Summer TV Roundup, Week 2


Today I continue my look at all the new shows this summer. I review the pilot and second episode. It's going to be a long, packed summer season for TV as all channels — even networks — move toward a year-round programming model.

Monday Nights:
24: Live Another Day, Mondays at 9 p.m. on FOX
About: "24" was a wildly popular series for eight years, then ended its run. This limited, "event" series is careening toward the end of its 12-episode summer run. Those that enjoyed the show the first time around will likely be pleased with this current run. The familiar faces — those that survived those first eight seasons — are back, along with some new ones. The real time conceit still seems kind of fun, and kind of unbelievable ( a lot has happened in just three hours). And Kiefer Sutherland still gives you everything you'd want from this part. Of course, the morals and methods are still a little warped, but what can you do. Doubtless it will come to a satisfying conclusion sometime this summer, and those that have missed "24" these last few years will be there to see it.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C

Tuesday Nights:
Riot, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on FOX
About: This is the first volley in terms of new summer reality series, and it's a good one. The show is essentially sketch comedy — a cross between "SNL" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway" — that features celebrity guests, wild games, and a lot of fun. The premier episode featured Steve Carrell and had a lot of interesting games. This isn't the kind of series that holds up well in the crowded fall or spring, when each network has dozens of shows and reality phenomenons, but it does work well for the summer. It's light, breezy, and a good bit of fun.
Pilot Grade: B+

Sunday Nights:
Penny Dreadful, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Showtime
About: This is a monster series that sort of breaks new ground for Showtime. It's darker, weirder, and a good bit more unsettling than their average show. It's got a good cast and a good period setting. There are some interesting characters, and it feels like this is headed somewhere interesting. However, through the first two episodes, not a lot has happened. I don't mind a slow burn, but I still don't have a feel for what this series wants to be. The second episode had some unsettling scenes, introduced more characters, and had some uncomfortable scenes (including uncomfortable sex scenes). That can be OK, but it has to be leading somewhere. So far this is a well crafted series, and there is something that seems to suggest a larger narrative and some great potential, but so far it's hard to tell what that is. And for a short-run series (this first season has just eight episodes), you should know more about where it's going after 25 percent of the season has aired.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C

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