Patrick's Rants

As the new fall lineup is teased out to us in 30 to 60 second increments, here’s my take on the new shows.

NBC’s new Monday night show, Chuck, looks interesting. “Nerd Herd” geek (OK Nerd) Chuck Bartowski sees something he’s not supposed to and becomes one half of a secret agent team. She’s sexy and tough and she wants Chuck. Hard to say how this will fare in the same time slot as “How I Met Your Mother.”

“The Big Bang Theory” is a geek sitcom airing right after “Mother” on CBS. Two geek roommates have a new neighbor. Hmm. Another geeky guy, pretty girl base story line. I’m sensing a trend.

Rounding out Monday night is “Journeyman” on NBC. With shades of “Quantum Leap” and “7 Days” time will tell if this time traveling show lasts. Looks like one I’ll watch.

Tuesday looks like it did last year. I’ll be torn between “Bones (Fox)” and “NCIS (CBS)”, both crime shows with good looking intelligent investigators. More geek factor. Following is the curmudgeon, “House (Fox)” a favorite around here. “Boston Legal” never caught on for me on any night other than Sunday when it originally spun off from “The Practice”. “Law & Order SVU” was just another in the “Law & Order” franchise that I followed until I couldn’t stand the content starting in 2005. The phrase, “it’s not you it’s me” comes to mind though. The show became too personal for me. I’m slowly beginning to tune in again.

Wednesday has been one of those floundering days in the lineup. Let’s see what we have this year. “Pushing Daisies (ABC)” and “Back to You (Fox)” will go head to head. I like Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, but the storyline of “Daisies” will probably win around here. The main character has the touch of death and life. He can bring a corpse to life with his touch. Another touch and they are dead again. “Back to You” looks like it takes “Frasier Crane” and puts him on TV. What we loved about upright, uptight Frasier will be the same thing we love about Grammer in this new show – counting how many times he puts his foot in his mouth.

“Bionic Woman (NBC)” and returning “Criminal Minds (CBS)” is up next. I like “Minds” but will give the new “Woman” a chance here. What’s not to like about a sexy woman with super powers? Rounding out the night is “Life (NBC)” the story of a cop framed for murder serving a life sentence who is subsequently cleared and gets his job and life back along with a hefty settlement. Looks good so far.

Thursday night looks like it’s pretty much the same as last year. I flipflop between the NBC lineup (excluding ER since the demise of several of my favorite characters) and CBS’ lineup. NBC is the usual winner, if “My Name is Earl” is on. If we forget to tune in to “Earl” we end up on “CSI” and “Without a Trace”. “Trace” nearly always beats “ER” or anything else on Thursday.

Friday nights are tough. The networks can’t put good shows on date night! There are a couple that I catch from time to time. “Ghost Whisperer (CBS)” and “Numb3rs (CBS)”. Sitting between them is “Moonlight (CBS)” the new show about a vampire private detective.

Saturday. Fox maintains the lineup with “Cops” followed by “America’s Most Wanted.” Nothing else really very exciting until “SNL (NBC)” barges into your living room at 10:35 PM.

And finally, Sunday. The self promoting “Makeover (ABC)” team is back. ‘Nuff said. CBS again brings us “Cold Case” and “Shark”. I’ll be watching CBS. “Makeover” is popular with the kids though, so it won’t be completely tuned out.

Somewhere in there, “Law & Order” will sneak back in. It’s time for a MythTV box.