The TV networks will be announcing their fall lineups in mere weeks, meaning dozens of pilots currently in contention to feed on the bones of Kidnapped, Smith, and Runaway will never see the light of day. Last week, USA Today published a roundup (click here to read it) of contending shows from stars like Brooke "Healthy Mouth" Shields, Molly Shannon, Patricia Heaton, Parker Posey, and Michael Vartan, as well as new takes on The Terminator, Footballers’ Wives, Life on Mars, and the Geico "caveman" commercials. And even though most of us haven’t actually seen the pilots in question, I figured it would be a great way to procrastinate an interesting exercise for everyone to choose the one pilot that sounds most promising — on paper anyway.
I’m putting my early money on ABC’s Peter Krause (pictured) vehicle Dirty Sexy Money, about an attorney working for a shady, wealthy family whose members include Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh, and Billy Baldwin. For starters, this one’s got a great title and a great cast, it comes from producer Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters, Everwood), and it might help balance out my chick-heavy current DVR schedule. Place your bets now, PopWatchers… then we can check back in May to see how many of our (not completely informed) picks got picked up!
My money’s on Parker Posey. Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, My Boys and the Desperate Housewives serve as proof that America can’t get enough quirky cuties! But then, I’d support Parker Posey even if they starred her in a Geico ad…
“Dirty Sexy Money” looks like it has potential. “Football Wives” could be an awesome guilty pleasure, but only if they make it as over the top as the original. Some strange casting choices there… Kirstie Alley as a small-town minister? That makes my brain hurt. The caveman TV show is a terrible idea…what’s funny for 30 seconds won’t necessarily be funny stretched into half an hour.
Well, since I’m not high on soaps or politics-based shows (or, for that matter, politics-based soaps) and star vehicles almost never seem to live up to their leads, I’m going to go with two of the quirkier offerings; Viva Lauglin and Area 57. (Possible Nevada fixation? Discuss.) If I have to narrow it down to one, then Laughlin gets it because, well, singing! Also, I’m not sure how long a wacky alien show can go without turning into ALF.
Action News reeks of desperation and immediately makes me think of Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show. And I think we all know how that turned out.
So while many of these pilots have potential I think it will be a race to the wastelands for Action News and The Geico caveman show.
I love Parker Posey also. Her and Molly Shannon, the funniest woman ever on SNL.
Anything even remotely associated with Greg Berlanti should be good stuff. Other than that, I’m not picking anything. Even in September. Most of the shows I was watching last fall are cancelled or on the verge.
The networks should hire me on what not to put on the air.
I’m rooting for “Swingtown”. I think an “Ice Storm: The Series” could be a really intriguing look at the American family.
Can’t believe USA Today used the archaic term ‘wheelchair-bound’, which to the disability community is like the f and n words (the PC term is wheelchair USER). Anyway, I’ve read the pilot for ‘I’m With Stupid,’ which is clever and different, is based on a hit Brit show – and is produced by the Farrelly Bros. Hope it makes it…
Since it’s impossible to judge any show until you’ve seen the finished product, I can only guarantee that I will watch the new show that stars Michael Vartan. Other than that, I reserve all judgement until the networks announce their fall line-ups.
The only show that I would be interested in is the one featuring Michael Vartan – it sounds interesting and the cast is strong.
The only one I’m looking forward to so far is the so-far-untitled one starring Michael Vartan, because, well, it’s starring Michael Vartan! (Also Josh Malina and Nia Long, who I also like.)
The show with Vartan seems to have a great cast and I’d watch anything with him in it. Posey and Krause are always good in my book also.
I’m not sure what I will be watching, except I know that I won’t tune into the caveman show, those adds aren’t even funny for 30 seconds let alone 30 minutes
Gotta go with ABC’s remake of the British “Thick of It”, particularly since Christopher Guest is directing the pilot, and Mitchell Hurwitz (the brains behind Arrested Development) is in charge….anything to bring back AD’s style of humor to television (particularly if it involves Gob and Tobias in any form)
If Michael Vartan is headlining the unnamed ABC pilot, I am so there. Plus I’m very pleased with all those who have been named to co-star with him. I’ve been waiting a long time for him to reappear on my TV screen. The premise sounds very interesting and it’s about time the men will be the key characters.