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ShareOne of the most cynical thoughts floating around Hollywood—a town bathed in cynicism—is that some TV networks welcomed the writers’ strike because it gives them, in a way, a do-over on a mediocre new fall season.
That is, of course, just trash talk. Even the networks aren’t that evil. Besides, it makes no business sense, no matter how marginal the season is turning out to be. On the other hand, ABC producing “Cavemen” makes no kind of sense, so you never know.
Actually, there is one core truth there. The nets would love to have this new season back. It’s not that there aren’t some good shows, it’s that nothing—not even those good ones—are creating the kind of magic that generates talk and interest and, most importantly, ratings and money.
Even more, some of the new shows that looked so promising are turning out to be just OK, or less than OK. And the ratings reflect the sluggishness, down overall about 4 percent from last season—though, to be fair, with all the entertainment options people have now, down only 4 percent is almost a victory.
Either way, the networks in general undershot this season creatively, in part because they went so large last season and failed with glossy, serialized shows ranging from “Kidnapped” to “Smith” to “The Nine.” The caution this season was understandable, and so are the results: a blah TV season. And that was all before the strike.
This is not, by the way, a rant that TV is terrible. In fact, with the high-profile exception of NBC’s “Heroes,” which has been just so-so but is working on a course correction, most of the network biggies are performing well this season. We’ll get into that more later this week.
Still, overall, the new season hasn’t created much exhilaration among viewers, because that usually comes from new shows. So here, then, is a look at the freshmen series so far, which shows stand out—there are a couple, even if they aren’t getting buzz—and which have disappointed the most.
First, the good new shows:
ABC’s “Pushing Daisies.” It’s even better than its bright and imaginative pilot. It’s kept a vivid sense of whimsy, and keeps coming through with new twists on its main story. It’s also using its whole cast well and is one of the most clever and endearing shows on TV. However, its ratings are only mid-pack, drawing around 9 million viewers in its last outing.
NBC’s “Life.” The other show that’s better than its pilot, it started as an inventive twist on a police procedural and has grown a neat sense of humor mixed in with its odd existential lilt. Plus, star Damian Lewis is mesmerizing. However, its ratings are only borderline OK, averaging just a bit more than 7 million viewers.
CW’s “Aliens in America.” It continues to be an endearing little comedy with a big heart, but although its comic chops grow each week, it barely draws 2 million viewers.
ABC’s “Samantha, Who?” One of the few new shows that’s actually grown in the ratings from its premiere, but that’s partly because it follows “Dancing With the Stars” and ABC is playing some scheduling tricks. Still, it’s solid and reliably funny, with a good cast and a comic-timing-endowed star in Christina Applegate.
Fox’s “Kitchen Nightmares.” It’s doing well for a reality series, and I have to say, I’m oddly addicted to this thing. No explanation, just am.
ABC’s “Women’s Murder Club.” This hybrid manages to be a reasonably satisfying, if lightweight, crime series with just enough personal melodrama mixed in. This is supposed to be a cop show for women, but it’s better than just a blatant sexist play. Its ratings are over 9 million, which is good for a Friday night show.
That’s not a huge list, and you may notice two things. First, none of these are tearing up the ratings charts, and some of the early season favorite aren’t included.
That gets us to our next group: new shows that are OK, but disappointing.
CW’s “Reaper.” I loved the pilot. It was my favorite new show coming in. It’s still pretty good, and Ray Wise, playing an ironic, roguish Satan, is still a delight. But it hasn’t grown creatively. Instead, it’s getting a bit repetitive and sometimes even dopey. It remains a pleasant, and at times, adorable little show, but it also hasn’t matched its potential.
NBC’s “Chuck.” Ditto. Like “Reaper,” it’s got a congenial lead and it started well. But “Chuck” bogs down in its weekly spy story, and it’s lost some of its feel of a happy romp.
CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.” The pilot had loads of spark and heart, and some of that remains in the show, but just as often, it falls into standard sitcom mode.
CW’s “Life is Wild.” It’s still an old-school family drama, and has a likeable mix of teen angst, animals and family adventure. But its ratings are so grim—it averages barely 1 million viewers and is the lowest-rated new series still on the air—that it goes in this category.
Then there are the new shows that are disappointing, and not OK. All of these should have been better:
ABC’s “Private Practice.” It’s a spinoff of the so-much-better “Grey’s Anatomy,” which is why it’s averaging more than 11 million viewers. But that’s barely half the ratings of “Grey’s” and the reason is, “Private Practice” is nearly unwatchable. It feels like “Ally McBeal: The Absurd Years.”
NBC’s “Bionic Woman.” I’ve been trying to like this, mostly because of star Michelle Ryan. And on the plus side, they’ve finally stopped pouring rain on every scene. But you can’t get through an episode without getting bored. Enough with the torment. Get to the butt-kicking. Also, the little sister is irritating, the action sequences are overdone-yet-slow, and shouldn’t someone who can run 60 mph and punch down a steel door be able to knock out a thug with one punch?
Fox’s “Back to You.” This has consummate pros Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, and they have genuine chemistry, plus it’s also got Fred Willard. It should kill. But it’s often predictable and slow, and runs out of steam about halfway through every episode.
ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money.” The name alone should be enough to say silly fun, or black humor, or at least some amusing irony. Instead, it’s way too serious, which just makes most of these spoiled people toweringly unlikable.
CW’s “Gossip Girl.” See “Dirty Sexy Money.” Except these insufferable people are young, which makes it worse.
Fox’s “K-Ville.” It has the cool atmosphere of New Orleans, and a post-Katrina back story for heft. But it squanders all that with a bland, shoot-‘em-up cop show.
NBC’s “Journeyman” and CBS’ “Cane” and “Moonlight.” All three are soooooo serious. Somebody on one of these shows needs to smile.
Finally, there are the crummy shows we saw coming. Of course, it starts with “Cavemen,” and includes ABC’s “Carpoolers” and “Big Shots,” CBS’ already-canceled “Viva Laughlin,” and its stunningly boring “Kid Nation.” On the up side, notice how all that “controversy” about the kids being overworked instantly faded when no one watched the show? If a kid works in a forest ...
