Grid Effect

Didn’t rewatch last weeks Rescue Me nor do I have much to say about it that would be considered constructive or even funny, so why not do one of these network previews I’ve been procrastinating on? Also, sorry for the late post. Again. I should do these things at night, but I enjoy my freetime and watching movies like Black Snake Moan, which wasn’t nearly as objectionable as the content would lead you to believe.

Click on these links see the previews for HBO, ABC and CBS.

Today we look at NBC, a network that experienced much critical success in 2006, but finished fourth in the ratings (a lowly fourth, at that) which lead to a front office change from the risk taking Kevin Reilly as chief of entertainment, to the brash, up-and-coming Ben Silverman, Who co-produces several other series’ including The Office and Ugly Betty. This conflict of interests, plus his rumored proclivity for reckless nightlife, and his relative inexperience have many in the industry curious as to how this all pans out.

Odds are, he’ll be considered a success since the ratings couldn’t get much worse. Meaning any slight improvement he will be credited with. I still firmly believe that the reason NBC has dipped so low in recent years is a lack of mainstream professional sporting events to use to market their products. Outside of one contract, for seventeen games a year with the NFL for Sunday Night Football, NBC has nothing. With that said, lets look at what they’re bringing to the table this fall.

(Again, these are just inital impressions. None of these shows have been screened or anything).

Chuck Mondays, 8 p.m. est.
Synopsis: A store clerk accidentally finds himself responsible for the nation’s security, and given he ends up dating the obligatory “strong female character” that is assigned by the CIA to protect him, I’m sure he’ll end up acting like a total pussy to boot.

Initial Impressions: See, this is the brand of show that could snag some cheap ratings. It has a terror plot, an attractive woman, is an hour long and is a “dramedy”. And, to be fair, its not something that this website immediately dismisses, but man does it look tacky. On their homepage, Chuck and some other hapless looking creature are standing behind a counter labeled, “Nerd Herd”. I guess Best Buy wanted too much money to borrow “Geek Squad” or whatever, so they used a phrase intended to disparage the socially awkward in middle school. Gimmicks like these are really unappealing.
Anyhow, it is created by Josh Schwartz (of OC fame), so that should help their ratings cause.

Bionic Woman Wednesdays 9pm est.
Synopsis: Based on a comic book. So naturally someone survives an accident and is physically altered in some way, decided to use her powers for good rather than evil. Which is bullshit. If any of us had supernatural abilities, we would use them strictly for material gain and self-preservation.

Initial Impressions: I’m not really familiar with the comic book or the original television series, so I’m not really an expert to comment on it, as I’m sure many of you are. But I will say this, if the Bionic Woman doesn’t turn out to be the kid from Freaks and Geeks in drag, I’m going to be very, very disappointed.

Journeyman Mondays 10pm est.
Synopsis: A man travels in time for the betterment of peoples lives all while dealing with his turbulent home life. Well, that is kind of selfish. Obviously, by rule of thumb, if one goes up then another must come down. Why should the life one made for him/herself be ruined because someone got a second chance in another dimension from some time leaping creep?

Initial Impressions: While it’s original (as far as I know, anyway, but it does sound an awful lot like Quantum Leap with domestication), it seems a bit contrived. Apparently his spousal quandary’s will stem from his “sudden disappearances” when he travels time. I mean, how many times can one claim to be “going to the store” before it starts to seem suspicious? Hopefully he eventually clues his family in on his predicament, because if I wanted to see someone using thinly-veiled lies to deal with a discrete lifestyle or just to get out of the house, I’d rewatch The Sopranos.

Lipstick Jungle
Synopsis: Three high powered women deal with the “trials and tribulations” of being high powered women. Because, you know, as a woman life is sooo much more managable being a McDonalds employee rather than a CEO. Or at least that’s what I’ve been led to believe.

(Note: The day and time was not listed on the webpage, link to it and tell me differently).

Initial Impressions: As typical as this formula is nowadays in film and television, there is a good chance I end up catching an episode, if for nothing else than to see if they do something with the characters other then have them sit around and sulk about their professional status or sit around and relish in their professional status. Not that I would know or anything, but I imagine independently wealthy, single women in New York do something that doesn’t involve complete narcissism and self-involvement. I’m sure of it.

It looks like that is it. There is another new series from NBC called Life, whose webpage I’ve been waiting ten minutes to load and refuse to wait a second longer. Since it still hasn’t, you’re going to have to investigate this one yourselves. Sorry.
In short, Life could be the greatest boradcast network series of the past fifteen years, and it looks like the new management still might leave something to be desired. Whatever, if these series’ bring in ratings to keep FNL on as a charity case, then do as you will, NBC.

Back later with a succinct Rescue Me recap.