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December 29, 2006
2007 TV Preview
Posting my TV preview (contains a few minor SPOILERS) that ran in today's paper:
By ANDREW RAVENS
Sun Staff
An anti-terrorist crime fighting machine and a group of mostly dreadful singers — an odd, yet formidable duo — highlight the second half of the 2006-07 television season.
"24" and "American Idol" come back just in time to the Fox network, which this fall struck out with low World Series ratings and stinkers like "Vanished" and "Happy Hour."
NBC’s "Heroes" was the only breakout hit from the fall season, although "Friday Night Lights," a drama about high school football in Texas, also shone brightly (even if no one watched). With so many new serial dramas failing, networks now turn to reality TV, prime-time game shows and (gasp!) sitcoms to bring audiences back. Here’s a list of some shows to keep an eye on in 2007:
"The Knights of Prosperity"
Premieres: 9 p.m., Jan. 3, ABC
The scoop: Promos look promising for Knights, which ABC decided to hold back for a winter premiere. The move may pay off big time because no one seemed interested in the slew of new mysterious dramas (Hello, NBC’s Kidnapped and ABC’s The Nine). A quirky, off-the-wall sitcom might be the perfect recipe for the season.
The premise sounds funny: A miserable guy gets together a group “average Joes� who decide it’s time to rob someone rich, like Mick Jagger. It was originally titled Let’s Rob Mick Jagger.
"Studio 60"
Continues: 10 p.m., Jan. 8, NBC
The Scoop: After a few disappointing episodes, lukewarm ratings and cancellation rumors galore, NBC surprisingly ordered a full season of Aaron Sorkin’s (The West Wing) latest TV venture. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford’s biting sarcasm keep me coming back for more.
"Friday Night Lights"
Continues: 8 p.m., Jan. 10, NBC
The scoop: Arguably one of the best shows on television, FNL has yet to establish a large following, but rave reviews in the press keeps this show where it belongs — on TV. NBC is in charge of when you’ll see it, so in 2007 FNL switches to Wednesday nights (from Tuesday) in an effort to jump-start ratings.
"24"
Premieres: 8-10 p.m. Jan. 14 and Jan. 15, Fox
The scoop: Jack Bauer is ready to begin the worst day of his life, 24 producers claim. That’s saying a lot when you consider Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has already suffered through five previous horrible days (seasons). When we last saw Jack, he had just exposed the U.S. president as a crook and was subsequently kidnapped and on a boat headed toward Asia.
China secretly trades Jack back to the U.S., where he is asked to help out after a wave of terrorist attacks strikes the country. Jean Smart, who played first lady Martha Logan in the fifth season, returns, as does National Security Advisor Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) and the newly elected president, Wayne Palmer (D.B. Woodside).
"Rome"
Premieres: 9 p.m., Jan. 14, HBO
The scoop: When we last left Rome, Caesar was murdered, an act that has set off a vicious battle for power. Expect more blood, sex and violence as Rome turns from a republic into an empire.
The second season of Rome arrives a bit early because filming of The Sopranos’ final eight episodes was pushed back beause of James Gandolfini’s knee surgery. The Sopranos, originally slated to air in January, will now debut in April, according to HBO.
"American Idol"
Premieres: 8-10 p.m., Jan. 16, 17, Fox
The scoop: Those hideously funny auditions. Simon’s wisecracks. Paula’s questionable behavior. Yes, Fox thrusts its mega talent show upon us again and starts off with a big, four-hour, two-night debut. Get your earplugs ready, America. (Channeling Randy) Yeah, you go dawg.
"Heroes"
Continues: 9 p.m., Jan. 22, NBC
The scoop: The fall television season’s only bona fide breakout hit returns to the Peacock Network in about three weeks (dope!). The long break ensures NBC will have a stockpile of new episodes to air during the all important ratings sweeps in May.
Oddly enough, the biggest controversy that surrounds the series during its hiatus involves one of the show’s lesser-known characters. Most viewers (including myself) speculated that Zach, Claire’s (the cheerleader) best friend, was gay. Apparently, if you believe the rumors, those plans were scratched. Why so? Nobody knows for sure, but something smells fishy here. Regardless, this comic book adventure still kicks butt.
"Prison Break"
Continues: 8 p.m., Jan. 22, Fox
The scoop: Fox’s edge-of-your-seat, two-hour block returns in January with Prison Break and 24 airing back-to-back.
Soon, we’ll learn the consequences of Agent Kellerman’s dramatic double cross, which helped Lincoln and Michael escape for what seems like the millionth time. The show was a smidgen easier to predict this fall, but its fast-paced scenes are addictive and it continues to demand your attention.
"Lost"
Continues: 10 p.m., Feb. 7, ABC
The scoop: Despite its shortcomings, namely digging itself into a conspiracy hole it will never have time to explain, Lost is still a better show than CBS’ Criminal Minds. Way better. But, Minds continued to beat Lost in the ratings game on Wednesday nights, so ABC will move Lost to 10 p.m. — an unusual change for a show with such a large following.
"The Office"
Continues: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, NBC
The scoop: The lowest rated show ever to be picked up for a second season, The Office is off to a fabulous third installment. Steve Carell is brilliant as the pathetic, dimwitted boss at Dunder-Mifflin, a paper supply company in Pennsylvania. If it took you a while to catch onto the series (you’re not alone!) check out seasons one and two on DVD.
Other shows to look our for in 2007: Dirt (Jan. 2, FX); Beauty and the Geek (Jan. 3, CW); In Case of Emergency (Jan. 3, ABC); The Apprentice: Los Angeles (Jan. 7, NBC); Grease: You’re the One That I Want (Jan. 7, NBC); Lincoln Heights (Jan. 8, ABC); Monk (Jan. 19, USA); Battlestar Galactica (Jan. 21, Sci-Fi), Veronica Mars (Jan. 23, CW); Jericho (Feb. 14, CBS); My Name is Earl (NBC); 30 Rock (NBC); Criminal Minds (CBS), Medium (NBC); Dancing with the Stars (March, ABC); The Sopranos (April, HBO).
Posted by Andy Ravens at December 29, 2006 10:46 AM