What an odd strange year it’s been. The strike all but halted any momentum new shows had a chance to build and as a result we’ve got a broken season that may end the lives of some shows prematurely and extend the lives of others unnecessarily. Taking a look back at my Fall TV Preview I discovered that I highlighted 8 new shows as possible must-sees, and now that we’re winding down the 07-08 season, I thought now’s as good a time as ever to take a look back on how they faired.
Viva Laughlin (CBS)- Aside from giving The Soup and Best Week Ever some of the best clips of the year, this short lived Hugh Jackman produced failed miserably. The negative buzz of having gone through a couple of show runners and ominously not showing the pilot for critics seemed to have doomed this show before it came to air. I caught five minutes and was struck at its awfulness. It was the first new show to get the ax of the 2007 season.
Outlook- Cancelled
Reaper (CW)- When word hit the street last spring of this pilot the blogosphere erupted in joy. A sci-fi, horror show written by Buffy/Angel alum with a pilot directed by Kevin Smith…it was like a fanboy’s wet dream. However unlike most dreams that fail to come to fruition in reality, Reaper debuted this Fall with a series of excellent shows. The unique story, quick pacing, and outstanding cast have served the show well as it’s been moved from time slot to time slot. The mythology of the show has been revealed slowly and the show has instead opted for a more self contained approach to each episode which really allowed the audience to access the show easily. Unfortunately the audience just hasn’t been coming. Now on timeslot number 3, Reaper enters its last few eps with its future in doubt. You’d think the struggling CW would keep a critical and potential cult like hit but then again I’m sure they’d be happy to run Farmer Needs A Wife 2.
Outlook- Currently airing, outlook muddy…at best
Bionic Woman (NBC)- This show set a record for going through show runners in its half season span. Despite the flood of talented behind the scenes folks from Battlestar, Kidnapped, 24, and Friday Night Lights this show was a series of false starts. Perhaps the biggest problem lied in the fact that its star played second fiddle to its villain who only appeared every other week. There was definite promise here but it’s hard to get upset about a show getting the ax when it never found its stride.
Outlook-Cancelled
Journeyman (NBC)- From shows with big buzz to one without any. Journeyman was a lesson in patience that NBC failed…miserably. Even before the strike the show was going on two to three week absences. It’s a shame cause while Bionic never found its stride Journeyman was running at a fine gate. The story of Dan and his time jumping was just getting good and it felt like the writers had a ton of stories to tell both about in terms of mythology and stand alone eps. If Reaper stays this will be the saddest drop of the season.
Outlook- Cancelled
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