Summer TV Roundup, Week 10


We're in the week after the Fourth of July and we hit a minor holiday-related lull in original content, but never fear more is coming. In theses weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new scripted (and occasional unscripted) fare this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Sunday Nights:
What Just Happened??!, Sundays at 9:30 p.m. on FOX (Premiered June 30)
About: This new series is a scripted series that is meant to play out like an unscripted series. It's a faux after show for a faux scripted phenomenon led by Fred Savage, playing a version of himself. There are moments that are amusing, and I kind of liked the second episode more than the first, but it's a bit of a stretch. It's a high concept idea, but it's on a network so it's not trying for a niche market. And it's dropped at an odd time during the summer on Sunday nights. It's fine, but not worth investing in.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

The Rook, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Starz (Premiered June 30)
About: This new series on Starz is based on a novel of the same name and focuses on a young woman with powers (Emma Greenwell) who wakes up with no memory on a bridge surrounded by bodies. By the end of the pilot she's realized that she works for a secret government agency, one of her co-workers is responsible for what happened, and she was lucky to survive. But she still has to piece together the mystery of who she is along with what happened, and why. And she has to do it all without appearing to miss a beat at work. This is a strong cast that includes familiar faces like Olivia Munn and Joely Richardson as well. It is well done, and I thought the first two episodes built up the story pretty well. It moved at a decent pace, though I thought the pilot was a touch better than the second episode. This feels like a different kind of series for Starz, and one that might work to give the network a different set of viewers.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

The Loudest Voice, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered June 30)
About: This new seven episode mini-series centers on Roger Ailes' life and career at FOX News Channel, which he helped launch and build to preeminence. Russell Crowe takes the lead role as Ailes and is fantastic. The series will also feature Naomi Watts as Gretchen Carlson, the anchor whose accusations brought Ailes time at FOX to an end. She wasn't featured in the first two episodes, which laid the groundwork for his fierce approach to building the brand and personal demons that led to his downfall. Crowe is quite good in the role, and the second episode, which featured the events of 9/11 and its immediate aftermath, was quite emotional and powerful at times. I thought the pilot was a touch better, but this feels like an interesting exploration of the man and topic.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

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