.
How do you know about any of these shows if they don't air yet?!