Alright here's part two looking back at 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.
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) - All hail the return of the nighttime soap (screw you Wisteria Lane)! DSM took what could have been an outdated soap convention and imbued it with smart, witty stories that have depth while still being superficial fun. An amazing cast highlighted by Donald Sutherland have elevated the show along with an ongoing mystery that while interesting doesn’t dominate the show. It will be a test for the shows creators to make sure we can all jump back into place when it picks up again.
Outlook- Will be back in the fall
Chuck (NBC) - I’ve thought a lot about Chuck ever since NBC aired the last couple of eps a few weeks back. The show had a charm about it, that’s for sure, but the truth is that even during those dark months of the strike I never found myself cursing the lack of new Chucks. Still the solid premise of a mild mannered geek being forced into an Alias type lifestyle kept me entertained and the promise of a deeper mythology in the last few eps certainly peaked my interest enough for a second season.
Outlook- Will be back in the fall
Pushing Daisies (ABC) - Every season one show is a big surprise. That surprise can be a show that has a great pedigree and fails on every level (Return of Jezebel James anyone?), a show that looks like it’s going to suck big time but turns out to be great (hello Heroes…well at least season 1), or a show that despite being of high quality somehow manages to be a ratings success and reach a mass audience…ladies and gentlemen I give you Pushing Daisies. The story of the pie maker and the dead girl captivated the TV community from the outset with its vibrant colors and characters that literally popped off the screen. Never has there been a show that’s so dark yet so funny and light all at the same time. The show left off with ominous fortellings of the future but then again what should we expect for these two characters.
Outlook- Will be back in the fall…and it can’t come soon enough.
Gossip Girl (CW)- I loved me some OC so when the same creative team decided to tackle the Upper East Side, I must admit to feeling a tingle in my TV sensor. Gossip Girl has not only satisfied that tingle but has given me a god damn rash. This show has escaped any shadow cast by The OC and can stand on its own. Is it the best show ever as New York magazine recently claimed? No, but it’s a very good teen sudser that really dazzled in its return this past Monday. Of course the problem with these types of shows is that there’s only so many teen stories to tell before you get into more ludicrous plots like stalkers, murders, long lost sisters, etc. Long term I’m sure GG will fall into this trap but let’s live in the moment and enjoy it while it’s so so good. (Plus next week Dawn from Buffy shows up so we get to yell “Shut up Dawn!” at our TVs once again.)
Outlook- Currently airing and returning this summer or Fall for season 2
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