14 Promising Pilots: What New Fall Shows Look the Best?
Becki Newton, Alex O’Loughlin
With networks set to announce their fall TV lineups next week, TVGuide.com has the scoop on which pilots stand the best chance of flourishing next season. From medical dramas and romantic comedies to spies and Shatner, here’s our take on 14 solid bets for the fall:
Body of Proof (ABC)
Attached: Geoffrey Arend, Nicholas Bishop, Dana Delany, John Carroll Lynch, Windell Middlebrooks, Jeri Ryan, Sonja Sohn
Summary: Delany stars as Dr. Megan Hunt, a no-nonsense doctor-turned-medical examiner who struggles to balance her work and personal life.
Pedigree: Created by Chris Murphey, Oz and CSI: Miami producer Sunil Nayar and Dirty Sexy Money’s Matthew Gross will both executive-produce.
Why it has a shot: If you liked Delany’s character on Castle, you’ll probably like Dr. Hunt.
Breakout Kings (Fox)
Attached: Laz Alonso, Malcolm Goodwin, Domenick Lombardozzi, Brooke Nevin, Jimmi Simpson, Nicole Steinwedell
Summary: Three wise convicts (Goodwin, Simpson and Steinwedell) are pulled out of jail to help track down escapees. They get a month off their sentences for each one they take down.
Pedigree: Prison Break producers Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora will act as executive producers and showrunners.
Why it has a shot: It’s a fun and original setup for a procedural: a new breakout each week.
NBC adds Bruckheimer’s Chase to fall lineup
Chase (NBC)
Attached: Kelli Giddish, Cole Hauser, Jesse Metcalfe, Amaury Nolasco, Rose Rollins
Summary: The drama centers on Annie Frost (Giddish), a wholesome-yet-lethal Texan who leads a task force against violent fugitives. Those at the top constitute what’s known as “The Bitch List.”
Pedigree: Jennifer Johnson created the series, with Jerry Bruckheimer as executive producer.
Why it has a shot: Well, it’s already been picked up for the fall. Our heroine’s antics in the pilot show she isn’t afraid to die and that she knows when she’s being played. The criminals’ super-violent streaks raise the stakes. And Frost seems to be chasing more than criminals.
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
Attached: Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Taryn Manning, Alex O’Loughlin, Grace Park, Jean Smart
Summary: The reboot of the CBS cop series follows Det. Steve McGarrett (Moonlight’s O’Laughlin) and his team as they hunt criminals that plague the islands.
Pedigree: Fringe producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are showrunners and executive producers.
Why it has a shot: Fond memories of the old show, and a strong cast led by O’Loughlin and Lost’s Kim.
Kristin Kreuk divorces Hitched, Sara Fletcher nabs role
Hitched (CBS)
Attached: Jack Carpenter, Sara Fletcher, Sharon Lawrence, Eugene Levy, Riki Lindhorne, Thomas Middleditch, Kurtwood Smith
Summary: Two nice kids (Carpenter and Fletcher) get — you guessed it — hitched, but realize all too quickly that they don’t know much about each other. The half-hour comedy chronicles the enlightening moments the twentysomethings share as they navigate their new life.
Pedigree: Created by Chuck’s Josh Schwartz and Matt Miller, who are also executive producers.
Why it has a shot: The scenario’s built-in tension offers lots of comedic potential.
Livin’ on a Prayer (CBS)
Attached: Kyle Bornheimer, Joe Manganiello, Jaime Pressly, Lindsay Sloane
Summary: This half-hour series focuses on a couple (Sloane and Bornheimer) at the precipice of taking their relationship to the next level.
Pedigree: How I Met Your Mother producers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas are showrunners and executive producers.
Why it has a shot: The Mother team is bringing another romantic comedy to CBS. Plus the characters talk to the camera in a Better Off Ted-esque style that feels inclusive. And the show shares a name with a totally awesome song.
Love Bites (NBC)
Attached: Becki Newton, Jordana Spiro
Premise: The comedy follows three loosely connected romantic story lines involving love, dating and marriage.
Pedigree: Created by Sex and the City producer Cindy Chupack, who is also an executive producer.
Why it has a shot: Spiro (Frannie) and Newton (Annie) are a perfect comedic match, and the story lines offer something for everyone. Except little kids who think love, dating and marriage are gross. Plus: It’s already been picked up for the fall.
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Luck (HBO)
Attached: Kerry Condon, Ritchie Coster, Kevin Dunn, Dennis Farina, Jason Gedrick, Ian Hart, Jill Hennessy, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Kind, Nick Nolte, John Ortiz, Tom Payne
Summary: The drama breaks down the real aspects of the horse-racing biz, from the degenerate gamblers at the track to the million-dollar horses, young jockeys and egotistical trainers on the track. It’s anchored by Hoffman’s Ace, who did a stint in prison protecting all the aforementioned cronies.
Pedigree: Miami Vice producer Michael Mann and David Milch of Deadwood and NYPD Blue will executive-produce, with Milch as showrunner.
Why it has a shot: It has a two-time Oscar winner in the lead, major talents holding the reins, and true grit.
Mr. Sunshine (ABC)
Attached: Andrea Anders, Portia Doubleday, Allison Janney, James Lesure, Matthew Perry, Nate Torrence
Summary: This comedy follows Ben (Perry) as he jumps into his 40s without a wife or even a true friend. As he struggles to find any kind of connection, he learns the one girl he’s been sleeping with is actually pregnant with what is likely his nemesis’ baby. He also has to take charge at work when he realizes his boss (Janney) is a pill-popping eccentric.
Pedigree: Friends‘ Perry has teamed up with Rules of Engagement’s Alex Barnow and Marc Firek to executive-produce.