Because we don’t know much about the new series “The Wedding Bells” aside from the incessant promos cobbled out of the first episode, there’s a feeling there may not be much behind David E. Kelley’s latest show–about a trio of sisters who run “The Wedding Palace.”
It can’t be good news that Fox is taking advantage of the massive lead-in expected from “American Idol” by airing a special “preview” of “Bells” at 8 p.m. Wednesday. It moves to its regular 8 p.m. slot on Friday.
The first episode of “Bells” takes up two stories already exhausted by cable–the runaway bride and Bridezillas. And the three women seem so simply drawn as to be caricatures–Teri Polo is the uptight one, KaDee Strickland the cold one and Sarah Jones the promiscuous one.
The last time Kelley created a series about three women working together, “Girls Club,” it didn’t last.
Kelley’s hits and misses
HITS
– “Picket Fences” (CBS, 1992-96): Drama starring Tom Skerritt and Kathy Baker set in the quirky small town of Rome, Wis.
– “Chicago Hope” (CBS, 1994-2000): The “other” Windy City-set hospital drama, this one starring (at various times) Mandy Patinkin, Mark Harmon and Christine Lahti.
– “Ally McBeal” (Fox, 1997-2002): Dramedy focusing on the title character (Calista Flockhart), a trial lawyer with a tumultuous private life.
– “The Practice/Boston Legal” (ABC, 1997-): Drama starring Dylan McDermott first set at a low-rent Boston law firm, before switching title, cast (William Shatner, James Spader) and going upscale in 2004.
MISSES
– “Snoops” (ABC, 1999): Drama starring Gina Gershon about a flashy, high-tech Santa Monica detective agency. Gone after 10 episodes.
– “Girls Club” (Fox, 2002): Legal drama about three young associate attorneys working and living together. Lasted two episodes.
– “The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire” (CBS, 2003): Drama about the families of three brothers in a small town, one the sheriff, one the mayor and one out of work. Canceled after five episodes.
