Issue Date: September 23, 2007
The new TV shows to fall for
TV critics never agree on anything. Until now. E!'s Jennifer Godwin sat down with five of the best and wouldn't let them leave until they agreed on which new shows you will (and won't) like this season. Here's our exclusive guide.
It's that time again: With fall in full swing, the small screen soon will be teeming with new TV series. To help prepare you for this season's onslaught of premieres, we turned to five top TV critics from around the country: David Kronke of the "Los Angeles Daily News," Charlie McCollum of the "San Jose Mercury-News," Joanne Ostrow of the "Denver Post," Joanne Weintraub of the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" and Molly Willow of the "Columbus Dispatch." They all gathered in Los Angeles to determine which new shows you should casually check out, which to avoid at all costs and which are so darn good that they deserve a pre-premiere season pass on your TiVo.
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As the first order of business, the critics unanimously give "Pushing Daisies" the top slot on the list of best new shows. "The pilot is a perfect little short film," Kronke says. But it's the promise of more goodness to come that clinches its place as fall's No. 1 newbie. McCollum says the show's creator, Bryan Fuller, "is one of the few writers on television who can sustain a premise past the pilot."
The genre-busting, hour-long series follows the adventures of a baker named Ned who can bring the dead back to life with the touch of his finger. Of course, Ned's party trick comes with some complicated and dense fine print, and if he misuses his power, then innocent people die.
The two other easy calls for our critics are comedy-adventure shows, "Reaper" and "Chuck," both of which are about reluctant heroes called on to fight dark forces. The title characters of both series are single slackers who work in generic big-box stores and have nothing better to do, really, than save the world. But Kronke questions their viability: "I wonder if the shows are so similar that people might feel like they have to pick one."
After a much longer debate, during which the quality of the rest of this new season's offerings are questioned ("I thought there were a lot of mediocre shows this year," Willow laments), the critics round out the top five "Best" list with the charming Christina Applegate sitcom "Samantha Who?" and the whodunit drama "Women's Murder Club." By outward appearances, "Women's Murder Club" is merely another cookie-cutter crime procedural. But the show's sophisticated style and smart writing won over the group. "I wasn't expecting it to be that good," McCollum admits.
In grappling to identify the season's worst new shows, the group finds "Cavemen" an easy choice for baddest of the bunch. Quips Weintraub, "I hated 'Cavemen' so much, it's like three of my worst ones." McCollum agrees: "The only thing we have consensus on is 'Cavemen,' and then there are a bunch of split decisions." So perhaps the producers of "Big Shots," "Viva Laughlin," "Carpoolers" and "The Big Bang Theory" won't feel too bad that their shows also place in the bottom five.
The headliners of the critics' top three shows have nothing to worry about, however, because "Chuck" standout Zachary Levi, "Reaper" lead Bret Harrison and "Pushing Daisies" star Lee Pace are easy picks for "Most Likely to Be Breakout Stars." Notes Kronke: "You have a theme there. All the breakout stars play geeks."
Indeed, the freshman standouts are joined by a fourth geek character, from "The Big Bang Theory." The show gets an overall thumbs down from the critics, but newcomer Jim Parsons is, as Ostrow notes, "hilarious."
Michelle Ryan, of the new "Bionic Woman" series, steals the final Breakout Star slot for her leading role in the remake of the '70s cult hit. McCollum quietly dissents, wondering if Ryan's Jaime Sommers will be overshadowed by "Battlestar Galactica" star Katee Sackhoff, who plays Sommers' nemesis.
The group notes the dearth of ethnic or racial diversity in this year's crop of shows; Weintraub calls it a shortcoming of the season.
Putting the critics' preferences aside for a moment, what shows are most likely to win over audiences, the only interest group that really matters when it comes to a popular medium like TV? Two shows stand out: the kinetic comedy "Chuck" and the dark, action-heavy "Bionic Woman" remake. The group also bets on Cane and "Dirty Sexy Money" as likely hits. These Dynasty-esque dramas chronicle the lives of rich families, in Florida and New York, respectively. Weintraub says of the latter, "With that name, how could 'Dirty Sexy Money' not be a hit?" The lives of the rich and naughty also are celebrated in the last show in the "Breakout Hits" list: Gossip Girl, which is based on the popular series of books about misbehaving millionaire teens. "Certainly it will be a hit in its demographic," Kronke says.
Turning to the most-anticipated returning shows, four of the group's five selections ("Heroes," "The Office," "Friday Night Lights" and "30 Rock") are on NBC, which would appear to be an after-the-fact vindication of Kevin Reilly, the NBC network honcho who was fired recently because of the Peacock's basement ratings. The list's topper, ABC's drama "Lost," is the one show that prevents an NBC sweep in the category. Although not back until February, "Lost" continues to garner the attention and enthusiasm of critics and fans like no other show on TV.
Can any of the newcomers capture lightning in a bottle? Time will tell. In the meantime, hang our lists near your TV and settle in for fall. It's time for new network TV. Yippee!
TV-aficionado Jennifer Godwin writes about the small screen forE! Online. She counts "Chuck" as her favorite new show.
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Shooting the stars
Our critics' top picks for "Most Likely to Be Breakout Stars" teamed up for an exclusive USA WEEKEND photo shoot
Bret Harrison of CW's "Reaper," Zachary Levi of NBC's "Chuck" and Lee Pace of ABC's "Pushing Daisies" had no trouble getting comfortable with each other during our cover shoot last month.
As the guys gathered around a card table prop, they immediately began playing a real game of poker while mugging for the camera and chugging the apple juice that stood in for scotch at the clean-and-sober photo session.
The three share a boundless energy for their work as well as some surprising connections. Harrison and Levi have been friends for a while; Pace and Harrison share a manager; and Pace and Levi are neighbors on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif., where their shows shoot on side-by-side soundstages. "I'll swing by on my Schwinn!" Levi promises.
The actors' happy energy seems to come from good old-fashioned job satisfaction.
"'Reaper' is maybe the most fun show I've ever worked on," says TV vet Harrison, who shoots the series in Vancouver, British Columbia, alongside other young actors. Pace, who worked primarily in film before coming to TV for "Daisies," agrees: "Every week there is going to be a new guest star and a new cool thing to do!" And "Chuck's" Levi, who topped our critics' list, enthuses: "I'm amped every day. I come to work, and I am so freaking excited. We shot until 6 in the morning last night, and I could have done another two hours."
If our cover boys are lucky, TV audiences will respond to "Reaper," "Pushing Daisies" and "Chuck" with the same amount of infectious enthusiasm.
-- Jennifer Godwin
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Five critics, one opinion
After a spirited debate, our panel reveals its lists of what to watch -- and what to avoid -- this season.
Most likely to be breakout hits
1. Dirty Sexy Money (ABC, Sept. 26, 10 p.m.) This drama about the lives of the Darlings, a superwealthy New York family, should easily buy America's affection.
2. Chuck (NBC, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.) Witty writing, a great cast and smart action sequences might make this geek surprisingly popular.
3. Bionic Woman (NBC, Sept. 26, 9 p.m.) An old favorite gets a sleek, dark reimagining. "Bionic" could turn out to be a fall-season superpower.
4. Cane (CBS, Sept. 25, 10 p.m.) Heartthrob Jimmy Smits capably leads this multigenerational drama set against Florida's tropical beauty.
5. Gossip Girl (CW, Wednesdays, 9 p.m.) Based on the popular book series, tween girls should go gaga for the glamazons of Gossip.
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Worst new shows
1. Cavemen (ABC, Oct. 2, 8 p.m.) The worst of the worst. 'Nuff said.
2. Big Shots (ABC, Sept. 27, 10 p.m.) A dramedy about the secret lives of CEOs, Big Shots falls a little short.
3. Viva Laughlin (CBS, Oct. 21, 8 p.m.) This all-singing, all-dancing whodunit is all over the place. And not in a good way.
4. Carpoolers (ABC, Oct. 2, 8:30 p.m.) It gets lost on the way to funny.
5. The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Sept. 24, 8:30 p.m.) Sadly, even Breakout Star Jim Parsons (see below) can't save this show. Two scientists plus one blond ditz does not equal hilarity. Perhaps if they recalculated...
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Best new shows
1. Pushing Daisies (ABC, Oct. 3, 8 p.m.) Do you believe in magic? You will after watching this "forensic fairy tale" about a pie-maker with the power to resurrect the dead.
2. Reaper (CW, Sept. 25, 9 p.m.) His parents sold his soul to the devil, so slacker Sam Oliver becomes a demonic bounty hunter -- and that's a great deal for TV audiences.
3. Chuck (NBC, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.) A socially challenged computer geek enters the world of high-stakes espionage after he accidentally downloads a secret government database into his brain.
4. Samantha Who? (ABC, Oct. 15, 9:30 p.m.) A young woman with amnesia realizes she used to be a very mean girl. Christina Applegate stars.
5. Women's Murder Club (ABC, Oct. 12, 9 p.m.) Based on the James Patterson novels, this San Francisco-based crime show is unexpectedly classy and intelligent.
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Most anticipated returning shows
1. Lost (ABC, return timeslot and premiere date to be determined) Three seasons down, three seasons to go, and it's still the most addictive show on TV. But prepare to wait: "Lost" won't be back until February.
2. Heroes (NBC, returns Sept. 24, 9 p.m.) After saving the world (for now), the ordinary people with extraordinary abilities regroup to face new, more nefarious threats.
3. The Office (NBC, returns Sept. 27, 9 p.m.) What happened on Pam and Jim's date? Is Jan really moving in with Michael? The world waits...
4. Friday Night Lights (NBC, returns Oct. 5, 9 p.m., then moves to 10 p.m. Fridays) The cherished but ratings-challenged tale of family and football in small-town Texas returns for a second season.
5. 30 Rock (NBC, returns Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m.) Tina Fey promises lots of romance for Kenneth the page this season, but no hanky-panky, ever, for her character, Liz Lemon, and boss Jack Donaghy.
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Most likely to be breakout stars
1. Zachary Levi (NBC's "Chuck") Levi has the perfect combination of charisma and comedic timing.
2. Bret Harrison (CW's "Reaper") A delightful everyman, Harrison shines in this supernatural dramedy.
3. Lee Pace (ABC's "Pushing Daisies") Pace's subtle, sensitive and sometimes charmingly silly performance anchors fall's most critically acclaimed show.
4. Jim Parsons (CBS's "The Big Bang Theory") His deadpan delivery makes Parsons the leading light of CBS's "Big" fall comedy.
5. Michelle Ryan (NBC's "Bionic Woman") This London-born newcomer gives Jaime Sommers a fresh face to go with that bionic body.
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FRESH NEW FACE: Michelle Ryan stands out in Bionic Woman
LIKELY HIT: Cane follows a rich Florida family
CRITICS' CHOICE: "Samantha Who?" is one of the best new shows this year
AN OVERALL FAVORITE: Chuck's geek-tastic Zachary Levi is this year's Breakout Star.
Cover photo: Harrison: Suit, shirt, tie, belt and shoes by John Varvatos. Pace: Suit by Anthony Franco; Shirt, tie and shoes by John Varvatos; Belt by Kenneth Cole. Levi: Suit, belt and shoes by John Varvatos; shirt by Anthony Franco; tie by Calvin Klein. Inside photo: Harrison: Sweater by John Varvatos. Levi: Sweater by Kenneth Cole. Pace: Shirt by John Varvatos.
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