In a previous post, I previewed Fox’s midseason line-up, which includes “Alcatraz” and “The Finder.” Here’s a look at several other shows debuting soon:
“Rob” (Jan. 12, CBS): For those who own the “Deuce Bigalow” boxed set, are related to Rob Schneider or only watch TV shows with three letters in the title, then have I got a show for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLYl15-9CRk
“The Firm” (Jan. 8, NBC): Based on the John Grisham book, this legal drama stars Josh Lucas as Mitch McDeere in the role originated by Tom Cruise.
http://www.youtube.com/user/NBC?v=MuQyc793jSU&feature=pyv&ad=8656152023&kw=the%20firm%20NBC%20trailer
“Work It” (Tuesday, ABC): Comedy about two unemployed men who dress up like women to get jobs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQAWsEwcVM
“Luck” (Jan. 29, HBO): Starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, a preview about a group of characters linked to a horse-racing track aired Dec. 11.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M67XCzfr7o
“House of Lies” (Jan. 8, Showtime), a comedy that follows a group of management consultants. Love Don Cheadle. Love Kristen Bell. Wish I had Showtime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJefLYL0zDQ
Two others:
“The River” (Feb. 7, ABC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnaZxJIsnFE
“Smash” (NBC, Feb. 6)
http://www.nbc.com/smash/video/extended-sneak-peek/1373227
Also in January, “Are You There, Chelsea?” (Jan. 11, NBC): This comedy series is based on Chelsea Handler’s book and stars Handler (not as Chelsea, though… that role goes to Laura Prepon). Disclaimer one: As you might expect, the language is a little… salty. Disclaimer two: The funniest parts of the preview are the ones featuring Handler. Too bad she couldn’t star.
Less high-profile debuts include “Angry Boys” (Sunday, HBO); “Jane by Design” (Tuesday, ABC Family); and because there aren’t enough reality shows already, also premiering are “American Stuffers” (Jan. 5, Animal Planet), “The Rachel Zoe Project” spin-off “It’s a Brad, Brad World” (Jan. 2, Bravo), and “Caged” (Jan. 9, MTV). In March, expect more shows, include the soapy “GCB” on ABC.
A few old favorites also are returning, including “White Collar” (Jan. 17, USA), “American Idol” (Jan. 18, Fox); “One Tree Hill” (Jan. 11, CW); “30 Rock” (Jan. 12, NBC); “Southland” (Jan. 17, TNT); “Downtown Abbey” (Jan. 8, PBS); “Justified” (Jan. 17, FX) and “Jersey Shore” (Jan. 5, MTV) (Hey, I didn’t say MY favorites.) “Spartacus: Vengeance” is also back (Jan. 27, Starz) after a long absence caused by the death of its star. Also, after the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, “The Voice” returns.
For a Sonoma County connection, “Undercover Boss” returns to CBS on Jan. 15, but it’s the Jan. 29 episode that local TV watchers might be most interested in. That’s the episode featuring Kendall-Jackson president Rick Tigner. (For more on that, check out Chris Smith’s Dec. 6 column.) And, of course, there’s Sonoma winemaker Ben Flajnik’s bow as “The Bachelor” on Jan. 2, which you can follow at bachelor.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.
