New shows to watch

I've been studying the descriptions for the new shows over at the FutonCritic site. I think I've narrowed down the list of those I want to check out.

I'll give most shows a couple of episodes to hook me, which inevitably means about three-quarters of those newbies end up nuked from the season pass list two weeks into the season.

Here's my list, sorted by premiere date (times are Eastern):

8/28/2005 (Sunday)
9:00 PM - Rome (HBO)
The saga of two ordinary Roman soldiers and their families in 51 b.c. If it weren't on HBO, I'd think snoozefest, but they have a way of making things interesting.


8/29/2005 (Monday)
8:00 PM - Prison Break (Fox)
The setup is complicated, but involves one brother who purposefully gets himself put into prison to try and free the second brother from death row. Stars Dominic Purcell of the cancelled, awful-but-I-loved-it 'John Doe'.


9/10/2005 (Saturday)
9:00 PM - Man With the Screaming Brain (sci_fi)
Okay, so it's not a series. But it's an original movie conceived by and starring Bruce Campbell.


9/11/2005 (Sunday)
8:30 PM - The War at Home (Fox)
This could be a typical family sitcom - hit or miss - but I'm hopeful that star Michael Rapaport (last seen on Boston Public) elevates it.


9/14/2005 (Wednesday)
9:00 PM - Head Cases (Fox)
A comedy/drama about a couple of low-rent lawyers. Could be a funny version of the early seasons of The Practice - that's a good thing.


9/16/2005 (Friday)
9:00 PM - Threshold (CBS)
This sci-fi drama/thriller starring Carla Gugino and Brent Spiner has more geek cred than the rest, which virtually guarantees at least a cult following.


9/19/2005 (Monday)
8:30 PM - How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Another sitcom that could be better than the rest due to a promising cast including Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrck Harris (Doogie himself!)

9:30 PM - Out of Practice (CBS)
This sitcom about a family of docs (starring Henry Winkler and Stockard
Channing) has a quirky vibe in the previews.


9/20/2005 (Tuesday)
9:00 PM - My Name is Earl (NBC)
Jason Lee plays a lottery winner who tries to use the winnings to right the wrongs of his past. It's a comedy.

10:00 PM - Bound for Glory: The Montour Spartans (ESPN)
A reality show where NFL legend Dick Butkus takes the reins of a terrible high school team in a small town.


9/21/2005 (Wednesday)
8:00 PM - The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (NBC)
Trainwreck factor: 10

9:00 PM - e-ring (NBC)
Benjamin Bratt and Dennis Hopper battle baddies from The Pentagon. Bad news - it's opposite 'Lost'. Unless it's really good, it probably won't last long.

10:00 PM - invasion (ABC)
Aliens are among us, but nobody believes it. Sounds a lot like the X-Files but with a spookier tone. Good news - it's on after 'Lost' on the same network. Unless it tanks, it will get a full season pick-up quickly.


9/25/2005 (Sunday)
10:30 PM - Extras (HBO)
Ricky Gervais, the genius behind the original BBC version of 'The Office' brings us this comedy about extras on a film set, where the star is Kate Winslet. Pure gold.

Posted by tivogirl at 10:15 AM