HITS
The Mindy Project (FOX, Tuesdays @ 9:30p.m.)
The Mindy Project was a hit even before its premiere on Sept. 25. Creator, writer, and lead actress Mindy Kaling, who gained fame as the pop culture obsessed Kelly Kapoor on The Office, is to thank for its success. The show’s pilot was one of the most discussed during the May TV previews, and it hasn’t disappointed. Mindy humourously plays a OB/GYN desperate for love, but distracted by the two handsome doctors who are definitely not what she is looking for. FOX has faith in its New Girl companion, and has picked it up for a full season.
Elementary (CBS, Thursdays @ 10 PM)
In its re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes, CBS has a surefire hit with its new crime drama Elementary. The show is set in the Big Apple with Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson. The chemistry between Elementary’s two stars is already pleasing fans. CBS has placed the show on Thursday night, a good sign of confidence. Audience favourites include the female spin on Watson, and a none-too-sober Holmes, to bring viewers back to what they know and love. In a land of SVUs and CSIs, Elementary is a nice break from the normal procedural drama, and is definitely worth a view.
UP IN THE AIR
Revolution (NBC, Mondays @ 10 PM)
NBC has high hopes for Revolution, a post-apocalyptic science fiction drama. The series deals with an unknown phenomenon that disabled all electricity-dependent technology on earth. After a huge marketing push, NBC has deemed Revolution’s performance reliable enough to pick it up for a full season. Even though the concept seems intriguing, the show still gives off a “seen it” vibe, and lacks a captivating cast, aside from Giancarlo Esposito of recent Breaking Bad fame. Revolution is definitely worth checking out—but as viewers have learned with Alcatraz, just because J. J. Abrams stamps a show with an executive producer credit, doesn’t mean it’s the next Lost.
The New Normal (NBC, Tuesdays @ 9:30 PM)
Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee and American Horror Story, brings us The New Normal, a cute, fast-paced sitcom. Deemed a mix of Modern Family and Glee, the show focuses on a gay couple in California that uses a surrogate to have a baby. The pilot was captivating, and featured great comedic and emotional performances from its star-studded cast, comprised of Justin Bartha (The Hangover), Andrew Rannells (Girls), and Ellen Barkin. The show tapers off after its pilot, but is still worth watching to catch Barkin as a Sue Slyvester-type conservative grandmother, completely opposed to her granddaughter helping out a gay couple with their dream of having a family. Even though NBC has picked the show up for a full season, concerns arise over whether its creative edge will continue—Ryan Murphy is probably one of the busiest men in Hollywood, juggling three shows at once. He can’t be everywhere—or can he?
MISSES
The Neighbors (ABC, Wednesdays @ 8:30 PM)
ABC’s new alien/family comedy hybrid is a definite miss. The alphabet network seemed to have high hopes for The Neighbors, giving it the time slot immediately following Modern Family for its premiere. Negative reviews and concerns that alien jokes will quickly become stale are giving the network cause to worry. The show deals with a New Jersey family that moves into a gated community swarming with aliens, who had overtaken a new development complex years earlier. Don’t be surprised if you see ABC yank this one from its schedule in the weeks to come.
Guys With Kids (NBC, Wednesdays @ 8:30 PM)
When Jimmy Fallon announced he was involved in a new NBC comedy, the Twitterverse erupted. Disappointingly however, Guys With Kids hasn’t met expectations. Anthony Anderson stars in this comedy about men in their 30s with newborn children; the jokes are generic, and the idea feels a little too reminiscent of the recent film What To Expect When You’re Expecting. Since its Wednesday night partner Animal Practice (which starred Justin Kirk of Weeds as a veterinarian) has already been cancelled, things are not looking good for Guys With Kids.
