American Gladiators
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Premiere: 1/6/08 9/8c
Hosts: Hulk Hogan, Laila Ali
Network: NBC
I still remember the theme song (don’t worry I’ll spare you) and the sets to the first American Gladiators. It’s amazing that we can look back at that show and say, “Remember when ‘reality’ TV is fun and entertaining without making you feel like a weird voyeur?” Well, that was what AG was all about, and it seems like we’re overdue for round two. With a brand new cast of visually appealing (looking at you Crush) and physically imposing athletes set to tear the average man or woman limb from limb for home viewer’s base satisfaction. Add Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali to mix as host’s and it looks things might be even better the second time around.
Lost: Season 4
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Premiere: 1/31/08 9/8c
Cast: Matthew Fox, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Terry O’Quinn, Naveen Andrews
Network: ABC
Millions of primetime television viewers cried their eyes out the moment the writers strike got started, and a lot of those fans cried about Lost. Personally, I never thought that an edgier version of Gilligan’s Island would do that well (but what the hell do I know) but the numbers don’t lie. Fans of the show should be overjoyed that the cast is back, and the story that has gotten (admittedly) pretty complex or the seasons will finally move forward.
Battlestar Galactica: Final Season
Premiere: March 2008
Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Jamie Bamber
Network: Sci-Fi Channel
There are several people out in the world that would disregard a show like Battlestar Galactica because of the ‘sci-fi’ moniker. Those people are missing out and you should pat them on the shoulder and say, “There, there it will be ok, the show doesn’t need you anyway.” Edward James Olmos leads an all-star cast in one of the most imaginative makeovers in television history. The original BSG was nothing worth writing home about, and to take that hot mess and make a great show is sheer brilliance.
The Wire: Final Season
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Premiere: 1/6/08 9pm
Cast: Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Domenick Lombardozzi, Frankie R. Faison, Clarke Peters, and Sonja Sohn.
Network: HBO
Cable did us all a favor when they decided to get into original programming. Without the restraint of network censorship, cable shows can tell stories with gritty realism that even the most adult primetime cop drama’s can’t match. The Wire is the perfect example of high drama with an ensemble cast. The story follows a rough section of Baltimore as it is effected by the actions of all it citizens, from the drug dealers to the politicians, no subject is off limits, and no character comes through anything unscathed. Knowing that this is the final season is bitter sweet, newcomers should definitely check this show out so that they will be inspired to get the DVD collection.
The Apprentice: Celebrity Apprentice
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Premiere: 1/3/08
Cast: Tito Ortiz, Lennox Lewis, Stephen Baldwin, Carol Alt, Trace Atkins, and Tiffany Fallon
Network: ABC
There used to be a time when it was obvious that a show had jumped the shark, and that things would be downhill from here on in. But with ‘reality’ TV it’s difficult when the point of the show is to be an awful train wreck. On its face, it looks like the Apprentice is about to jump a pool of sharks with their Celebrity Edition coming this fall, but after looking at the line up this might be the best season of The Apprentice ever! Smart money is that Tito Ortiz chokes the mess out of someone (my guess is Stephen Baldwin) before seasons end. Plus fan faves like Omarosa will be back for all the mayhem. With a good mix of pretty ladies, athletes, and daytime TV personalities, there will be plenty of chaos that you can’t help but watch.
Late Night with Conan O’Brien
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Premiere: 1/2/08 12:35/11:35c
Host: Conan O’Brien
Network: NBC
Despite the fact that it’s still too early to know who his celebrity guests will be, the most important part is that Conan will be back on the air come the first week of January. In a press release it was mentioned that Johnny Carson supported the writers strike (in 1988) for two months before begrudgingly going back to work, and it looks like Jay Leno and O’Brien are also following a similar procedure. The first few weeks back should the best time to watch, as the current situation in Hollywood is sure to come up more than once in the opening monologue.
The Shield: Final Season
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Premiere: 4/1/08
Cast: Michael Chiklis, CCH Pounder, Benito Martinez, Jay Karnes, Walton Goggins, Catherine Dent
Network: FX
What? You don’t watch The Shield? Dude seriously, I think you got sand in your shorts. Image someone taking the movies Training Day, Narc, and Bad Lieutenant and wrapping them into an ongoing series. Michael Chiklis surprised everybody playing Vic Mackey so convincingly after making a name for himself as the kind hearted ‘good cop’ on The Commish. Sadly this is the final season for The Shield, meaning that all you’ll get is a tease before buying the DVD set.
The Sarah Conner Chronicles
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Premiere: 1/13/08
Cast: Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Richard T. Jones, Summer Glau
Network: FOX
Interesting. That’s the first thought that springs to mind when I look over the premise for The Sarah Conner Chronicles. The show further extend the Terminator franchise and moves it to TV. However, is that Lena Headey (300)?!?!? Oh, I guess I have to watch every episode now. In all seriousness the cast has a good mix of veteran players and newcomers. Fox is a good fit for this kind of show, if it can survive its first season, it should be on for a while.
The Daily Show with John Stewart
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Premiere: 1/7/08 11/10c
Host: John Stewart
Network: Comedy Central
When John Stewart takes a break, a huge chunk of the young liberal population gets increasingly dumber until new show’s air. So if you’ve been fighting the urge to hit the local monster truck rally because Comedy Central has nothing new for you, hang in there a little longer, because the Calvary is on its way. Not only has the Daily Show become one of the most important pop cultural institutions in America, it also seems to be developing as a burgeoning star maker (Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms, and Steve Carell all came from the show). Be sure to tune in when new shows begin to air.
The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert
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Premiere: 1/7/08 11:30/10:30c
Host: Stephen Colbert
Network: Comedy Central
The final show is the second half of Comedy Central’s late night one two punch. This show scares the crap out of me more often than not. It always forces me to ask the same question, “I get it, but do they get it?” and I always think to myself, “God I hope so.” Big ups to Colbert for creating a show that is a perfect complement to the Daily Show and not an alternative. Every night Jon set’s us up, so that Stephen can knock us down. Tune in with me every night and watch Stephen Colbert makes us feel way better about the utter decline of human civilization.
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