Fall TV Friday

The fall television schedule has got some winners. And some real losers. Sort out the ones to see - and the ones to flee.

By Eric Deggans, Times TV / Media Critic
Published September 23, 2007

Next Great American Band

8 p.m., Fox, debuts Oct. 19.

Showbiz shorthand: American Idol for bands.

My take: Featuring real musicians of all ages and genres playing their own songs, American Idol producers have cooked up a contest reversing the rules, which sometimes made Idol's competitors look like too-young, karaoke-singing models. The question: Will anyone watch a bunch of older nobodies playing songs they never heard of?

TiVo or Ti-No? TiVo. Just to find out if judge Sheila E. is the new Paula or the new Simon.

Women's Murder Club

9 p.m., ABC, debuts Oct. 12.

Showbiz shorthand: Sex and the City meets Columbo.

My take: After years of watching TV women bond over fashion and romance, it's not such a stretch to imagine a group of ladies who might build a friendship over solving crimes. I only wish this quartet ripped from James Patterson's super-popular crime novels - a cop, coroner, attorney and journalist - were a little more believable, and their personal problems weren't so predictable.

TiVo or Ti-No? Much as I dig ultra-intense star Angie Harmon, I'm going to be watching Friday Night Lights. Ti-No.

Moonlight

9 p.m., CBS, debuts Friday (9/28).

Showbiz shorthand: Interview With a Vampire private eye.

My take: CBS finally released this show's extensively retooled pilot episode - basically, every major character was recast except the lead actor - but there are few concepts more worn than the tortured vampire private eye. And when the best line they can find for a teaser clip is "being a vampire sucks," it's time for critics to break out the garlic and holy water.

TiVo or Ti-No? It's hard to say what's worse: watching a character named Mick St. John scowl through an hour of badly lit crime drama or knowing there's nothing here that Angel didn't do better three years ago. Ti-No.

Nashville

9 p.m., Fox, debuted Sept. 14.

Showbiz shorthand: Laguna Beach meets the Grand Ole Opry.

My take: I don't know what's more surprising; that Fox built a reality series around a group of interconnected, pinup-ready guys and gals trying to conquer country music in Nashville, or that I actually find their stories of hooking up and chasing record deals compelling.

TiVo or Ti-No? From the moment wealthy schmoozer Clint convinces Rachel Bradshaw - yes, she's Terry's daughter - to drop her boyfriend for him, only to hit on every other girl at a party, I was hooked. Who cares if anybody gets a record deal? I'm TiVoing just to see daddy Terry tear Clint a new one.

[Last modified September 21, 2007, 11:12:52]