Fall Lineup Frenzy 2006 Part III: CBS - Page 2

Tuesday

8-9 p.m.: NCIS
9-10 p.m.: The Unit
10-11 p.m. Smith

From the CBS Press Release:

SMITH (Tuesday, 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) stars Emmy Award winner Ray Liotta ("ER," "Goodfellas,") as a criminal mastermind in a drama about a close-knit crew of career criminals who plot and execute intricate and ingenious high-stakes heists across the country. Though Bobby Stevens (Liotta) appears to be a regular family man with a nine-to-five job, he's actually an expert thief who is seeking just two or three more big jobs so he can finally leave the business for a comfortable, lawful lifestyle with his wife, Hope (Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen, "Sideways").

Bobby's second family, his core band of partners, each bring their own areas of expertise to pulling off the biggest and most sophisticated armed robberies. The FBI is determined to catch the team but is most interested in capturing "Smith," the crew's mysterious leader and the brains behind the entire operation. It remains to be seen whether Bobby will be able to extricate himself in time from the scores that give him such a rush, or if his retirement will be a forced one — behind bars. Jonny Lee Miller ("Trainspotting"), Franky G ("Saw II"), Simon Baker ("The Guardian") and Amy Smart ("Felicity") also star. Emmy Award winner John Wells ("ER," "The West Wing") is the executive producer for Warner Bros. Television.

My Thoughts: Tuesday night is certainly bolstered by Smith, one of CBS' three new dramas. This show will certainly be a high-profile show for CBS with Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen as leads and John Wells (of The West Wing and ER) producing. The premise is a familiar one (career thief wants to get out of the game) but if it can live up to the hype that will undoubtedly come in the next couple of months, it will have a home on CBS for a while.

Wednesday

8-9 p.m.: Jericho
9-10 p.m.: Criminal Minds
10-11 p.m.: CSI: NY

The official Press Release:

JERICHO (Wednesday, 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) is a drama about what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, plunging the residents of a small, peaceful Kansas town into chaos, leaving them completely isolated and wondering if they're the only Americans left alive. Fear of the unknown propels Jericho into social, psychological and physical mayhem when all communication and power is shut down. The town starts to come apart at the seams as terror, anger and confusion bring out the very worst in some residents.

But in this time of crisis, as sensible people become paranoid, personal agendas take over and well-kept secrets threaten to be revealed, some people will find an inner strength they never knew they had and the most unlikely heroes will emerge. Skeet Ulrich ("Scream"), Gerald McRaney ("Ike: Countdown to D-Day"), Ashley Scott ("Dark Angel"), Pamela Reed ("Proof of Life"), Kenneth Mitchell ("The Recruit"), Lennie James ("Sahara"), Sprague Grayden ("Six Feet Under"), Michael Gaston ("Prison Break") and Erik Knudsen ("Saw II") star. Jon Turteltaub ("National Treasure"), Stephen Chbosky ("Rent") and Carol Barbee ("Judging Amy") are executive producers for CBS Paramount Network Television, in association with Junction Entertainment.

My Thoughts: CBS' attempt at sci-fi, Threshold, did not make it very long last season. Now, CBS seems to be trying its hand at a Lost-style psychological drama with Jericho. Jericho airs an hour before ABC's popular show, so it may be able to attract some of the same viewers. I like the show's premise (it reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode or two) and if things don't get too convoluted, it could be pretty good. My only concern is how well it will work with the shows that are following it, both of which are crime dramas. It's entirely possible that viewers will skip Jericho to catch the shows they already enjoy.

Article Author: Sterfish

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