Yesterday, we gave you details on the new Fox schedule, a schedule heavy on singing competitions and light on new shows. However, a couple of those new shows look outstanding. A couple of others don't look so great. Based on the clips, however, Fox is likely to have a much better fall than NBC. There are definitely two hits here, and two others have the potential to be. The one from the creators of "How I Met Your Mother" looks terrible, which of course means that it'll be on for 12 seasons.
If I had to pick one surefire hit of the fall, The Mindy Project, formerly "It's Messy," looks like it'd definitely be the one. Based on the lengthy preview clip, it's not quite what I was expecting: A cute comedy set in an OBGYN's office. It's more cinematic in nature, and I hesitate to use the analogy because I know it'll turn some noses around here, but it's got a Bridget Jones in a hospital kind of vibe, plus a few minor quirks. Chris Messina, who always plays the boyfriend in whimsiquirkilicious indie comedies, is the love interest here, and Richard Schiff is the head of the hospital unit. Ed Helms and Bill Hader also have parts in the pilot. For what it is -- sitcom chick-lit -- it looks great. I have no idea why NBC passed on this project other than the fact that NBC has head-up-ass syndrome.
The Following: a 15-episode serial killer mystery with James Purefoy as the serial killer? Oh, hell yes. Kevin Bacon as the retired FBI Agent attempting to track him down is gravy, as is the evisceration of the victims and lots of violence. This actually does look like an FX show that Fox stole from them.
Ben & Kate also exceeds expectations. It looks decent, and the fact that it comes from a showrunner who wrote an outstanding episode of "Children's Hospital," gives it more potential. But it could also be a disaster.
Mob Doctor seems to combine elements of "The Sopranos," "House," and a procedural component. It's about a surgeon (Jordana Spiro) working for the mob as a CI for the FBI. Unfortunately, based on the clip, it looks very overcooked. Zeljko Ivanek, Zach Gilford and William Forsythe also star, so there's definitely some acting talent involved, but I don't think it's enough to overcome the "I'm not your typical doctor" bullsh*t.
Goodwin Games: I love Becki Newton. I love Scott Foley. This show, a midseason replacement, does not look good. At all. It involves three siblings apparently playing a game of Trivial Pursuit to see who ends up winning their father's $23 million inheritance. The jokes ... oh, the jokes. They're so bad.
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All I want is Nat Faxon and Lucy Punch to get on a spaceship to Mars so we never have to see them on TV or in movies again. *shudder*
I don’t know who Nat Faxon is but I absolutely co-sign the trip for Lucy Punch. What is her appeal exactly?
Beats me. A comedic actress needs to either be quite funny or pretty enough to pass with less talent, but Lucy Punch seems to fail on both accounts.
Great cause. I’ll chip in $20 and this half-eaten sandwich.
Think the promos will mention he’s an oscar winner?
Was I supposed to get teary eyed after watching that Ben+Kate promo?
Do I even need to say that I’m going to watch the hell out of The Mindy Project? Even if I didn’t love Mindy already, the bike scene alone would’ve won me over.
Wow- way to go Fox. All of these look decent although I doubt I’ll watch Mob Doctor or The Following. I’d put the Goodwyn games as a darkhorse to end up being the next show the internet loves but can’t find the ratings.
Also Scott Foley reminded me that I’m willing to pay top dollar for someone to burn the entire run of The Unit onto DVD but edit out every scene involving the wives at home.
NBC seriously passed on the Mindy Project? Every girl in North America is going to watch that and consequently all us boyfriends. Considering how few good shows there are for couples to watch together it’s gonna be huge.
I thought this exact thing. Seems like it fall juuuuust on the right (or wrong, depending on your point of view) side of “screw it I’ll go play video games.”
I liked the Goodwin Games more when it was the video for The Shins’ “Simple Song”
Holy shit. Well played.
ah called yew
Am I the only one who kind of wants The Following to be only the one season, just to make sure James Purefoy is available to be someone on Game of Thrones? Cause he HAS to be on that show at some point, or something’s wrong with the world.
I would like it to be one season so that it serves as a giant FUCK YOU to The Killing.
I’d say that these all look like movie trailers, but it felt like each was the full movie itself.
Needs more monkeys riding remote control ambulances.
That’s true about everything ever.
The Mindy Project looks like shit