Drama was the watchword for the fall network schedules, proof that more things change the more they stay the same. Dramas have been the most successful shows for the past few seasons, and unsurprisngly, networks played it safe for their fall schedules. Most of the new shows model three television shows in particular:Lost, 24 and Prison Break.
Witness ABC's The Nine, about nine people who were at a bank robbery that goes wrong, and how that affects their lives. Also 6 Degrees where six strangers' lives entertwine and affect each other. ABC also brings us Daybreak, starring Taye Diggs as a man falsely accused who must go on the lam in order to prove his innocence. The twist? Every morning he wakes up and relives the same day. Sounds like a sort of Groundhog Day meets The Fugitive with a little 24.Fox intoduces Vanished, a sort of Lost - Without a Trace - Murder One hybrid where a senator's wife goes missing and the whole season is spent looking for her.
Boringly(yes I know that's not a word), CBS and NBC will stay pretty much the same, and I can't say I'm particularly excited about any of their new shows. Yes, that includes Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on NBC. The pilot script was cute but put-downable, and I'm hearing the pilot itself is good, but that Amanda Peete is weak.
Happily, not all the new shows are about groups of people and how they affect each other. It's nice to see there is still room for some one-on- one relationships. To that end, I'm looking forward to ABC's Betty the Ugly starring America Ferrera as an assistant to a (male) fashion magazine mogul. Sounds a little Less than Perfect,(pun?) but since it's a drama, and its America Ferrera, I'm keeping my hopes up. Also promising is Fox's Stand Off (aka Primary) about two hostage negoatiators who are attracted to each other. The pilot was hot hot HOT.
I like Lost, but I'm concerned that it may have spawned too many copycats. It may get a little tiring watching all these people interact, which is why I'm rooting for the smaller, simple shows this season.
