TV Mad Man

FOX is once again using its biggest platform, American Idol, to launch a new comedy as the performance shows downsize to 90-minutes. This Wednesday at 9:30/8:30c, Breaking In, a late pickup staring Reaper‘s Bret Harrison and the man that just keeps on trying to have a successful show Christian Slater lead an ensemble about a corrupt tech company that tests the world’s leading systems. The pilot is surprisingly fresh and I am looking forward to more episodes but if you don’t latch on now, six episodes may be all we get.

Below check out 5 previews for the upcoming series…

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Some casting news to start a slow Tuesday. 24‘s long-time heroin Kiefer Sutherland is teaming back up with his eight-season network. FOX has cast him in the 20th and Chernin Entertainment pilot Touch that surrounds a father (Sutherland) who’s autistic son can seemingly predict the future with various methods. However, due to Sutherland’s Broadway show That Champonship Season, he is unable to shoot the pilot (which is to be directed by The Good Wife‘s Charles McDougall) until late May, which only allows the pilot to be in contention for midseason.

Touch is written by Heroes‘ creator Tim Kring, and having read the script is an intriguing concept and story that is sure to get my attention. You may think of Kring and go, really, as he did not have the biggest repour at running a series beyond a stellar first season, but this may be a whole another animal but it does have a distinct worldly feel as Heroes did.

Big night for NBC and the rest of the networks, see whats on the plate…

The New NBC Comedy Night w/ Perfect Couples, Parks & Recreation, More… – Starts 8/7c on NBC

WE ARE BACK!! NBC’s almost perfect comedy line-up returns tonight, super sized! I will go show by show to chronicle what to watch. First up is Community, which re-launches tonight with Malcolm Jamel-Warner as Shirley’s ex-husband. This show is on a streak of funny, much like ABC’s Cougar Town, I highly recommend, but you might want to check out after that, as Perfect Couples debuts at 8:30/7:30c. The comedy surrounds 3 couples, each in a different stage of marriage/dating with stars Olivia Munn, Christine Woods, and more. I have seen three episodes, and while their is some charm, it is painfully unfunny.

Tune back in however at 9/8c, when Steve Carell’s final episodes of The Office begin, it won’t be long until we are Michael-less, but the real highlight of NBC comedy is the return of Parks and Recreation, the painfully funny look at local government through the eyes of Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is on the top of its game with new stars Rob Lowe and Adam Scott, I have seen six episodes of the new year, and each episode is so good in its own way. 30 Rock and Outsourced finish the night off and think  you know which one to tune out (hint: the latter).

Royal Pains – 9/8c on USA

The crew in the Hamptons is back tonight for a winter run (sounds weird for such as summer show), and the premiere focuses on the aftermath of Hank’s father’s revelation and some needed medical help at a golf course with guest stars Tom Cavanaugh and Amy Sedaris, fun ensues in a classic episode.

American Idol – 8/7c on FOX

Did you watch yesterday’s premiere with new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler? Well, ratings tell us a lot of you did but not as many as previous years. I enjoyed the new panel quite a lot as they focused more on the good than the bad last night, and lets hope that continues. What I don’t want to continue, the auditions, I want to hear the live singing!

Fairly Legal – 10/9c on USA

USA network continues after Royal Pains, with its newest dramedy, this one with a very fun female lead. Life‘s Sarah Shahi, stars as Kate Reed, a young lawyer turned mediator at her dead father’s firm, where she must battle her step-mom, her boyfriend, and unruly clients. This is by far not USA’s best outing in original fare, but is certainly one I am seeing through, having seen three episodes (including the pilot and finale), Sarah shines as Kate, she is infectiously fun, happy, and all around awesome. She is one to watch, as well as this fine show that showcases that wonderful talent.

Quick takes on tonight’s new fare…

MTV's Skins

Chuck – 8/7c on NBC

We are back! Chuck returns tonight after a way too long hiatus. Tonight, the crew heads to France on a mission, and Sarah gets a little scandalous.

Harry’s Law – 10/9c on NBC

David E. Kelley is back, after this last series Boston Legal left the airwaves in 2008, he has had a string of unsuccessful pilots, but he made it to our screens in 2011, this time, with Kathy Bates. Bates plays Harriet, a curmudgeon patent lawyer, that leaves her job, and starts helping needy people in a law practice/show store along with her assistant (Brittany Snow) and son (Nate Corddry). I have seen two episodes of the series as Kelley does best, the absurd and witty dialogue is high, the emotional depth is not. You might want to give this a one episode trial run to see if its your cup of tea.

Skins – 10/9c on MTV

Another UK import hits the wave tonight’s this time on MTV, which is trying hard to bring original fare. The US Skins’ however is similar to Showtime’s Shameless as it is a exact copy of the original, just changing cities and actors. I loved the British series, so I am very curious to how this comes out.

The Cape – 9/8c on NBC

What did you think of last week’s two-hour premiere, while I was not the biggest fan, upon second look, the series did have a nice edge to it, but I will be sad to say in this new episode where Faraday meets a new villain, things will have to look up quickly to keep this viewer around.

House – 8/7c on FOX

Huddy is back tonight, and I never thought it would this much affect on the veteran FOX drama. House has suffered creatively and ratings wise this year, but tonight’s episode puts a nice spin on the over-analyzing that they are giving Huddy. Candice Bergen is fun, as Cuddy’s mother, but I am really looking forward to when her sister shows up soon, played by “show-killer” Paula Marshall.

Being Human – 10/9c on Syfy

Fan of the UK series by the same name, then you most likely do not want to tune into the US/Canada remake of the series that revolves around three roommates: one ghost, one werewolf, and one vampire. After viewing three episodes of the new series, I can safely say that their is nothing new, or interesting to keep me tuning in for more.

Sunday night, almost the work week but some nice things to end the night with….

The Cape – 9/8c on NBC

NBC is still in deep trouble, with a looming change of hands with Comcast still in limbo with the Justice department, NBC is just airing what they have which tonight presents a new hero. The Cape, centers around Vince Faraday (David Lyons) a framed cop that turns to a life as a underground vigilante to help save his town and his son. I have seen the two-hour premiere, while it was not as horrendous as some are saying, it is nothing to tell your friends about. Geeky word of note: Summer Glau is the female lead, does that count for anything?

Bob’s Burgers – 8:30/7:30c on FOX

Another series debuts tonight after what is to be a epic battle ending with a Packers victory against the Eagles. FOX is most successful with Sunday animation and Bob’s Burgers joins the fray, with a comedy about a family struggling to open a successful joint. The premiere is funny if you like what they are already offering but when I don’t, nothing really substantial is available.

Brothers and Sisters – 10/9c on ABC

The 99th episode. I still remember the day I saw the premiere of ABC’s new family drama, that had heart, emotion, and great drama plus lots of wine. Now after five years, the show has aged but still holds a glimmer of its season one look. Tonight, Nora helps Holly make decisions on her post-amnesia life and Saul reunites with Jonathan (Richard Chamberlin).

Real Housewives of Atlanta – 10/9c on Bravo

Verdict on the new season? For me, mixed, while I enjoy NeNe’s escapades and Sheree’s new personality, the way-over-the-top Kim, still bugs me. Let’s hope on tonight’s road-trip with Kandi she can keep it together enough to give us just a little drama.