If ever network TV needed a few new hits, it is this fall. Viewership fell to record lows this summer as reality shows featuring pirates, filmmakers and beefy basketball stars all fouled out. The Emmys returned last week to their second lowest ratings ever. Viewers bored with television seem to have migrated over to new media distractions such as YouTube.
To make matters worse, there is very little buzz coming off the fall shows. Sure, CBS's new reality show "Kid Nation" got some press - the network was accused of violating child labour laws during production - but few viewers when it premiered this Wednesday.
Is any show likely to bust out this fall? As CBS CEO Les Moonves remarked last July at a press tour, it is important to remember that the hit bar has been lowered. "All you need is 16 million viewers to have a hit," said Moonves. Ten or 20 years ago, 25, 30, even 40 million Americans tuned in each week to shows like "Friends" or "The Cosby Show."
To win back that audience, the U.S. networks have retreated to a tried and true approach after failing last fall to come up with the next "Sopranos." Gritty, challenging serial shows such as "Smith," "The Nine" and "Kidnapped" were lauded by critics but never caught on and were cancelled within weeks.
This fall, easy-to-get high concepts - including shows about modern-day cavemen, carpoolers and bionic women - are all the rage. With the success of "Heroes" last season, nerdy, everyday individuals who save the day are also here to save the networks.
Here are my picks for fall:
MOST ORIGINAL NEW SHOW: "" (CTV). Like a lot of shows this fall, the premise is simple: a pie maker named Ned discovers he can bring the dead back to life with a single touch. The catch: if he touches them again, they stay dead forever. In the pilot, which is irresistible, he brings back a women he's adored all his life - only to realize that, now that he's found her, he can never touch her again. "" is from the folks behind some of my favourite shows ("Wonderfalls," "The Tick"). But those shows charmed critics, not viewers, because they were too different. Is "" also doomed? Some intriguing casting should help. ("Wonderfalls") plays Ned, plays revived love Charlotte and plays a cop who's on to Ned's secret. and Ellen Greene play two eccentric aunts. Where does it go from here? The creators say the show will evolve into more of a "forensic fantasy." A whimsical ""? Yikes.
FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH:
"Reaper" (the CW): A young dude named Sam (Bret Harrison) discovers his parents sold his soul to the devil. Now he has to do Beelzebub's bidding. Ray Wise ("Twin Peaks") is sinfully good as Satan. Brampton, Ont.-native Tyler Labine ("Invasion") shines as Sam's slacker buddy. Produced and directed by indie-maverick Kevin Smith.
"Chuck" (NBC): A computer nerd (Zachary Levi) who works in a big-box electronics store accidentally downloads hundreds of CIA secrets into his head. An incredibly beautiful CIA agent (Aussie newcomer Yvonne Strzechowski) needs to keep him alive. A well-written, well-cast and just plain fun pilot.
"Aliens in America" (the CW): Hot on the heels of CBC's "Little Mosque on the Prairie" comes this similar fish-out-of-water comedy. An uptight, Midwest mom ("Caroline in the City"'s Amy Pietz) decides to improve her nerdy son's school status by importing an exchange student into the family. When Raja from Pakistan arrives (Adhir Kalyan), the family freaks. "Gilmore Girls" Scott Patterson plays the dad. A delightfully sharp, funny pilot.
"Back to You" (Fox): Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") plays disgraced news anchor Chuck Darling who is bounced from L.A. to Philadelphia where he re-teams with former news partner Kelly Carr ("Everybody Loves Raymond"'s Patricia Heaton). Turns out they had a fling, which resulted in a child, and hilarity ensues. Always funny Fred Willard plays the sports guy. Well cast, well written, well directed (by comedy legend Jim Burrows). The second episode is even funnier than the pilot, although it all seems very "Murphy Brown."
SUREST BET: "" (CTV). brings Dr. Addison from Seattle to L.A. and are among the new McDreamies. How can a "" spinoff miss? Well, there was "AfterMASH," although there also was "."
BETTER THAN EXPECTED: "Bionic Woman" (NBC, E). A lot less cheesy than the '70s original, with no corny sound effects, just full on, video-game level super chick battles. Brit stunner Michelle Ryan plays the lead; Miguel Ferrer her boss. Shot in Vancouver.
CATCHIEST TITLES: "" clicked, why not "" (CTV) or "" (CTV)? Because neither of these shows are as much fun as their titles, although "Money" features a terrific cast, including ("Six Feet Under") as a straight-shooting lawyer hired to babysit the Darlings, a wealthy, out-of-control family. plays the patriarch, with and also chewing scenery in the pilot. "" (which came last in its timeslot in the U.S. this week) is just a bore; once that gossip spreads the show will be, like, yesterday.
DEAD POOL PICKS: "Cavemen," "Kid Nation," "Carpoolers," "," "Nashville" and CBS's musical misfire, "Viva Laughlin." Based on those Geico insurance ads, "Cavemen" will probably open big, but once people see it, it will be back to the cave for these remarkably unfunny troglodytes. Comedy at its most un-evolved.
