Coming this fall… on ABC
LameRerun.com feature “Coming this fall…” looks at the new TV shows network executives think you’ll enjoy watching. Expect some really uninformed opinions and snap judgements. Today, the alphabet network!
1.) Samantha Who? - Monday 9:30 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: This could be funny. But the whole waking up from a coma and having amnesia bit has been done several times before.
Plot: Samantha (played by Christina Applegate) wakes up and doesn’t know anything. Her parents, boyfriend, etc. She’s only been out of it eight days, but she’s been mindwiped Men In Black style. I guess ABC billed this as a comedy, because it’s a season-long “dumb blonde” joke. Everyone loves those!
Expect: Stale writing. Recycled plots from other movies/TV shows using this scenario. Applegate giving average performances. (Hey! Remember Jesse? Neither do I.) The gradual process of Samantha actually remembering things to advance the already shallow plot. A season finale with her remembering something important — probably about her boyfriend.
Wishes: Al Bundy guest appearance?
Up against: Heroes, Monday Night Football, people remembering that this show is on
See it?: Why would you? Heroes season 2 baby!
2.) Cavemen - Tuesday 8 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: You’ve all seen the Geico comercials. You either love the idea or hate the idea. Personally, I like it.
Plot: Cavemen somehow didn’t evolve with the rest of the human race and struggle to fit into the modern world we live in. You could take some huge analytical approach about how it’s a representation of the second-class citizens in society, but it’s a comedy.
Expect: No grunting. Chai. Impressive fashion. Racism against cavemen. Pretentiousness. Either complete bomb or best new comedy.
Wishes: Geico gecko cameo. No mentions to Geico. Poking fun at political topics.
Up against: NCIS, Beauty And The Geek, Bones
See it?: You’ve probably already determined whether or not you think this show’s a good idea. I’ll give it one episode, but will probably give it more since nothing else is really on that I’m dedicated to on Tuesdays.
3.) Carpoolers - Tuesday 8:30 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: Has lots of potential and a really diverse cast of characters. I think it could be funnier than expected, even if Jerry “Kangaroo Jack” O’Connell is in it.
Plot: Four guys carpool to work. One’s recently married, another’s recently divorced, etc. It’s like watching male bonding at a bar, except instead of drinking, they’re driving.
Expect: Complaints about women/wives. Hijinks. Over the top humor. Quick scenes and fast cuts. More one liners than built up situational humor.
Wishes: No “Sliders” references please.
Up against: The same crap Cavemen is up against. Hey! ABC might get a full hour of my time.
See it?: It’s worth giving a shot, especially if you’re going to be watching Cavemen anyways.
4.) Pushing Daisies - Wednesday 8 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: This seems to be a comedy infused with Disney-esq romantic and magical whimsey. It could be uplifting, if it wasn’t so dark in its subject matter.
Plot: Guy has magic powers to raise people up from the dead by simply touching them. Oh, and he can also kill people if he touches them, too. So, he wakes up his first love but he can never touch her, or else she presumably dies for real. Forever.
Expect: Reminds me of a Tim Burton film, filled with visual feasts. It’s more of a lucid dream than simple comedy. As some of the previews state, it’s like a mini movie each week.
Wishes: No more magic than the main character’s abilities. And definately no “evil twin” with the same powers.
Up against: Deal or No Deal, America’s Next Top Model, Kid Nation
See it?: I wouldn’t put this on my must see list. Looks like it’d be more enjoyable as a DVD marathon viewing, given its theatrical nature.
5.) Private Practice - Wednesday 9 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: If this is a spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, then why don’t they put it after Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday?
Plot: I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy. I hear it’s good and that people like it. I just have no desire to watch a show about doctors. Unless it’s Nip/Tuck. With that said, it’s a spin-off series. If you like Grey’s Anatomy (which ABC is probably banking on) then you’ll probably like this show. If you’re like me and don’t really care about Grey’s Anatomy, then you have no idea what the backstory is or a reason to watch.
Expect: Doctors. Drama of people dying in a hospital. Crossovers with Grey’s Anatomy.
Wishes: None, because I won’t be watching.
Up against: Bionic Woman, Criminal Minds
See it?: I think I’ve established this already.
6.) Dirty Sexy Money - Wednesday 10 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: Looks like a fun show, if you like watching shows about rich, dysfunctional people and the lawyer that represents them.
Plot: A hotshot lawyer gets paid to be a lawyer for a wealthy family that’s pretty much insane. I assume that we’ll see him try to cover up all their screwups and there’s going to be a murder at some point.
Expect: Bickering. Drugs. Crime. Ethical grey areas. Legal speak.
Wishes: That there weren’t so many shows about laywers. Or shows about rich, spoiled people.
Up against: South Park, C.S.I.: NY
See it?: Maybe. I’m not a fan of most lawyer shows (I get my fix through Law & Order).
7.) Big Shots - Thursday 10 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: It’s like a male version of Desperate Housewives, I think.
Plot: Four CEOs have issues with the women in their lives. They’re living the high life, but it’s such a drag. I don’t think there’s really an overall plot except that this resembles a primetime soap opera with an interesting male cast (that nerdy guy from Sports Night, and that lawyer from the Practice, and that Titus guy!) It reminds me of a less-edgy version of Entourage.
Expect: Golf. Money. Golf. Women. Golf. Laughing. Golf. Beer. Golf.
Wishes: That there’s some form of plot that actually ties this show together.
Up against: Without a Trace, ER
See it?: I don’t think I want to see a soap opera about guys.
8.) Women’s Murder Club - Friday 9 p.m. eastern
Official site | IMDb | Wiki
First impressions: Reruns will be on the Lifetime network.
Plot: Four women (a police detective, forensic scientist, assistant district attorney and a newspaper reporter) all try to solve crimes and catch murderers. It’s like Nancy Drew meets Law & Order meets Voltron.
Expect: A serial killer that they can’t manage to catch until the finale. A newspaper reporter totally violating journalism ethics. Angie Harmon with a gun instead of a legal pad.
Wishes: Angie Harmon would return to Law & Order.
Up against: Friday Night Lights, Moonlight, male viewers
See it?: As much as I really liked Angie Harmon’s character on Law & Order, it makes it that much harder to believe she’s a police detective. Also, I can’t stand watching TV shows and movies with journalists who act nothing like most journalists.
Coming tomorrow, we take a look at what the peacock has in store for the fall lineup.
Technorati Tags: ABC, TV, Samantha+Who?, Cavemen, Carpoolers, Big+Shots, Pushing+Daisies, Women’s+Murder+Club, Dirty+Sexy+Money, Private+Practice
