Fall TV Preview - "Fringe"

With the Fall TV season underway after a painfully long writers strike, I thought I'd spend the next few entries reviewing some of the new shows of the season. The first on the list is "Fringe" which airs on FOX on Tuesday evenings. Ladies - I know what you are thinking - sci-fi, but give this one a chance.

This show is created by the genius J.J. Abrams who also brought us "Felicity", "Alias" and "Lost". And finally, a worthy successor to "The X Files."

Agent Olivia Dunham who has just lost a loved one to a very bizarre set of circumstances. From her grief comes the opportunity to investigate a series of incidents known only as "The Pattern". These incidents couldn't be more random and therefore, I'm not sure what "pattern" they fit - but I can't wait to find out. The story lines are very compelling - and you don't necessarily have to watch each week to pick up what is happening from week to week. I think this is a brillant move for those folks that couldn't (wouldn't) commit to "Lost" because of the level of involvement.

Rounding out the cast is bad boy Peter Bishop (played by "Dawson's Creek" Joshua Jackson - no longer baby-faced Pacey). Peter is extremely intelligent, but seems to get bored easily and therefore has had a few run-ins with law enforcement over the years. He's been brought in to babysit his father - Walter (Australian actor John Noble) who was recently in a mental institution. Walter's past is definitely suspect - he seems to know more about the incidents that make up "The Pattern" than anyone else - but after 17 years of being institutionalized, he has a bit of an issue when it comes to focusing.

And that is what gives this show its levity - Walter adds just the right amount of humor to the show to balance the phenomenon being investigated. This is nicely coupled with the rebuilding of his relationship with Peter. Father and son definitely do not see eye-to-eye, but they both need each other (even if Peter doesn't know it yet).

If you want to catch up, you can watch full episodes at FOX on Demand.

End.

TV Shows You Are Not Watching (But Should Be)

Now that the writer's strike is over and new TV episodes are about to start airing again, I thought I'd take a moment and write about a few TV shows that you are not watching - but should be. Some of these are off the air now (waiting to be renewed), some are airing now and some will be back on the air in a few weeks.

Eli Stone (Thursday on ABC):
This is show about a lawyer with a heart (and a brain aneurysm). The aneurysm causes Eli to have "visions" (some of which include '80s pop star George Michael singing in his living room) that direct him as to what cases he should take. Some folks think Eli is a prophet. I know from this description, it sounds like the show is a bit out there, but it definitely is a feel-good show that lifts the spirits and makes you laugh. It also has a great supporting cast including Victor Garber (previously from "Alias" - another good show that nobody watched). You can view full episodes of this show at ABC's website.

Pushing Daisies (Returning this Fall to ABC):
If you are interested in catching up with this series before it returns in the fall, you can view full episodes of the show at ABC's website. This is the story of a piemaker, his childhood sweetheart (whom he brought back from the dead - and can never touch again - without killing her), his dog (also can't touch him), the gal who loves him, and his greedy crime solving partner. Sound intriguing? Once again, the cast of this show shines with Lee Pace as the piemaker, Kristin Chenoweth as the gal who loves him and Chi McBride as his partner.

The stories all center around the piemaker's ability to bring people back from the dead with only one minute to tell him the facts surrounding their untimely demise. While all of this might sound a bit morbid, the show is set in a surreal world with bright colors, soft lighting & shading and unusually shaped-buildings. The sets look very similar to the world in which the movie "Babe" was set.

Battlestar Galactica (Begins April 4 on Sci Fi):
Before you tell me that you are not "into" science fiction, let me be clear about one thing. BSG is not your typical science fiction. In fact, I wouldn't call it science fiction at all - it is a political drama set in the future. The battle between good versus evil reigns supreme in this series through war, political figures with flawed morals, and everyday people trying to make a place for themselves in the universe. It definitely reflects our current times. Get caught up on the series by catching it on DVD (seasons 1-4).

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox):
While this series just went off the air for the season (and I'm not sure if there will be a Season 2), you can view episodes at Fox's website. This series begins after the second movie and renders the third installment null and void. For sci-fi fans, this is true sci-fi. A great back story is already in place for fans to reacquaint themselves with as well as refreshing new stories for fans and newcomers alike. The pieces of the puzzle are tied together very well. I'm sure if you've read this far, I really don't need to bring you up to speed re: what this series is about. Just know that it is one to watch.