BLOGS

TV's Next Big Things? The Potentially Best (and Worst) New Shows in Development

With the Television Critics Association convening in California this week, the networks are starting to announce their development slates for fall shows. However, while a lot of these "in-development" shows might get a pilot ordered, many of them won't ever make it to the airwaves. Based on what we know about them so, here's what sounds potentially must-see to us - and what doesn't.

Untitled Carvey/Feresten Project (Fox) Remember when Dana Carvey was funny? Yeah, neither do we. And Spike Feresten is equally blah. Even our moms won't watch.

The X-Factor (Fox)
While we dread the idea of another singing competition show, the Brits love this one, and if it means Simon without Kara or Randy or Ellen, we're game to give it a go.

Prime Suspect (NBC)
Look, the reason that this BBC show (which aired here on PBS) worked can be boiled down to two words: Helen Mirren. Without her acting capabilities, we're not sure this show about a tough, female detective will have the same resonance. Hope NBC is on the lookout for an Oscar winner who wants to do TV.

The Rockford Files (NBC)
Yes, another cop drama and another remake -- just what we needed. While we loved James Garner as a PI way back in the '70s, we're not sure how this updated show will stand out today. Unless they can find a way to have Enrico Colantoni play James Rockford, and he just happens to have a sassy, pint-sized, blonde daughter who helps him on cases.

The Event (NBC)
This show sounds exactly like FlashForward. Here's the plot: A thriller about mysterious circumstances and a large conspiracy theory. We already have one average show like this, no need for another.

Undercovers (NBC)
Normally we have faith in shows from J.J. Abrams, but the plot of this one sounds like Alias, ten years later: a retired husband and wife return to the CIA as agents. The only possible upside is that it could be a good pairing with Chuck.

Chase (NBC)
Jerry Bruckheimer is ripping from real-life for this scripted show about U.S. Marshals hunting down criminals. It's for people who still watch Cops, and it can't possibly be as awesomely gritty as it needs to be on network television.

Kindreds (NBC)
David E. Kelley is producing a new law show. Shocking. This time it's about a cranky lawyer with a bunch of off-beat associates. We can only hope that Kelsey Grammer will get cast in this mess so we can just ignore its existence until it gets quickly cancelled.

Love Bites (NBC)
A romantic comedy from one of the writers of Sex and the City, this should last about as long as The Ex-List or Miss Match or Leap of Faith (the latter was also from an SATC writer).

Adam Carolla Project (NBC)
The "funnyman" plays a contractor trying to get his life together after being dumped by his wife. We'll put this somewhere between Everybody Loves Raymond and Gary Unmarried on the list of shows we don't need to watch.

Hair Battle Spectacular (Oxygen)
Love the title! Didn't know there was a thing called fantasy hair, but does Snooki's count? Does it involve a lot of Bump-its?

Jersey Couture (Oxygen)
Speaking of our beloved Snooki, Oxygen is also hopping on the Jersey bandwagon with a docudrama about a "glamour fashion shop" and the family who runs it. Can't wait to see their brand of glamour.

House of Glam (Oxygen)
Trendsetters. Stylists. Too high-brow for us.

The Russell Simmons Project (Oxygen)
It's all about the women who make the man, which would be fine if we cared about the man at all.

When Charlie Met Sarah (Oxygen)
The annoying O'Connell brother who was on The Bachelor is getting his own show with his sometimes wife Sarah. We would much rather have When Jerry Met Rebecca.

Bethenny's Getting Married? (Bravo)
Our favorite member of the Real Housewives of New York is getting her own show. What more can we ask for?

Thintervention with Jackie Warner (Bravo)
Super-fit trainer Jackie Warner (from Work Out) is getting overweight people in shape. It's like a one-on-one Biggest Loser.

Lastly, there is apparently also talk that Dick Wolf will do a new Law & Order, this time set in Los Angeles. Yeah, NBC, you already had that show. It was called Southland and you cancelled it.

Watch TWoP's editors discuss the midseason TV shows that are worth checking out in this segment airing on the New York Nonstop cable news channel:

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.

20 Comments

January 11, 2010 1:59 PM
Laura Andlauer
Reply

Just wondering if the Southland that will be on a different channel is just a rerun of the NBC show that got cancelled? Are there any episodes?

January 11, 2010 2:45 PM
Lisa
Reply

What, no love for David Tennant?? I'm anxiously watching for news on Rex Is Not Your Lawyer. The premise is iffy, but I'm sure DT can elevate it on charm alone.

January 11, 2010 4:12 PM
Y A
Reply

It looks like most of my TV viewing is going to remain with PBS, BBC America and the 'Geek TV' channels (History, TLC, Discover, ID, etc). It's a pity NBC ditched "Southland", it was a great series, what we got of it.

January 12, 2010 2:12 AM
Megster T
Reply

I agree, Southland was a great show, it's such a shame NBC dropped it.

I'd also love to hear more about David Tennant's show. And if he uses his natural Scottish accent, then I don't care how bad it is.

January 12, 2010 9:30 AM
Michelle
Reply

Yeah, where's the David Tennant love? Honestly, Rex is the only pilot I care about. All the rest don't really interest me at all. I've got enough TV to watch already.

January 12, 2010 12:27 PM
Kristen
Reply

Yeah, what about the David Tennant pilot? That show is going to be AWESOME and it's really the only new show I'm looking forward to.

Alright, yes, I'll probably watch the new L&O too, depending on the cast and what it's up against in my TV-watching schedule.

January 12, 2010 1:47 PM
Sawyer
Reply
replied to comment from Laura Andlauer

As far as I know, the Southland episodes are new, because NBC had renewed them for a 2nd season before canceling them.

January 12, 2010 2:56 PM
tvgirl48
Reply

It would be really weird to hear David Tennant with an American accent. I'm thrilled he's going to be in another show but kinda sad that most Americans have no idea what a big deal it is that he was cast.

And Prime Suspect without Helen Mirren will be just like all the other procedurals out there. Remember what they did to Life on Mars? And that show had a really interesting premise. And now I hear they are making a US version of Being Human. Ugh. Everyone just needs to watch BBC America if they want great TV.

January 12, 2010 7:19 PM
Ellen M
Reply

Prime Suspect wasn't even relevant in the U.S. 20 years ago when it premiered. It was about a woman who was the first head of detectives (I guess like a lieutenant or captain) in her department, and her fight against sexism and disrespect from the all-male group of detectives. We've had Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) on Law & Order and we had Police Woman and Cagney & Lacey that explored those themes. We also have The Closer and Saving Grace on now. Man, that was on so long ago that Ralph Fiennes had a MINOR role in it.

If they decide to do it, they really need to get a world-weary, middle-aged actress. Alfre Woodard could do it, or Mary McDonnell might be good.

I think "Fantasy Hair" is something that was in a sequel to Barber Shop I saw on TV awhile ago, about a beauty shop (with Queen Latifah--it might have been called Beauty Shop). In the competition, the stylists did bizarre things with hair extensions and wigs, like making women into wild animals or making their hair look like the Egyptian pyramids. That's probably what the show is about, kind of like that show where they have to make wedding cakes.

January 12, 2010 7:23 PM
Ellen M
Reply
replied to comment from tvgirl48

Wow, I really thought Tennant was going on to greater things than an American TV series. That's a step down from Dr. Who (except in money).

January 12, 2010 10:29 PM
Lara
Reply

Why can't ABC snatch the brilliantly clever and adorable "Greek" from ABC Family? It would get better promotion and a much better time slot (it's on opposite Gossip Girl, blah).

January 12, 2010 10:36 PM
tvgirl48
Reply
replied to comment from Ellen M

Yeah I agree. Although in my opinion, there isn't really anywhere greater to go after being the Doctor. NBC doesn't deserve him :-)

January 13, 2010 12:16 AM
Kit
Reply
replied to comment from tvgirl48

My hope for David Tennant is that his show is a critical darling, he gets a ton of praise, and then it gets cancelled for lack of ratings. That way he can take his new American fame and go on to make an HBO miniseries or a really fantastic movie.

See? I've got the Doctor all sorted ;-)

January 13, 2010 12:31 AM
Sam
Reply

First off, I'd watch Rockford Files only if James Garner came back.

Secondly TNT started airing the first few episode over again tonight starting with the pilot. I believe the first "new to us" episode isn't until March.

January 13, 2010 9:17 AM
Wade
Reply

Hey, sideburn guy. Not a good look! Could not pay attention to anything you said because that facial hair is the weirdest thing I've seen in at least a week. And I watched Scrubs last night.

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