September 21, 2007 12:42 PM

Mike Pearson on the new TV season

Mike Pearson talked about the new TV season.

Mark_Wolf(Q) There's always a "trend" every fall - remember last year's serial dramas inspired by "Lost" that fell flat. Is there one this season?
Mike_Pearson(A) I think the supernatural continues to be a major theme. Many of the shows deal with "humans" with super-human powers. Bionic Woman, Reaper, Moonlight (about a vampire) are just a few examples.

Mark_Wolf(Q) In general, what do you think of the new crop of shows?
Mike_Pearson(A) In general, I'd give the fall season a B. There are about 27 new shows, and I've previewed about half of them. I think NBC has the strongest new crop of shows.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Did you watch the premiere of Kid Nation? What'd you think?
Mike_Pearson(A) I watched about two-thirds of it. I like the concept, but the execution seemed manipulative. Are we really supposed to believe those kids are in that New Mexico ghost town by themselves? Obviously there are adults operating the camera, sound, et. al. The show seemed very much like a pint-sized survivor. If it succeeds, it will be because it draws adult viewers, not kid viewers. I don't expect it to last very long.

Mark_Wolf(Q) What do you like about the new Bionic Woman?
Mike_Pearson(A) I was not a big fan of the Lindsay Wagner series in the mid '70s, but I really like the new Bionic Woman. I like the dark edge it has, like "24." Also, the leader character played by Michelle Ryan seems more believable than the original. She takes care of her ltitle sister who is deaf, and she clearly freaks out when she wakes up in a hospital with bionic limbs. Most of us would freak. But the more she thinks about her new "additions," the more empowered she feels. The show also has a solid supporting cast, including Miguel Ferrer, late of Crossing Jordan. And the action scenes are some of the best I've ever seen on series television.

Mark_Wolf(Q) You like Reaper, the new comedy-thriller on CW2. Is it the long-awaited successor to Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Mike_Pearson(A) Based on the first episode, I think it's better than Buffy. I'm sure fans of that series will crucify me for saying so. Reaper has a nice blend of humor and horror, with equal emphasis on both. Of course, the Reaper pilot was directed by Kevin Smith ("Clerks," "Dogma") so you'd expect it to be good. The question is how it will fare with other directors. Time will tell.

Mark_Wolf(Q) It has a pretty tough timeslot on Tuesdays against House and Dancing With the Stars and even The Unit.
Mike_Pearson(A) True, but The CW skews toward a younger demographic. Both House and Dancing have their fans, but I'm not sure their core support from from the late teen and twentysomethings who will be attracted by Reaper. Reaper is true a slacker-oriented show. Given the potential of the show, I would expect The CW to move it to another time period if it starts getting creamed.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Journeyman is the guy who time-travels? If he was to travel to December would his show still be on the air?
Mike_Pearson(A) I doubt it. I've watched two episodes of Journeyman, and I must say I was disappointed. You want "magic" with a show like this, and it struck me as mostly just creepy. I'm not sure the lead actor, Kevin McKidd, has the charisma to carry a network show. He's a good actor as he proved in "Rome," but he doesn't project mkuch likeability. Maybe the early scripts are weak. It's a show that has a lot of potential, but they need to refine it a bit. Here's a guy who just transports from one time period to another. In the early episodes, neither he nor we understand why. Viewers need to buy into the conceit early. This can't be another "Lost" where crucial information isn't divulged for weeks.

Mark_Wolf(Q) What's going on with Cavemen? They shelved the first two episodes, never a good sign. Have you seen any of it that will actually air?
Mike_Pearson(A) No. I previewed the "first" episode they sent out this summer and I was disappointed. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it seemed contrived. The first episode was about a caveman trying to win over his suburban girlfriend's father. She invites him to the countryclub, and several of his cave buddies crash the party. I don't think this episode will air. I will be interested to see what episode they go with. Word is that the entire show is being retooled.

Mark_Wolf(Q) I was one of the handful of people who actually liked Cop Rock. Now CBS is rolling out Viva Laughlin set in a casino town where the characters occasionally burst into song? A good bet?
Mike_Pearson(A) I doubt it. Several shows, including "Scrubs," have done "musical" episodes, but to build an entire series around the concept hasn't worked in the past. I've not seen Viva Laughlin, so I can't say for sure that it doesn't work. But word from my TV critic colleagues is that it misses the mark. By the way, I think you could fit all the people who liked "Cop Rock" into a phone booth.

Mark_Wolf(Q) How is Pushing Daisies? Generally offbeat series wind up being played off on basic cable. Does this have a shot at surviving? Has a decent timeslot against Deal or No Deal, Kid Nation and the new Kelsey Grammer sitcom on Fox.
Mike_Pearson(A) "Pushing Daisies" is probably the most original new show on network TV this fall. The idea of a guy who can bring things back to life with a touch -- and kill them permanently with a second touch -- sounds macabre, but it works. Also, Chi McBride is a nice foil for the lead actor. He plays a private eye who uses the lead character to help him collect rewards for finding out who killed people. What better way to do that then revive the dead, get the information, then kill them again. The question is whether this show can sustain its sense of novelty for an entire season.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Are you a Friday Night Lights fan? Think it can survive on Friday night at 9 p.m.?
Mike_Pearson(A) Honestly, I only saw a few episodes of Friday Night Lights, but I liked what I saw. I hope it can survive. Friday isn't a big TV night, so we'll see. Also, there are only a handful of new series on fridays this fall. Fans of friday Night Lights will have to be vigilant and vocal. But the show has survived thus far, despire lackluster ratings last season.

Mark_Wolf(Q) A number of the new shows and even returning ones are already available online. What do you make of that? Seems like it might diminish the premieres.
Mike_Pearson(A) Perhaps, but the nwtrosk realize that they need to generate buzz. Given how fast some networks are willing to pull new shows -- some barely last two weeks -- they are trying to draw major interest. Don't forget, many viewers actually download shows from the Web as the season goes along. The networks want that audience. I expect to see more use of the Web by TV networks in the future.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Some of the best drama is running this summer on cable. Mad Men on AMC looks as good as anything on the broadcast networks. You think producers will steadily move to basic cable?
Mike_Pearson(A) I think producers will troll both sides of the aisle. True, Mad Men and shows like Amazing Grace are high quality cable offerings. But cable still doesn't have the budgets of the networks, unless you're talking about HBO. I think in the future it's possible that you might see two version of a show like Mad Men: one sanitized for network, one a bit rowdier for cable.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Does Jimmy Smits give Cane enough star power to succeed?
Mike_Pearson(A) Good question and who knows. Smits is popular and the show also stars Hector Elizondo. On the other hand, is there still an audience fior the Falcon Crest audience? In an age when reality shows rule, I'm skeptical that a turbulent family drama can survive. Clearly the network hopes that the Cuban lineage of the characters will appear to Hispanic viewers.

Mark_Wolf(Q) A lot of critics like Dirty Sexy Money on ABC. You agree?
Mike_Pearson(A) I haven't watched it yet. I just got a copy yesterday. The previews look fun. Then again, you can say the same things about theatrical movies: The best parts are always in the previews.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Big Bang Theory has a couple of funny promos. Does it hold up?
Mike_Pearson(A) No. Based on the first episode, I'll be surprised it it makes it three weeks. The humor is very predictable. That's too bad. I really like one of its stars, Johnny Galecki.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Don't know if you're a fan of Ugly Betty. I thought it was a show with a clunky premise that actually found its way about halfway through the season.
Mike_Pearson(A) I agree. There are times when it takes a show weeks to find its center. Unfortunately, network TV doesn't give shows as much time as it used to. Shows like 30 Rock and Hill Street Blues are exceptions. They started slow and remained on the air thanks to critical response and, in the case of Hill Street, a bunch of Emmys.

Mark_Wolf(Q) What do you make of the return of Jericho? Very unusual for fan reaction to actually save a show.
Mike_Pearson(A) True, but not unprecedented. The fan reaction to Jericho proves to the networks that people can still be passionate about TV. Look how much mileage CBS got out of the Jericho situation, mostly good. We're not sure when Jericho is return to the schedule, maybe as soon as November. The network ordered seven new episodes, which isn't a lot. Jericho is safe for now but maybe not for long.

Mark_Wolf(Q) Got a guess on which, if any, of the new reality shows will stick?
Mike_Pearson(A) Maybe Nashville on Fox on friday night. There are a lot of country fans out there. Also, Kitchen Nightmares on Wednesday. It combines food and the tyranical antics of chef Gordon Ramsay. Most people are just marking ime until the return of American Idol in january.

Mark_Wolf(Q) You best bet for which new show will be a breakout hit is ...
Mike_Pearson(A) Reaper and Bionic Woman. Private Practice should also do well with Grey's Anatomy fans.