It’s Wednesday, May 14 and halfway through Broadcast Upfront week. Today featured CBS’s annual Upfront as well as a presentation from Turner Networks (TBS/TNT/Tru TV)
CBS
First the bad news…As already reported, neither “Jericho” or “Moonlight” are returning to CBS. However, “Ghost Whisperer” will be returning next fall in it’s same Friday 8pm time slot.
As for the new shows, there are no real sci-fi series, however, there are three that are somewhat borderline.
The first is “The Mentalist” – which plays something like a dramatic version of the USA series “Psych”. The series stars Simon Baker as a former fake psychic. Just like on “Psych,” he was able to fool others into thinking he was psychic due to his uncanny ability to draw clues from the smallest details. The series follows Baker’s character as he now uses his skills to solve crimes.
The second series, “The Ex-List” has somewhat of a supernatural factor in its base pilot. Elizabeth Reaser (having gained fame on “Grey’s Anatomy”) stars as a woman who learns from a psychic (supposedly a real one here) that she has already met the man she will marry. Unfortunately, she has a limited time to find him. The series itself will play more like a romantic comedy where her character tracks down all her exes in hopes of finding the right one.
The final series is “Eleventh Hour,” starring Rufus Sewell as Jacob Hood, a man called in to solve crimes involving advanced science. Based on the clips shown at the Upfront, the pilot revolves around a man who managed to clone his dead child.
TURNER NETWORKS
Although this week is traditionally known for Broadcast presentations, Turner decided this year to join the party as well. A key motive behind their decision is to position themselves as a clear alternative to the Broadcast networks.
“Saving Grace,” which stars Holly Hunter as a woman that interacts with a somewhat unique angel will be returning to TNT next season. Similar to CBS, they have no real sci-fi series premiering next season. However, they do have one borderline program: “Leverage”.
“Leverage” comes from producer Dean “Independence Day” Devlin and has been likened to “Mission: Impossible” and “Oceans 11″. In a modern day version of Robin Hood, the series follows a group of thieves who use their skills (including acrobatics reminiscent of the famous Tom Cruise/”Mission:Impossible” hanging wire scene) to help the downtrodden.
Reality-driven network Tru TV obviously does not have any sci-fi series. However, they are planning a science related series called “Man versus Cartoon” that follows a groups of scientists as they try to reproduce the gadgets made famous in classic cartoons such as “Road Runner”.
That’s it for Day #3. Tomorrow, Broadcast Upfront week wraps up with a presentation by FOX.
“The Eleventh Hour” is an excellent show from England starring Patrick Stewart as the scientist. I really enjoyed it.
I think DJ means “The Eleventh Hour†WAS an excellent show from England starring Patrick Stewart as government science advisor, Professor Hood. I really enjoyed it too, sadly, only 4 episodes were made.
Man vs. Cartoon sounds interesting, actually.
Yeah, but those 4 episodes are still excellent, and they are of the “is” because they live on in my DVD collection. I am not a friend to verb tense 🙂