Just when it seems there can’t possibly be any more new shows, a few more seem to pop up. Here’s the most recent batch:
State of Affairs (NBC)-
Katherine Heigl’s triumphant return to television is…meh. The opening of the pilot shows Heigl’s Charleston Tucker getting scolded by her therapist for being slutty (and for suppressing memories of the night her fiancé died). Other than this very brief hint at her wild life, Tucker is the picture of quick-witted, sharp, and powerful. She’s fast-talking, makes snap decisions that may be controversial but always prove to be right, and demands obedience and loyalty. Her dead fiancé happens to be the son of the president, so she also has the president’s ear. The wild-child nightlife somehow did not jive with the rest of the episode. It didn’t match with anything we really saw from her. (Okay, her decision to withhold some information from the president was questionable, but seeing as the president just went with it means there was no real risk there.) Perhaps the most interesting element of this show is that essentially Tucker and her fellow analysts serve as a sort of “Newsroom” for the president. They manage to make excitement and action fit into a show where people basically gather news.
Verdict: Not really buying Heigl as a top CIA analyst.
Max & Shred (Nick)-
Alvin Ackerman is a major school nerd who spends his time working on science experiments with his young assistant “Howie.” His life soon gets turned upside down when Alvin’s family becomes the host family to celebrity snowboarder Max Asher. The two are a typical odd couple, with Max as the cool ladies man and Alvin as the extremely awkward, insecure one. Sure enough the two find common ground and immediately become “bros.” Though entirely predictable, there was something charming about this Canadian import. The only thing I can complain about here is that, although Max moved to Colorado to have more time to train as a snowboarder, snowboarding barely seems to be a part of his life. He has one celebrity appearance that involved a single run down the slopes and otherwise we have not seen him snowboarding once. (Or even talking about it.) I love sports shows and wish this would be more sports-centric, but otherwise, not too much to complain about.
Verdict: Charmingly Nickelodeon.
Rainbow Brite Reboot (Feeln)-
When I was little, I loved Rainbow Brite. My friend and I used to pretend to be Rainbow Brite during recess. There wasn’t anything particularly deep about the show–Rainbow Brite brought color to the world with the help of the Color Kids and the Twinks who mined color crystals. They had to fight off evil villains like the Dark Princess and Murky and Lurky and were occasionally joined by Brian from Earth. Some other colorful characters include Stormy, Moonglow, and talking horse Starlight. I was pretty excited when the reboot was announced, if only because of childhood nostalgia. But what I found was utterly disappointing. Rainbow Brite might have ADHD or she might be on something–she was sickly bubbly and completely unable to focus. She was defeated easily and needed Bryan to save her. I’m ok with her getting help, but she was a complete damsel in distress, which Rainbow Brite never was. The show was also very action-sequence heavy, which felt a little overdone.
Verdict: I’ll take the original over this “modern” version any day.
Us & Them (Fox)-
This does not fit my typical premiere show list, mostly because it never actually premiered. It was meant to be part of the 2013-2014 TV season, but Fox was unsatisfied with the final product, first cutting the show’s order and ultimately deciding not to air it at all. But there’s something particularly fun about seeing what could have been, so when I found this, I had to give it a shot. Poor Alexis Bledel. Though her TV mom Lauren Graham found a fantastic new role in Parenthood, Bledel definitely did not have a winner. The series is about a couple that has been online dating for six months and has decided to meet in person. Naturally, their parents and families cause lots of awkwardness. The show just never quite got it right. (I also don’t like Jason Ritter, so that doesn’t help. It is super weird to have him date Bledel after he dated Sarah (aka Lauren Graham) on Parenthood.
Verdict: It’s no wonder this did not make it to air.
What are your thoughts?
What’s been the best new show of the season for you?
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