What is wrong with the viewing public? A repeat of Shark on on CBS beat a new episode of Raines on NBC, starring the wonderful and quirky Jeff Goldblum! I've been following the ratings at Entertainment Now, and although I don't know what the numbers mean, it's easy to tell who wins.
I'm not knocking Shark, which stars the equally charismatic and gifted actor James Woods, because I haven't been watching it. I tried it, it didn't appeal (even though it is supposed to be House with lawyers). But really, people won't give up a repeat to try something new?
Raines has a wonderful premise, that of a homicide detective who hallucinates that he's talking to the victims. It has the versatile actor Matt Craven as Raines' boss, a super-good female uniform cop (played by Linda Park of Star Trek: Enterprise), a goofy/dopey white male uniform (actor-comedian Dov Davidoff of Third Watch), a smart and slightly snarky young female desk jockey (Nicole Sullivan from MadTV), Raines' shrink (Madeleine Stowe), and occasionally, his dead partner (Malik Yoba).
Most of all Raines has Jeff Goldblum, with his sly smile, big brown eyes, his soft and sometimes stuttering delivery. Although Raines is eccentric and sarcastic, Goldblum also brings a sweetness to the role. Raines can wield a gun and has no problem using it, but he's the farthest thing from tough-guy cops like Micheal Chiklis' Vic Mackey from The Shield, which is also set in L.A.
To be fair, Raines is not going for the realism of gritty shows like FX's The Shield, or HBO's The Wire. The show takes its cue from Raines himself, a would-be writer who moved to L.A. because of Raymond Chandler mystery novels. Although set in the present, the whole show has a noir feel that harkens back to the '40s. With Jeff Goldblum as mediator, it is an entertaining mix.
So if you haven't already, I recommend giving Raines a try. What have you got to lose, except a rerun?
.jpg?t=20120209092158)
Article comments
1 - Tuffy
During a bout with insomnia last night, I pounded through all the episodes of Raines currently posted at nbc.com. As a huge fan of Goldblum, Graham Yost (executive producer of Raines, Boomtown, Band of Brothers), and much of the rest of the cast, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the first five episodes.
The scripts are by-the-numbers mysteries. The psychiatrist extracting feelings from Raines tells the viewer that they're not bright enough to learn about him by their own observations. The "I kinda-sorta see dead people" conceit should be interesting due to the unique spin Yost puts on the tired trick, but it's still more distracting than intriguing.
Goldblum tries to punch up the scripts with his trademark mannerisms and stylized natural diction, but I don't know if there's anything he can do. He spends far too much of his time "telling, not showing"; I believe I scared my neighbors when, at 3 am, I shouted at my laptop, "STOP EXPLAINING THINGS!"
If NBC brings this mid-season replacement back next year, I'll give it another shot. However, I don't have much confidence; NBC retooled Yost's last show in its second season after weak first-year ratings and made it simply awful. If Vanessa Williams appears, I'll know the show is doomed.
2 - Nancy
Thanks for your comments. I'm sorry you feel that way. I must say the shrink scenes do nothing for me; I much prefer the non-existent partner. As for the by-the-numbers plots, I can't really comment, because so far they haven't bothered me (probably because I'm not trying to figure them out particularly). What I love watching is the interplay between Jeff Goldblum and everyone else. And that's what will make this show sink or swim -- the characters. I'm a big fan on of "House," and what makes it special is not the medical procedural aspects; it the characters, the zingy lines, and the cast, particularly Hugh Laurie.
3 - BoffleB.
I've tried to watch Raines a few times since I do like Jeff Goldblum and love noir, but sorry, the show doesn't make much sense to me and Goldblum's mumbled delivery is often nearly incomprehensible. The whole idea of the show seems like something made up by a committee who said let's cross Medium (which I like) with an idiosyncratic character like House (and I do love House) and make it noir-ish (also a fave with me). So, some mix of those elements might work for me, but sadly this doesn't. It's more annoying than compelling. I'd just as soon see it end quickly and everyone move on.
4 - Kurt Munro
I've only seen the first 3 episodes. I think it's a decent series, but I think it would come into its own if it was given a full series of 20 episodes or so, so they can introduce some sort of story arch at the very beginning that doesn't finish until the last episode.
It's a bit like The X-files season 1 where each episode is standalone. It needs more episodes to introduce something like UFO conspiracies like the X-Files did. If you miss an episode of Raines, it's not like you've missed out and won't be able to view the next episode. However, that's not a good thing in Raines' case.
5 - Diane Kristine
I like Raines - it's not must see TV at all, but it's sort of TV comfort food. Jeff Goldblum sells it though. Without him, I'm not sure it would hold my interest.
6 - Nancy
I hear you, Kurt and Diane. I thought the most recent episode was more compelling than most, with Raines really struggling and not quite so glib. It also upped the stakes -- will he lose his job if he confesses his hallucinations to the shrink? I wonder how long this story line can be supported. Can Raines remain traumatized and hallucinating forever?
This coming week is the season finale; I guess that means they haven't ordered up more. Wouldn't surprise me if it's not picked up again.