TVSquad

So the networks have given their upfront presentations. It's not easy to pick which shows look the best. Sure, we can base our judgments on what "type" of show we usually like anyway or a producer that's involved or someone who is in the lead. But we're still just basing it on a description (or a snippet from each show). It really comes down to the writing and the execution in general.

Having said all that, here are the shows that look great to me, based on the upfront description, the cast and crew involved, and how my tastes run in general.

1. Truth In Advertising (TNT): I'll admit that half of the reason I'm interested in this show is because of Mad Men (and also because I was in advertising for years). But have you seen the cast? Eric McCormack from Will & Grace, Tom Cavanagh from Ed, Sarah Clarke from 24, Griffin Dunne from 3 lbs, Monica Potter from Boston Legal, and Mike Damus from Lost in Yonkers? That's a great cast there. Hopefully this will be a just as engaging look at a modern ad agency as Mad Men is at one in 1960.

2. The Mentalist (CBS): Part of me is worried that this will be more CSI than Banacek, but the first sneak peak at the link above has me intrigued. Simon Baker (The Guardian, Smith) stars as a former TV psychic who admits that he isn't psychic but has really good powers of observation and deduction. He helps police solve crimes and butts heads with others. Baker's a good actor, and if this goes the Columbo route instead of being just another procedural show, it could be worth watching.

3. Fringe (FOX): I'll pretty much catch anything J.J. Abrams does. He's not perfect, but I've liked what he's done (Lost, Alias, etc). As Jason explained the other day, this show is about a team of FBI investigators who are called in after a bunch of people die on a plane at Boston's Logan Airport (that's scary for me on so many levels). I'm not sure if all of Abrams' shows will now be about planes, but this has a creepy X-Files feel to it, and that could be cool.

4. Dollhouse (FOX): This is one of the shows I don't have a clue about. The plot has something to do with a team of investigators (agents? heroes?) who have their personalities/memories erased so they can be programmed for various assignments. But it's from Joss Whedon and stars Elisha Dushku, so I'm there.

5. My Own Worst Enemy (NBC): I'm still not sure if this is a straight drama or a comedy with dramatic elements, but the plot sounds like fun. Christian Slater is a normal husband and father who has another identity as a spy. Sounds a lot like a male version of the Geena Davis movie The Long Kiss Goodnight, which I really liked. Of course, it's going to be on Mondays at 10, which we all know is the death slot at NBC recently. But I'll give this a shot too.

I'm also kinda looking forward to ABC's Life On Mars, though I wonder if watching the British original will push me towards not bothering to watch it. As for TNT's late night sketch show National Banana Already In Progress ... well, any show with a title like that is worth looking forward to.