Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Valley Wire - 9/20/2010

Hollywood Returns to TV
By Mary Beth Gentle

It’s that time of year again. Young children everywhere are returning to school and prepping to write that ever popular, ‘How I spent my summer vacation’ report. Well, as I prepare for the return of TV this Fall, I can tell you right now how I spent my summer vacation, I cleared out the DVR. I watched the things that I recorded throughout the year but never had the time to watch. I deleted the shows that I knew I would never really watch and I’m at close to ninety percent of available space and ready to go for the new season.

I have made room for the returning favorites; Chuck, Glee, Modern Family, Survivor, Fringe and The Amazing Race. These are the core shows that are guaranteed to please. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to test out a few new ones. I have studied the sites, reviewed the lists and watched the trailers. And there are quite a few that will make the first cut.

The Event is the first on the list. The official Press release from NBC says, “The Event is an emotional, high-octane conspiracy thriller that follows Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), an everyman who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Leila and unwittingly begins to expose the biggest cover-up in US History. Sean’s quest will send ripples through the lives of an eclectic band of strangers, including newly elected U.S. President Martinez (Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood); Sophia (Emmy Award nominee Laura Innes), who is the leader of a mysterious group of detainees; and Sean's shadowy father-in-law (Scott Patterson). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind.” This could fall along the wayside much like Flash Forward did last season, but I can’t help having hopes that this one will hold enough mystery and drama to make it. The Event airs Monday nights at 9PM on NBC and premieres on September 2oth.

Next on the list is, Hawaii Five-O. The official Press release from CBS says, “Hawaii Five-O is a contemporary take on the classic series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Islands' sun-drenched beaches. Detective Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin), a decorated Naval officer turned cop, returns to Oahu to investigate his father's murder and stays after Hawaii's governor persuades him to head up the new team: his rules, her backing, no red tape and full blanket immunity to hunt down the biggest "game" in town. Joining McGarrett is Detective Danny "Danno" Williams (Scott Caan), a newly relocated ex-New Jersey cop who prefers skyscrapers to the coastline but is committed to keeping the Islands safe for his 8-year-old daughter; and Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim), an ex-Honolulu Police Detective wrongly accused of corruption and relegated to a federal security patrol, who is also a former protege of McGarrett's father. Chin's cousin, Kono (Grace Park), is a beautiful and fearless native, fresh out of the academy and eager to establish herself among the department's elite. McGarrett vows to bring closure to his father's case while the state's brash new FIVE-0 unit, who may spar and jest among themselves, is determined to eliminate the seedy elements from the 50th state.” I can’t help myself with this one, it looks like the ‘popcorn’ TV show for next season. I may not tune in every week for the car crashes and explosions, but it might be worth loading the DVR up with this one for next summer’s viewing! Hawaii Five-O airs Monday nights at 10PM on CBS and premieres on September 20th.

And finally on the list is No Ordinary Family. The official press release from ABC says, “The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie's relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something's not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers. But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them. The Powells are a totally relatable family who happen to be a little bit amazing.” This one could be silly, but I have hopes that it might be worth watching. No Ordinary Family airs Tuesday nights at 8PM on ABC and premieres on September 28th.

So no matter which old shows you tune back into or which new ones you check out, get your DVR’s ready and settle in with a bowl of popcorn – the new season of TV is here! Enjoy!

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