2010 Highly Anticipated New TV Shows

Here’s the list of new TV shows about to make an impact this coming season, they’re from some big time producers and have some well known faces and some fresh ones, so you might want to set your PVRs’ or the TIVO to make sure you don’t miss them.

#1 UNDERCOVERS

Synopsis: To put the spark back in their marriage, some couples take a tropical vacation. Not Steven and Samantha Bloom, they rejoin the CIA. Now they’re discovering things about each other they never knew. Like which lock-picking technique each prefers, and who killed who, and how well they work together in a hostile environment.

Network: NBC
Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 22
Created by: J. J. Abrams, Josh Reims
Stars: Boris Kodjoe, Ben Schwartz, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Genre: Action | Drama

From the uber successful producer JJ Abrams comes his latest entry into the Spy genre that some people are saying is like a Mr and Mrs smith, whilst others might say a Mr and Mrs Obama, either way these fun descriptions only serve to highlight the appeal of this new show. Looking at the promo, it  seems that it’s a labor of love for all involved and will definitely be one of the years break-out hits, did we mention it was from JJ? Undercovers features Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha Raw who look like there having a lot of fun and definitely have onscreen chemistry. The pilot ep is directed by JJ Abrams which is his first TV gig since he shot the pilot to Lost. The rights to this show and the attached team had the  major networks like ABC and CBS in a bidding war till Warner TV and NBC closed a $50 million deal with JJ’s Bad Robot productions for this and other ventures. It’s sure to be a hit with filming already completed on the first 13 episodes and the pilot still yet to air, so it definitely has the makings of the next TV juggernaut.

Check out the promo here.

#2 THE EVENT

Synopsis: What if there was a cover-up so big that even the President was on a need-to-know basis? And what if some average guy stumbled upon the truth — a secret so powerful it could literally change the course of humanity? You think that guy would stand a chance of survival?

Network: NBC
Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 20
Created by: Nick Wauters and Steve Stark
Stars: Jason Ritter, Blair Underwood, Laura Innes, Zeljko Ivanek, Sarah Roemer,
Genre: Drama | Thriller

Set against the backdrop of conspiracy,  intrigue and paranoia – this show looks to be a thrill ride of sorts that should keep butts firmly planted in seats. It’s a high concept piece that hopefully won’t get too clever for itself like the flash forward nightmare and still retain some hold on reality. It’s got some recognizable faces in the show and the promo looks pretty enticing as long as they haven’t given too much of the plot away. Starring the accessible Jason Ritter in the lead and Blair Underwood as the President who’s finding that he’s not in the loop as much as he’d like, it’s looking to be a mind-bender series that could be worth it. It’s been in development for some time and has big production values with a lot of effort put in by it’s creators. It’s set to air around the globe soon after the U.S  indicating that networks are banking on it’s success.

Check out the promo here.

#3 NO ORDINARY FAMILY

Synopsis: The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children. During a family vacation setup by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. They soon discover they each possess unique superpowers which they try to find a purpose for as well embarking on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them

Network: ABC
Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 28
Created by: Greg Berlanti, Jon Harmon Feldman
Stars: Michael Chiklis, Julie Benz, Kay Panabaker, Romany Malco
Genre: Drama | Science fiction

How does the show look your wondering? Well from the concept and promo you might think it’s aimed square at the adolescent audience and the world of super geeks, but the show has just enough gusto to appeal to the mainstream demographic and even though it features the standard ‘feats of strength’ scenes – stars Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz know their stuff pretty well and bring a lot of clout to their characters. Some people may have already caught it at comic-con or seen some of the online screenings and the hype is definitely worth it with it’s narrative moving along at a lightning pace and the performers giving the right amount of charm to make this show a hit. The style of the pilot  has the characters confessing their story direct to camera (revealed why at the end) which helps blur the drama – super-hero line to make this a light hearted romp which has  an underlying  message of family unity. Some weeks back it was announced that Twilight star Jackson Rathbone would be joining the show so that will surely attract a new league of fans. All the super stuff makes this a winning formula with the seasoned performers showing how to make the material work.

Check out the promo here.

#4 LONESTAR

Synopsis: Robert / Bob Allen is a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has meticulously constructed two lives in two different parts of Texas. He’s juggling two identities and two women in two very different worlds — all under one mountain of lies. Now as he tries to hold his two lives together, while fending off angry investors and the suspicions of those around him, Bob puts it all on the line hoping he can beat the odds, leave the schemes behind and keep two separate relationships afloat.

Network: FOX
Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 20
Created by: Kyle Killen
Stars: James Wolk, Mark Deklin, Eloise Mumford, Jamie Dugger, Adrianne Palicki, Jon Voight
Genre: Drama

Seems like an authentic piece of storytelling which is more character focused with less commercial gimmicks . Some big names  here – namely Jon Voight as the oil tycoon and the word is that Andie MacDowell is also joining the cast. The first episode is directed by Marc Webb who’s prepping the new Spiderman reboot, and judging from the promo, he’s got some skill at getting good performances that should make Spidey a lot more down to earth when we see him next.

Lonestar is pretty much a tale of a conman Robert / Bob Allen (James Wolk) who’s been taught by his father (David Keith) to target ‘marks’ and here they have their sights set on Clint Thatcher’s (Voight) oil company. The problem is that Robert/Bob is also involved with two ladies  whom he both loves and soon has a change of heart when he’s offered a bigger slice of the company by Thatcher over his own son,  which causes friction. He then begins to wonder if some form of redemption will help him resolve the quandary in which he’s now ingrained.

Check out the promo here.

#5 THE CAPE

Synopsis: The series, set in the fictional metropolis of Palm City, follows an innocent cop who has been framed for a crime he did not commit and then left for dead after he is caught. He is eventually saved by a circus ringleader who prepares him with special abilities to defend himself against his foes. Separated from his wife and son, he tries to clear his name while protecting them from being killed if he was ever reported alive. He takes the law into his own hands by taking the guise of his son’s favorite comic book hero, The Cape, after he is given a special suit that has unique capabilities. Vowing to get rid of the corruption that has taken over both the city and the police force, he goes after the person responsible for setting him up and causing his “demise.”

Network: NBC
Premiere Date: Mid season
Created by: Thomas Wheeler
Stars: David Lyons, Jennifer Ferrin, Ryan Wynott, James Frain, Keith David, Summer Glau, Dorian Missick, Vinnie Jones
Genre: Superhero | Drama

This show is hard to get a clear read on it’s general appeal though judging from the promo it could be fun for fans of this superhero genre. It seems to take itself more seriously than No Ordinary Family and establishes the character as a vigilante superhero, looking at the promo it has some laughs – but looks pretty formula. It’s been in development for some time and has a lot of cash pumped in so it will have good production values,  even though there’s a slew of superhero concepts emerging at the moment.  This one’s set to be a mid-season replacement, so we’ll have to wait for a time-slot to be announced, nonetheless one to look out for.

Check out the promo here.

#6 CHASE

Synopsis: Chase revolves around Annie Frost a deputy U.S. Marshal, and her high-priority fugitive-apprehension team that trace down dangerous criminals in South Texas.

Network: NBC
Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 20
Created by: Jennifer Johnson
Stars: Kelli Giddish, Cole Hauser, Amaury Nolasco, Rose Rollins, Jesse Metcalfe, Sierra Palmer
Genre: Drama

Looks to be a high octane kind of a show with the operative word being ‘chase’ – it’s seems somewhat reminiscent of the fugitive style in concept, though for now they’re all guilty and are hunted by the team of Marshals who know their stuff. Familiar faces in the mix are Amaury Nolasco from Prison Break fame and for the gals,  marriage wrecker Jesse Metcalfe from Desperate Housewives. Kelli Giddish seems pretty intense as the lead Annie Frost, who’s dedicated to hunting down the perps at whatever the cost, so it could be a good hour of telly nonetheless, tune in for this one.

Check out the promo here.

#7 RUNNING WILDE

Synopsis: From the Emmy Award-winning creator and the star of the critically acclaimed FOX series “Arrested Development” comes “Running Wilde,” a romantic comedy about  Steve Wilde, a filthy-rich, immature playboy trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart, Emmy Kadubic, the uber-liberal humanitarian who got away. The best part is the narrator, Emmy’s 12-year-old daughter who hasn’t spoken in years.

Network: FOX
Premiere Date: Tuesday, Sept. 21
Created by: Jim Vallely, Mitch Hurwitz, Will Arnett
Stars: Will Arnett, Jayne Houdyshell, Keri Russell, Stefania Owen
Genre: Comedy

This looks to be an odd-ball show that has the winning production elements of Arrested Development on board as well as the talented Will Arnett. The concept looks over the top about the playboy character Steve Wilde who tries to track down and impress his childhood love played by Keri Russell. Not sure how much steam this show will have, but will definitely be worth seeing the antics of Arnett and the comedy team doing their stuff.

Check out the promo here.

#8 THE WHOLE TRUTH

Synopsis: This legal drama from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer follows friends and rival lawyers Kathryn Peale (Tierney) and Jimmy Brogan (Morrow) as they show each side of a case equally. It keeps the audience guessing, shifting allegiances and opinions on guilt or innocence until the final scene.

Network: ABC
Premiere Date: Wednesday, Sept. 22
Stars: Rob Morrow, Maura Tierney, Eamonn Walker
Genre: Drama

Another Legal Drama from the Jerry Bruckheimer stable of shows with former Numbers star Rob Morrow headlining the cast and Maura Tierney, who recently battled breast cancer which forced her to drop out of the Parenthood series. Looks pretty formula for this type of legal show but claims to have an edge where the story follows up to find out ‘the whole truth’ which could heighten the intrigue and raise this above the usual court fest.

Check out the promo here.

#9 Outsourced

Synopsis: From writer Robert Borden and director Ken Kwapis comes a comedy where cultural differences are a novelty. An American novelties company sends their guy Todd Dempsy to the company’s call center in India, to teach them how to up-sell things like the Deluxe Twin Beer Helmet. Can we say culture shock — from both sides?

Network: NBC
Premiere Date: Thursday, Sept. 23
Created by: Ken Kwapis
Stars: Ben Rappaport, Rizwan Manji, Sacha Dhawan
Genre: Comedy

Another odd ball comedy that’s actually an adaptation of the 2006 film of the same name. For anyone who’s ever had a call from an overseas telemarketer or called the support line only to hear Indian accents all talking like they’re good ol’boys, then this show should ease the pain with a few laughs.  The promo looks quite clever with a lot of talented performers doing their thing.  It’s actually shot in the states so it’s all in fun and should do something for those we give little time to when they’re just trying to earn their rupees for the day. It has the stamp of the director from TV’s the Office (Ken Kwapis) as well as the writer of the  Drew Carey show (Robert Borden) to tickle the funny bone.

Check out the promo here.

#10 HAWAII FIVE- O

Synopsis: “Hawaii Five-O” is a contemporary take on the classic TV series about a new elite federalized task force whose mission is to wipe out the crime that washes up on the Hawaiian island’s sun-drenched beaches. Detective Steve McGarrett is a decorated Naval officer-turned-cop, returns to Oahu to investigate his father’s murder and stays after Hawaii’s Governor persuades him to head up the new team, including Detective Danny “Danno” Williams,  a newly relocated ex-New Jersey cop and single dad and Chin Ho Kelly  an ex-Honolulu Police Detective.

Network: ABC
Premiere Date: Monday, Sept. 20
Created by: Leonard Freeman (original)
Stars: Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park
Genre: Crime | Drama

If remakes are your thing – this could be an innovative take on the classic show with all the modern updating,  tech and action to boot. Whilst it remains to be seen if it was just a reason for Lost writers to stay in Hawaii and catch waves,  we’ll know when it airs. Though looking at the promo it looks like solid fun and Alex O’Loughlin is a talented performer who brings a lot to the screen so it might be worth a look. With Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci writing the show and Len Wiseman director of the Underworld films making the pilot,  it could be a pretty impressive debut. The cast also features the likable talents of Daniel Dae Kim and Battlestar babe Grace Park as well as the stunning visuals of Hawaii – so it might be worth the hype.

Check out the promo here.

Wrap-Up…

So that’s the lowdown on all the big network shows that fall into the top ten of highly anticipated. Whilst the list only reflects the most commercial projects there are still some great new shows that are yet to debut on TV,  so we’ll have to wait for those to air. As far as the new series go,  only time and ratings will decide which of them stay for the long haul and which ones go to TV heaven.