First impressions: FOX's mixed bag of new shows
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The beauty of upfronts week is that every new show has a chance to be a hit -- particularly when, like FOX did on Monday, you present your lineup first and the cold realities of a competitive schedule haven't set in yet.
And, to be fair, a couple of FOX's new shows for next season look like they have a chance at success. Here's a quick rundown of the five new primetime shows not named "Glee" (for more expansive thoughts on that, you can read the review of the show).
"Brothers" (watch the trailer)
A traditional, live-audience sitcom with a former NFL player-turned-actor (Michael Strahan) at its center is probably not going to be the most subtle of shows, and "Brothers" is hardly that. Strahan seems to have some acting ability, though -- or at least a good enough sense of where to use his athlete's charm and when to let the more experienced actors (Darryl "Chill" Mitchell, CCH Pounder and Carl Weathers) carry things. I'm a big fan of Pounder's because of "The Shield," and I've liked Mitchell in almost everything I've seen him, so I'll at least give it a look.
"The Cleveland Show" (watch the trailer)
I've never been the biggest "Family Guy" fan -- its style is a little too hit-and-miss for me. But its spinoff "The Cleveland Show" looks like it's a little bit more grounded (at least as much as a show that co-stars a family of talking bears can be), and that could draw occasional "FG" viewers in for the long haul -- which is a good thing, since FOX has already ordered 35 episodes of the show for the next two seasons. There's also enough of the off-the-wall "Family Guy" sensibility for the die-hards. It's probably the network's easiest bet for next season.
"Human Target" (watch the trailer)
Remember "Keen Eddie," the short-lived FOX show that starred Mark Valley and seemed to herald his arrival as a charismatic leading man? Well, after several TV roles that didn't give him a whole heck of a lot to play, "Human Target" puts Valley back in the "Keen Eddie" vein. That plus a world-weary Chi McBride, a creepy (of course) Jackie Earle Haley and lots of stuff blowing up adds up to what looks like tremendous fun. FOX must think so too, since it's getting a big opening following an NFL playoff game in January and a post-"American Idol" slot for its regular home.
"Past Life" (watch the trailer)
Hmm. This show is going to ask you to buy into the idea that some of us -- or maybe all of us; it's hard to say -- have been reincarnated, and when that causes problems, a team of investigators (led by relative newcomer Kelli Giddish) can guide you through the memories of a past life to solve those problems. Somehow that feels harder to accept than the spirits of "Ghost Whisperer" or the visions of "Medium," and although Giddish looks to be a promising actress, the premise is a little too much to overcome.
"Sons of Tucson" (watch the trailer)
Tyler Labine has often been the most alive part of "Reaper" for the past two seasons, and the character he plays here is, like Sock, a charming underachiever who is just skating by. His charm is going to have to go a long way to sell the show's off-the-wall premise, in which three rich kids hire Labine's character to pose as their father while real dad's in white-collar prison. The kids come off as a little one-dimensional in the trailer; it feels like a show that might take a few episodes to find its groove.
What do you think of the first looks at FOX's new shows?
Related:
All the new FOX shows
FOX Fall and Midseason schedules
POLL: Which canceled FOX show will you miss most?
FOX will 'Dance' into fall with 'Brothers'
I think the FOX fall sched is a little light on new Seth MacFarlane cartoons. Only one new Family Guy spin off? I think FOX could do itself a huge favor and just have Seth MacFarlane make all their shows.
I want Jack Bauer fight the giant chicken on 24 and I want Meg become an active on Dollhouse.
Yes, Seth MacFarlane can make all the cop shows and lawyer shows and doctor shows and all the other generic crap that all the networks keep renewing and "re-inventing" year after year.
Since FOX cancelled all the shows I cared about, except for the Seth MacFarlane shows, I want to see all the shows on FOX animated Family Guy style. Only then would they be worth watching.
Now it may seem like I'm being sarcastic, so please allow me to clarify: I'm not. I'm a fan of Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy and I sincerely mean every word above. I think FOX could really save a ton of money by having all their shows be animated like Family Guy. That would be freakin' awesome!
I'm a 'sucka' for paranormal series, so, I will be checking out "Past Lives". It looks eerie, and reminds me of the late-great ABC series "Miracles".
"Human Target" will get my view.
Yes, they should indeed have all their shows be made by Seth MacFarlane, that way they can all be as touching and cohesive, life-affirming and tasteful as the very best of "Family Guy" and "American Dad." Like that one where Stewie beats the sh** out of the dog for a full minute.
Obviously I hate MacFarlane's brand of cheap humor punctuated by occasionally hilarious but altogether to frequent non sequitors, but tasteless is Fox's motto, so it's a wonder the odd quality series pokes through.
I'm also bitter about "King of the Hill" biting it unceremoniously.
Was that a slap in the face to soap fans? Where I agree that Past Life is one of the more uphill battles for success on Fox's line-up, Kelli Giddish is not a newcomer to us soap fans. Playing Di on All My Children she was given the chance to act with daytime royalty in a storyline that could have easily anger a huge fanbase. Kelli Giddish to us soap fans not only "looks to be a promising actress." She has proven to be one. Maybe more talent would be noticed if more people would watch a soap opera every now and again.
Well, I'm not interested in any of these shows. I do like Tyler Labine of "Reaper" but Sons of Tucson doesn't sound like much fun. I don't find irritating kids entertaining. CCH Pounder was excellent in "The Shield" but I'm not hip on the premise of "Brothers".
I think Labine's a traitor to Reaper. I will not watch "Sons of Tucson" and I bet no one else will either.
Yes, Seth MacFarlane has MORE cl***, taste, quality, creativity and touching, emotional content in each and every one of his ****s than the shiniest of objects they dangle in front of you on CBS.
You want life-affirming? Yes, watching Family Guy makes me want to live, laugh and love for ever and ever, while watching half a second of Two and a Half Men makes me want to carve my eyeballs out of my face and shoot myself in the ears with two guns simultaneously. And if I'm lucky, the two bullets will collide and explode inside my head before Charlie Sheen gets to the punchline.
UTP: Don't worry. I like both shows, and I think there's a lot of similarity. But I didn't think you would cut your eyeballs and shoot yourself. Just a little harsh don't you think? Besides, it's not the worst show on CBS.
no, you're right, i'd just cringe and change the channel. i was just making a ridiculous point.
I just think Ian, like many, doesn't understand satire.
If you don't understand that Stewie beating on Brian "...for a full minute" is a comment on something, then I'm surprised you even appreciate the "...occasionally hilarious but altogether to frequent non sequitors..."
However, it does help explain his misuse of "to" and misspelling of "non sequiturs".