Now that you know what new shows are going to be coming to television this fall, how about looking at what you missed. . .if you dare?
Zenith Media Services Inc., a New York firm that closely follows what the networks do, a few months ago put together a book describing dozens of pilots being developed.
Many of the productions have been selected for a chance at fortune and glory–you’s see those in September. Here’s a little peek at the Zenith’s thumbnail descriptions for those that didn’t make the cut:
“Game Night,” ABC: “Ex-pro football legend Terry Bradshaw stars as ex-pro football legend Terry Bradley, who now works as an announcer on `Sunday Night Football.’ Terry is trying to deal with the way the game has changed from sports to show business. . .”
We’ve seen Bradshaw act before (“The Cannonball Run”), but this sounds like his toughest stretch yet!
“Two,” CBS: “In this twist on `The Fugitive’ theme, a man’s only hope to clear himself of murder charges is to find the evil twin who has murdered his wife and framed him for the crime.”
Since TV seems to be in love with the evil twin concept, aren’t you glad you don’t have a body double?
“Fast Company,” NBC: “Tim Matheson stars as Jack Matthews, a street-smart cop who doesn’t like the press. Ann Jillian is Frances Hampton-Smith, an aggressive TV reporter who doesn’t trust the cops. When they’re both assigned to the same murder case, it’s no surprise that they’re at each other’s throat–after all, they’re married. . .”
What genius at the computer dating service matched those two?
“Brentwood,” WB: “`Beverly Hills, 90210′ meets `Dynasty’ when a Midwest family moves to one of the poshest sections of Los Angeles.”
Somebody’s been watching early reruns of “Beverly Hills, 90210.”
“Hell,” Fox: “Hell is a trendy New York restaurant where a group of idealistic young people bide their time as waiters until they can achieve their dreams of fame and fortune.”
. . .And they won’t settle for anything less than your immortal soul for a tip!
“Star Commands,” UPN: “This post-apocalyptic drama is set in the distant future, and concerns a group of young military cadets fighting an intergalactic war.”
Waitaminute. . .look here: “Space” (which was picked up by Fox): “From the producers of `The X-Files’ comes this chronicle of the adventures of a group of first-year military cadets, hurtled into an intergalactic war against an alien race.” Knew that sounded familiar. . .
“Gemini,” Fox: “From the creators of `Northern Exposure’ and `I’ll Fly Away’ comes a hybrid drama based on the true-life story of a man who is both a cop and an emergency room doctor. . .”
Sounds like a guy in serious need of a hobby.
“SIU,” WB: “`21 Jump Street’ meets `The Silence of the Lambs,’ when a Special Investigations Unit (SIU), consisting of four young men and women, is formed to solve challenging criminal cases.”
Hold the phone. . .here we go again: “The Bureau,” ABC: ” `The X-Files’ meets `The Silence of the Lambs’ in a drama focused on a very specialized branch of crime solving. . .” Why not just make “The Silence of the Lambs: The Series” and get it over with?
– Where’s the remote: Joan Van Ark’s number came up for “USA’s Women in Peril Theatre.”
That easily could be the title of the cable network’s stable of grade-B TV movies. Van Ark’s “When the Dark Man Calls” premieres at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The “Knots Landing” star is Dr. Julie Kaiser, a pop psychologist for radio station WRAP (“Where hip hop doesn’t live” would be a good station slogan). She’s also a woman who apparently hasn’t gotten over the double murder of her parents when she was a child.
But 25 years later, the horror returns when John Paramentor (Geoffrey Lewis) is released from prison. Years earlier, Julie testified against him at his trial. Paramentor says he didn’t do the deed, so he’s out for revenge against her.
It’s more stylish than the normal USA “Women in Peril” presentation thanks to director Nathaniel Gutman. There also is a plot twist/shock ending that makes “When the Dark Man Calls” a cut above.
But this still is “Women in Peril Theatre.” So we get shots of Van Ark warily answering the telephone, going to places she shouldn’t (in various forms of undress) and just frightened in general. You get the drift.
