I am seeing the light at the end of the TV screen’s tunnel; one more week, and the premieres will turn from a flood to a trickle. Tonight’s offerings are kind of like…a puddle.
CBS:
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” at 9 P.M. The first “CSI” remains the only “CSI” I bother watching, although not religiously. (Sometimes I just need to see graphic close-up shots of someone’s rib-bones being shattered by a carving knife, you know?) Laurence Fishburne is back this year, and apparently the show’s attempts to make him more appealing will involve getting his character to stop wearing suits. Oooookay then!
“The Mentalist” at 10 P.M. This is a show I have no need for, but it was one of the only hits to come out of last season, so obviously, someone needs it. Or maybe they all just need some Simon Baker in their lives (and who can blame ’em?).
ABC:
“FlashForward” at 8 P.M. (It replays again on Friday at 8) This is one of the most hyped shows of the season, and probably one of the most anticipated. Something has to take the place of “Lost” when it ends in May, and ABC is sure hoping this will be it. Here’s what I hope: That the writers have gone into this show with an end plan, and do not flail about and make shit up as they go along, as so often was the case with “Lost.” The plot–everyone in the world blacks out for two minutes and 17 seconds, and experiences visions of their lives six months in the future–certainly reeks of a set-up with no pre-determined payoff. It’s just too bad I can’t black out and see what the show will look like six months from now and tell you whether it’s worth the time.
“Grey’s Anatomy” at 9 P.M. Last year, giving Izzie cancer was not enough to make her character tolerable. Alas, she wasn’t the one who ended up dying, so she’s back this year, probably miserable that she’s still alive. Believe me, girlfriend. We’re ALL miserable about that.
