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« Roush Dispatch
An Upfront Week in Review
Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv in Fringe by Mark Ben Holzberg/Fox
So now we know what’s coming back (Eli Stone, yay!) and what isn’t (Moonlight, boo!). And after glimpsing clips and snippets of the new stuff on most of the networks—sorry, NBC, I would have preferred to “experience” a taste of your new line-up instead of a carnival of empty hype—we’re even feeling a bit of buzz (welcome back, J.J. Abrams!) about the new season to come.
Looking back at a hectic week of TV, off and on screen, some reflections:
The Big Five networks are introducing a mere 16 new series collectively this fall: down significantly from the 20-something of a year ago and roughly half of what we used to see back when the networks were still serious about comedies. One upside: a lot less chaos and confusion, and the networks can focus their promotion on behalf of a handful of shows that might actually break out. Another upside: Fewer new shows means fewer freshman shows got canceled. Shows like Chuck, Life, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Gossip Girl, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Samantha Who?, Eli Stone—all of which can be relaunched in the fall with as much fanfare as we used to see for brand-new shows.
The downside: With fewer new titles to sell and tease, there may be an overall lack of excitement when September rolls around. (Though not in my corner. I can’t wait for my sophomore faves to return, especially those cut short by the writers’ strike.)
So what stood out? J.J. Abrams’ Fringe on Fox, naturally. Looks slick and scary, and reminiscent of Lost, it begins with an airborne catastrophe (though ending far less happily). My main concern at this point, about this and Joss Whedon’s midseason Dollhouse, is that if the high-concept premise is too complicated to convey easily, it may have trouble breaking out beyond cult status. And with House as a mighty lead-in, Fringe may look like it’s not pulling its weight. But expectations are that it will open big (with a splashy two-hour premiere the week before Labor Day). I can’t wait.
And while we didn’t see a frame of it, the CW’s resurrection of 90210 is the other guaranteed buzz magnet of the fall. Does it even matter if it’s any good, or if anyone watches? Probably not. It will still be all you’ll hear a certain segment of the media talking about, at least until the overrated The Hills returns for a new season.
The comedy that got the biggest belly laughs during any network’s screening was CBS’s Worst Week, with slapstick antics very reminiscent of Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents mode. Likable newcomer Kyle Bornheimer could be the next Ray Romano, coming from nowhere to play a likable but hapless schlub who keeps digging a bigger hole for himself the more he tries to impress his newly pregnant girlfriend’s parents (including Kurtwood Smith, master of the fearful slow burn). The clips were hilarious, and as usual, the biggest question is: Will they be able to keep it up each week?
CBS’s new procedurals-with-a-twist were harder to gauge from short cut-downs, but both are blessed with charismatic leading men giving what appear to be big star performances: Simon Baker in The Mentalist and Rufus Sewell in Eleventh Hour. (Fun trivia fact: Sewell is nominated for a Tony this year against Patrick Stewart, who starred in the original British miniseries version.)
Head-scratching trend: High-concept shows with questionably limited premises. CBS’s The Ex List is about a woman who’s given a year (by her psychic) to find her soulmate from a long list of past relationships. Why just a year? And what happens next year? ABC’s Life on Mars remake tells a story about a detective caught in a ’70s time warp, a mystery that was resolved after two short seasons in the British version. For Mars to flourish in the American market, it’s going to have to spin its wheels for a much longer time. But how? And one of my favorite drama clips of the week, for CBS’s wild midseason murder mystery Harper’s Island, seemed more like a trailer for an elaborate Agatha Christie miniseries, as guests at a wedding party on a secluded island are bumped off, at least one a week (I think). Looked fantastically fun and exciting, in the spirit of those classic ’70s ABC “Movies of the Week” I was weaned on (Five Desperate Women, anyone?). But what do they do for an encore?
Bragging rights for busiest night of the week used to belong to Thursday, which is still overrun with great shows. But the new crown goes to Mondays. It’s off-the-charts busy. Just look at the choices across the board: Chuck and Heroes on NBC; Terminator and Prison Break on Fox; four solid comedies on CBS; ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and Samantha Who?; and the CW’s mini-media phenom Gossip Girl. Then at 10, ABC pits Boston Legal against CSI: Miami, a showdown between the two silliest “dramas” in prime time.
Tuesday has its share of interesting battles. House moves to the earlier 8 pm/ET time slot, taking on CBS powerhouse NCIS. (The CW counterprograms with 90210.) Four new Tuesday shows fight it out at 9: The Mentalist, Fringe, Surviving the Filthy Rich (one too many CW peeks into the lives of the rich and famous) and NBC’s Kath & Kim adaptation, all opposite the Dancing results show. And CBS plugs one of its most problematic holes, Tuesday at 10, with Without a Trace, stiff crime-drama competition for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. (Those looking for lighter fare can go with underdog Eli Stone.)
The only faceoff on Wednesday that concerns me is Pushing Daisies vs a transplanted Bones. (I figure I can watch one or the other at 9, when there’s nothing scheduled on any network that interests me.)
The choices don’t change much on Thursdays and Sundays, although it will be interesting to see how newcomers Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour fare on Thursdays opposite the final season (at last) of ER.
Those are the talking points that jumped out at me. As we see more completed pilots (I’d even settle for promos where NBC is concerned, but draw the line at sitting through that Knight Rider movie again), I’m sure opinions will continue to evolve.
With so much hubbub this week, time actually spent in front of the TV was, ironically, limited. But here are a few impressions of the most memorable moments I was able to catch up with:
Gunshot residue: Warrick takes a fatal bullet (from Undersheriff McKeen!) as CSI ends on a real downer, while on Bones, Booth is shot by a mad stalker while Bones is singing karaoke. (At least we know David Boreanaz isn’t going anywhere.)
Reality results: Kudos to Whitney, the first “full-figured” girl to win America’s Next Top Model. And to the two Davids on American Idol, who were always destined to go head-to-head in the final round. (Can’t tell you how many spirited conversations I had at network events during Upfront Week, just by asking the simple question: “Cook or Archuleta?” No one’s neutral on this one.) Dancing With the Stars will also have an appropriate finale, with Kristi trying to become the first female winner since the first season, up against Jason and a resurgent Cristian.
Silence is golden: On Lost, the look on Jack’s face when he learned Claire was his sister. Priceless And that opening sequence as the Oceanic Six are reunited with their families (well, not Kate so much): beautifully done, and such emotionall evocative music underscoring.
Altered States, indeed: House having wild hallucinations and out-of-body experiences in the concussed wake of a bus crash, eventually realizing that Amber was the mystery victim he now is desperate to save. Week’s best cliffhanger.
The shunning of Edie on Desperate Housewives: powerful. Susan faking her water breaking: stupid.
Nora going overboard on Brothers & Sisters for Kevin and Scotty’s “wedding”—not bad timing, all things considered—and why wouldn’t she? There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Saith Justin, upon Saul’s confession: “This is like the gayest week of my life.” Oh, shut up and go kiss Rebecca.
And I give the final words this week to the cast of Gossip Girl, as Serena’s BFFs (minus Dan) cajole her to spill her deadly secret by reminding her that they’re hardly saints themselves:
Blair: “I had sex with him (Chuck) in the back of a limo.”
Nate: “I had sex with you (Serena) at a wedding while I was her (Blair’s) date.”
Chuck: Pregnant pause. “I’m Chuck Bass.” Nuff said.
Meanwhile, the actual adults guiltily watching this show are wondering how to get tickets for a Lincoln Hawk reunion concert. Go, Rufus!
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May 16, 2008 2:50 PM
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Thursdays are hard enough, but Monday nights are going to be a real pile-up! How am I supposed to watch Chuck, Terminator: TSCC, Gossip Girl, AND How I Met Your Mother all at once? My DVR can only record two shows at once, and I can set a VCR in another room (retro!) for show #3, but what about the last one? I guess we're going to have to watch HIMYM online each week, since it's the shortest and least dependent on visuals -- not that the cast isn't attractive!
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May 16, 2008 3:42 PM
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I was thrilled to hear about Pushing Daisies as well as the comedies on Monday night. I am however still smarting from the cancelation of Moonlight. It has so much going for it, I can't imagine why CBS would cancel it. The only thing that hurt as much was when the CW canceled Veronica Mars. Poor Jason Dohring. I know that the fans are still hoping it lands somewhere else, I certainly do.
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May 16, 2008 3:58 PM
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I've learned upfronts are like college athletes in sports draft.
1 there are ones everyone knows will fail even before anyone has even seen it
2 Others look great on paper but may never capitalize on it
3 There are always diamonds in the rough
4 Some shows are just hit with bad luck and never click
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May 16, 2008 4:20 PM
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To say CBS canceling Moonlight is a bitter pill to swallow goes without saying. To replace it with The Ex List is insulting to everyone. This past year, I stayed home on Friday nights in order to watch CBS--no more. The big question to ask is--why should I bother getting involved in a show, when if the ratings don't please the network, it will get canceled? I've been suckered one time too many. The other observation I've learned is--throw all the good shows up against each other--there will be a loser--usually the fans of one of the shows.
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May 16, 2008 4:37 PM
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Then at 10, ABC pits Boston Legal against CSI: Miami, a showdown between the two silliest “dramas” in prime time.
I know that Boston Legal at least acknowledges it's funny, but does CSI:Miami realize how ridiculous it is? Seriously, the sunglasses, the gorgeous lab, Elizabeth Berkley? Ugh!
And a quick shout-out to the awesome season finale of The Office! I laughed until I cried during Andy's tragic proposal. And then Pam made me want to cry with her held-back tears of disappointment 
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May 16, 2008 4:57 PM
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texasannie- I completely agree, my DVR also only does so much. They are killing me on Mondays. Chuck and HIMYM are two of my all time favorites, but I really love Gossip Girl and Terminator. I don't know what to do as my computer and internet connection aren't always friendly to online viewing.
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May 16, 2008 5:07 PM
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Good column, Matt. Thanks for taking the time to do it before the weekend. Have a good and restful one!
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May 16, 2008 5:22 PM
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Mondays: Insane. How am I supposed to watch HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl, Sarah Connor, and Heroes on the same night?
Tuesdays: ...House.
Wednesdays: Pushing Daisies versus Bones? Gah! Thank god for DVR.
Thursdays: Supernatural. Lost eventually, I'm assuming.
Fridays: Nothing until the new season of Doctor Who (Moonlight!!!!).
To sum up ...no one could move anything from Mondays?
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May 16, 2008 7:27 PM
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I really want to boycott CBS for cancelling Moonlight, but I want to support Simon Baker (whom I adore and is a talented Aussie just like Alex O'Loughlin) - I just don't know what to do  ">
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May 16, 2008 10:36 PM
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My Wednesday nights will be as torn as yours...
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May 16, 2008 11:21 PM
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i gotta say while i'm looking foward to new episodes and having hopefully a full season of all the shows, all of 'em...i gotta say, none of the new shows seem to particularly grab me as must sees. even the new jj abrams sounds like same ol, same ol, of course watch me check it out and get immediately hooked the night it premieres, well here's hoping at least!
also i'm proud of cbs for its trying to launch an hour of comedies on Wed nights....when its tried that before and failed, but i'm happy for Old Christine, and I sincerely, sincerely hope it meets whatever expectations they have (god i hope their somewhat realistic!)
that aside cbs did make a mistake in axing Shark and Moonlight. ( i too was convinced it would get another shot....i don't get the appeal of the ex list in between ghost whisper and numbers at all, even if it is supposed to appeal to the ladies, those fluffy shows have never worked on friday nights in the past, miss match, that's life, cold feet, mr. sterling all DOA...even my much missed ED couldn't pull in viewers on fri nights its last year, only providence for some reason managed to do solid....it seems only crime shows can do ok there, 3rd Watch, SVU for many years, here's hoping LIFE doesn't get canceled the way BOOMTOWN did after two episodes on Friday nights some years back....you know that new 11th hour show would make more sense in between ghost whisperer and numbers...its part supernatural/part proceedural! it bridges the gap!)
As for moving The Unit to Sunday nights up against Football, yeah real smart CBS, seriously, The Unit gets about the equivalent ratings week in week out as Shark (10 mil more or less weekly) so and I loooove The Unit and am very very happy to have it back, but does CBS expect The Unit to do better then Shark was doing in that sunday at 10 spot or what? cause i don't really see that happening, much as i love the unit. waaaay better fit on tuesdays.
that's about all i gotta say. you know its a weak sked when the only thing i can nitpick at is CBS' sked. that's sad. the other nets seem solid though...Bones On Weds, i guess it makes sense, Prison Break on Mons holding down the timeslot until 24 can come back, i guess it makes sense.
Why Lipstick Jungle got another season, and why is it airing in Law and Order's timeslot is a really good question, do we really have to wait til jan to get more new Law and Order eps??? they were so good these past couple of months, it seems a shame to have to wait some more esp when its on TNT all the time!!!!
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May 17, 2008 12:35 AM
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monday also has abc family shows 
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May 17, 2008 1:49 PM
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Mondays are CRAZY!!!
No longer watching Chuck because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Gossip Girl and enjoy Terminator..
9PM...Hereos and Prison Break (didn't watch S3 b/c it was horrible but Sara's back so I'll prob tune in)
Tuesdays
90210
fringe - LOVED Alias and lost but this looks too procedural for me
Wednesdays
Nothing....might tune in to Knight rider but I'm not holding my breath
Thursdays
The Office, Grey, Ugly Betty
None of hte new shows really interest me except 90210....
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May 18, 2008 4:33 AM
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Matt you know I love you but.........
I gotta disagree about the shunning of Edie. It stunk! I'm tired of DH treating this character and brilliant actress like a used up tissue! An Edie-Free Wisteria Lane seems like a bleak and boring place.
But I do agree about Gossip Girl! It's the most consistently fun show on television. Monday nights are the perfect place for such a juicy guilty pleasure and fitting since Melrose Place used to rule the roost on the same night many years ago. That Chuck line was priceless and the entire episode had me on the edge of my seat. Bravo!!
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May 18, 2008 10:52 AM
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