Goodwin Games: Little Things Matter

So, of the promising new network series (the top and the second tier) from this past year, this was a big winner for me. The only others that even dared to compare were The New Normal and Guys with Kids, two NBC series which were canceled. Had The Goodwin Games aired a full 22 episodes, I might be singing a different tune, but with the seven that did see the light of day, I loved the writing, the jokes, the premise, and the characters. The only thing that fell short for me was the editing, but I suspect that's because the production folks already knew this wasn't getting far. This episode, originally the fifth in the series, was directed by Neil Patrick Harris, who tweeted support for the comedy several times since last Novemeber. Not too much happens in this one, though the kids really begins to realize what an impact little things have in their lives... Henry needs to be at the top of every game, Chloe needs to work through obstacles instead of run from them, and Jimmy needs to think about others. It ain't likely that we'll see more of the Goodwins, but it's not officially off forever, so let's keep The Goodwin Games in the back of our minds a little bit longer... 

The Goodwin Games "The Box" (S01E07): Jimmy and Chloe sneak around the house in the morning with their significant others, trying to avoid Henry, though he eventually learns about both relationships. [I thought that was really cute. especially the toast part!] The kids are soon eating together when they receive a message to head to April's office to see the latest video. Each receives a riddle, and Chloe jumps to conclusions when she starts unraveling hers. [Jimmy's: "Pokey, poky steeplechase. Answer this to win the race." Chloe's: "Trouble, I've another spy. Chloe, find him. Fly, goose, fly." Henry's: "Green potato, rancid cow. Old wild shoe, who's sorry now?"]

Ray Mickshaw/FOX

See, Chloe discovered that April has been helping her park at school every day to make sure Chloe didn't blow off class due to a small obstacle. [wow... Chloe really sucks at life if that would cause her to stop going to class!] This causes Chloe to wonder what else in her life is being controlled by her father, so she reads her riddle to mean that Ivan is a "spy" in her life, just like April. ["trouble Iv(e)an | other spy"] She winds up calling things off with him, just as Henry is asked to take some time off work because he's overtired. [some great acting there!] Turns out, the riddles are just a "gotcha," so Chloe makes up with Ivan, only to have him dump her. Still, she perseveres and says that she won't bail again, and he kisses her.

The Goodwin Games: Ivan's Back

It just hit me that there is only one more episode remaining. That breaks my heart a little, as I still really like this comedy, even if there are terrible cuts sometimes (like right after Jimmy stopped singing). There's just SO MUCH potential here, though it's not likely to be recognized, and I really need to make my peace with that. Henry and Lucinda won't have time to get together, we may never meet Kate, Jimmy won't really be reunited with his daughter, and Chloe won't get a chance to really try college and then establish a career. Plus, we won't get to see the rounds of future games and see how the Goodwins eventually win the money (and what they spend it on!). Alas, all hope is not lost, but I just keep struggling to let go of this one... even worse than with this year's Guys with Kids! Tell me I'm not the only one clinging to a shred of hope that this series isn't over just yet??

The Goodwin Games "Happy Hour" (S01E06): After Chloe tries unsuccessfully to make friends at college, she runs into a middle school classmate, Ivan, who is now a professor. He's always liked her so he asks her out, but Chloe brings along April, who used to have a secret crush on Ivan. [he's not an ugly guy, per se...] Chloe tries to make something happen between her friends, but Ivan is clearly interested only in Chloe, and after he tells her that he named a blue super giant he discovered for her, they kiss.

Ray Mickshaw/FOX

Jimmy is trying to figure out how he'll make a living crime-free, and he thinks that country music star is his calling. [wow... I don't think I've ever had a conversation with someone who has only ever made money illegally!] But, he tries a full-time gig as a bartender, though he'll spend some time on the stage as well. [I LOVED that he sang songs about his crimes! Classic Bays & Thomas!] However, when Jimmy starts singing, the town learns that he and April have a thing going, and Chloe agrees to help keep it a secret from Henry. Oh, that's right, Henry. Well, he meant to text his fiance a "boudoir shot" but sent it to Lucinda accidentally, and she refuses to delete it unless he gives the "break-up speech" he composed years ago but didn't deliver. [the "I can beat it" was also very Bays & Thomas!] At first he he donates $1,000 to her church to get around her stipulation, but then gives the speech anyway. [he seriously still remembers it, years later?]

The Goodwin Games: Jimmy's Daughter's Life

First, let me express my disappointment that "The Birds of Granby" didn't include any sightings of the ostriches running around. I thought FOR SURE that we'd get a glimpse of one, but apparently not. Second, I'm intrigued at just how far Daddy Goodwin has gone for his family! Now that we know he used an alias to teach Piper chess, I'm betting he was well aware of every aspect of Jimmy's life as well as Henry's and Chloe's. I mean, I guess if he lived alone and his kids never visited, he had plenty of time, but it really seems pretty remarkable that he's gone to such lengths in areas of his life beyond his will. I still really like this show and am continuing to cross my fingers for it, though the ratings say there's little chance of it making it beyond the two more episodes originally produced. Are you as enchanted by this series as I am?

Ray Mickshaw/FOX

The Goodwin Games "The Birds of Granby" (S01E05): The latest video is about the birds of Granby, which the siblings need to appreciate. So, they head over to a park, but Jimmy is soon ducking Piper's mother, Hannah. It comes to light that Henry and Chloe have never met Hannah or Piper, and Jimmy never even told his father that he had a daughter, so the siblings all head over to Hannah's. After a flashback to how Jimmy and Piper got together (a one-afternoon stand, as it were), Henry and Chloe give Jimmy a makeover so he can try to convince his babymama that he should be able to spend more time with Piper.

It's not long before things begin to go awry, and the Goodwins use a "divide and conquer" strategy to win over the family (which includes Hannah's fiance, Chad). [I'd really love to look deeper at this idea, but let's see if it becomes recurring...] Henry takes Chad, a natural doctor who suggests Henry practice in the small town to relieve stress, though it would mean less money and prestige. [that was a really rough cut when Henry was talking about the herbal salve!] Chloe tries to hit it off with Piper, but they're very competitive and Chloe is quickly intimidated. [it was rough to see Piper running for Chad as "daddy."] Meanwhile, Jimmy tries to talk Hannah into letting him back into Piper's life, but without a job, it's not looking good. [what was the lick??!?!? so crazy.]

The Goodwin Games: Chloe is Not an Actor

Okay, I'll admit it... this show is a little absurd. Jimmy's smoothie of vodka, dandelions, coleslaw, and margarita mix was one thing, but repeatedly having ostriches in the kitchen is something else!

Jordin Althuas/FOX

I have a feeling this is only the start of it, judging by the name of the next episode, but hopefully the birds don't pull down the show too much. I know that's not asking a lot, as it's not exactly the most popular comedy out there. It also didn't help that there was no video this episode, just a "math problem" of sorts. But, I enjoyed finding out that Chloe's good at more than just Morse code... maybe she'll do well in college after all! Fifteen years late is better than never!

The Goodwin Games "Hamletta" (S01E04): A mathematical puzzle is the newest Goodwin Family clue, and Chloe figures it out faster than Henry. Turns out, their father had enrolled Chloe in Putnam College, hoping that she'd realize she's not a great actress after all. It takes some doing and a visit to her high school drama teacher, but after repeatedly trying to prove that acting is her thing, Chloe realizes how good she is at math. [who would've thought? I did love that Jimmy tried so hard to reassure her, though!]

Other facts: Jimmy read about 1200 books in prison, including 48 on Buddhism. [weird!] Henry's fiance has outsourced planning their wedding to spend more time on her political campaign. This not only leaves Henry to make all of the major decisions with Kate's assistant, but really makes use wonder if Kate misses him at all...

The Goodwin Games: Granby is a Small Town

I still think this is a cute show. These two episodes definitely made viewers realize what a change it is for the siblings to live in Granby, NH again, what with its similarity to Stars Hollow and the fact that everybody knows everybody. I especially enjoyed the double-play on "Small Town" including the miniature that Jimmy worked on with his father. I found it adorable and it was clear that Henry and Chloe were also fawning over it.

Patrick McElhenneyFOX

I still don't understand why Lucinda seems to be a main character, but I'm enjoying the repeated appearances of Elijah! On the same note, it was really tidy of Jimmy and Chloe not to have steady jobs that would require a prompt return to work, but at least Henry's escape from the hospital was done in a believable manner. I'm starting to wonder if this will be the cancellation of the year that makes me the saddest... is anyone out there tuning in for this one? 

The Goodwin Games "Welcome Home, Goodwins" (S01E02): Chloe decides to throw a rager and invites all her old friends (including April, whom we see flashback-shunned yet again), but nobody shows up. At the bar, the female Goodwin learns perhaps she wasn't as popular as she thought. [that's gotta be rough. :(] 

Jimmy creates a distraction, steals a construction uniform, then grabs some sporting goods. Turns out, one of his old buddies, Keith, became a cop, so it's only a matter of time before he's close to caught. [exactly where did Jimmy move to avoid these small-town-thief problems? Boston? Portland? given that there is no Granby in New Hampshire (though there is one in Vermont!), it's hard to judge distances, but it seems a bit unbelievable that he hasn't had this problem before.] To knit the town even closer, Keith is dating Lucinda, shocking Henry. Speaking of Henry, he deals with a two-hour commute while telling his fiance by saying he wants to reconnect with his siblings. [and, yes, I also doubt Kate's existence.]

Another round of the Goodwin Games video continues to show that their father knows them, and he orders the kids to watch out for one another. So, they come together and solve one another's problems... Henry gives Jimmy money, Chloe and Henry return the stuff Jimmy stole, and Jimmy helps Chloe throw a party. [weird but sweet.]

The Goodwin Games "Small Town" (S01E03): [ugly jacket on Chloe!] Jimmy wants to go fishing, but Henry heads to work. Chloe follows him and asks his boss for time off, and soon learns that Henry was offered a paid month off but he's just a workaholic. [wow!] Chloe doesn't share that same attachment to LA, as she learns that her roommate rented out her room and let her stuff get stolen. [omg!] But, Chloe is determined to make sure Jimmy doesn't rejoin criminal life, so she decides to spend an entire day joined at her younger brother's hip, but he gives her the slip AND steals their mother's watch, which Chloe had commandeered. Turns out, Jimmy was working on a miniature version of the town and used the watch for the clocktower.

Smaller notes: Elijah shows up driving Henry's dream car and with custom plates. Chloe tries to take a yoga class but finds it very conventional. [ridiculous, really.]

NEW SHOW: The Goodwin Games

This comedy made my "maybe list" last summer, and I've been looking forward to its debut ever since then. The premiere got pushed back, the number of episodes was shortened, and things don't look good for this hilarious family comedy. Only seven episodes will air, and, although the series hasn't officially been cancelled or renewed, don't bet on seeing more of this fabulous sibling trio. That's right! I really loved the pilot, though I might be partial because I'm a board game geek, a trait I share with both of my siblings. As promised, the premise is intriguing, and it left me without the comparison to Wings that I feared. I look forward to finding out what the messages are on more of those VHS tapes, and just how any and every game possible might appear. And, I would question the concept's ability to last more than a season or two if it weren't being done by Bays & Thomas, who have been stretching the story of how Ted Mosby met the mother of his children for eight years. Let me know if you enjoyed this pilot as much as I did... it's hard to think about it without comparing it to the new trailers and pilots out for fall already, but I do think it can stand its own.

The Goodwin Games "Pilot" (S01E01): Mr. Benjamin Goodwin dies at the age of 72, just after completing the creation of his video will, which challenges his three children to come together and win $23M. The siblings (36-year-old doctor Henry, 34-year-old actress Chloe, and 32-year-old Jimmy, who was just released from a minimum security prison) have lost touch with their father and drifted apart, so they're shocked that their old man was worth so much. We quickly learn that Benjamin was a big fan of testing the kids to win various prizes growing up, and to keep the kids competitive, he's added a fourth, unrelated contestant, Elijah.

facebook.com/TheGoodwinGames

Elijah is at a disadvantage when he doesn't even know the names of the other players or their family history, but Chloe feels she's also starting below the water line because she was once BFFs with the will lawyer but dumped her for popularity as kids. [haha.] The game is Trivial Pursuit, but it's been modified so that the questions are about the Goodwin family. [how neat would that be?!? the summer after my first year of college, a friend and I made one another personalized crossword puzzles and they were AWESOME!] This leads to tons of flashbacks, and the siblings argue about whose fault it is that the family fell apart. [awww.] Chloe is close to winning when Henry and Jimmy quit, which means nobody won. The lawyer pops in another VHS, which awards the siblings $50 each while Elijah gets $1M. He heads for the hills but when Chloe picks up on the fact that there is Morse code in the video, she scrambles for the family attic, only to find a message laid out in scrabble tiles saying that Benjamin loved his kids. [awww!] It makes Chloe demand her brothers finish the game with her, for their father's sake. [sweet.]

They play at a bar, where a monk gives them a card that says to take a photo. They head to the photo booth but are greeted with a video from their father, asking them all to move home.

We also know a little bit about two side stories... the first is that Henry hasn't completely gotten over an old girlfriend, and she tells him to come see her in a month if he's still in town. also, Jimmy sneaks around to see his daughter, giving her a stolen pen as a belated birthday gift but later a giant teddy bear. [the guy is trying.]

Midseason Checkup

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

For the past six months, the new series that we've focused on have all been on the "Big 5," better known as the broadcast networks of ABC, FOX, CBS, the CW, and NBC. We looked at each show in four parts, deeming them "good," "bad," "questionable," and "ridiculous." Some of them have not yet started, as the midseason is just getting underway. FOX has The Following premiering tonight, and the ball will just keep rolling from there, with NBC's Do No Harm starting Thursday, January 31st, Body of Proof beginning Tuesday, February 5th on ABC, Zero Hour (also ABC), showing up on Valentine's Day, and more. So, this post will serve as an alphabetical roundup for where this season's shows now are and which are still to come. In the near future we'll do a separate article to look at a few cable shows. 

1600 Penn is three episodes in and definitely NOT a ratings hit. The critics are generally fans, though I've been back-and-forth on it.

666 Park Avenue made it seven episodes before cancellation. All thirteen episodes will air, though the final four won't be until the summer. Beginning at almost 7M, the show lost 3M before cancellation, though it enjoyed audiences in Canada, the UK, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia, where the series will finish in the next couple weeks.

Animal Practice seems to be nothing more than a laugh now. Five episodes aired before it was canceled, one after, and the remaining three went straight to Hulu, hopefully satisfying the fans it did have. I was among the 12,8M who tuned in for the pilot during the Olympics "Hot Weather Sports," but I never bothered again, finding it just too ridiculous. Still, 3.68M stayed with it until the bitter end.

Arrow, a modern retelling of the comic book Green Arrow, has been a hit with critics and audiences alike. The viewership has been steadily over 3M, and the show is about halfway through the first season. I haven't been able to get into it, but I'm happy it's doing well.

Beauty and the Beast has another 13 episodes to go in its rookie season, which has a very stable audience of around 1.5M. I thought that the pilot was better than the marketing, but I still didn't think it was great. Luckily, there are plenty of teenage girls ogling "beast."

Ben and Kate has been a bit weak for its time slot, rarely reaching 3M after the first three episodes. It has seven episodes left in its season to turn things around, but things aren't looking great. Personally, I'm only a fair-weather fan.

The Carrie Diaries just started a week ago, and the pilot drew 1.6M. I think that the CW was expecting more for the Sex and the City prequel, set during Carrie's junior year of high school, but nothing about the series really appeals to me.

Chicago Fire didn't draw my attention because I neither find Chicago nor firefighters intriguing. But, it is certainly drawing plenty of eye otherwise! It started with 6.6M and has seen peaks up to 8.54 recently. I highly doubt that this one will get canceled, so that 10pm Wednesday slot will probably hold this drama for a while. 

Crossbones has been largely forgotten about by many, as no news has really broken in months, aside from the possibility of Hugh Laurie starring. Production has been delayed, and this series will likely not even appear for another year, so don't get excited.

Cult begins Tuesday, February 19th at 9pm. My initial opinions about the series (a blogger investigates mysterious disappearances) remain: boring, but could have an audience.

Deception, initially known as Infamous, has its third episode airing this evening. The first two brought in 5.66M and 4.14M viewers, respectively, but I'm still left wondering how this mystery drama is going to work as anything other than a TV movie in the long run.

Do No Harm has been highly anticipated by many, and the marketing for this updated Dr. Jekyll-and-Mr. Hyde really seems to be creating some hype for its debut on Thursday, January 31st. Personally, I find it to be creepy and an over-exertion of a simple theme. Still, with another former Cosby on the air (Phylicia Rashad), it might just do okay.

Elementary has been a ratings hit for CBS, and will likely continue to grow as it gets the coveted post-Superbowl slot this year. I've personally felt that the episodes are less entertaining as the first season goes on, but I'm clearly in the minority.

Emily Owens, MD is currently burning off the remaining episodes from its original order of thirteen. It's been wavering between one and two million viewers since its inception, but the CW doesn't have the same standards as the others. Its competition? Go On, NCIS: LA, Happy Endings, and New Girl.

Family Tools will be gracing the airwaves on Wednesday, May 1st at 8:30pm. It's only getting ten episodes instead of thirteen, but there are a lot of great actors who could make magic. I'm still looking forward to it!

The Following begins tonight, and I originally found it to be procedural and too crime-solving for me. After the pilot, I was astonished at how much I disliked it, and I'm not sure that Kevin Bacon is enough. That said, my husband liked the beginning of the series and is planning to cover it for TheTalkingBox, so if you think an FBI agent in the midst of serial killers is cool, stay tuned.

Friend Me has been up in the air since the co-creator committed suicide last fall. Unfortunately, the premise might need to change if the series is to continue, as it was to be based on two guys moving to LA to work for Groupon, which has not been doing that great.

Golden Boy begins Tuesday, February 26th at 10pm, though it will actually be a Friday night series for CBS. It's a cop show that originally had Ryan Phillippe attached, though Theo James is the new star. It's a biography to a certain extent, and is set to chronicle the life of a police officer from detective to commissioner. Not my cup of tea.

Go On is in the middle of its first season, and despite some early popularity, it's been below 5M viewers since 2013 began. I don't know if it can pull out of its dip, but many hope so. I'm still watching, but it's not my favorite comedy.

The Goodwin Games is still to come. With no start date in sight, the initial order was cut from thirteen to seven back in early November. The veteran writers and decently-known actors might still draw a crowd when FOX finally decides to air it, so don't panic yet! 

Guys with Kids has been getting a bad reputation since the beginning, with critics mainly complaining that it brings nothing original to the table. Its first season has six episodes left to air, but it has struggled to pull 4M+, succeeding only once since October. I actually think the show is funny and interesting to watch, but I need to start preparing myself for the fact that its renewal is not very likely.

Hannibal does not yet have a date to premiere, but follows the theme of prequels & adaptations, being based on the Hannibal character from the Thomas Harris novels. Not a fan of serial killers or creepiness, I won't be tuning in when it does air.

How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life has Brad Garrett playing Sarah Chalke's father, coming Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:30pm. Though the shorter title will certainly help, but Chalke as a divorcee with a close male BFF still isn't going to reel me in to watch.

Last Resort didn't receive a full-season order, and the final episode will air later this week. I thought that the exotic South Pacific was a strange locale for a show that would primarily take place on a submarine, and I guess I'm not the only one. The pilot drew 9.3M pairs of eye but the drama has dipped as low as 4.9M.  

Made in Jersey was an early cancellation, with only two episodes airing before it was pulled from the Friday night schedule. It actually got 7.8M and 6.7M viewers for those episodes, respectively, but it has already burned off the other six episodes that were completed. I hardly had time to really compose a stance on the series before it ended, so no skin off my back. 

Malibu Country did not last long in my book - I gave up after just two episodes. For a Friday night, the numbers aren't terrible... though the TGIF block needs more substance if you ask me.

The Mindy Project received a full-season order after just two episodes aired. Its ratings have since fallen from 3.68M to 2.76M, but it is up against Apt. 23 and NCIS: LA. The critics tend to like the series, though there has been plenty of speculation as to its staying power. Personally, I'm not a fan of Mindy Kaling nor this show's approach to medicine.

Mistresses is expected to begin in May, though it may begin airing in just a couple of weeks in New Zealand. It's a take off of a British series by the same name, and the more I learn about the series, the less interested I am. Still, I might give the pilot a go.

The Mob Doctor was canceled after eight episodes, but many wondered why it took so long. All thirteen episodes did air, albeit the final few often to only just over 2M people (the pilot only drew 5.1M anyway). My gripe with it was that it offered nothing original, and I guess I wasn't alone.

Nashville never interested me because of my dislike in country music. I wondered how it would do in a 10pm slot, but it's been great. Critics like it, the actors have been receiving award nominations, and its only halfway through its season. It has not fallen below 5.9M yet, so it's probably going to stay around a bit.

The Neighbors is halfway is halfway through its first season, staying above 6M in its slot between The Middle and Modern Family. The marketing seems to suggest that critics are coming around to the series, but I recently abandoned it for its failure to incorporate all of the characters and keep a cohesive storyline.

The New Normal has been a bit of a gamble since it was announced, but I like it. I'm not sure if it has a long and prosperous future, and it seems that the general public feels the same: It hasn't hit 5M viewers since the fourth episode, and the latest two have been under 3.5M.

Next Caller is dead in the water. The Dane Cook series never aired, and only four episodes were filmed. I didn't think it had a great premise - two radio hosts having to share the air - but it doesn't matter now.

Partners had a short life. Only six episodes aired, and though it never had more than 6.5M in the live audience, it also never dipped below 5.4M. I liked it but didn't think it was gold. How I Met Your Mother was its lead-in, and it was up against Bones, The Voice, and Dancing with the Stars, so completely different target demos. Oh well!

Red Widow begins Sunday, March 3rd with an eight-episode run. If gangsters are your thing and you want to see how a woman handles things when her mob boss husband dies, check it out. For me, the premise doesn't offer much.

Revolution had me going there for a while. At one point I was curious as to how the airwaves would handle another apocalyptic-like show, similar to both Falling Skies and Terra Nova. After the pilot, I was hooked. I wanted to see where things were going to go. A few episodes later, however, I was more frustrated than anything else. NBC choosing to air ten episodes in the fall and hold the other ten until March has been a choice questioned by many, but the show has never had fewer than 7M viewers, so they must be doing something right!

Save Me is still in the pipeline, with no updates in quite a while. You may recall that this is the show where Anne Heche can channel God. If not, don't worry, as I'm sure Anne Heche will be the big marketing factor when this one returns to light.

Vegas has surprised me. I'm not one for the 1960s mob scene, but it's been great for CBS, starting with nearly 15M viewers and still over 11M after 12/21 episodes. This is certainly an accomplishment, as it's up against Parenthood and Private Practice, among other things.

Zero Hour will first air on Valentine's Day... creepy for a series that is about the paranormal and conspiracy theories. Nobody wants to learn about a spouse abducted on the most romantic day of the day, so although I'm unsure about the debut date, I am sure that I won't be tuning in regardless of when it runs.

Fall 2012 Network Shows: The Maybe List

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

By this point you've probably already seen a little bit about which shows each major broadcast network has picked up and when they're planning to air them. Some sites have covered them show by show, others network by network, and at least two decided to break it down night by night. We decided to go with our interest in them - what we can't wait for, what we don't think is worth the time, what falls somewhere in the middle, and even what we don't think will last. Of course, this is subject to change, especially come late July when so much more comes to light! Today we look at the ones that are on our "maybe" list - we'll probably check out the first few episodes but we're not too invested in these series at the moment.

Ben & Kate (formerly known as Ben Fox is My Manny, FOX) are siblings with opposite personalities who live together to help one another out in different ways. I'm into it because I love a good sibling dynamic, but I'm iffy because we don't really need MORE shows where people struggle to care for infants. It's going to come on after Raising Hope, for crying out loud!

Cr: Patrick Ecclesine/FOX

The Goodwin Games (FOX) Three adult siblings reconnect after their father's death, hoping to inherit $20M. It is written by Bays & Thomas, of How I Met Your Mother fame, and stars Becki Newton (Ugly Betty) and Jake Lacy (Better with You). The cast could be a bonus, but I'm giving it a go for the adult sibling dynamics and the writers. It didn't make the MUST list because I don't know how the $20M is going to come into play regarding the effects on the relationships... could be too Wings. 

Family Tools (ABC) follows a guy with some bad luck trying to take over his father's handyman business. Look for Danielle Nicolet from 3rd Rock from the Sun, Edi Gathegi from House, and Leah Remini from King of Queens. The basic background of the show barely blips my radar, but I'm intrigued by the cast (and putting those folks together!) enough to warrant giving it a go. 

Mistresses (ABC) focuses on four female friends, including Savannah, played by Alyssa Milano. I almost laugh at ABC for wanting to try for such a show - what is with their insistence on female-based series? It won't come up until mid-season, so there's plenty of time for advertising (not that it really helped GCB all that much...), but Alyssa Milano should pull in some eyes (though the same was said with Kristin Chenoweth, of course).

The Neighbors (ABC) has a family moving into a gated NJ community where all of the neighbors are aliens. So bad it might be good... or, at least, that's why I'm willing to give it a try. Following Modern Family might help it It'll follow The Middle on Wednesday nights, but let's hope it has more substance than gimmick in order for that to matter...

Guys with Kids (NBC) has three thirtysomething dads who don't want to let go of their carefree days. Look for Tempest Bledsoe in this one. This one is close to not making the cut for me - it sounds more like a movie than a television series. Still, it might generate some laughs for three or four episodes, before having to start recycle the jokes already.

Crossbones (NBC) will be a pirate-themed action-adventure series set in 1715. Yeah... it's a bit high-concept. But it's PIRATES. And it's PERIOD. So, if nothing else, we'll get some fun costumes and colloquialisms, right? It's going to come in mid-season, so there's plenty of time for some enthralling campaign ads, but I'm already willing to tune in for some fantasy.

Made in Jersey (formerly Baby Big Shot, CBS) is a legal drama where the lead uses street smarts to win cases. Being from NJ and always loving when savoir-faire comes in handy, I'll give it a go. I'm not staking too much in it (it's getting the 9pm Friday slot, don't forget), but as long as it's not too procedural, CBS may have something here.