Fall Preview Prime Time TV
An Italian American Perspective
The ANNOTICO Report
ALL PREVIEW PRIME TIME
SOUND THE TRUMPETS

Forget the rumors of nonstop reality TV this fall. There's not a new unscripted program among the network debuts, just comedies, dramas and lots of cops. Familiar genres rule. Let the shows begin.

Los Angeles Times
September 14 2003
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SUNDAY
"10-8"
CBS--Time slot: 8-9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 28
Key cast: Danny Nucci ("Titanic," "Snoops"), Ernie Hudson ("Oz").
Behind the camera: Created by Jorge Zamacona ("Oz");
Aaron Spelling is among the executive producers.
The gist: A former street tough switches sides and joins the L.A. Sheriff's Department. But his street attitude puts him at odds with his no-nonsense training officer.
Target audience:That insatiable audience for men in a (cop's) uniform.
Most like: "Dragnet" meets "48HRS."
Main competition: Fox's "The Simpsons," CBS' "Cold Case."
What it has:The appealingly gruff Hudson and hints of leavening humor in the mismatched cops premise.
What it needs: Something to set it apart from countless other forgettable cop dramas before it.
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Tarzan
The WB--Time slot: 9-10 p.m. Premieres Oct. 5.
Key cast: Travis Fimmel (Calvin Klein undies ads), Sarah Wayne Callies, Johnny Messner ("Tears of the Sun"), Mitch Pileggi ("The X-Files").
Behind the camera: Executive producers Laura Ziskin ("Spider-Man"), David Gerber, P.K. Simonds ("Party of Five").
The gist: Tarzan, raised by metrosexuals, er, apes, in Africa, is rescued by his uncle, the CEO of powerful Greystoke Industries, and returned against his will to his family's home in New York City. After he goes AWOL in the concrete jungle, he meets a tough NYPD detective named Jane and goes ape.
Target audience: Abercrombie & Fitch catalog fans.
Most like: The "Spider-Man," "Batman" movies.
Main competition: ABC's "Alias," NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle."
What it has: Tarzan is prettier than Jane.
What it needs:Tarzan is prettier than Jane.
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Arrested Development
Fox--Time slot: 9:30-10 p.m. Premieres Nov. 2.
Key cast: Jason Bateman ("Teen Wolf 2," "Valerie"), Portia De Rossi ("Ally McBeal"), Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor ("The Larry Sanders Show"), Jessica Walter, Will Arnett.
Behind the camera: Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind") is an executive producer, along with his partner Brian Grazer, David Nevins and Michael Hurwitz ("The Ellen Show").
The gist: A widower is forced to run his oddball family's Orange County real estate empire after his father is arrested for cooking the books.
Target audience:Anyone mad about "Malcolm in the Middle."
Most like: See above; it's also something like "Dallas" on acid.
Main competition: The final half-hours of NBC's "Law & Order" and ABC's "Alias."
What it has:Nutty situation-comedy storylines and screwball characters with funky names.
What it needs:A late starter, it will need to come out of the gate fast and maintain its outrageousness.
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MONDAY
Eve
UPN--Time slot: 8:30-9 p.m. Premieres Monday.
Key cast: Eve ("Barbershop"), Ali Landry ("Spy TV"), Natalie Desselle ("For Your Love"), Eddie McClintock ("Stark Raving Mad"), Jason George.
Behind the camera: Executive producers Robert Greenblatt and David Janollari ("Platinum," "One on One," "Six Feet Under").
The gist:A smart, attractive single woman tries to navigate the rocky road of love.
Target audience:Fans of hip-hop artist Eve.
Most like: "Ally McBeal" or an ethnically diverse "Friends."
Major competition: CBS' "Still Standing."
What it has:A star with a high "it" factor.
What it needs: More originality and romantic insight.
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TUESDAY

Navy CIS
CBS--Time slot: 8-9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 23
Key cast:Mark Harmon ("St. Elsewhere," "Freaky Friday"), Michael Weatherly, Sasha Alexander, David McCallum ("The Man From U.N.C.L.E."), Pauley Perrette
Behind the camera: Created by Donald Bellisario ("JAG")
The gist: Focusing on crimes involving the Navy or Marines, this is the "Law" to "JAG'
Target audience:Crime drama fans
Most like: "JAG" and 1,000 crime dramas before.
Main competition: ABC's high-profile comedies "8 Simple Rules " and promising newcomer "I'm With Her."
What it has:Always likable Harmon and "JAG's" old-time slot.
What it needs:A little more hipness and originality.
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I'm With Her
ABC
Time slot: 8:30-9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 23.
Key cast: David Sutcliffe ("Gilmore Girls"), Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents").
Behind the camera: Marco Pennette ("Caroline in the City") and Chris Henchy ("Spin City"), who co-created the series, are executive producers, along with Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Jack Burditt ("Mad About You," "Frasier").
The gist: A high school teacher dates a world-renowned movie star. Based loosely on Henchy's relationship with wife Brooke Shields.
Target audience:Average males with rich fantasy lives
Most like:"Notting Hill."
Main competition: CBS' "Navy NCIS," NBC's "Happy Family," the WB's "Gilmore Girls."
What it has: Comfortable premise.
What it needs: More interesting and likable characters.
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Happy Family
NBC --Time slot: 8:30-9 p.m. Premiered Tuesday.
Key cast: John Larroquette ("Night Court") and Christine Baranski ("Cybill," "Chicago").
Behind the camera: Executive producers Moses Port and David Guarascio (both from "Mad About You," "Just Shoot Me).
The gist: A long-married couple can't revel in their newly empty nest because the odd ducks that are their children come flocking back.
Target audience: Adults.
Most like: "Empty Nest," "The Stones."
Main competition: ABC's new "I'm With Her" and UPN's new "All of Us."
What it has: The sublime comic chops of Baranski and Larroquette.
What it needs: Viewers to stick around for a couple of episodes to adjust to its sardonically effective chemistry.
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One Tree Hill
The WB
Time slot:9-10 p.m. Premieres Sept. 23.
Key cast: Chad Michael Murray ("Dawson's Creek"), James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Barry Corbin ("Northern Exposure"), Moira Kelly ("The West Wing").
Behind the camera: Created by Mark Schwahn; Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins,
Joe Davola ("Smallville") and Ann Hamilton ("Party of Five") are executive producers.
The gist:Basketball and a beautiful girl are about all that links estranged half-brothers, whose battles on and off the court influence a wide range of folks in the small town of Tree Hill.
Target audience: Teens.
Most like: "Dawson's Creek," "Smallville," ESPN's "Sports Center" (during hoops season).
Major competition: Fox's "24," CBS' "The Guardian."
What it has: Good-looking leads and "Smallville's" old-time slot.
What it needs:More zip, more compelling characters, less brooding.
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WEDNESDAY
Jake 2.0
UPN--Time slot: 9-10 p.m. Premiered Wednesday
Key cast: Christopher Gorham ("Felicity"), Marina Black ("Six Feet Under"), Matt Czuchry.
Behind the camera: Executive producers Gina Matthews ("What Women Want"), Grant Scharbo ("Deep Core"), Silvio Horta ("The Chronicle").
The gist:A computer geek at the National Security Agency is transformed into a secret agent with superhuman strength and sensory powers after an accident involving nanotechnology.
Target audience: Young adults.
Most like: "The Six Million Dollar Man."
Major competition: CBS' "The King of Queens," ABC's "The Bachelor," Fox's "Bernie Mac" — an eclectic mix that might leave a nice opening.
What it has: Cool star, premise and visual effects — a winning formula.
What it needs: A caseload that stays intriguing.
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Karen Sisco
ABC
Time slot: 10-11 p.m. Premieres Oct. 1.
Key cast: Carla Gugino ("Spy Kids"), Robert Forster ("Jackie Brown"), Bill Duke ("Red Dragon").
Behind the camera: Executive producers Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, John Landgraf, Bob Brush and Michael Dinner. Scott Frank, who wrote the screenplay for "Out of Sight," serves as executive consultant.
The gist:Karen Sisco is a smart, tenacious U.S. marshal in pursuit of dangerous fugitives on Miami's Gold Coast. The show has been adapted from the feature film "Out of Sight," which starred Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney, based on characters created by Elmore Leonard.
Target audience:Police drama fans.
Most like: "Miami Vice," "NYPD Blue."
Main competition: NBC's "Law & Order."
What it has: Style, smarts and a due-for-stardom lead actress.
What it needs: A better time slot.
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FRIDAY
Joan of Arcadia
CBS--Time slot: 8-9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 26.
Key cast:Amber Tamblyn, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen.
Behind the camera: Created by Barbara Hall ("Judging Amy").
The gist:Like the maid of Orleans way back when, teenager Joan Girardi has conversations with God. Will those chats help her with school? Help her police chief dad solve crimes? Don't bet on it.
Target audience:Confused teens, concerned parents
Most like:Not much, although bits of "Buffy" pop up. And CBS will shoot anyone who compares it to "Touched by an Angel.
Main competition: NBC's new "Miss Match" and WB's sturdy "Reba."
What it has: A clever, original premise and Tamblyn (daughter of actor Russ Tamblyn) is a real find.
What it needs: A better time slot and open-minded audiences.
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The Handler
CBS--Time slot: 10-11 p.m. Premieres Sept. 26.
Key cast: Joe Pantoliano ("The Sopranos," "Memento").
Behind the camera: Created by Chris Haddock.
The gist: "Sopranos" refugee Pantoliano works with FBI agents who go deep deep undercover
Target audience:"Sopranos," "Mission: Impossible" fans.
Most like: "Donnie Brasco" and its TV spinoff, "Falcone."
Main competition:NBC's "Boomtown."
What it has: Pantoliano has long been a dependable, likable character actor, now due for a breakthrough.
What it needs: Wiseguys who stay home watching TV on Friday nights.

TV list Capsules — Samantha Bonar, Josh Friedman, Mark Sachs, Scott Sandell, Jonathan Taylor
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