This proves once again that the average American just wants to turn off his brain when it comes time to plop down on the couch and watch the tube. I'm not sure how to solve this problem, other than to convince the networks to convince the advertisers that sometimes quality is better than quantity.
Bright, engaged viewers who are willing to lock in for a demanding, challenging show are far more likely to retain something from the ads that float across the airwaves. Or something like that. Anyway, we had low expectations going in for Friday Night Lights because it was just made into a movie a few years ago, but the pilot was phenomenal.
The game action could use some work (too many close ups, implausible scenarios, and continuity issues), but the human drama was fabulous. Peter Berg strikes me as one of those guys who knows an incredible amount about the world, yet is able to deliver it in a manner that is easy to digest and completely lacking in pretense. Is that genius? It might be.
6. Shark. One recent trend in studio television is to anchor a new series with a proven actor. Ever since Keifer Sutherland started blowing everyone off the screen as Jack Bauer, networks have been eager to get their greedy little paws on a proven commodity.
We've seen Jeremy Piven light things up on Entourage, Dennis Leary absolutely dominate on Rescue Me, Steve Carrell own the comedy world on The Office, and even Martin Sheen pass as a president on The West Wing. It makes me wonder what would happen if Leo DiCaprio ever did an episodic drama; we'd probably wet our collective pants.
This year Bridget Moynahan lends a hand on Six Degrees, Amanda Peet stars on Studio 60, and Ray Liotta crashed and burned on Smith. The latest attempts have ranged from "largely irrelevant" to "unmitigated disaster," with one notable exception: James Woods is owning his new role as a defense attorney-turned-prosecutor.
Episodic legal shows have done well for decades and this latest incarnation appears to be following in that tradition as it is holding up in the ratings and getting some pretty good buzz.
7. The Class. Here's our first sitcom. We've obviously become spoiled by the likes of The Office, Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Scrubs, because many of us absolutely cannot tolerate a laugh track. It makes you want to gouge your eyes out with a spoon. Nevertheless, this is actually a decent show with some funny lines and sight gags. We felt obligated to put a sitcom on here, so there you go. Let's see if it sticks.
8. Ugly Betty. People seem to really love this show, which makes sense, as it is pulling off the rarely seen "Double Rip." Not only is it an American version of a Telenovella, it is also blatantly cashing in on the success of The Devil Wears Prada. Amazing. That said, it is still well done, funny, and occasionally poignant.
Article comments
1 - Maura
Not sure what you mean about Skeet Ulrich's vacant stares. I think he is great and he's the main reason I tune in - don't you think his expressions are part of his character?
2 - Eric Berlin
I love the power rankings Adam -- really fantastic idea!
I've stuck with Jericho thus far, but I'm nearly done with it. Beyond learning about how the hell the US got nuked out its gourd, it's not really interesting at all. But the guy who played Hearst on Deadwood is on it, which helps.
3 - margaritanava
I was very upset to find out that they canned the show. They never even gave it a chance I saw all the episodes, and I believe that there are far more worse shows than Smith. Very upset to hear they will not be back on the air. I may not supoort CBS.
Thanks
4 - salsa queen
I really enjoyed Smith and looked forward to watching it. This had a very good storyline. It's too bad cause I rarely watch shows on CBS. They made a big mistake to get rid of it. This is the second time this has happened to me in two years. The series "Over There" on FX was a very good show and I was hooked. I looked forward to the 2nd season and then it was pulled. I can't help, but believe that the ratings were the only reasons these two were pulled.
5 - Joan Hunt
Congratulations! This article has been selected for placement on Advance.net
6 - Mike
I love Gerald McRaney, so I watched Jericho the first week and have kept up with it since. It's a great show. I just hope it lasts. It stinks every year when the shows I get into get cancelled. But Jericho has done really well so far, gaining viewers in its second week, which is rare. So CBS should keep it for a while.
7 - smithfan
If you are upset that CBS cancelled Smith, consider filing a complaint.
With enough viewer complaints, CBS may reconsider its cancelling of the marvelous fast-paced Smith with its excellent cast including Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker and Amy Smart and the show's superb writing.
Blame it on CBS's bad marketing, its only giving the show three episodes of airtime, and CBS's lack of promoting online viewing of earlier episodes of Smith for those who needed to catch up.
CBS could have given a better re-cap at the beginning of episodes for new viewers just tuning in. It could have re-run the episodes during off-hours, much like Bravo does, to allow viewers to catch up.
To complain, call CBS viewer relations at any time day or night to leave a message, or, to reach a live person, call during the hours of 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST - telephone CBS viewer relations at 212-975-3247.
You may also go to CBS's feedback form online to submit your complaint. Smith is still listed in the shows on that feedback form.
You may also sign this online petition to CBS to bring back Smith.
8 - Susan
I don't know how CBS is keeping Jericho around. Nor can I figure out what kind of viewer actually follows this show as the research the writers do is next to zero and the story line is so inplausible after the actual explosion itself. Last time I was in Kansas I don't remember seeing any mountains. HMMM. I certainly don't see much radioactive clean up going on, even though a huge deal was made of the rain, but I guess the bar-B-Que took precedences. Please CBS do us a favor and drop this show.
9 - Susan
I don't understand how this show is still in the lineup. The writers/producers show they do little research as they keep passing off implausible situations/facts to the audience. Mountains in Kansas? No attempt at radioactive clean up, but yet a bar-b-que? The characters themselves very shallow and trite. Please do us a favor and drop this show!
10 - Adam Hoff
It is interesting that the comments have focused mainly on bringing Smith back and getting rid of Jericho. I find both of those shows to be mediocre, which would tend to produce lukewarm responses. Curious.
I'm not usually one to root for shows to be cancelled, but if a crappy show in some way (either by directly beating out a better show in the rankings, or by simply occupying a "viewing slot" for someone in another show's target audience) damages the chances of a better show staying on the air, I can understand the sentiment. In the case of Jericho, it is one of the many new shows employing the "one season, one story" concept made so popular by shows like Lost and 24. I believe that the average TV consumer (even someone who watches a lot of shows) only has the capacity to invest in a few of these shows at any given time. So if Jericho gets the ratings, it could mean that people who might otherwise be watching a show like The Nine now are not.
Anyway, good comments all around. I've had the TiVo fired up all week so that I can update the power rankings next week. Here's a sneak preview: it is going to be a bad week for sitcoms.
11 - kim
SMITH WAS A GREAT SHOW DONT YOU GET IRED OF SEEING THE SAME OLD THINGS IT WAS FRESH AND SOMETHING NEW GO TO WWW.SMITH-ON-CBS.COM SGN THE PETITION GET THE SHOW BACK ON AIR
12 - carol
If anything CSI: Miami is in need of the ax. I recently was stuck in the hospital and the only thing to watch was reruns of CSI:Miami. I had forgotten how good the show was to begin with. But now it's all about color and bad acting with terrible story lines. Come on CBS. Stop dragging it out and cancel the show. PLEASE!