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July 2008 - Strategy Magazine
Fall TV preview

The shows

by Annette Bourdeau
page 60

A

By Annette Bourdeau

Eleventh Hour

CBS/CTV

Thursdays 10-11p.m.

the story: A gifted biophysicist helps the government solve special cases while being protected by a beautiful (and lethal) young FBI agent.

the cast: Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Marley Shelton (Grindhouse).

the backing: Exec producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI). From Warner Bros. in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Granada Television International.

the verdict: This U.S. adaptation of a science-based British miniseries is solid, and has enough quirks to appeal to the campy mystery lovers out there. But it may not be different enough from the countless other crime-solving shows to keep it afloat.

Fringe

Fox/CTV

Tuesdays 9-10p.m.

the story: An FBI special agent needs help from a mentally unstable but brilliant scientist to figure out how a plane full of people suffered gruesome deaths on board. She also needs the scientist's estranged son to help her communicate with his father.

the cast: Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek), Anna Torv (The Secret Life of Us), John Noble (Lord of the Rings), Charlotte Rampling (Vers le Sud).

the backing: Writers/exec producers J.J. Abrams (Lost), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Alias). From Warner Bros. in association with Bad Robot and Fringe Element Films.

the verdict: It's being touted as a modern X-Files. Could do well among sci-fi fans in its timeslot up against Dancing With the Stars and the new 90210 remake.

The Mentalist

CBS/CTV

Mondays 10-11p.m.

the story: A debonair former TV psychic uses his remarkable observational skills and intuition to help solve gruesome crimes. Think Criminal Minds meets Medium.

the cast: Simon Baker (The Devil Wears Prada), Robin Tunney (Prison Break).

the backing: Director/executive producer David Nutter (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), writer/executive producer Bruno Heller (Rome). From Warner Bros.

the verdict: Baker is great, but it's doubtful that his charm alone is enough to carry the show. Probably doesn't stand a chance up against the CSI: Miami crew.

CTV

By Annette Bourdeau

Flashpoint

CTV/CBS

Fridays 10-11p.m.

the story: Follows the personal and professional lives of members of the Strategic Response Unit, an elite team within the Toronto police force.

the cast: Hugh Dillon (Durham County), Enrico Colantoni (Veronica Mars), Amy Jo Johnson (Felicity), David Paetkau (Whistler).

the backing: Executive producer Bill Mustos (Degrassi: The Next Generation). From Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment, in association with CTV and CBS Paramount Network Television.

the verdict: Despite the overworked genre, it's compelling and well-acted, and goes deeper than typical cop dramas, which may help it retain viewers. The Friday time slot may hinder its performance though.

The Listener

CTV/NBC

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