Television’s best new shows…

Last week was the boob tube’s big premiere for the new season. While many shows started new seasons with ongoing storylines, some networks aired some new programs that I took the time to check out most of them. I watched (or recorded on the DVR and watched later) most of the new shows and below is a list of the shows that I thought were the creme of the new season crop. Feel free to leave notes or comments if you agree or disagree with my picks.

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5. SMITH

Time: Tuesdays @ 10pm EST on CBS

Starring: Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker, Franky G, Jonny Lee Miller, Amy Smart

Premise: This is kinda like a Mr. & Mrs. Smith premise, with the husband acting like he has a regular job and life. Turns out that this husband is a professional theif/criminal, and does super heists for people for big cash… and the wife has her suspicions, but says nothing.

I liked the premise despite it’s simplicity, and I really hope that the writers do something to make it a little less cut and dry. What the show lacks in detail, it makes up for it and more with a killer cast. With Liotta headlining a cast that includes Simon Baker, Amy Smart and Jonny Lee Miller (who I am huge fan of), this looks to be an interesting caper show that has the potential to last, but likely won’t if it continues to stink in the ratings.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Ray Liotta every since Goodfellas, so I’m hoping that he carries this show to success. He’s the kind of actor that people would pay just to hear him read the phonebook, so hopefully CBS gives this show a good chance to thrive and pick up a good audience.

I thought the first episode was interesting. The concept and the pains that the main character goes through to keep his criminal life a secret while predictable is well played. I’m eager to see either how this double life unravels or if the police manage to catch up with him before anyone else does. I think the events of the first episode were a tad predictable and hopefully the writers will be less obvious with the next few episodes as the show has the chance to do really well, especially with a cast this good.

4. JERICHO

Time: Wednesdays @ 8pm EST on CBS

Starring: Skeet Ulrich, Gerald McRaney, Pamela Reed, Ashley Scott and Lennie James

Premise: This takes place in a small town that can see from a distance that Denver has been nuked. Cut off from communicating with the rest of the country, the small town tries to find out if Denver was the only city hit or a small part of a large scale war.

A decent cast with no huge names that stick out to the point where it overshadows the story which is really the biggest part of the show. I liked how the tragedy allowed us to get to know the characters as they rose to the occassion and did good things in the face of what might be the end of their world as they know it. An interesting approach to what how a small town would react to all the major cities in the US getting nuked into oblivion.

While there were some good scenes, there were some parts of the pilot that I could to be a tad on the corny side. I mean with all the nuclear war and armageddon things going on in the world, why did the writers feel it was necessary to add in the prison break storyline with the crashed prison bus? Is that really necessary? This absurd tossed in at the last minute storyline is what prevented this show from climbing the list.

An interesting show, and I’m interested to see where they go with this. What stories they persue and how realistic they are with the nuke storyline. I really hope the approach the concept of nuclear fallout, trying to cope without power, and how to restore their supplies after trying to get through contaminated fields. I’m also curious to see if they give more details to what happened to the cities or just keep us in the dark like the town is.

3. VANISHED

Time: Mondays @ 9pm EST on FOX

Starring: Gale Harold, John Nelson, Joanne Kelly, Rebecca Gayheart and Ming Na

Premise: Sara Collins (Kelly) is the lovely young wife of prominent Georgia Senator Jeffrey Collins (Nelson) — and she’s disappeared. But before the authorities can solve the mystery of her whereabouts, they first have to figure out who she really is. FBI Agents Graham Kelton (Harold) and Lin Mei (Ming Na) uncover clues that suggest Sara’s disappearance may be linked to a larger, more sinister conspiracy…

FOX started their season three earlier than any other network, and that move worked as Leah and I got hooked on this show before any other network debuted. While it’s not the most realistic premise, the cast and the story has been engaging and exciting. Leah wanted to watch the show cause she’s a huge fan of Gale Horold (who many will remember as Brian on Showtimes ‘Queer As Folk’) as the lead FBI agent who’s incharge of a headline case that could have huge political reprocussions.

What I do love about this storyline is the nature of the kidnapping. From what we can see, the Senator is being blackmailed to stay silent about something he knows that could ruin a judge’s attempt to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. This kind of political story might be tainted by the fact that it seems to be giving us the impression that a crazy cult might be doing the blackmailing. I’m really hoping they do a kind of cult was a fake cover kind of thing cause that seems a little to nutty for my liking.

It’s will also be interesting to see how they try to stretch this show into future seasons. My recommendation would be to start each season with a new case, rather than try to make this one case last more than one season. Yet with a good cast of actors and a storyline that is diving deeper and deeper into a conspiracy theory kind of rabbit hole, I’m dying to tune in every week to see where this show is going with their story and that’s a very good sign.

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2. SHARK

Time: Thursdays @ 10pm EST on CBS

Starring: James Woods, Jeri Ryan, Sam Page, Sophina Brown, Alexis Cruz and Danielle Panabaker

Premise: The show is about a high profile defense attorney named Stark (Woods), kinda like Johnny Cochrane who has a change of heart concerning his profession when someone he gets off the legal hook murders someone less than a week after being aquitted. Reeling from what lawyers seldom feel (guilt), Stark takes a job with the DA’s office and swtiches sides to pass along his legal genuis to a bunch of rookie lawyers in desperate need of guidence and a clue.

I love this premise: A highly paid, highly successful defense lawyer… forced into service on the other side of the barrister. He is now a district attorney and goes after the same celebrities he used to defend. The episode tries to have things both ways, indulging us in the scintillating glitz and glamour of Hollywood while simultaneously bringing sinners to justice every week. All of this is accomplished with a snarky, brash anti-hero who is a larger than live character.

I’ve always been a huge fan of James Woods and this show seems to compliment him just nicely. The only complaint that I have about this show is that it probably would have been a better fit with HBO, cause James Woods is almost the coolest actor when it comes to spitting out four letter words… second only to Samuel L. Jackson. Rergardless of where it airs, Woods has found a good show that also happens to benefit from an amazing lead in from the highest rated show on television, so this show is going to do amazingly well.

One interesting point to note: the pilot was directed by Spike Lee, but I couldn’t tell the difference as it no different than any other pilot. There was nothing about it that is particularly cinematic or edgy… unlike Lee’s earlier release “Inside Man” which was a complete polar opposite. Anyway, it was a good pilot and I’m eager to see tonight’s second episode as this might be the best legal drama since ‘The Practice’ to come on the air.

1. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

Time: Mondays @ 10pm EST on NBC

Starring: Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet, Steven Weber, D.L. Hughley, Sarah Paulson, Nathan Corddry and Timothy Busfield

Premise: “Studio 60” is a late-night sketch comedy show where humor is currently in very short supply. One of the executive producers had a meltdown — live on the air, naturally — the control room is a mess and the actors aren’t much better off. Two former writers (Perry and Whitford) are hired back on to save the show from this scandal.

I was blue as can be when ‘The West Wing’ signed off with a very memorable farewell… but that morning was only temporary when I heard about this new show. Created and being co-written by Wing creator Aaron Sorkin, this show had a lot of potential and was for me the most anticipated new show of the season. After watching the first two episodes, I can say the show has exceeded all expectations.

Studio 60 is pure Aaron Sorkin: it’s witty, intelligent, and heart-felt about issues. I can see the influence of his past shows present in this program and that is a good thing. Can anyone call it coincedence that one of his better actresses from Sports Night was a guest on the first episode? This show has been a blast to watch as the cast of incredibly talented actors and actresses work together to make Sorkin’s words shine. I can also see a little venom from Sorkin’s past with NBC coming through in some of the dialogue. When Whitford’s character says that he doesn’t trust someone and when asked why, he replies “Cause you work in television…” Geee, no hard feelings here… eh Aaron?

I’ve loved both episodes of this show so far and so did my Dad, but the so far the women I know have not liked it at all. Leah and my Mom both didn’t like it and have no intention of watching anymore episodes. I’m curious to see if this is a trend cause that’s usually uncharacteristic of Sorkin shows cause they usually present very strong female characters, and this one really is no different. I do however love the Studio 60 and can’t wait to see the next episode as it’s my new favorite show and deserving to be # 1 on this list.