Friday night used to be a TV wasteland filled with re-runs, but networks are stepping up and actually airing original programs, some of them brand-spanking new. (But really all I care about is the return of “Medium” at 8 P.M. on CBS. I just hope the earlier air time doesn’t mean a more family-friendly hour of gruesome murder!)
CBS:
“Blue Bloods,” 10 P.M.
What Is It?: A drama about a multigenerational family of police officers in New York, starring Donnie Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, and Tom Selleck’s mustache.
Why To Watch: It could prove to be a uniquely dark and gritty look at police officers and corruption in the big city. Plus, the cast is pretty good, and you really like mustaches.
Why To Turn the Channel: CBS might not have the guts to actually get dark and gritty, in which case you’re just left with another crime drama.
NBC:
“Outlaw,” 10 P.M. (Technically, this premiered last week. Twice! But since there was only one other new series premiere tonight, I figured, what the heck.)
What Is It?: A legal drama about a conservative Supreme Court Justice who quits the court in order to travel across America and fight for the downtrodden. In other words, a fairy tale!
Why To Watch: You like star Jimmy Smits, and are convinced there’s gotta be some reason Conan O’Brien is producing this thing.
Why To Turn the Channel: If the pilot episode is any indication, it’s really not that different from any other number of legal dramas currently on TV, so ones opinion of Jimmy Smits seems to be the deciding factor in whether or not to watch…
