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Overall, very depressing. The over-reliance on cop shows and variations thereof is astounding. But hunting and picking reveals a few shows with potential, particularly now that some casting has been completed.
ABC
Cutthroat
A one-hour dramedy about an ambitious single mother who finds that running her own international drug cartel is perfect training for navigating the cutthroat world of Beverly Hills high society.
Sounds good mainly because it comes from the same comedy team behind Reaper. A lot depends on the lead casting.
No Ordinary Family
Strange things begin to happen when your typical American family suddenly finds themselves with new "abilities." Navigating how to deal with being "super" is only part of the story -- after all, they are still a family.
Cast - Michael Chiklis (Jim)
It's sf/f, so I'll check it out, tho I wish Chiklis' power were more interesting than just superstrength.
How to Be a Better American
A father embarks on a journey to be a better person and drags his family along kicking and screaming.
Depending on how well they cast the lead, this might be worthwhile.
CBS
Chaos
A group of rogue CIA operatives combat bureaucratic gridlock, rampant incompetence and political infighting.
Cast - Freddy Rodriguez (Rick)
Interested in this solely because they cast Rodriguez as the lead.
CW
Betwixt
Revolves around "changelings" in an urban setting who are responsible for saving humans from evil.
I feel duty-bound to check out anything sf/f, even on the CW.
FOX
Worthy
A subversively comedic look at an aspiring politician who gets sucked into a world of crime and larger-than-life characters after he accidentally kills a low-level thug in a powerful local gang.
They NEED to cast Adrian Pasdar as the lead. Seriously. I feel like writing people letters about this.
In Security
An office comedy about a cute but slighty awkward guy who joins a digital security firm; amongst the oddball group of geniuses, he finally finds a place he can fit in.
Cast - Bret Harrison (Cameron)
Interested in this solely because they cast Harrison as the lead.
The Station
A covert CIA operative and his workmates are embedded in a South American country and must navigate their mission to install a new dictator in this banana republic with its own unique set of challenges.
Cast - John Goodman (Ted), Justin Bartha (Eric), Rob Huebel (Hank), Carla Gallo (Andrea), Jordan Peele (Joe), Jose Zuniga (Sherman)
This is by far my favorite new network pilot. Since it is being developed by Ben Stiller. I'm really hoping for an outlandish Tropic Thunder approach.
NBC
The Event
A thriller with a unique storytelling device and multiple points of view about a regular guy fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a larger conspiracy.
Could be a lot of fun - I'll give it a chance.
The Cape
A former cop is set up as a criminal and becomes a masked hero to clear his name and reunite with his son
Depending on the lead casting, it could be worthwhile.
And that's a pretty short list of pickups for NBC! Either they still have a long way to go, or maybe Heroes and even Trauma and/or Mercy have a hope of coming back?
This doesn't count the intriguing pilots on cable, including:
AMC
Walking Dead - zombie show with Frank Darabont writing and directing.
SYFY
Haven - based on the novella The Colorado Kid from Stephen King. Emily Rose will play the lead role of Audrey Parker, the shrewd and confident FBI agent with a lost past who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine to solve the murder of a local ex-con. Before long, her natural curiosity lands her in the epicenter of activity in this curious enclave, which turns out to be a longtime refuge for people that are afflicted with a remarkable range of supernatural abilities.
TNT
Spielberg alien invasion series starring Noah Wylie.
HBO
Boardwalk Empire - Set in 1920 at the dawn of Prohibition, this new drama series chronicles the life and times of Nucky Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City, who was equal parts politician and gangster. Steve Buscemi stars as Thompson. Martin Scorsese is executive producer.
Overall, very depressing. The over-reliance on cop shows and variations thereof is astounding. But hunting and picking reveals a few shows with potential, particularly now that some casting has been completed.
ABC
Cutthroat
A one-hour dramedy about an ambitious single mother who finds that running her own international drug cartel is perfect training for navigating the cutthroat world of Beverly Hills high society.
Sounds good mainly because it comes from the same comedy team behind Reaper. A lot depends on the lead casting.
No Ordinary Family
Strange things begin to happen when your typical American family suddenly finds themselves with new "abilities." Navigating how to deal with being "super" is only part of the story -- after all, they are still a family.
Cast - Michael Chiklis (Jim)
It's sf/f, so I'll check it out, tho I wish Chiklis' power were more interesting than just superstrength.
How to Be a Better American
A father embarks on a journey to be a better person and drags his family along kicking and screaming.
Depending on how well they cast the lead, this might be worthwhile.
CBS
Chaos
A group of rogue CIA operatives combat bureaucratic gridlock, rampant incompetence and political infighting.
Cast - Freddy Rodriguez (Rick)
Interested in this solely because they cast Rodriguez as the lead.
CW
Betwixt
Revolves around "changelings" in an urban setting who are responsible for saving humans from evil.
I feel duty-bound to check out anything sf/f, even on the CW.
FOX
Worthy
A subversively comedic look at an aspiring politician who gets sucked into a world of crime and larger-than-life characters after he accidentally kills a low-level thug in a powerful local gang.
They NEED to cast Adrian Pasdar as the lead. Seriously. I feel like writing people letters about this.
In Security
An office comedy about a cute but slighty awkward guy who joins a digital security firm; amongst the oddball group of geniuses, he finally finds a place he can fit in.
Cast - Bret Harrison (Cameron)
Interested in this solely because they cast Harrison as the lead.
The Station
A covert CIA operative and his workmates are embedded in a South American country and must navigate their mission to install a new dictator in this banana republic with its own unique set of challenges.
Cast - John Goodman (Ted), Justin Bartha (Eric), Rob Huebel (Hank), Carla Gallo (Andrea), Jordan Peele (Joe), Jose Zuniga (Sherman)
This is by far my favorite new network pilot. Since it is being developed by Ben Stiller. I'm really hoping for an outlandish Tropic Thunder approach.
NBC
The Event
A thriller with a unique storytelling device and multiple points of view about a regular guy fighting his way through the mysterious circumstances of a larger conspiracy.
Could be a lot of fun - I'll give it a chance.
The Cape
A former cop is set up as a criminal and becomes a masked hero to clear his name and reunite with his son
Depending on the lead casting, it could be worthwhile.
And that's a pretty short list of pickups for NBC! Either they still have a long way to go, or maybe Heroes and even Trauma and/or Mercy have a hope of coming back?
This doesn't count the intriguing pilots on cable, including:
AMC
Walking Dead - zombie show with Frank Darabont writing and directing.
SYFY
Haven - based on the novella The Colorado Kid from Stephen King. Emily Rose will play the lead role of Audrey Parker, the shrewd and confident FBI agent with a lost past who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine to solve the murder of a local ex-con. Before long, her natural curiosity lands her in the epicenter of activity in this curious enclave, which turns out to be a longtime refuge for people that are afflicted with a remarkable range of supernatural abilities.
TNT
Spielberg alien invasion series starring Noah Wylie.
HBO
Boardwalk Empire - Set in 1920 at the dawn of Prohibition, this new drama series chronicles the life and times of Nucky Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City, who was equal parts politician and gangster. Steve Buscemi stars as Thompson. Martin Scorsese is executive producer.
