The Cleveland Show – Remember, ratings are not entirely indicative of quality … This Family Guy spin off has a few entertaining moments, but misses the funny mark. The writers have replaced a smart dog (Family Guy) with Cleveland’s new neighbors – a family of talking bears, sporting Scottish accents. The show is not my cup of tea, but if you are a fan of the Family Guy and American Dad, it may be worth a one-time viewing. Grade:D Skip
Trauma – The over-the-top first 10 minutes of the show set the premise for the season. Viewers are bludgeoned over the head with the message that being part of a trauma team is both dangerous and (wait for it) “traumatic.” Each character’s backstory is way too elaborate and inundated with melodramatic overtones. The introductory episode should pique the viewer’s interest … not bog them down with the entire emotional baggage of each character. For the sake of my health, I’m going to skip this one. Grade:C- Skip
Hank – Kelsey Grammer, we’ve missed you. Frasier was a brilliant show and we missed your presence on national TV. Then, you returned teamed with Patricia Heaton for the terrible Back to You. We had two great actors in one bad show. We were willing to forgive the misstep and open our televisions to you again. The opening episode of Hank showed that you are still entertaining, but the choices you continue to make to show your talent are not! Grade:C- SkipThe Middle –. Patricia Heaton has the role of a harried, overworked mother down to an art. Her role is not the only part of the show that should feel familiar. Casting a child who looks identical to one of the children in Malcolm in the Middle does not mean your show is on the same quality level. The only thing I liked about this show was that it didn’t include a laugh track. Maybe the producers knew before the air date that it wasn’t funny. Grade:D Skip
Three Rivers – This drama has a slight edge over the other new medical dramas released this season – it is tolerable. Not particularly good, not remotely plausible, but watchable. Stars Alex O Loughlin (Moonlight) and Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives) are likable enough. The hospital is full of high-tech gadgetry that is remarkably similar to NCIS Los Angeles. Since it is the same network, I’m left wondering if they are cutting costs by using the same sets. If you are looking to fill the gap left by ER and you want a show that doesn’t require much brain power … you’ve found it. Grade:C- Skip
Posted 10/5/09
