I should point out right at the beginning that this is (hopefully obviously from the title) just my own personal picks, and it isn't even necessarily my endorsement as definitively the shows I think are best. They are just the shows that have me interested at this point, some based on very little information, though I've seen some pilots.
Also, if you are really into legal or crime drama, this list is going to be light in that area, though such shows are not completely absent. You're in luck though, because the new season is going to be riddled with them.
And, these are in no particular order.
Finally, be sure to find the page navigation to continue all the way through to all the members of the list, some honorable mentions, and the rundown of my schedule. As much as I am not a fan of the whole multiple page thing, it seems a bit slow to load everything at once.
Have fun!
Lonestar
(FOX)
From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman, the creators of "Party of Five"; Marc Webb, the director of "(500) Days of Summer"; and creator Kyle Killen, comes LONESTAR, a provocative soap set against the backdrop of big Texas oil.
ROBERT/BOB ALLEN (newcomer James Wolk) is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He's juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds - all under one mountain of lies.
As "Bob," he lives in Houston and is married to CAT (Adrianne Palicki, "Friday Night Lights"), the beautiful daughter of CLINT (Jon Voight, 24, "Midnight Cowboy"), the patriarch of an ultra-wealthy Texas oil family. More than 400 miles away in the suburban west Texas town of Midland, he's "Robert," living a second life with his sweet, naive girlfriend, LINDSAY (Eloise Mumford, "Mercy," "Law & Order: SVU").
In Midland, he plays the perfect boyfriend while secretly bilking local investors of their savings. In Houston, he's a devoted husband, charming Cat and her family to cement his position in the rich family business he aims to clean out.
Bob has lived both lives successfully for years without arousing any suspicions...so far. While one brother-in-law, DREW (Bryce Johnson, "Popular," "The Mentalist"), admires Bob, his other brother-in-law, TRAMMELL (Mark Deklin, "Nip/Tuck," "Desperate Housewives"), is suspicious of his motives. Bob begins to fear his secret lives may unravel. With the cons closing in on him, Bob is divided by his love for two women; his loyalty to his father and mentor, JOHN (David Keith, "An Officer and a Gentleman," "The Class"); and his respect for his father-in-law, Clint.
Now as he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the suspicions of those around him, Bob puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.
Why am I so interested?
I like that Marc Webb is involved, and I like the risky concept. I'm not sure how well it can hold interest, mainly because it sounds more like a movie than a TV show, but I like that it's going to take a chance and see what happens. Just the fact that we are supposed to get behind this guy is a crazy theory when you're trying to get people to tune in for the first time.
In some universe of similarity with Big Love, this one could suck people with its effort to portray someone that people, by and large, are not inclined to identify with.
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Better Together
(ABC)
Maddie and Ben have been dating for nine years. They know each other inside and out, a relationship marked by contentment and affection, seeing their commitment to one another as a "valid life choice," something they proclaim often—and often loudly.
Maddie's younger sister, Mia, has been dating Casey for seven weeks. With a shared c'est la vie attitude, Mia and Casey are smitten with each other, and thrilled to explore the oh-so-many things they don't know about each other yet. But when they announce they're getting married and having a baby, it's news that throws Maddie for a loop.
Surprisingly, the girls' parents, Vicky and Joel, couldn't be more pleased. Married 35 years, they have recently adopted a carpe diem sort of philosophy, rather like Mia's, maybe because they're getting older and lost a good portion of their savings when the economy tanked. With three very different relationships tightly intertwined in one family, will it be free thinkers vs. over-thinkers, or will each couple begin to see things a little bit differently?
Better Together stars JoAnna Garcia as Mia, Jennifer Finnigan as Maddie, Josh Cooke as Ben, Jake Lacy as Casey, with Kurt Fuller as Joel and Debra Jo Rupp as Vicky.
Why am I so interested?
I've seen the pilot, and I loved it. The writing comes together extremely well, which isn't that surprising, because executive producer and writer Shana Goldberg-Meehan has Friends on her resume. It's a somewhat silly concept, but it's the sort of silly I can get behind.
We'll have to see how well things carry on into further episodes, and how we deal with drawing material from these characters, but it's well worth seeing how things go. I have some doubts at the moment about what may be going on in episode... let's say ten, but I'm already hooked. There were three or four bits I was quoting to people in the pilot, and if further episodes can expand on what's there, this one could be a real winner.
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The Defenders
(CBS)
THE DEFENDERS, from the executive producer of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, is an irreverent new legal drama about two fiery and charismatic Las Vegas defense attorneys. Tenacious, defiant and completely engaging, they argue the law, and they follow the law, but they always keep a few tricks up their sleeves. No matter what the odds, these lawyers keep fighting for the little guy.
Why am I so interested?
Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell are on a show together. The preview looks pretty solid, and I like the idea of defense attorneys who aren't working for big clients getting a shot at television. No huge firm. No rich clients... probably. It's an overall theory that interests me, and it fits nicely into my viewing schedule.
How the cases come together is going to be an important factor, of course, but the pair riffing off each other could go along away on its own.
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Outsourced
(NBC)
From writer Robert Borden (The Drew Carey Show) and director Ken Kwapis (The Office) comes a comedy where cultural differences are a novelty.
Mid America Novelties sells products like whoopee cushions, foam fingers, and wallets made of bacon. Yes, this is the stuff upon which the American way of life is built, but try explaining that to someone who lives on the other side of the world.
Well, that's exactly what Todd Donovan must do when he's sent to run the company's call center in India. Talk about culture shock, and not just for Todd's employees. While Todd has to teach them how to make the up-sell to the Deluxe Twin Beer Helmet, he's going to have to adapt as well. Like in a country where cows are sacred, perhaps you don't order a double cheeseburger.
Wish him luck. Or as they say in India, Saubhagya.
Why am I so interested?
To be honest, it might have to do with the potential for this to be a disaster. Articles are already hitting the internet fast and furious, and they are largely calling into question the show's humor. Is it funny, or offensive? Probably a good question, and some of the scenes from the promo definitely leave you wondering. Still, there are some interesting people behind the scenes, and I've heard rumors that the show might actually try to take a real look at Indian culture. How crazy is that?
Just at the moment, I'm not sure if I even care if the show is hilarious or a train wreck, I want to watch it anyway.
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About Marc Eastman
Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.
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