Another day, another chance to TAG (Totally Arbitrary Grade), the latest pilot orders. Read the greenlights, copy and paste our title cheat sheet at the end of the item into the comments section, and add your marks.
• Untitled detective show: This adaptation of the Argentinian series Brothers and Detectives sounds like it should be coming from CBS, but it’s at ABC. According to Variety,it’s about "a Savannah police detective who discovers, after his fatherdies, that he has an 11-year-old brother with a genius IQ. The detectivewinds up partnering with his young brother, who helps him solvecrimes." I’m guaranteed to watch something this crazy once; if you wantme back week-to-week, the casting has got to be perfect. I’m thinking the detective is either hot and goofy like Bones‘ David Boreanaz and NCIS‘ Michael Weatherly, or hot and eccentric like Life’s Damian Lewis. Either way, I’m recommending Joseph Castanon, who I recently caught in the NCIS rerun "Honor Code," for the boy. TAG: B
• Off Duty: This NBC comedy pilot already has its cast in place. Per The Hollywood Reporter, it "centers on a once-legendary policedetective (Bradley Whitford) on his way down who complicates thelife of his new partner (Romany Malco) — a straight shooter on hisway up — both on duty and off." Cashmere Mafia’sBonnie Sommerville has just been added as Whitford’s wife. Again, thisis the kind of crazy I definitely want to see someone attempt…once.I just don’t know if I can see an interracial buddy cop comedy onThursday night. TAG: C+
• An American Family: The antithesis to the network’s crapping out another simple ’80s remake would appear to be this ABC concoction. I’ll let THR break it down: It’s a docu-style comedy that "revolves around three families: onecomprised of a working dad, stay-at-home mom and two kids; anotherthat includes a 60-year-old man who becomes a stepfather aftermarrying a Latina who is 30 years his junior; and the third, a gaycouple who have just adopted a Vietnamese baby." The Class‘ Jesse Tyler Ferguson has been cast as one of the gay dads. I’m feeling Ugly Betty-brand comedy on crack. TAG: B
• Day One: Scribe Jesse Alexander (Heroes, Alias, Lost) is behind this NBC offering, which gives it some cred. "The hourlong takes place following a catastrophic global event thatdestroys the world’s infrastructure. Action centers on a small group ofsurvivors," Variety says. Bored now. TAG: C
• I, Claudia: ABC moves forward with this pilot, which is said to revolve around a young prosecuting attorney who we’ll knowone day contends for the Oval Office, but watch now as she obsessesover her love life. I like it, if only because I can’t wait to see whothey cast. (NBC already has Hilary Duff and Kristin Chenoweth attached to legal shows, you’ll recall.) TAG: B+
• Inside the Box: Grey’s Anatomy’s Shonda Rhimes exec produces this ABC pilot, which, Varietysays, focuses on a female news producer and her colleagues in D.C.Again, I’m appreciative of the high levels of estrogen I’m detectingthis pilot season, but I’m crossing my fingers that Box is Sports Night meets Murphy Brown and not…Private Practice. TAG: B
Your turn. Copy, paste, and TAG time.
ABC’s untitled detective show:
NBC’s Off Duty:
ABC’s American Family:
NBC’s Day One:
ABC’s I, Claudia:
ABC’s Inside the Box:
More on pilot season:
V and Lost in the ’80s a go
Ab Fab import and Witches of Eastwick-based drama a go
Grade Fox’s latest orders
Comments (1-30) of 35 Add your comment
About the untitled detective show on ABC – is it just me, or does this sound like Numb3rs if Charlie were 11?
As a huge West Wing fan I want Josh back on my TV screen, so I’m down with Bradley Whitford’s new show. I, Claudia also sounds like it could be good, and I love shows that take place in DC so I’m all for the new Shonda Rhimes.
I also agree that the first show sounds like Numb3rs, but I have a tendency to underestimate the crime genre.
ABC’s untitled detective show: B (and I generally am not a fan, but this premise sounds intriguing)
NBC’s Off Duty: D (Bradley Whitford rocks, but the story holds little appeal for me)
ABC’s American Family: C (It could work. But how’s about a multi-cam com?)
NBC’s Day One: F (Will not be watching this one from day one…)
ABC’s I, Claudia: C (ABC should’ve been more patient with Geena Davis’ “Commander in Chief” years back.)
ABC’s Inside the Box: A [While I think "Grey's" has jumped the shark about 6 or 8 times now, this one seems interesting. (PS- Quit hatin' on "Private Practice." It's GOOD!)]
ABC’s untitled detective show: C+ Sounds waaaaay to precious for any other night than Fridays.
NBC’s Off Duty: D Blah.
ABC’s American Family: B Has potential, granted that the producers balance the three story arcs well.
NBC’s Day One: C+ Is this Lost for NBC?
ABC’s I, Claudia: B Horrible title aside, it sounds like a show with an audience — but they’ll have to find the right actress to make it work.
ABC’s Inside the Box: B- Given Shonda Rhimes’ track record, this could end up being breezy and fun, or cloying and painful. (PLEASE, no voice-overs!)
“I, Claudia”.
I remember this show,. It was called “Jack and Bobby”. That was a good show, too bad this one will probably not be as engaging or as well written. It sounds kinda like “Commander in Chief” meets “Legally Blonde”. Not interested. F-
You spelled Hilary wrong.
I, Claudia sounds like the only one I’d try. As an aside, what’s Kerri Russell doing these days? Isn’t time she returned to TV? Because then I would DEFINITELY watch this show. Day One could be interesting, especially if they take a page from the BSG miniseries- not for the SciFi elements, but because I think that really captured the “what the hell is going on we have no information” intensity of a catastrophic event. How keep that up for an entire season (or multiple seasons) would be tricky. Also, is this like 24, where the whole first season is about “Day One,” or is that just the “catchy” title?
I, Claudia sounds decent but will decent if they get a good actress for the lead.
Inside the Box may be good. I echo the “please no voice overs” and hope they get a better lead then Grey’s has.
These look interesting…
ABC’s I, Claudia: B
ABC’s Inside the Box: B
But I reserve the right to care abut NBC’s Off Duty since I love Bradley Whitford from the West Wing and is intrigued how he would do with comedy. Right now C+.
ABC’s American Family: D
NBC’s Day One: C-
I think I saw Day One already. Wasn’t it called Jericho?
ABC’s untitled detective show: C
NBC’s Off Duty: D
ABC’s American Family: B+
NBC’s Day One: C+
ABC’s I, Claudia: B
ABC’s Inside the Box: B-
ABC’s untitled detective show:D-another procedural..please no
NBC’s Off Duty:C+ I like Bradley Whitford and it could be funny. I just don’t have faith in NBC
ABC’s American Family:B This sounds interesting and quirky..different
NBC’s Day One: B+ Bring it on. Different and exciting
ABC’s I, Claudia:C- ok..depending on the star
ABC’s Inside the Box:FFFFF-Please no more Shonda Rhimes shows ABC!! Do something new and different for gods sake!
ABC’s Inside the Box: Looks good. Hope it has more “Grey’s Anatomy” type casting and writing than “Private Practice” though
I saw DAY ONE already.
It was called JERICHO and was a A+
show. Then CBS canceled it…twice.
They even killed off GERALD MCRANEY which was a BIG NO NO.
I want season one of JERICHO back!!
I will NOT watch DAY ONE.
ABC’s untitled detective show: Sounds terrible – D.
NBC’s Off Duty: While I like Bradley Whitford, this is not a new concept. D for concept. B for casting.
ABC’s American Family: Could go either way – B.
NBC’s Day One: Sort of sounds like what is happening to our economy now. (Kidding). But it does remind me of Jericho. Need more information – will probably watch initially so I give it a B.
ABC’s I, Claudia: I had to reread this b/c I thought it said “I, Claudius” which would be interesting. Casting of Kristen Chenoworth is great so B+ for casting. But another lawyer show – C-.
ABC’s Inside the Box: A+. If it is like Lou Grant or Murphy Brown.
ABC’s untitled detective show: c
NBC’s Off Duty: c
ABC’s American Family: D
NBC’s Day One: A! (because of the Alias/LOST connection alone)
ABC’s I, Claudia: B+
ABC’s Inside the Box: HUGE F. ABC, please no. Shonda Rhimes a one trick pony. Ruined her flagship show Grey’s Anatomy just to bring us the critically trashed and low rated Private Practice which still s*cks out loud 2 seasons in. How does this woman sleep at night and why is ABC so desperate to give us more crappy scripted shows from this woman?
Inside The Box- intriguing title; solid premise; guaranteed solid writing; off the bat sounds like the winner in the bunch: A+ I,Claudia- hate the title, love legal dramas; haven’t seen a great legal drama since The Practice and there’s not much to the premise of this one Based on the weak premise, I am betting it goes the route of Eli Stone with a quickness: C Day One- Love the setup of this one but I just don’t believe NBC can do a good job of handling expensive sci-fi shows(ie; Heroes) like ABC has done with Lost. They nurtured that puppy into what will be a ratings monster season finale next year with the potential for a spinoff theatrical release: C- wrong network. American Family- great mix of family dynamics that could be hilarious; sounds reminiscent of the old Soap series. I hope its a multi-cam with a laugh track: A-; Off Duty- premise is a little hokey and cliched; C+ Untitled detective show- Doogie Howser meets Columbo; that’s got breakout hit written all over it; A+
ABC’s untitled detective show: this sounds a bit outlandish but has a small chance of being watchable D+
NBC’s Off Duty: this sounds like it could go either way C+
ABC’s American Family: not watching this one D-
NBC’s Day One: I am up for this one if they can keep from canceling it after the first season. A
ABC’s I, Claudia: Sounds like it has potential B
ABC’s Inside the Box: not watching this one. F
ABC’s untitled detective show: this has potential for a B+ if they remain faithful to the Argie original.
People are crying “procedural”, but it´s more dramedy, actually.
More Ugly Betty than CSI. ABC is the right home, but casting of the kid ( must not be “cute” or “smart aleck”, but actually clever and level headed, yet, still a child ).
Maybe if we’re lucky Day One will be more Battlestar Galactica than Jericho.
Also Shonda Rhimes can exec produce as long as she gets a good staff of writers instead of taking the 3 that used to be on Grey’s and giving them each a show. Cause evidently that’s not working.
Personally I think we have enough shows of this nature(on any channel), we need something new, different and not “reality”.
ABC’s untitled detective show: D
NBC’s Off Duty: A (Malco is so funny)
ABC’s American Family: B
NBC’s Day One: C
ABC’s I, Claudia: D
ABC’s Inside the Box: B
I still miss Pushing Daisies. There is no replacement for it—I can’t believe they will cancel a show with such promise and genuis for more detective shows and other cruddy offerings. I repeat: BRING BACK DAISIES!
ABC’s untitled detective show:B+
NBC’s Off Duty:C
ABC’s American Family:C
NBC’s Day One:B
ABC’s I, Claudia:B+
ABC’s Inside the Box:C-
The I,Claudia sounds like a take on Jack and Bobby. This one seems to have the most potential if it can keep a similar feel J&B with an Aaron Sorkin vibe maybe.
Is there any chance someone could just bring back J&B for me? I miss it so.
Also, don’t really care to see anything by the same people putting on shows like Grey’s and Private Practice. We need more shows like the too soon cancelled Daisies and Eli Stone, Jack and Bobby, Invasion, Surface, Jericho, Commander and Chief, Studio 60 . . . Of course if we had more they would probably be gone after one season too. So sad that reality television along with shows about nothing are rapidly replacing the above potentially great shows and are soon to knock out more (FNL, Chuck, and Life On Mars are struggling to stay afloat). Come on people!
ABC’s untitled detective show: D
NBC’s Off Duty: B as a drama D as a comedy
ABC’s American Family: C
NBC’s Day One: (how will they get the product integration?) F
ABC’s I, Claudia: B
ABC’s Inside the Box: Change title C
All of these shows on all of the networks are your idea of a joke … aren’t they?!
ABC’s untitled detective show:D-concept could be good, but I won’t likely watch
NBC’s Off Duty:B-for Bradley Whitford! I will watch that man in anything, so here’s hoping it’s good.
ABC’s American Family: F-sounds like something I would avoid like the plague
NBC’s Day One: D..concept sounds like it could work, but if I see another Heroes/Lost rip off, I will put my head through a wall
ABC’s I, Claudia: B-because, like others here, I’ve already seen this show when it was called “Jack & Bobby”
ABC’s Inside the Box: B+ for concept, but wrestle that concept away from Shonda before she destroys it. And someone get Allison Janney Timothy Busfield invoved-STAT!
ABC’s Inside the Box: F! No more Shonda Rhimes projects!! She is single handedly killing network tv!!