New Series Reviews: The Big Bang Theory, Chuck, Gossip Girl, Journeyman

THE BIG BANG THEORY (Sitcom-CBS)
STARS: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar
PREMISE: Galecki and Parsons play a pair of nerdy (geekish?) roommates named Sheldon and Leonard, who are obsessed with video games and math--until they meet their new neighbor, spunky and cute Cheesecake Factory waitress Penny (Cuoco), whose wide-eyed zest for life changes their outlook--especially smitten Leonard (though not cynical Sheldon).
WHAT MIKE THINKS: Co-created by Chuck Lorre (the man behind CBS' biggest sitcom hit, "Two and a Half Men"), this is not a half-bad show. In fact, it's pretty good. The premise, if not totally fresh, is quite well-executed in the pilot; Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco make a great trio--sort of a "two men and a hottie," if you will. I don't know how the love-from-afar theme will stand up if the show makes it past a first season, but for now, it's just best to go along for the ride. "Big Bang Theory"--like "Men"--proves a slight twist on a familiar formula can produce impressive results.
PREDICTION FOR SUCCESS: Although it's up against tough competition on Monday nights--"Dancing With The Stars" on ABC, the new "Chuck" on NBC (see review below) and Fox's "Prison Break," "Big Bang Theory" could hold its own on CBS' comedy block.

CHUCK: (Comedy/Adventure-NBC)
STARS: Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin, Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez, Sarah Lancaster
PREMISE: Chuck Bartowski (Levi) is a tech wiz for a big box appliance store (think "Geek Squad" at America's Best Buy chain) who downloads an e-mail from an old college roommate--and is implanted with military secrets. Enter Strahovski and Baldwin, rival federal agents who want the knowledge Chuck now has in his head (and Chuck is smitten by the gorgeous Strahovski to boot.) Gomez plays Chuck's date-challenged co-worker; Lancaster is his well-meaning sister.
WHAT MIKE THINKS: There's a lot to like about "Chuck"--with some caveats. Let's start with Levi, who has a somewhat nerdy Everyman charm that helps move the show along. His co-stars are all on top of their game; and the far-out premise is well-executed in the pilot, with a nice mixture of action sequences, light comedy and romance. But "Chuck's" premise is admittedly a thin one, and this appealing series could lose its charm if the show loses its way. Consider "Chuck" a promising show--with the hope that the producers don't muck it up--and enjoy the ride.
PREDICTION FOR SUCCESS: See "Big Bang Theory" above. Although "Dancing With The Stars" will likely win the first hour, "Chuck" could fight with "BBT" for second place and give NBC a nice lead-in to the returning hit "Heroes."

GOSSIP GIRL (Drama--The CW)
STARS: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, Kelly Rutherford, Matthew Settle
PREMISE: Based on the popular novel series by Cecily von Ziegesar, "GG" is a teen soap based on New York's Upper East Side. Serena Van Der Woodsen (Lively) returns to her old stomping grounds after some time at a private school--and the battle lines are drawn, especially by her former "best friend forever" Blair Waldorf (Meester). There's the usual sex, drugs and rock music--along with an unseen narrator who comments on all the goings-on known only as "Gossip Girl." (She's voiced by former "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell).
WHAT MIKE THINKS:
Dear GG:
I was SO looking forward to this new drama--it was created by Josh Schwartz, who came up with "The O.C." (and the new "Chuck" on NBC; see review above). But girlfriend, this show is such a dark downer--OMG, the swearing, the near-rapes, the horndog BMOC's, all in this smug little world. It's like, "Dallas" on acid--or "Dynasty" as played by teens, all beautiful and not a hair out of place. I like Bell's narration, but let's face it, GG--it's TTS (trashy teen soap) 2.0. LOL, pass the Clearasil!
BFF,
Mike
PREDICTION FOR SUCCESS: Because it airs on The CW (the fifth-ranked network), "Gossip Girl" may hold enough female viewers to survive against tough competition--"Bionic Woman (NBC)"; "Private Practice (ABC)"; "Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)"; and "Criminal Minds (CBS)".

JOURNEYMAN (Drama-NBC)
STARS: Kevin McKid, Gretchen Egolf, Moon Bloodgood, Reed Diamond, Charles Henry Wyson, Brian Howe
PREMISE: Family man and newspaper reporter Dan Vasser (McKid) starts having blackouts, and travels back in time, crossing paths with his ex-fiancee (Bloodgood) and other characters. All this confounds his wife Katie (Egolf) and his cop brother Jack (Diamond).
WHAT MIKE THINKS: "Journeyman" is described by creator Kevin Falls as an "epic romance with a sci-fi twist." The cast is great; the production values are top-notch. But the random time travel premise (think "Quantum Leap" or "Life On Mars") poses more questions than answers. As a result, the pilot episode is somewhat confusing to follow. Like "Chuck," its partner on the NBC Monday schedule, viewers will have to suspend belief for "Journeyman." Unlike "Chuck," it may not be worth the effort.
PREDICTION FOR SUCCESS: It may follow "Heroes," but that didn't help the now-departed "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip." And up against "CSI: Miami" on CBS (and ABC's lame "The Bachelor"), "Journeyman's" chances for survival are iffy at best.

Until next time, happy viewing!