There's a movie called The TV Set starring David Duchovny that came out a few years ago. It's about a TV writer trying to launch a new series and keep it true to his vision, despite efforts from the network and his own actors to dumb it down as much as possible. It's not especially hilarious and it's not like it's all that difficult to satirize the entertainment industry, but it has a good cast and there's something about a constantly exasperated Duchovny that's just inherently funny, so it's worth watching.
The one thing the film does really well, though, is capture how incredibly awful and/or cheesy the trailers for new series are that the networks show at their upfronts each year. Much worse than movie trailers, which are only about 90 seconds, generally have more to work with, and only need to sell you on committing to a two-hour film. On the other hand, TV show trailers can be twice as long, can't really encapsulate what the series as a whole is about since they only have the pilot episode to work with, and are trying to entice you to spend 30 minutes to an hour each week watching the show for (they hope) the next several years.
Having watched all the trailers/clips/behind-the-scenes features for this fall's new TV shows (don't worry, I did all this viewing all at work. Obviously, my personal time is valuable and reserved for more important things like...well, never mind), I don't think there's a must-see series among them, despite liking quite a few of them. But at least it's not as dire as last year, when NBC was telling us how awesome Perfect Couples was going to be.
NBC
Free Agents: Great candidate for the first cancellation of the year. As a Buffy fan, I like seeing Anthony Head, but I can't imagine the viewer who will watch the first episode and decide Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn navigating an on-again, off-again relationship for weeks...months...years is in any way an appealing prospect.
Grimm: Could be fun, could be stupid. Regardless, this looks like a Syfy series that somehow escaped from basic cable and ended up on a network.
The Playboy Club: I guess the only way to make Playboy seem relevant in 2011 is to go back to the 1960s. I approve of a series about Amber Heard walking around in a bunny outfit, but not enough to watch a lame period piece starring the dude LeAnn Rimes cheated on her husband with.
Bent: I didn't know David Walton's name until I saw it in the trailer, but I recognize his face, and this will be his third sitcom in the span of little over a year. So I guess NBC's determined to keep trying until either he gives up or we do. Actually, this one does't look all that bad, even though I've never quite gotten the appeal of Amanda Peet.
Awake: This seems like it could be really good. The trailer reminds me a bit of Journeyman. Remember Journeyman, America? That great show you let get cancelled a few years ago? Let's not make the same mistake twice.
ABC
Work It: That's the clip the network thinks will make viewers want to watch? ABC cancelled Mr. Sunshine to make room for this? No wonder Matthew Perry is back in rehab.
Charlie's Angels: I'd watch a show where Minka Kelly reads a different city's phone book each week, so the karate is just a bonus. I hope Hollywood learned its lesson with The Bionic Woman remake, in that '70s action shows featuring women fighting crime while undercover as swimsuit models or tennis pros or whatever, don't need to be reimagined as dark, brooding series where everyone keeps their clothes on all the time.
Once Upon a Time: Jesus, God, this looks bad. Jennifer Morrison almost single-handedly ruined this season of How I Met Your Mother, but I'm not sure she deserves this.
Man Up: The title's dumb, but I like Dan Fogler and the clip made me laugh. I'm in.
CBS
The one thing the film does really well, though, is capture how incredibly awful and/or cheesy the trailers for new series are that the networks show at their upfronts each year. Much worse than movie trailers, which are only about 90 seconds, generally have more to work with, and only need to sell you on committing to a two-hour film. On the other hand, TV show trailers can be twice as long, can't really encapsulate what the series as a whole is about since they only have the pilot episode to work with, and are trying to entice you to spend 30 minutes to an hour each week watching the show for (they hope) the next several years.
Having watched all the trailers/clips/behind-the-scenes features for this fall's new TV shows (don't worry, I did all this viewing all at work. Obviously, my personal time is valuable and reserved for more important things like...well, never mind), I don't think there's a must-see series among them, despite liking quite a few of them. But at least it's not as dire as last year, when NBC was telling us how awesome Perfect Couples was going to be.
NBC
Free Agents: Great candidate for the first cancellation of the year. As a Buffy fan, I like seeing Anthony Head, but I can't imagine the viewer who will watch the first episode and decide Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn navigating an on-again, off-again relationship for weeks...months...years is in any way an appealing prospect.
Grimm: Could be fun, could be stupid. Regardless, this looks like a Syfy series that somehow escaped from basic cable and ended up on a network.
The Playboy Club: I guess the only way to make Playboy seem relevant in 2011 is to go back to the 1960s. I approve of a series about Amber Heard walking around in a bunny outfit, but not enough to watch a lame period piece starring the dude LeAnn Rimes cheated on her husband with.
Bent: I didn't know David Walton's name until I saw it in the trailer, but I recognize his face, and this will be his third sitcom in the span of little over a year. So I guess NBC's determined to keep trying until either he gives up or we do. Actually, this one does't look all that bad, even though I've never quite gotten the appeal of Amanda Peet.
Awake: This seems like it could be really good. The trailer reminds me a bit of Journeyman. Remember Journeyman, America? That great show you let get cancelled a few years ago? Let's not make the same mistake twice.
ABC
Work It: That's the clip the network thinks will make viewers want to watch? ABC cancelled Mr. Sunshine to make room for this? No wonder Matthew Perry is back in rehab.
Charlie's Angels: I'd watch a show where Minka Kelly reads a different city's phone book each week, so the karate is just a bonus. I hope Hollywood learned its lesson with The Bionic Woman remake, in that '70s action shows featuring women fighting crime while undercover as swimsuit models or tennis pros or whatever, don't need to be reimagined as dark, brooding series where everyone keeps their clothes on all the time.
Once Upon a Time: Jesus, God, this looks bad. Jennifer Morrison almost single-handedly ruined this season of How I Met Your Mother, but I'm not sure she deserves this.
Man Up: The title's dumb, but I like Dan Fogler and the clip made me laugh. I'm in.
CBS
Person of Interest: I'll watch just because of the involvement of J.J. Abramas and Michael Emerson, but I'm still suffering from Lost fatigue and not really in the mood for another series with a dense mythology. Jim Caviezel just blowing shit up is fine for now.
2 Broke Girls: I like Kat Dennings a lot, but the other actress's voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Pass.
A Gifted Man: Somewhat Lifetime-esque, this might be a show I somehow end up watching and enjoying, but deny ever watching or enjoying. (Cough...Joan of Arcadia...cough.)
Unforgettable: Another cop show with a lame gimmick. I suspect we're getting closer and closer to that show at the end of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, where Kristen Bell talked to animals, becoming a reality.
Fox
Terra Nova: I guess it's nice that the networks keep trying out sci-fi shows, even though most of them suck and they never, ever seem to work. I gave The Event two episodes before bailing. I'll give Terra Nova at least that.
Alcatraz: Another J.J. Abrams show, this one is obviously nothing but dense mythology. But it also looks really good, so I'll give it a shot.
New Girl: Zooey Deschanel being adorable and wearing glasses? Sold!
2 Broke Girls: I like Kat Dennings a lot, but the other actress's voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Pass.
A Gifted Man: Somewhat Lifetime-esque, this might be a show I somehow end up watching and enjoying, but deny ever watching or enjoying. (Cough...Joan of Arcadia...cough.)
Unforgettable: Another cop show with a lame gimmick. I suspect we're getting closer and closer to that show at the end of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, where Kristen Bell talked to animals, becoming a reality.
Fox
Terra Nova: I guess it's nice that the networks keep trying out sci-fi shows, even though most of them suck and they never, ever seem to work. I gave The Event two episodes before bailing. I'll give Terra Nova at least that.
Alcatraz: Another J.J. Abrams show, this one is obviously nothing but dense mythology. But it also looks really good, so I'll give it a shot.
New Girl: Zooey Deschanel being adorable and wearing glasses? Sold!
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