TVSquad

The other day, Keith, Bob and I gave you a preview of NBC's new pilots, based on the screeners that have been coming into the TV Squad home office (which, in pure Lettermanian fashion, is located in Wahoo, Nebraska). Today, we tell you what CBS has in store for the 2006-07 season. They don't have too many new shows -- they're in first place, after all -- so this will be short and sweet. Remember, these are only "previews"; even though we'll give our impressions, many things about the show may change by the time the pilots air.

Here's what we'll be previewing: The Class, Smith, Jericho, and Shark (even the titles are short and sweet!).

The Class
(Mondays at 8:30PM ET)

Premise of the screener: Ethan is so in love with his fiancee, he arranges a party on the 20th anniversary of the day they met -- on the first day of 3rd grade. He invites a bunch of people from that 3rd grade class, and some of them connect and reconnect with each other in various ways.

Joel says: The creative pedigree is there -- David Crane (Friends) and Jeffery Klarik (Mad About You) are the producers and it is directed by TV veteran James Burrows (Cheers, Will & Grace) -- but there's something missing from this show. The tie that binds a lot of these people is very weak; I mean, how many people from your third-grade class do you remember? Unlike the other shows Crane, Burrows, and Klarik have worked on, there is no already-established close relationship (except for maybe the couple rekindling their flame from high school, which includes Andrea Anders from Joey) that helps explain to viewers how these people will remain close through the duration of the series. There were some cuckle-worthy moments, but overall, the pilot isn't enticing me to stay with these people for the long-term.



Smith
(Tuesdays at 10PM ET)

Premise of the screener: Bobby Stevens (Ray Liotta) is a devoted family man but also the leader of an international gang of crooks who rob banks and museums. The first episode details the planning of a museum robbery, and what led up to it.

Bob says: Very enjoyable, stylish, violent, and gritty. But I'm worried. Does America really want to see yet another plot-heavy, character-driven show about a gang of crooks, after Hustle, Thief, and Heist? I hope viewers (and CBS) give this show a chance.


Jericho
(Wednesdays at 8PM ET)

Premise of the screener: Jake (Skeet Ulrich) returns to his small Kansas town after several years away. While he's there, some sort of explosion goes off in the distance and the town is cut off from everything when the power and communication goes out. Nuclear war? Terrorists? Something else?

Bob says: Intriguing. This could do for small towns what Lost did for islands. After the pilot is over, you're definitely going to want to see the next episode to see what happens to these characters. Has a real, 50s small town sci-fi movie vibe to it, and the premise could keep viewers hooked. No mystery numbers, monsters or hatches, but its "this could really happen" plot could hold viewers' interest.


Shark
(Thursdays at 10PM ET)

Premise of the screener: Sebastian Stark is one kick-ass defense attorney, and he enjoys wiping the floor of the courtroom with the prosecution. In fact, he soon finds he's too good at his job when the wrong man is let free. The "Shark" is wooed over to the side of the District Attorney's office to help their high-profile case unit get better at putting guilty people away, and we see the results of their first case together.

Keith says: Think House, but instead of a doctor in a hospital we have a lawyer in a courtroom. But don't go thinking this show has the same kind of wit. Woods is good in the role, but I found the first case they handle to be pretty boring. If they could spice up the dialog a bit and improve on the cases they prosecute, it really could be the House of law. Until that happens, I don't see myself putting this on my must-see list.

(Photo Credits: CBS)