Fall TV Report - Part I

This is probably a bit of a stretch given that we don't watch a ton of TV to begin with, but I thought it might be fun to check in on how some of the new shows are doing.

Let's start with a new show Journeyman. We tried this one for a couple of weeks, but it is too similar to Quantum Leap. Granted there are not a lot of truly original ideas out there anymore. However if you are going to rehash something it should at least be good. The lead actor plays out his role in a rather dull and boring way. Thumbs down, and don't expect it to last the full year.

There is a good example of a retread show in Bionic Woman. Michelle Ryan is great is the 21st century version of Jamie Sommers. This is a show that has an edge to it (at least for NBC), and it also helps to have Crossing Jordan vet Miguel Ferrer on board. His Dr. Macy persona translates very well as Jonas Bledsoe head of the Burket Group - a black ops super secret security force. It is a well balanced show with promise to have a second season.

Following Bionic Woman on Wednesdays is Life. Of the new shows that we watch, this is the closest to original that we've got. Here we follow the, ahem, life, of Charlie Crews - a detective wrongfully imprisoned for a murder that he did not commit. While behind bars, he turned to Zen to help him through the hard times (Philip's Corner is not endorsing such action), and it gives Charlie a quirky, comical twist. On one episode, he lays out over a hundred photos on the floor, and he says, "It's all here - except for what isn't." Trust me; print doesn't do justice to the line. In addition to a weekly case that Crews and his partner Dani Reese work, there is an ongoing storyline that has Crews trying to solve the mystery of who really committed the crime he was convicted of and how he wound up on the hook for it. It is a similar concept to what The Pretender had where Jarod solving a problem of the week with the backdrop of searching for his family. Of the three new shows we are watching, this is the top of the class.

Coming up: we'll see how our returning favorites are doing.

Until next time...
PH