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PROJECT GARY -- is a comedy about Gary Barnes (Jay Mohr), a recently single painting contractor, and his controlling ex-wife, Allison (Paula Marshall, not shown), who face post-divorce mayhem after 15 years of marriage as they each embark on new relationships. Together, they share custody of their two children - Louise, a politically correct and environmentally conscious 11-year-old, and Tom, their socially awkward 14-year-old son who is nervous around girls. Charming and acerbic, Gary hasn't dated since the split, but finally connects with Vanessa (Jaime King ), a single mother whose condo he was hired to paint. PROJECT GARY will be broadcast Wednesdays (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Bounty of new programs come to prime-time TV
By MARY STEGMEIR, Courier Staff Writer
After suffering through last year's strike-ridden television season, the networks have produced a bumper crop of new comedies, dramas and reality programs for the fall. Starting next week, viewers will get a glimpse at one of the programs, with an early premiere of NBC's "America's Toughest Jobs" on Monday.
Other notable additions to prime time are Fox's "Fringe," a paranormal thriller created by J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias"), and NBC's "Crusoe," based on Daniel Defoe's classic survival novel. Comedies, including CBS's "Worst Week" and the peacock's "Kath & Kim" are already being heavily promoted.
Here is Pulse's read on the latest and greatest to hit the tube.
NBC
"America's Toughest Jobs"
Premieres Monday, 8 p.m.
Thom Beers, creator of "Ice Road Truckers," brings this new reality show to network TV. The premise is simple: Pluck office drones from their comfy cubicles and put them to work logging trees, drilling oil and mining gold.
Our take: Beers, who also produced "Deadliest Catch," already has a built-in fan base for this show. And promos showing a school teacher being gored by a bull are sure to draw in new fans attracted to the show's mix of grit and gumption.
"Knight Rider"
Premieres Wednesday Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
In a reincarnation of the hit '80s TV show, the redesigned and artificially intelligent KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) car returns to prime time to avenge the death of its creator.
Our take: Great for gearheads, feathered hair no longer required.
"Kath & Kim"
Premieres Thursday Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Self-absorbed Kim (Selma Blair, "Hellboy") separates from her husband and moves back home with mom, Kim Day (Molly Shannon, "Saturday Night Live"). The women butt heads but share a love of acrylic nails, big hair and faux diamond chips.
Our take: The promos for this Aussie-inspired show are insipid. We expected better from "Freaks and Geeks" creator Paul Feig.
"My Own Worst Enemy"
Premieres Monday, Oct. 13, 9 p.m.
Suburban dad Henry Spivey (Christian Slater) has absolutely nothing in common with government super-spy Edward Albright. That is, except for the fact they share the same body.
Our take: A great set-up, but can the series (and Slater) retain the twisted plot for a full season?
"Crusoe"
Premieres Friday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Based on the classic castaway tale, Philip Winchester ("Thunderbirds") plays the title role of a man marooned on a desert island. Flashbacks allow viewers to learn about Crusoe's past, while the character faces real-time adventures with friend Friday (Tongayi Charisa).
Our take: The 7 p.m. time slot suggests this will be the season's top family program.
Fox
"Fringe"
Premieres Tuesday, September 9, 7 p.m.
FBI agent Olivia Dunham works with institutionalized researcher Dr. Walter Bishop in an attempt to explain an uptick in paranormal happenings. Bishop's son (Joshua Jackson) joins in on the investigation.
Our take: This new series comes from the mind of thrill-master J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias"). Pulse predicts "Fringe" will become the next generation's "X-Files."
"Do Not Disturb"
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 10, 8:30 p.m.
Employees at The Inn, one of New York's top 10 hippest places to stay, feud and flirt their way through the 9-to-5. Jerry O'Connell ("Crossing Jordan") and Niecy Nash ("Reno 911!") lead an ensemble cast.
Our take: Cancelled by mid-season.
The CW
"90210"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 2., 7 p.m.
New faces encounter similar dramas at West Beverly Hills High School in this hyped remake.
Our take: The CW, known for hot teen dramas like "Gossip Girls" and "One Tree Hill," is the perfect home for this small screen experiment.
"Privileged"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m.
Wild and wealthy twin sisters get a live-in tutor, 23-year-old Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia, "Reba"), to steer them straight.
Our take: Chick-lit for the tube, but Garcia's girl-next-door goodness should keep viewers tuning in.
"Stylista"
Premieres Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m.
A companion piece for the ever-popular "America's Next Top Model," this new reality show allows 11 fashionistas to vie for a job with Elle Magazine.
Our take: A combination of "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Hills."
CBS
"Worst Week"
Premieres Monday, Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m.
Sam Briggs will do anything to please his girlfriend's parents, but his attempts to become part of the clan fail horribly. The season opens with Sam and sweetie Melanie visiting her conservative family to explain that a wedding (and a baby) is on the way.
Our take: "Meet the Parents" deja vu.
"The Mentalist"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m.
California detective Patrick Jane uses his finely honed sense of observation to solve crimes. But the special skills, which Patrick formerly passed off as psychic abilities, create problems with his colleagues.
Our take: The script's lighthearted undertone will register with viewers sick of "C.S.I." double-talk.
"Gary Unmarried"
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Gary Barnes (Jay Mohr, "Ghost Whisperer") and his ex-wife are trying to adhere to the advice set forth in their marriage counselor's book, "Rules for a Perfect Divorce."
Our take: Another good premise, but the plot may be hard to string over a full season.
"The Ex List"
Premieres Friday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m.
Thirty-something Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser, "Grey's Anatomy") learns from a psychic that she's already met and dated her future husband. A frantic search for her soul mate ensues when the business owner learns she'll remain alone forever if she doesn't find her special someone within the next year.
Our take: The network has been heavily promoting this dramedy, meaning plenty of viewers should tune in for the series' fall premiere.
"Eleventh Hour"
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9, 9 p.m.
When all the chips are on the table, the government calls in biophysicist Jacob Hood to investigate scientific crises and oddities.
Our take: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Pirates of the Caribbean") has a history of delivering.
ABC
"Opportunity Knocks"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
Producers roll into a suburban neighborhood with a truckload of prizes and challenge contestants to win big by answering trivia questions about their family members.
Our take: A kinder, gentler version of "The Moment of Truth."
"Life on Mars"
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9, 9 p.m.
Detective Sam Tyler finds himself transported back to 1973 after a car crash.
Our take: Last year's "Journeyman," based on a similar story, lasted 13 episodes on NBC.
Other notable additions to prime time are Fox's "Fringe," a paranormal thriller created by J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias"), and NBC's "Crusoe," based on Daniel Defoe's classic survival novel. Comedies, including CBS's "Worst Week" and the peacock's "Kath & Kim" are already being heavily promoted.
Here is Pulse's read on the latest and greatest to hit the tube.
NBC
"America's Toughest Jobs"
Premieres Monday, 8 p.m.
Thom Beers, creator of "Ice Road Truckers," brings this new reality show to network TV. The premise is simple: Pluck office drones from their comfy cubicles and put them to work logging trees, drilling oil and mining gold.
Our take: Beers, who also produced "Deadliest Catch," already has a built-in fan base for this show. And promos showing a school teacher being gored by a bull are sure to draw in new fans attracted to the show's mix of grit and gumption.
"Knight Rider"
Premieres Wednesday Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
In a reincarnation of the hit '80s TV show, the redesigned and artificially intelligent KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) car returns to prime time to avenge the death of its creator.
Our take: Great for gearheads, feathered hair no longer required.
"Kath & Kim"
Premieres Thursday Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Self-absorbed Kim (Selma Blair, "Hellboy") separates from her husband and moves back home with mom, Kim Day (Molly Shannon, "Saturday Night Live"). The women butt heads but share a love of acrylic nails, big hair and faux diamond chips.
Our take: The promos for this Aussie-inspired show are insipid. We expected better from "Freaks and Geeks" creator Paul Feig.
"My Own Worst Enemy"
Premieres Monday, Oct. 13, 9 p.m.
Suburban dad Henry Spivey (Christian Slater) has absolutely nothing in common with government super-spy Edward Albright. That is, except for the fact they share the same body.
Our take: A great set-up, but can the series (and Slater) retain the twisted plot for a full season?
"Crusoe"
Premieres Friday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Based on the classic castaway tale, Philip Winchester ("Thunderbirds") plays the title role of a man marooned on a desert island. Flashbacks allow viewers to learn about Crusoe's past, while the character faces real-time adventures with friend Friday (Tongayi Charisa).
Our take: The 7 p.m. time slot suggests this will be the season's top family program.
Fox
"Fringe"
Premieres Tuesday, September 9, 7 p.m.
FBI agent Olivia Dunham works with institutionalized researcher Dr. Walter Bishop in an attempt to explain an uptick in paranormal happenings. Bishop's son (Joshua Jackson) joins in on the investigation.
Our take: This new series comes from the mind of thrill-master J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias"). Pulse predicts "Fringe" will become the next generation's "X-Files."
"Do Not Disturb"
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 10, 8:30 p.m.
Employees at The Inn, one of New York's top 10 hippest places to stay, feud and flirt their way through the 9-to-5. Jerry O'Connell ("Crossing Jordan") and Niecy Nash ("Reno 911!") lead an ensemble cast.
Our take: Cancelled by mid-season.
The CW
"90210"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 2., 7 p.m.
New faces encounter similar dramas at West Beverly Hills High School in this hyped remake.
Our take: The CW, known for hot teen dramas like "Gossip Girls" and "One Tree Hill," is the perfect home for this small screen experiment.
"Privileged"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m.
Wild and wealthy twin sisters get a live-in tutor, 23-year-old Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia, "Reba"), to steer them straight.
Our take: Chick-lit for the tube, but Garcia's girl-next-door goodness should keep viewers tuning in.
"Stylista"
Premieres Wednesday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m.
A companion piece for the ever-popular "America's Next Top Model," this new reality show allows 11 fashionistas to vie for a job with Elle Magazine.
Our take: A combination of "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Hills."
CBS
"Worst Week"
Premieres Monday, Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m.
Sam Briggs will do anything to please his girlfriend's parents, but his attempts to become part of the clan fail horribly. The season opens with Sam and sweetie Melanie visiting her conservative family to explain that a wedding (and a baby) is on the way.
Our take: "Meet the Parents" deja vu.
"The Mentalist"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m.
California detective Patrick Jane uses his finely honed sense of observation to solve crimes. But the special skills, which Patrick formerly passed off as psychic abilities, create problems with his colleagues.
Our take: The script's lighthearted undertone will register with viewers sick of "C.S.I." double-talk.
"Gary Unmarried"
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Gary Barnes (Jay Mohr, "Ghost Whisperer") and his ex-wife are trying to adhere to the advice set forth in their marriage counselor's book, "Rules for a Perfect Divorce."
Our take: Another good premise, but the plot may be hard to string over a full season.
"The Ex List"
Premieres Friday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m.
Thirty-something Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser, "Grey's Anatomy") learns from a psychic that she's already met and dated her future husband. A frantic search for her soul mate ensues when the business owner learns she'll remain alone forever if she doesn't find her special someone within the next year.
Our take: The network has been heavily promoting this dramedy, meaning plenty of viewers should tune in for the series' fall premiere.
"Eleventh Hour"
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9, 9 p.m.
When all the chips are on the table, the government calls in biophysicist Jacob Hood to investigate scientific crises and oddities.
Our take: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Pirates of the Caribbean") has a history of delivering.
ABC
"Opportunity Knocks"
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
Producers roll into a suburban neighborhood with a truckload of prizes and challenge contestants to win big by answering trivia questions about their family members.
Our take: A kinder, gentler version of "The Moment of Truth."
"Life on Mars"
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9, 9 p.m.
Detective Sam Tyler finds himself transported back to 1973 after a car crash.
Our take: Last year's "Journeyman," based on a similar story, lasted 13 episodes on NBC.
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