A Report Card for the 2009-2010 TV Season

With the majority of the new shows having debuted (and most of the returning series making their season premieres), I thought it was appropriate to make a report card (of sorts) on the new shows that have caught my attention, those that I have decided to pass on, and the few that will, unfortunately, (more likely than not) end up hanging by a thread in the very near future.

It is too soon to determine just how long any of the new shows will remain on the air or which ones will become the hits of the new season, so this will stand as my early predictions for what to expect – or to be more precise – what I hope will happen. Please keep in mind I am not covering ALL the new shows (and will not comment on the comedies since I don’t watch those). This coverage will only be on the shows that I have actually seen and for which I have formed an opinion.

The grade I have given to each is not only based solely on the ratings each series has received thus far, nor just on the critics reviews but also on my overall impression of each episode I have seen, each show’s basic premise, the characters and the casting for each series.

ABC:

The Forgotten (Tuesdays at 10 PM) – This series that stars Christian Slater as the leader of a volunteer group of amateur sleuths who investigate cold cases involving unidentified victims of crimes that even the police aren’t able to solve came out of the box during its premiere with an astounding 9.5 million viewers. The pilot was not as weak as I had anticipated, but I fear the show is attempting to be too ambitious and falling short of its intentions. And, while I would like nothing better than to see a Christian Slater-led series work (unlike his maligned former NBC series My Own Worst Enemy), I don’t really see audiences flocking back to this show week after week. I predict the show will reach about 5 episodes and then the network will have a decision to make about pulling the plug. Grade: B-

Eastwick (Wednesdays at 10 PM) – While critics and bloggers alike have been divided on this whimsical series based on the John Updike novel and inspired by the box office smash Witches of Eastwick, this magical show, which stars Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman as a trio of awakening witches with unique powers, garnered an impressive 8.5 million in its debut. And when you compare that to its CSI: NY competition on CBS, that number isn’t too bad. I want to believe that women will grab onto this show and not want to let go especially once they get a good look at all the eye candy – Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Jason George (Eli Stone) – who will be joining the show for a few episodes – Johann Urb (Dirt), Jon Bernthal (Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian), Jack Huston (Outlander) and, of course, Paul Gross (who plays “devilish” Darryl Van Horn). I predict the show will still have a battle on its hands with ABC probably wavering on what to do, but will hopefully stick with it for at least the full order of the series. Grade: B-

FlashForward (Thursdays at 8 PM) – The most-talked about, highly-anticipated series of the fall season is hands-down FlashForward; the one series that has been likened to Lost – in terms of its cast heavy highly-serialized format. In its series debut the show racked up 12.4 million viewers, had the internet buzzing the next morning and the viewing public wanting more. I don’t think the network will have to worry about making a decision on this show, as the audience has already made it very clear they want FlashForward to stick around for quite some time. The premise of the series is a worldwide catastrophe occurs with everyone on the planet blacking out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, seeing glimpses of their lives six months in the future. The ramifications of this universal black out will be profound. Grade: A

CBS:

NCIS: Los Angeles (Tuesdays at 9 PM) – This spin-off of NCIS (which itself was a spin-off of the highly successful CBS series JAG) came out of the gate and wiped the floor with its competition, hitting the ratings mark of 18.3 million viewers in its debut. Set against the backdrop of California and covering the lives of agents working undercover surveillance for the Office of Special Projects, a division of NCIS, who are charged with apprehending dangerous criminals that pose a threat to the nation’s security, really seemed to capture viewers and take them on a roller coaster ride of action and intrigue. Whether you are a fan of the series or averse to procedurals, the truth of the matter is the ratings were phenomenal for this series and CBS would be foolish to do anything with this series except keep the episodes coming. Grade: A+

The Good Wife (Tuesdays at 10 PM) – Making a triumphant return to television, playing yet another lawyer (previously appearing in the short-lived FOX series Canterbury’s Law) is Julianna Margulies. The Good Wife is about a wife and mother who must assume full responsibility for her family and re-enter the workforce as a defense attorney after her husband’s (Chris Noth) very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. The series was watched by 13.7 million viewers on its debut night. Compared to previous series that aired in that time period, this is a fantastic number, which will move the network to keep the series around for the long haul. Grade: B-

Three Rivers (Sundays at 9 PM) – This new medical drama should be a hit with the viewers, as it has the prerequisite good looking doctors and what appears to be intense and gripping stories: organ transplants at one of the preeminent hospitals in the country. What could be a good show may hold up (at least for the short term) or it could possibly turn out to be a dud despite the creative team and cast involved. The pilot was not as weak as I had anticipated, but I will hold my full judgment on the show until I see a couple more episodes. Grade: C

FOX:

Glee – (Wednesday at 9 PM) – This musicomedy created a storm of interest among viewers and critics alike starting earlier this year and hasn’t really disappointed. This unique series about an optimistic high school teacher who volunteers to run the school’s Glee Club with the hope of returning it to its former glory may not be everyone’s idea of a family-friendly drama, as it can be brazen and harsh in its stereotyping, but it can also be enlightening and rip-roaringly hysterical. The dialogue is whip-smart (and smart aleck), the musical numbers are extremely entertaining and the skills of the talented cast are second to none. While the premiere and subsequent episodes have garnered 7 million viewers or less, I doubt the network that has been home to The Simpsons for 20 years, will let this one go without a fight. And, Glee is the first new show to be picked up for a full season. Grade: B+

NBC:

Trauma (Mondays at 9 PM) – This adrenaline-filled, high-octane medical drama is set in the field, focusing on first responder paramedics who work for San Francisco General and reach victims of emergencies by land, sea or air. The pilot episode was watched by 6.9 million viewers and is a different look at what a medical show can be, but I think the show is too big for its own good. I honestly believe it will be hard for the show to live up to its own intentions, as how many disasters will the viewing public want to see on a weekly basis. Therefore, I think the series will perhaps last until mid-season and then the network will have to make the decision to let the show go. Grade: C-

Mercy (Wednesdays at 8 PM) – Watching the pilot of this very uneven, helter-skelter medical drama that focuses on the lives of the people who work at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best – its nurses – should have been like watching a grittier version of ER; but it has, thus far, not turned out that way. The characters, unfortunately, are not that likeable and the pilot seemed to have been pieced together by an inexperienced cast and crew. The debut episode garnered 8.2 million viewers, but whether the series can maintain that level is questionable at best. The only good things about the show are James Tupper (Men In Trees), who is simply wasted in a McDreamy-like role that could be SO much better and a crew which includes Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts (from Pushing Daisies) and Elizabeth “Liz” Heldens (from Friday Night Lights) who have stellar resumes and know how to make a much better show that this. The network will, more than likely, pull the plug on this disaster very quickly. Grade: D+ (and that’s only because I respect the creative team behind the show).

The CW:

The Vampire Diaries (Thursdays at 8 PM) – Based on the books by L. J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries focuses on Elena Gilbert and brother Jeremy, who tragically lost their parents in a car accident. Enter the mysterious new student at school, Stefan Salvatore, who isn’t all he seems – he’s a vampire – as is his brother, Damon – and you’ve got a love story in the making. The series, thus far, has performed well in the ratings – at least according to the CW’s standards – ranging between 3.8 and 4.8 million (which given the competition on Thursday nights at 9 PM is actually pretty good for this 5th-ranked network) and appears to have built up a loyal following already. Since the network needs a hit, and the show’s debut episode was the most watched premiere ever for the relatively newly monikered network, I don’t see it going anywhere. Grade: B+

Other:

Stargate Universe (Fridays at 9 PM) – As the next installment in the long-running Stargate franchise, this new version will feature a team of scientists, soldiers and civilians who flee for their lives through a Stargate portal, ending up stranded on an Ancient ship that is unable to change its programmed mission, causing the new inhabitants to encounter new races, new technologies and new enemies across the vastness of the universe. The reviews by critics and bloggers alike have been solid and if past history is any indication, this new version of the Stargate world will be off to a great start with longevity in its future. I predict Syfy will hold onto this series tightly. And, my impression based solely on the two-hour premiere is that I want to see and learn more about this darker and grittier world. Grade: B+

Coming Up:

V (Tuesdays at 8 PM) – This new ABC series will not debut until November 3 and has been hampered by not only a “temporary” shut-down in production (that lasted six weeks rather than the intended two weeks) but also the recently announced interruption of airings after only 4 episodes are shown because of the upcoming Olympics. However, this remake of the 1980’s mini-series turned short-run TV series is very much like the original only better. Giant spaceships appear over major cities all over the world, but this time an attractive woman appears via video on the outer panels of the ships, sending a message of peace to all below. These Visitors bring hope, cure disease and seem to be exactly what they claim to be: friendly. But also as in the original, these Visitors are more than they appear and that could be Earth’s undoing. The buzz has been strong despite the setbacks and I believe this show will garner interested viewers for at least the first few episodes. It will then be up to the writers to keep the stories solid and the actors to make the characters appealing, scary and interesting enough for the viewers wanting more. Grade: B+

White Collar (Fridays at 10 PM) – The USA Network will be debuting another new series to their already impressive line-up of shows. White Collar will premiere on October 23 and stars Matt Bomer (Chuck) as Neal Caffrey, a master con artist/thief who FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) springs from jail on the condition he help him catch bad guys. The rest of the cast includes Willie Garson (Sex and the City) and Tiffani Thiessen (90210) as Peter Burke’s wife Elizabeth. The trailers for this series make it appear comedic, action-packed and very entertaining (much like what the USA Network has become known for). I want to see the show perform well. Grade: B+

Cancellation:

The first cancellation of the 2009-2010 TV season came in the form of the CW series The Beautiful Life, which aired only two episodes and garnered roughly one million viewers each airing.