Some New Twists For Returning US Shows

The upcoming fall television season is not only about the new shows--it's also about the changes in returning programs to keep them popular and/or fresh. So here's a quick list of what you'll see on some popular American series for their newest seasons. WARNING: I'll try as hard as I can not to provide spoilers to ongoing plots for UK viewers still watching the previous season, but inevitably some info may be leaked out. Read with care....!

HEROES: It still surprises me that this fantasy/science fiction series has become a major hit, but hey, that's me. For season two, look for several new characters, including Monica Dawson, who will be centered in a post-Katrina New Orleans (her grandmother will be played by Nichelle Nichols of the original "Star Trek" fame); and former "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell who has signed on for at least five episodes. The new season will also feature two major story arcs instead of one (the second arc will air after January 2008), and NBC will air a short-run series called "Heroes: Origins," It will feature six new characters; one will become part of the regular cast. It's designed to air between November and January, to offset the long gap that has hurt past serialized programs that take a break. 22 episodes air in the regular 40 week US season--you do the math. (US premiere September 24th.)

GREY'S ANATOMY: Kate Walsh has departed for the new spin off "Private Practice," and Isisah Washington has departed the series--period. And there will be resolutions to the plots involving the remaining regulars. Otherwise, producers promise a lighter tone and a return to the fun and sexual games that made this doctor drama such a hit for ABC. (US premiere September 27th).

HOUSE: "A 'House' version of 'Survivor'" is what producers are aiming for in Season Four, as several new characters appear in the early episodes--with at least one becoming a permanent part of Dr. House's team. Consider the early episodes a tryout period, but let's hope Fox and the producers don't mess with Hugh Laurie's prickly character--he's the most complex individual on American television today. (US premiere September 25th.)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Season Four will see some changes on Wisteria Lane, with resolution of cliffhangers from the third season. Dana Delaney and Nathan Fillion join the cast as new neighbors--and Wisteria will be more whimsical with the arrival of its first openly gay couple (who move into the old Applewhite house). And expect the "Housewives" to be more "Desperate" than ever. Not a bad thing. (US premiere September 30th.)

CRIMINAL MINDS: The Hamlet dance has ended with former series star Mandy Patinkin leaving the show (how his departure will be handled is unknown) and veteran actor Joe Mantegna joins the cast in Season Three as an FBI profiler. "Minds" is one of several CBS police procedurals that seem to be popular with viewers--but why is for other "Minds" to ponder. (US premiere September 26th.)

PRISON BREAK: It's off to Panama for series star Wentworth Miller, and another breakout plan for a undeserved inmate. I guess after busting out of an American facility, "Prison Break" needs to go on the road to keep some semblance of reality alive. (US premiere September 17th.)

CSI: America's most popular police dramas will see some changes for the new season. On the original CSI, look for the fate of Jorja Fox's character Sara Sidle to be revealed (Fox was engaged in a contract dispute); while on CSI: Miami, another facet of David Caruso's Horatio personal life will be made clear. (US premieres: CSI September 27th; CSI Miami September 24th.)

LAW & ORDER: Yes, these programs are still around. "Criminal Intent" will now air first on NBC-owned USA Cable with Alicia Witt temporarily replacing Julianne Nicholson, who's on maternity leave. On "Special Victims Unit (the most popular of the trio), Adam Beach joins the cast. The original "Law & Order" will return after NBC's Sunday football coverage ends in January, with Sam Waterson's character becoming the new district attorney, replacing Fred Thompson--who is expected to be a real-life Republican presidential candidate by that time. Linus Roache and Jeremy Sisto join the revolving cast. The original "L&O," despite declining ratings, will air for 18 seasons--longer than any other US drama with the exception of "Gunsmoke." (US Premieres: SVU: September 25th; "Criminal Intent": October 4th on USA Cable; original "Law & Order"to be announced)

And that's some of the changes you'll see as the fall season draws closer. Meanwhile, until next time, happy viewing!

The New CBS: Sexier And More Controversial

CBS executives have made it clear that this season will be the one where the usually conservative network begins to take risks. Of course, you will see the usual audience favorites--"Criminal Minds;" "NCIS;" "Ghost Whisperer;" "Cold Case"--but the network has vowed to spice things up on the small screen. Promos for new CBS programs such as "Viva Laughlin" (an Americanized version of the UK series "Viva Blackpool") puts the action along the Colorado River gaming town about 100 miles south of Las Vegas. (Ironically, Laughlin is also in the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, home to the fictional "CSI" team; could we see some cross-promotion episodes in our future?) In any case, "Viva Laughlin" has two features unique to CBS series--sex and music. Yes, the characters will break out in musical numbers a la "The Singing Detective" and the much derided "Cop Rock." And you bet this is a radical shift for CBS, traditionally the most middle-of-the-road of all the broadcast channels. Sill, CBS is also in the best position to take risks (a midseason series about sex and relationships in the 1970's, "Swingers," promises to break more than a few prime-time rules). If "Viva Laughlin" and "Swingers" don't work, slip in another police procedural.
Ironically, CBS is under fire right now for a seemingly innocuous reality series centering on children. "Kid Nation," created by the same man behind "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and other series, puts a group of 40 kids, ages 8 to 18, in the New Mexico desert. There, the children form their own society--minus their parents--for 40 days.
Soon after "Kid Nation" landed on the CBS schedule, the allegations came.
New Mexico officials have accused CBS and Foreman's production company of sidestepping child labor laws by not applying for permits. Then, according to the "Los Angeles Times," the mother of a 12-year-old girl who was burned in the face while cooking during the April taping of "Kid Nation," filed a complaint, asking for an investigation into "abusive acts to minors and possible violations of child labor laws."
Says the "Times," "Her complaint was forwarded to Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano, who on July 20 posted an item on his department blog revealing (the woman's) claims and stating he had found no criminal wrongdoing related to the production.
But it hasn't ended: New Mexico's attorney general has launched a complete investigation into the "Kid Nation" taping and whether state laws were broken over a lack of permits and the producers' removal of several state inspectors from the set. And now, the American Federation of Television Radio and Arts (AFTRA) will look into allegations of child abuse on the "Kid Nation" set--something both CBS and the producers have denied.
CBS released a statement on the investigations: “We stand by the procedures we had in place and the response to all the minor injuries (reported during the taping). We will therefore not accept irresponsible allegations or any attempts to misrepresent and exaggerate events or spread false claims about what happened.”
All this could bring viewers to their sets when "Kid Nation" premieres September 19th. But you can rest assured if the allegations have any basis in fact, watch CBS backtrack from this show so fast it will make your head spin. Controversy, after all, is a double-edged sword.
Until next time, happy viewing!