I’m back in the UK now and half comatose from an overnight flight. But I wouldn’t dream of letting you guys down by doing the work I’m actually supposed to be doing or sleeping or something.
No, it’s time to look at CBS’s new shows for the Fall season. If you’ve ever heard Les Moonves speak (he’s the head of CBS), you’ll know just how much he loves the Internet. So it’s not surprising that CBS has been all forward thinking and created a ‘bloggers toolkit’ so that we can all gas on about the new shows with some handy video clips to hand.
Given that 90% of US television now stars Brits, is based on a British format or both, it’s hard to highlight one particular example of the new season’s shows that’s going to be of most interest to those of us over here. However, regular readers of this ‘ere blog are probably going to be most curious about the remake of Viva Blackpool that Hugh Jackman’s been throwing together: Viva Laughlin. It stars Monarch of the Glen‘s Lloyd Owen as a nice man who tries to open a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. It also features Madchen Amick (her off Twin Peaks), DB Woodside (Wayne Palmer on 24) as well as Jackman in a recurring role.
Unfortunately, there’s no video yet. Bugger. That’s not a good start, is it CBS? Here’s a pic though.
Cane is Jimmy Smits’ latest bit of fun, in which he plays the heir of a sugar cane and rum empire. I confidently predict this is the first television series ever about such a man. CBS says it’s sizzling, which is code for ‘contains some scenes of under-dressing’. Also features Hector Elizondo. The mandatory Brit is Polly Walker. Here’s a vid. Looks a bit of a stinker to me, but what do you think?
For those of you who miss Angel and Forever Knight, relax, it’s back except it’s called Moonlight now. Blah, blah, blah, vampires. Blah, blah, blah, reluctant hero vampire. Blah, blah, blah, solves crimes. Couldn’t spot any Brits, although the lead, Alex O’Loughlin is Australian and the son of AC/DC front man Bonn Scott. Also features Amber Valetta, whom you’ll recognise from that show. You know the one.
Swingtown, which doesn’t yet feature in the schedules since it’s a mid-season replacement, is all about swingers in the 70s. The not-so-secret Brit is Jack Davenport. Could go horribly wrong or horribly right, depending on how they play it.
Lastly, since I don’t feel obligated to talk about the new reality programming CBS has planned, comes The Big Bang Theory, a ‘comedy’, Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but it’s all about two nerdy physics types who don’t understand girls but who are going to be instructed in the ways of women by their cute neighbour. Features Kaley Cuoco as the cute neighbour: she was the annoying Billie in the last season of Charmed. No secret Brits though: only a secret Belgian.
Anything in there that you’re now looking forward to? I’d say NBC and ABC are looking considerably more appealing at the moment. Now all we need is Fox to tell us what they’re going to do to set our collective IQs back a few notches/commission for a season but pull after four episodes.
