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June 14, 2004 - Strategy Media Archive
Fall TV Preview

The Shows - Global/CH and CBC

by Terry Poulton and Sion Wulffhart
page M 26

American Dad

Global/Fox, Sundays 9:30-10 p.m.

30 min., debuts midseason

the story: Animated story of a man who works for the CIA and shares his life with a sarcastic space alien he rescued from Area 51 and a lascivious, German-speaking goldfish - the result of a spook experiment gone seriously wrong.

the cast: Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy), Wendy Schaal (Good Grief, It's a Living, Fantasy Island) , Rachael MacFarlane, Ricky Blitt, Dee Bradley Baker.

the backing: 20th Century Fox Television, with Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy)and Matt Weitzman (Father of the Pride, Off Centre, Family Guy) as executive producers and writers.

the verdict: Strictly for animation fans and viewers who still sort of miss audacious Alf's wisecracking. TP

The Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best

CH/Fox, Tuesdays 8-9 p.m.

60 min., debuts TBA

the story: Sir Richard Branson, the colourful head the Virgin Group of companies, leads young entrepreneurs on an epic journey around the world, testing their mettle by having them stage some of his own madcap adventures while being eliminated one by one.

the cast: Richard Branson, others TBA.

the backing: Bunim-Murray Productions (The Simple Life, Real World) with Richard Branson, Jonathan Murray, Kevin Lee, Lori Levin-Hyams, Laura Fuest and Tod Dahlke as executive producers.

the verdict: Trumping Donald Trump by taking the cutthroat action out of the boardroom and into the wild blue yonder has a fair amount of fascination potential. TP

Blind Justice

CH/ABC, Tuesdays 9-10 p.m.

60 min., midseason debut

the story: Blinded in the line of duty, a determined cop (played by the talented Ron Eldard) returns to the precinct and must rely on his other senses to solve crimes.

the cast: Ron Eldard (ER) and Rena Sofer (Coupling).

the backing: Exec producer Steven Bochco brings instant credibility to this series, however it's important to remember that he was also responsible for Cop Rock. (Will he ever live that down?)

the verdict: With NYPD Blue's old time-slot on ABC (Dennis Franz and company are hanging up their badges after an 11-year run) and executive producer Bochco, Blind Justice has a great opportunity to excel. SW

The Block

Global, time-slot TBA

debut TBA

the story: Hit reality/renovation series format from Australia focuses on four couples who move into a rundown apartment building and compete to see which ones can renovate their units fastest and for the best sale price.

the cast: TBA.

the backing: FremantleMedia North America.

the verdict: The highest-rated program in Australian TV history, this import should appeal to the huge number of viewers who dote on decorating shows. Interestingly enough, Global has also bought The Complex: Malibu, an Americanized version of The Block, but hasn't yet decided when to air it. TP

Center of the Universe

CH/CBS, Wednesdays 9:30-10 p.m.

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