The second batch of new broadcast network television shows hit the small screen this week, with ABC debuting four of its freshman series--dramas "MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." and "LUCKY 7" and comedies "TROPHY WIFE" and "THE GOLDBERGS"--CBS premiering two of its newbies--comedy "MOM" and drama "HOSTAGES"--and NBC offering up a sole drama, "THE BLACKLIST."
Read on to find out whether "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." lives up to its hype, which alumnus from "THE PRACTICE" wins in the battle of the FBI thrillers in the 10 p.m. Monday time slot and more."MOM" (CBS)
Premiere: Sep. 23
Time Slot: Mondays, 9:30-10
Next episode Sept. 30
Rating:
In this family comedy by the people behind "TWO AND A HALF MEN," ANNA FARIS, in her first leading television role, plays a young single mother and recovering alcoholic who reconciles with her mother, played by ALLISON JANNEY, when they run into each other at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. The supporting cast includes NATE CORDDRY and FRENCH STEWART.
The series was created by CHUCK LORRE, the man who created "GRACE UNDER FIRE," "DHARMA & GREG," "Two and a Half Men" and "THE BIG BANG THEORY," along with EDDIE GORODETSKY, who has produced "Two and a Half Men" as well as "FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR," "Dharma & Greg" and "MIKE & MOLLY," and GEMMA BAKER, who wrote for "Two and a Half Men."
The series takes a group of very talented people and waters down their talents to a nearly non-existent level. Fans of "Two and a Half Men" will find the predictable jokes and incessant laugh track utterly hilarious, but the rest will find themselves changing the channel five minutes in.
"THE BLACKLIST" (NBC)Premiere: Sept. 23
Time Slot: Mondays, 10-11
Next episode Sept. 30
Rating:
JAMES SPADER makes his return to television as a lead for the first time since "BOSTON LEGAL" bowed out in 2008 in this intense series. James plays one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives who seemingly has a change of heart and aligns with the FBI to take down some of the world's most dangerous figures, which he has conveniently identified for them on what he calls his Blacklist. MEGAN BOONE, from "LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES" and "BLUE BLOODS," and HARRY LENNIX, of "THE MATRIX" and "DOLLHOUSE," portray the FBI agents he forces into working with him to meet his goal.
James has been absent from television since "Boston Legal," aside from a stint on "THE OFFICE" from 2011 to 2012, but he has been busy working in film, namely last year's "LINCOLN," for which he and his comrades won the Screen Actors Guild Award for best cast, and he brings more grit and mystery to his role than ever.
Also bringing intensity to the series is creator and executive producer JON BOKENKAMP, who is known for writing taut thrillers such as "TAKING LIVES" with ANGELINA JOLIE and "PERFECT STRANGER" and "THE CALL" with HALLE BERRY. He is joined as executive producer by JOHN DAVIS, best known for the "PREDATOR" franchise, JOHN EAISENDRATH, who has produced "ALIAS" and "MY OWN WORST ENEMY," and JOHN FOX, whose sole credits are two new fall shows: this one and gritty detective drama "IRONSIDE.""HOSTAGES" (CBS)
Premiere: Sep. 23
Time Slot: Mondays, 10-11
Next episode Sept. 30
Rating:
DYLAN MCDERMOTT goes up against his former "THE PRACTICE" co-star in another primetime thriller this fall--in the same Monday night time slot. Dylan brings his signature smoldering mystery to CBS as an FBI agent-turned-hostage taker in this political thriller about a family being held captive in their own home. To make it out safely, the family matriarch, played by TONI COLLETTE of "THE UNITED STATES OF TARA," has to kill the president. Toni's character portrays a surgeon who is scheduled to operate on the president the following day, and her family's lives depend on the outcome.
At first blush, Dylan's character, Duncan, is not a far stretch from his role in the film "OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN," in which he played a Secret Service Agent who turns on his country. However, there may be more to his character than meets the eye. Duncan's motives are not revealed in the pilot, but he may not be the monster he at first seems. We see a peek into his personal life that includes a wife going through chemo while he parents their daughter on his own.
Dylan and Toni are joined by TATE DONOVAN as the family's husband and father. The series was developed by JEFFREY NACHMANOFF, who wrote 2004's "THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW," which saw JAKE GYLLENHAAL in his breakout role, and wrote and directed 2008's "TRAITOR" with DON CHEADLE. His thriller-writing roots are evident in suspenseful show. However, at its core, it is is ultimately just a family drama about an unhappy married couple and their dysfunction teenagers keeping secrets from each other. The show's biggest drawback is how it does not hesitate to toe the line between drama and soap opera. Duncan says to one of his accomplices, "We're not here to sort out their problems," but that is probably exactly what they will end up doing over the series' duration if the pilot is an indicator.
"MARVEL\'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." (ABC)Premiere: Sept. 24
Time Slot: Tuesdays, 8-9
Next episode Oct. 1
Rating:
Based on the STAN LEE canon, the fall's most-hyped new show follows the human heroes who track down, recruit and train those with superhuman capabilities. The perfectly timed series comes at the height of Marvel's popularity, with a string of individual superhero feature film hits that culminated earlier this--and the big stars who played them--in one film. CLARK GREGG reprises his role as Agent Coulson in this series, which was created by JOSS WHEDON, who directed "The Avengers," in his return to television after the conclusion of "DOLLHOUSE" in 2010. Clark is joined by "Avengers" co-star COBIE SMULDERS (of "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" fame) and a cast of newbies, including MING-NA WEN, BRETT DALTON, CHLOE BENNET, IAIN DE CAESTECKER and ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE. Unfortunately, the pilot fell flat of the high expectations that ABC's marketing campaign, fans and television critics have created over the past few months. Hopefully, it comes into its own in subsequent episodes and the mystery of how Coulson returned from the--seemingly--dead."THE GOLDBERGS" (ABC)
Premiere: Sep. 24
Time Slot: Tuesdays, 9-9:30
Next episode Oct. 1
Rating:
A narrated period series akin to "THE WONDER YEARS," this comedy stars JEFF GARLIN from "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM," WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY of "RENO 911" and GEORGE SEGAL from "JUST SHOOT ME" as a relatable family in the '80s. Based on creator ADAM F. GOLDBERG's own family, the Goldbergs are a throwback to realistic TV families such as the Arnolds, the Bundys and the Connors.
Creator Adam re-teams with his "BREAKING IN" co-creator SETH GORDON, who directed "HORRIBLE BOSSES" and "IDENTITY THIEF," as executive producers. Seth also directs the pilot. Together, the duo also wrote and directed, respectively, several episodes of "PARKS AND RECREATION," "THE OFFICE," "COMMUNITY" and "MODERN FAMILY." They are being joined by "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT" executive producer DOUG ROBINSON.
"TROPHY WIFE" (ABC)Premiere: Sept. 24
Time Slot: Tuesdays, 9:30-10
Next episode Oct. 1
Rating:
In this surprisingly charming sit-com, MALINKERMAN plays a newlywed who has to deal with her considerably older husband's three bratty children and two catty ex-wives, played by MARCIA GAY HARDEN, known more for her film credits than her numerous television appearances, and MICHAELA WATKINS, most well known for her one-season stint on "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE." The aforementioned husband is played to perfection by BRADLEY WHITFORD, who is best known for "THE WEST WING" but most recently displayed his spot-on comedic talents in the short-lived FOX series "THE GOOD GUYS" in 2010.
Co-created by comedian SARAH HASKINS and "PRIVATE PRACTICE" writer EMILY HALPERN, this chaotic series is endearing and relatable, even if you're not "one of the wives.""LUCKY 7" (ABC)
Premiere: Sep. 24
Time Slot: Tuesdays, 10-11
Next episode Oct. 1
Rating:
This drama is about seven gas station employees--six of whom win the lottery--played by mostly newcomers. It is based on a British series, but it is another American series that the premise elicits memories of. The 2006 NBC series "WINDFALL" about several small-town acquaintances winning a large jackpot and--feign surprise--end up with more problems than they started with. "Windfall" employed a similar interwoven vignette style of storytelling and lasted only one season. "Lucky 7" is likely to suffer the same fate.
The pilot succeeded in coming off as an hour-long PSA for the phrase "Money doesn't buy happiness." The tone of the premiere episode switches on a dime from very serious, dealing with life and death issues, to very comedic, making it hard to establish a mood and making it impossible for viewers to really get a grasp on what they're watching.
The series is co-created by DAVID ZABEL, who wrote for "E.R." between seasons eight and 14, and also acted as show runner and executive producer in its later seasons. David reteams with JASON RICHMAN, who created and wrote ABC's brief but underrated "DETROIT 1-8-7."
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