The TV Addict 

The most surprisingly thing about FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS isn’t that it doesn’t actually air on Friday Nights. Rather it’s the fact that this TV addict, who’s never actually watched a football game in its entirety, was riveted by the first two episodes from the moment the pilot kicked off.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, based on the popular movie of the same name, revolves around the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, and its obsession with their local High School Football Team (the town literally shuts down on Fridays to attend the games). The show stars Kyle Chandler (GREY’S ANATOMY, KING KONG) as the team’s coach and features Connie Britton (SPIN CITY, 24) as his supporting wife. Taking a page from DEGRASSI’S playbook, the show has actually cast actors who refreshingly look like they could be in high school, including Scott Porter (ALL MY CHILDREN), Gaius Charles (BOOK OF DANIEL), Taylor Kitsch (KYLE XY), Zach Gilford (THE LAST WINTER) and Minka Kelly (WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU).

Of course, the big question is whether the television audience [especially women] will tune into a weekly show about football. “The show isn’t just a ‘football’ show. It’s a character driven series, with football as the backdrop.” Promises executive producer Peter Berg, “We’ll be dealing issues such as grade fixing, and the personal relationships between players. Issues that we would have loved to include in the movie, but we never had time for.”

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If creator Tim Kring had one super power, it would be the ability to ensure that all of America tunes into the series premiere of HEROES. Yet since Kring has yet to be affected by a total eclipse of the sun or an experiment gone terribly wrong, he’ll settle for getting this message across to television viewers across the country: “While HEROES tells the story of everyday people who have extraordinary powers, the show isn’t just for comic book fans,” he stresses. “We’re going for a much broader audience”

Ordinary people with super powers — sounds familiar right? But before you jump to Collusus-sized conclusions, know that HEROES is not an X-Men clone. In fact, Kring admits that he didn’t even read comic books as a kid. Instead, the inspiration for the NBC series — which debuts at 9 p.m. on Monday, September 25 — stemmed from two recent movies he fell head-over-heels in love with: THE INCREDIBLES and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. In fact, with a multi-cultural, globe-spanning cast of characters linked together by a mysterious destiny, HEROES has more in common with another serialized TV drama you may be familiar with: LOST.

For viewers worried about diving into yet another complicated continuing drama, Krieg is quick to offer up assurances that HEROES focuses more on character than mythology. Chimes in star Greg Grunberg — who plays mind reader Matt Parkman — “We have a lot of fun as we discover what we can do with our powers. As I learn to better control my abilities in future episodes,” he continues, “I start to use [them] to better please my wife!”

Needless to say, with great power comes great responsibility. And as one might predict, Kring previews that not all of our budding heroes will use their powers for good. Guessing which characters will be drawn to the dark side of their powers is part of the fun… and not just for the audience. “There’s an honesty and immediacy to the performances when actor’s don’t know what’s going to happen next,” says Grunberg. Not that he wouldn’t love to have his character’s mind-reading ability… if only to reassure himself about the security of his job! “I’d love to be in Tim’s head and learn the future of the show,” the actor admits. “If an episode is titled, ‘Farewell To Parkman, I’ll know I’m in trouble!”

Director Jon Turteltaub made us smile with THE KID, tear up during PHENOMENON and laugh at WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. With his latest project, JERICHO, odds are you won’t be laughing or crying — you’ll be running to your emergency supply cabinet to ensure you’ve stocked up on duct tape and bottled water.

The premise of JERICHO is simple: What would happen if your town was completely cut off from the rest of the world in the wake of a nuclear blast? “JERICHO will explore all the things that could occur when people are left to their own devices,” executive producer Turteltaub explains. “How are people in the town of Jericho going to deal without phones, groceries or money? There are no more lawyers, judges or police. When you don’t have someone telling you what’s morally right or wrong, what would you do?”

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SMITH (10PM CBS, Debuts Sept. 19) Audiences were quick to reject NBC’s HEIST and ABC’s THIEVES, so why does creator John Wells (ER) think that his hour long drama featuring charismatic bank robbers will be a success? How about an all star cast featuring Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), Simon Baker (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), Shohreh Aghdashloo (24), and Virginia Madsen (SIDEWAYS). With a great timeslot (following THE UNIT), a like-able cast, and really cool bank robberies, SMITH may turn into Well’s biggest hit since ER — assuming audiences don’t [yet again] reject the bank robbing premise.

Also Premiering tonight (but not on theTVaddict’s Must Watch List!)

NCIS (CBS, 8PM)
THE UNIT (CBS, 9PM)
LAW & ORDER: Criminal Intent (NBC, 9PM)
LAW & ORDER: SVU (NBC, 10PM)

UGLY BETTY (8PM ABC, Debuts Sept. 28) Historically, Thursday nights have been home to television’s most beautiful faces. We fell in love with Rachel’s hairstyle, Clooney’s eyes and the entire cast of the OC. But come September 28, a girl named Betty is about to change Thursday nights forever.

America Ferrerra (THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS) stars as UGLY BETTY. An ‘ugly duckling’ who lands an entry-level job at Manhattan’s most glamorous fashion magazine (think: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA). “It’s a makeover show from the inside,” Said Ferrerra to Entertainment Weekly. “Betty is beautiful and charming and intelligent on the inside. The audience will fall in love with her because of that, not because of who she is on the outside.”

ABC has already fallen for BETTY, moving the show from the graveyard of Friday night to the lead-in for GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC’s hottest show). Now all that’s left is for America (the country, not the actress) to fall in love with the show as well. America loves a fish-out-of-water story,” executive producer Salma Hayek told EW, “I have no doubt that [UGLY BETTY] will be incredibly successful.” This TV addict couldn’t agree more. UGLY BETTY, with any luck, will be gracing the cover of magazines for years to come.

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, Returns Sept. 21) McDreamy, McVet, Va-Jay-Jay. If these words mean nothing to you, then you’re missing out on television’s hottest, sorry, McDreamiest drama. But rest easy, it’s not too late to jump on the GREY’S bandwagon. The first and second seasons of GREY’s ANATOMY are out on DVD. Pick them up and before you can say McDreamy you’ll be hooked on the best medical drama since ER.

For it’s third season GREY’S is prepared to pull out all the stops to remain on television’s most talked about show. Guest stars already on board include Embeth Davidtz (SCHINDLER’S LIST), Abigail Breslin (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and Diahann Carroll (as Burke’s mother). One return fans shouldn’t expect is that of Izzie’s departed fiance Denny. But SUPERNATURAL creator Eric Kripke is happy to point out, “If you want to see Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in bed, tune in to SUPERNATURAL!” Thanks Eric, we’ll pass that along to Izzie!

THE OFFICE (8:30PM NBC, Returns Sept. 21) The question on every OFFICE fans mind this summer wasn’t who stole the $3,000? (see: THE OFFICE webisodes), it was what’s the deal with Jim and Pam? In May’s season finale, NBC’s hottest couple since Ross and Rachel finally kissed, after Jim surprised Pam by professing his love to her. Creator Greg Daniels promises a resolution [of sorts] in the season premiere, telling the readers of Entertainment Weekly to be sure to tune into the first episode. Like there was a chance we wouldn’t!

THE OC (9PM FOX, Returns Nov. 2) After a critically boring third season, the writers [and fans] of THE OC are hoping Marissa’s death injects some much needed energy into the show. The fourth season, starting late thanks to Baseball will jump forward a few months after Marissa’s death, as we see how the gang has adjusted to College in addition to dealing with the the death of their friend. Not surprisingly, Ryan isn’t handling it well. Rumors run rampant that Ryan will join a ‘fight club’. Those writers really will use any excuse to have Ryan in a ‘wife beater’ t-shirt!

Viewers wary of yet another season of ‘angry Ryan’ should take solice in the fact that the OC writers have promoted two of last season’s bright spots to series regulars. Returning full time is Marissa’s sis Kaitlin Cooper (Willa Holland) and Taylor (Autumn Reeser). Also on board for a guest stint is EVERWOOD alum Chris Pratt (Bright Abbott). Television executives take note: Any show that uses any cast member from EVERWOOD is much watch in our books.

SMALLVILLE (8PM CW, Returns Sept. 28) I have a surprising confession to make, and considering I’m a self professed TV addict, this may shock some of you. Okay, here it goes (deep breath) — I haven’t actually watched last season’s finale of SMALLVILLE. It’s saved on my PVR, but I’ve yet to watch. Why you ask? I’ll tell you.

SMALLVILLE infuriates me. The show has so much potential, and at times can be fantastic. I really enjoy the Clark vs. Lex mythology, while at the same times want to gauge my eyes out everytime Clark and Lana play out their inevitably doomed romantic storyline. Don’t get be wrong, I have nothing against Kristin Kreuk (the actress who plays Lana), it’s just unfortunate that the ‘Lana’ storylines completely suck out all the energy and entertainment from the show.

That said, I’m a sucker for the Superman Mythos and will definitely be tuning into the sixth season premiere.

SHARK (10PM CBS, Debuts Sept. 21) James Wood could read the yellow pages and keep this TV addict riveted. For a full review of CBS’s latest legal procedural, click here.

“On No She Didn’t!”

Once we picked our jaws up off the ground, those were the four words uttered by GILMORE GIRLS fans across the country after seeing Lorelai in Christopher’s bed during the shocking final moments of last season’s cliffhanger. After years of waiting for the quick-speaking heroine to hook up with Luke, we were tongue-tied by her ill-advised decision to hop into the sack with Rory’s dad.

As if that wasn’t enough of a shock, we then had to contend with the fact that Amy Sherman-Palladino — the show’s creator and driving force — left the show following an extended and failed contract negotiation with Warner Brothers. As much as fans may have griped about last season (the first half of which saw Lorelai and Rory estranged, and the second half of which found Luke and his favorite coffee drinker drifting apart), they feared a changing of the guard even more. Would new show-runner David Rosenthal be able to get things back on track? Or would TV’s most underappreciated — by Emmy voters, at least — be so hopelessly derailed by these developments?

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[theTVaddict.com note] Recently, Jenny (author of THIS WEEK ON TV) had the chance to take part in a press conference with SURVIVOR host Jeff Probst. The following is her preview of the new season: SURVIVOR COOK ISLANDS.]

If you have never watched Survivor, this season may be a reason to start. Host Jeff Probst is more excited about this season than he has been since Season 1. He said it has re-energized them, that the show & contestants have a freshness like Season 1 had. He believes they have reinvented Survivor, that there is no going backwards now. The reason for this excitement? This season, there are 20 contestants. They will be split into 4 groups of 5 each. Now, that in and of itself isn’t a big deal, right? The shock to everyone is that they will not be divided by age or sex, but by race: whites, blacks, Asians & Hispanics. Shocking, yes?

In a recent press conference, Jeff also said that most people flinch when they first hear the decision because it is such a sensitive topic, but that he thinks if they give it a chance, they will be surprised. “This show has completely changed my perspective about how I view other ethnicities,” Jeff remarked. “Not in terms of judging them but in terms of understanding that it’s ok to not know something, and it’s ok to ask the questions [when you don’t].” He said he came to that realization after spending 39 days with the castaways and seeing the ethnic pride in all the groups.

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Talk about your simple concept: Beautiful people do ugly things.

That’s pretty much the entire premise behind MyNetwork TV’s telenovela FASHION HOUSE, in which models boff artists, secretaries bed bosses and a day without a bitchslap is like a day without sunshine. This is the kind of sudsy saga which gives soaps a good name, and could, in all honesty, teach its daytime counterparts a thing or two about how to hook - and keep - an audience. Because one thing the folks behind this show know is that to keep people coming back five nights a week - which is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by the upstart network - you gotta keep ‘em wanting more. And when done right, that’s what soaps are all about.

Fortunately, FH knows better than to take itself too seriously. As in the Spanish telenovelas on which MyNetwork’s offerings are based, FH proves there is no room for mellow in melodrama. Every back has a knife sticking out of it, each (bra) cup is overflowing and if a character is holding a champagne glass when the scene begins, chances are it’ll be flung at someone before it ends. This ain’t your grandma’s soap opera.

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At July’s San Diego Comic Convention, Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama) had this to say when discussing the much anticipated third season of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: “Man, it’s brutal. I can honestly tell you the first two years cannot prepare you for what happens in the third. Not even close. The third season is dark… the darkest we’ve ever gotten”.

Having just viewed the first five episodes of season three, this TV addict can’t help but think the actor may have been understating the case just a tad: The third season of BSG is intense, terrifying and might — were we talking about any other show — be difficult for viewers to watch. But let’s not forget that we’re talking about the series so cool as to have single-handedly made science fiction hot again by taking a tired genre and infusing it with a combination of excitement and relevance that reminds us just how powerful the genre can be.

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LOST (9PM ABC, Returns Oct. 4) Ancient ruins? A hatch explosion? A really cold (Antarctic?) listening post? Not surprisingly, last season’s LOST finale left most viewers, well lost. With that in mind, showrunners Damon Lindeloff and Carlton Cuse promise that season three will focus more on character, romance and action with less of an emphasis on the ‘mythology.’

Uncovering spoilers for the new season of LOST is as challenging as deciphering the secrets of the island itself, but here’s what we’ve found out. Three new castaways join the island: ER’s Elizabeth Mitchell, RELATED’S Kiele Sanchez, and the ‘Brazilian Tom Cruise’ Rodrigo Santoro. More importantly though, an event will occur midseason that will apparently ‘change everything’. As Lindeloff put it to EW, “Something’s going to happen in the middle of season 3 that blows the doors off the show again. You’ll look at [the Penny scene] again and say, ‘Sixty percent of what I thought I saw was dead-on, but the other 40 percent I never event considered!”

THE NINE (10PM ABC, Debuts Oct. 4) Although the title of this new drama refers to the number of people caught up in a life-changing bank robbery, it might just as well refer to the number of minutes it took for me to be sucked into this compelling new series.

With an all-star cast led by Tim Daly (WINGS), Scott Wolf (EVERWOOD), Kim Raver (24) and Chi McBride (BOSTON PUBLIC) — not to mention a new twist on the storytelling gimmick which has helped turn LOST into a cultural phenomenon — ABC would seem to have a can’t miss show on its hands. Throw in the fact that THE NINE will air in the much-coveted post-LOST timeslot, and it’s safe to assume that this show is like money in the bank.

30 ROCK (8:00PM NBC, Debuts Oct. 4) For the past few years, Tina Fey’s ‘Weekend Update’ was the only reason to flip on the [highly unfunny] SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. With 30 ROCK, you’ll not only get a little more sleep on Saturday night, you’ll also get to watch Tina Fey for a full half hour each week (okay 24 minutes minus commercials). Tina Fey stars (and created) 30 ROCK — a comedic look at a behind the scenes (SNL-type) show called ‘The Girlie Show’. Historically, viewers have rejected behind-the-scenes shows (see: ACTION, SPORTS NIGHT and GROSSE POINT), but thanks to Tina Fey and a highly likable supporting cast including Alec Baldwin, Rachel Dratch and Tracy Morgan, 30 ROCK looks to be a winner.

JUSTICE (9:00PM FOX, Debuted Aug. 30) Thanks to the success of HOUSE, the cantankerous yet brilliant professional is all the rage on TV - and nobody does ‘icy stare’ like Victor Garber. Fresh off his five year stint as TV’s coolest Dad (ALIAS), Garber returns to series television as Ron Trott, a brilliant, yet ego-driven attorney who will take on any case (as long as it’s high profile and ensures him a spot in the media limelight). Each week, viewers can watch Trott and his team (including DAWSON’S CREEK alum Kerr Smith) prepare for trial using the latest and greatest forensic (read: CSI-esque) technology. Already two episodes in, the show has featured some fascinating stories and top-notch acting. If there’s any ‘justice’ in TV land, Garber will remain on the small screen for years to come.

ONE TREE HILL (9:00PM CW, Returns Sept. 27) Television’s biggest mystery isn’t why audiences still enjoy 7th HEAVEN, it’s how on earth Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Sophia Bush (Brooke) can still act on the same show after their marriage collapsed amidst headlines of infidelity on CMM’s part. Aside from watching CMM and Sophia act as if they’re still in love (to their credit, they do an excellent job), viewers will also learn who didn’t survive the big limo crash in May’s finale and which of the women on OTH are pregnant. The show that parental supervision forgot returns September 27.