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2010 Fall TV Preview: Three Shows I'm Banking On

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I gotta tell ya -- so far, very few of the fall TV shows are getting me excited. I've seen a few pilots, read some press releases, watched some clips, and so far, I've decided there are only three new shows that will make me set my DVR religiously: Hawaii Five-0, Undercovers and Outlaw.


1. Hawaii Five-0: Because it's based on the iconic CBS classic which starred the late Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett, the tough-guy cop with the forelock that wouldn't quit. As with the original, the Hawaiian setting is a huge draw, and the cast is very promising: Alex O'Loughlin (Three Rivers) is the new McGarrett, and Scott Caan (Entourage, son of James Caan) is Danny Williams of "Book 'em Dano" fame. It also stars Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica), Daniel Dae Kim (just off his stint on Lost), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Jean Smart ( 24, Samantha Who?).

All I've seen are clips, but it seems to me they'll have to work pretty hard not to have this show become a hit.

Hawaii Five-0 will premiere September 20th and air Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.

2. Outlaw: /em> Because it stars the incomparable TV veteran Jimmy Smits. The last time we saw Smits on TV, he was the slightly deranged, legal eagle BFF of serial killer Dexter Morgan on Dexter. Based on the pilot of Outlaw -- which wasn't a review copy, so may change significantly before it premieres -- Smits' star power and the intriguing character he plays, Cyrus Garza, may make this show "must see TV."

Garza is a conservative Supreme Court Justice who quits after deciding he can do more good as a litigator. He also has a gambling problem and is in debt to what appear to be loan sharks. Hmmm, I sense some major conflict a comin'.

Outlaw will have a special premiere on Wednesday September 15th and then air Fridays at 10/9c on NBC.

3. Undercovers: Because it's from J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) and has a very attractive and personable couple, Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, as its stars. The plot? Two former CIA agents, Steven and Samantha Bloom, currently running a catering business, are called back into action to locate a missing operative. Based on the pilot -- which once again, wasn't a review copy, so may change significantly before it premieres -- the show appears to want to be a cross between Alias and Hart to Hart. So far it's not up to the level of either of those shows, but we'll have to see where the producers go with what could be a very fun show.

Oh and one final, kind of significant thing. Did I mention that the stars of Undercovers are black? And guess what? The show isn't about them being black caterers, or black CIA agents, or even a black married couple trying to make it in the suburbs. The show mercifully has absolutely nothing to do with them being black.

I love that.

Undercovers will premiere September 22nd and air Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

After all this, no matter how excited I may be about these shows, it's nothing compared to my excitement of seeing some returning shows like Dexter, House, The Good Wife, Desperate Housewives (with new addition Vanessa Williams<), Grey's Anatomy, Glee, and How I Met Your Mother.

And what about burning TV questions from last year?

  • Who are the new judges gonna be on American Idol?
  • Who's part of the new cast of Dancing with the Stars?
  • On Survivor, how's this year's Youngsters vs. Oldsters gonna work out?
  • Who on America's Next Top Model is gonna be the first contestant to say, "I didn't come here to make friends, I came here to win!"
  • Remember Conan O'Brien? How's his show on TBS gonna do?
  • And finally, where oh, where will Betty White turn up next?

Stay tuned for the answers.

You can check out the complete Fall 2010 TV schedule at TV Guide.com.

Related Links:

Tales from TammyLyne: 2010 Fall TV

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Megan Smith 5 pts

You've got a point that "Lone Star" might have some staying power, but that show, like most of the shows have a "been there, done that" feel to them.

I'm not sure if I'll watch "Boardwalk Empire" since I'm don't think I want to spend all my TV viewing time during prohibition!

We'll see as the season develops.

Megan

TV/Online Video Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/megan-smith )

Megan's Minute ( http://www.megansminute.com/ )

Meg's Rad Reviews ( http://www.megsradreviews.com )

Deb Rox 5 pts

Fortunately I have a lot of current faves, so the lack of new hot shows is fine with me. I'm really only looking forward to two. I've heard differing reviews about Lone Star (FOX) but I want to give it a try because I love con/caper plots. And I'm mostly into the countdown until Boardwalk Empire(HBO). Looks glorious!

Deb Rox

3 Smart Girlz ( http://www.3smartgirlz.com/ ) consulting

Blog ( http://www.debontherocks.com/ ) like a freaking butterfly, sting like a Tweet. ( http://www.twitter.com/debontherocks )

Megan Smith 5 pts

Yeah this year just doesn't have a lot to write home about.

I'll also have to give "Parenthood" another try because I dropped out of it when the season got too hectic.

Megan

TV/Online Video Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/megan-smith )

Megan's Minute ( http://www.megansminute.com/ )

Meg's Rad Reviews ( http://www.megsradreviews.com )

Megan Smith 5 pts

You just may have to start up a petition to change that.

Megan

TV/Online Video Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/megan-smith )

Megan's Minute ( http://www.megansminute.com/ )

Meg's Rad Reviews ( http://www.megsradreviews.com )

JennaHatfield 9 pts

None of these remotely appeal to me nor have I seen anything new this fall that I am looking forward to as of yet. Similar to you, I'm looking forward to the return of a few shows... and I'm SO excited that Parenthood got picked up again.

Contributing Editor Jenna Hatfield (@FireMom ( http://twitter.com/FireMom )) blogs at Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ). She is a freelance writer and newspaper photographer.

workermum 5 pts

I hear that Undercovers is good too bad our cable operator doesn't have NBC. :(