The folks at TheFutonCritic.com somehow manage to know more about what’s going on the world of television than – by our reckoning – any other online source out there. So when we were curious to get an idea about what we might be seeing when the 2007 – 2008 TV season arrives, we knew there was no better place to visit. After scouring their database, we found that these looked like the shows to put your money on seeing come September…provided, of course, that the pilots don’t need to be retooled. (I hate it when that happens.) Otherwise, it’s sayonara ’til mid-season…or, God forbid, forever.
Action News
The Big Names in the Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Fred Willard
The Pitch: In the 90s, the local TV news scene in Pittsburgh was dominated by one team: CHUCK DARLING (Grammer) and KELLY CARR (Heaton). They had that elusive quality all news teams need: chemistry … at least on-screen. Off-screen, Chuck was a bit of an egomaniacal womanizer, Kelly a bit of an uptight know-it-all. So when Chuck got the call to move up to a larger market, no tears were shed. Now, after an embarrassing newscast tirade ends up on the Internet, Chuck finds himself on the downswing career-wise. He’s even questioning whether his lifestyle of chasing women and living in hotels is as exciting as it used to be. So when he gets the call to return to Pittsburgh, to reunite with Kelly and try to take the newscast back to No. 1, it’s an offer he can’t refuse.
As If That Wasn’t Enough: it’s co-created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, the team behind “Frasier,” so they know how to play to Grammer’s comedic strengths.
Area 57
The Big Names in the Cast: Paul Reubens, Matthew Lillard, Bruce McGill.
The Pitch: Taking on the challenge of a classified mission in a top-secret location is hard enough. Throw in a dysfunctional crew that despises you and an alien that makes fun of you and you’ve got one bizarre challenge on your hands. So what if Colonel Steven Isaac’s (Lillard) new career move turns out to be more punishment than promotion? He’s ready for it. Foul extraterrestrial bodily emissions? No problem. Random objects falling from the sky? He’s got it covered. Dirty looks and dirtier rumors? No worries. The laughs are all in a day’s work in this unique comedy.
As If That Wasn’t Enough: the executive producer, David Latt, also produced the pilot for “Twin Peaks,” so he clearly knows how to handle quirky material.
I’m In Hell
The Big Names in the Cast: David Cross, Jason Biggs, Erika Christensen
The Pitch: This comedy centers on a high-flying wall street guy (Biggs) who dies in a blackberry-related car crash only to be sent back stripped of his career, his fancy apartment and the fabulous trappings of his former existence.
As If That Wasn’t Enough: David Cross plays the Devil! What more do you need to know?
Lipshtiz Saves The World
The Big Names in the Cast: Jenny McCarthy, Leslie Nielsen, Dr. Ruth Westheimer
The Pitch: Think you’ve got problems? Try having to clean your room, study for a physics exam, and save the world — all before Mom calls you for dinner. That’s a typical day in the life for 17-year-old Adam Lipshitz, who’s been chosen to rid the world of danger. As part of his mission, this nerd-turned-superhero has to follow the off-the-wall antics of Leslie Nielsen and his team of celebrities, including Jenny McCarthy and Dr. Ruth. Fighting teenage angst and the forces of evil isn’t going to be easy, but you know it’s going to be a whole lot of fun.
As If That Wasn’t Enough: Besides the fact that a concept that weird has to have some kind of potential, director Chris Koch has helmed many an episode of “Scrubs” and “My Name Is Earl.”
The Thick of It
The Big Names in the Cast: Michael McKean, Oliver Platt, John Michael Higgins, Alex Borstein
The Pitch: An adaptation of the award-winning BBC series of the same name, “The Thick of It” is an amusing and caustic behind-the-scenes look at Washington – the foolishness as well as the poignancy. The single camera pilot takes a comedic approach to the absurd world of politics, where connections and (all too often) dumb-luck can make you an overnight star. The series revolves around Albert Alger (Higgins), an ambitious yet barely-elected, blundering Congressman, who stays afloat despite his staff’s advice and inept dealings with the media. Keeping a watchful eye over Alger and his team is Malcolm Tucker (Platt), a high-ranking official, whose unpredictable and domineering ways are effective in enforcing the party’s policy. An intimidating, skilled and smug politician, Malcolm’s knack is projecting his own agenda onto the staff. The antics of Alger’s bumbling office staff are led by Glen Glahm (McKean), his scattered Chief of Staff who, mortifyingly enough, makes Alger appear valiant by comparison; staff speechwriter, Ollie Tadzio, a 28-year-old whose unbridled zest might just give her a chance at being the youngest President ever, if she can survive this job unscathed; and Hope Mueller (Borstein), the press secretary Alger inherited from his predecessor, who has desexualized herself to fit into the “boy’s club.” As insiders will attest, in politics if someone calls you a “friend,” you can be damn sure they have a way to bring you down. And, after this group of friends moves in, the halls of power will never be the same.
As If That Wasn’t Enough: Okay, for this one we have to offer two. It’s created by Mitchell Hurwitz of “Arrested Development” fame, and the pilot’s directed by Christopher Guest.
