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July 2007 - Strategy Magazine
Fall TV preview

The shows

CTV

By Annette Bourdeau

Big Bang Theory

CTV/CBS

Mondays, 8:30-9:00 p.m.

the story: Two nerds try to interact with their attractive female neighbor.

the cast: Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Jim Parsons (Judging Amy), Kaley Cuoco

(8 Simple Rules).

the backing: Exec producers Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men), Bill Prady (Gilmore Girls). From Warner Bros.Television.

the verdict: The premise, writing and acting are solid enough to keep people from changing the channel between Corner Gas and Two and a Half Men.

Big Shots

CTV/ABC

Thursdays, 10-11:00 p.m.

the story: A dramedy following the personal and professional antics of four CEOs.

the cast: Michael Vartan (Alias), Dylan McDermott (The Practice), Christopher Titus (Titus), Joshua Malina (The West Wing,

Sports Night).

the backing: Exec producers Jon Harmon Feldman (American Dreams), Charles McDougall (Desperate Housewives). From Warner Bros. Television.

the verdict: Think Desperate Housewives starring men. With a good cast and witty dialogue, this one should easily hook the sizeable DH fan base and also appeal to the Grey's Anatomy crowd, which CTV has this leading out of.

Dirty Sexy Money

CTV/ABC

Sundays, 10-11:00 p.m.

the story: An idealistic lawyer gets roped into representing a rich, corrupt and outrageous family, putting a strain on his integrity and family life.

the cast: Peter Krause (Six Feet Under), Donald Sutherland (everything), William Baldwin (The Squid and the Whale).

the backing: Exec producers Craig Wright and Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters), Peter Horton (Grey's Anatomy), Matt Gross (Day Break), Bryan Singer (Superman Returns). From ABC Studios.

the verdict: It's good. But it might not be good - or different - enough to lure people away from competing family drama Brothers & Sisters on Global. This will be a showdown.

Gossip Girl

CTV/CW

Tuesdays, 7-8:00 p.m.; 8-9:00 p.m. following conclusion of Dancing with the Stars

the story: Teen drama about affluent prep school kids in Manhattan.

the cast: Blake Lively (Accepted), Leighton Meester (Surface).

the backing: Exec producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (The OC), Bob Levy, Leslie Morgenstein (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). From Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Television.

the verdict: This one's certain to have a

built-in audience in fans of the popular novels of the same name. It could fill the void left by The OC's departure.

Moonlight

CTV/CBS

Fridays, 9-10:00 p.m.

the story: An un-dead PI tries to use his powers to protect the living and help a pretty young crime reporter.

the cast: Alex O'Loughlin (The Invisible), Amber Valletta (Hitch).

the backing: Exec producers Rod Holcomb (ER), Joel Silver (The Matrix). From Warner Bros. Television.

the verdict: The unknown O'Loughlin doesn't seem charismatic enough to carry this, and the plot isn't original enough to help it develop a cult following. Paired with an unfortunate Friday night timeslot, the odds aren't in this one's favour. Then again, its lead-in is Ghost Whisperer (the hit nobody expected). Tough to call.

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