NBC's New Fall Line Up

I'll start with my favorite and I think the network's best chance of a hit. It's a show called "Chuck" about a computer nerd who works for a Geek Squad type company called Nerd Herd. He inadvertently learns a whole bunch of government secrets through an email, the contents of which get embedded into his memory. Cue the government suits trying to track him down. The show is from the creator of "The O.C". It's fun, quirky, silly at times and most importantly has a likeable hero in Chuck. Zachary Levi, who is much cuter in person, plays up his geek side well.
In fact, I didn't even recognize him from his role as the butt-kissing climber on ABC's "Less Than Perfect." Tuesday night's at 8pm not up against "American Idol" in the fall might give this show a good shot at success. It's like "Ugly Betty" for guys.

The marketing machine will be in full overdrive for "Lipstick Jungle" from "Sex and the City" creator Candace Bushnell. The show is touting itself as this: "In 'Sex' the women were looking for their Mr Big and in 'Lipstick' they are Mr Big."
These women are succesful in their own right. You know what that means. Shoes and lots of them. Brooke Shields will finally give up her title as the go to guest star and return to TV full time. The show is set in NY and will film in NY which means a big move for her. If the hype is as big as I'm predicting I'm betting it will be permanent. From the clips I saw the show could use a bit of fine turning. Fortunately, it won't premiere until after Football which gives them plenty of time to fix it.

The Brit's are taking over NBC with three new series starring folks from across the pond. (All faking American accents) The internet is already buzzing about Michelle Ryan who has been tapped to take on the iconic role of the Bionic Woman. The network promises a stronger, faster Bionic Woman with plenty of cool special effects. So, far from what I've seen the show seems pretty slick but can an unknown actress draw in viewers?
Michelle has a great every woman nature which may appeal to the nerdy SciFi crowd.

"Life" doesn't seem all that rosy for this new show about a police officer who goes to jail for twelve years for a crime he didn't commit. After he is found to be wrongfully convicted he returns to the police force 5O million dollars richer after a juicy settlement and with a new zen approach to life. Sound convoluted? It is which is why advertisers attending the presentation gave the show a luke warm reception. Damian Lewis, another Brit, is the star here and short of reminds me of "House's" Hugh Laurie in both looks and personality. I think this one is a tough sell.

Though NBC's Kevin Reilly told advertisers this was there highest tracking show in five years,I still believe its going to be a long journey for "Journeyman" to find an audience. Kevin McKidd, yet another Brit, is a man with family who is torn back in time unintentionally. He visits the past to try and fix things he did not do well in his life eventually becoming torn between a woman in his past and his wife in the present. Can audiences handle yet another serialized drama especially with an actor that no one knows and who doesn't have matinee idol good looks? It's only saving grace is in the fact that the "Heroes" are the shows lead in. This could give the show some eyeballs. Keeping them is another thing.

Now if I have anything to do with it, the Pam/John love triangle will heat up when I join the cast of "The Office" next season. Ok not really but I did pitch this brilliant idea to the cast. The most I could get out of them was BJ Novak,Ryan the Temp, whose also a producer to agree I might make a good TV reporter should they ever need someone from the local Scranton news to visit. WSCR anyone?