Review: Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour

Two new dramas finally fill the black hole time slot up against “ER” on Thursday Nights: Life on Mars (ABC) and Eleventh Hour (CBS), both following the upward trend of stealing shows and actors from across the pond.

Life on Mars - B+

The eagerly awaited Life on Mars –a remake of the British show of the same name, which wrapped up only last year—follows detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) on a time-trip to 1973. In the middle of a murder investigation that ends in his girlfriend/fellow detective Maya (a grown-up Denise Huxtable, aka Lisa Bonet) missing, Sam is hit by a car and wakes up 35 years in the past and the owner of a new wardrobe and a David Bowie 8-track.

Times sure are different in 1973— no computers, no cell phones, polyester, moustaches, and female cops who are relegated to nurse duty. He attempts to solve his cases with 2008 logic while following the rules of 1973 and battling his superior Lt.Gene Hunt (the marvelous Harvey Keitel) and Det. Ray Carling (The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli)

Used to the male-female equality of the 21st century, Sam confides in Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), the only woman in the precinct, and tries to use the intelligence she keeps hidden from her coworkers to solve cases – and the mystery of why he’s in 1973. Is he in a coma? A dream state? Crazy? A time-traveler? (Lord, I miss Journeyman!)

I’ve never seen the British Life on Mars, but for that I’m glad – I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the twists I’m sure are to come. I want to enjoy the ride with this one, although I don’t know how our talented American writers are going to keep Sam in ’73 for 22 episodes, when the original came to a conclusion after just 16.


Eleventh Hour - C

Fringe meets CSI in this new procedural from CBS – as if we didn’t have enough. Eleventh Hour is adapted from a British miniseries featuring Patrick Stewart as Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist working for the FBI. The new installment is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer –what isn’t these days?—and stars British actor Rufus Sewell and his creepy eyes as the quirky doc. Hood and his FBI handler Rachel (Marley Shelton), a petite blonde with a sarcastic streak, investigate weird happenings across the U.S. — first, a cloning experiment in Seattle, then a case of 11 year old boys having heart attacks in the deep south.

The premise is a little bit more fantastic than your average procedural, but not as unpleasant as much of today’s science fiction, but fails to succeed at either one. Eleventh Hour may be a happy medium for viewers who want the strange but not the unbelievable, but its wavering nature only comes off as hesitation and self-doubt.

Dexter Highs and Lows

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead

After watching the first two episodes of Dexter’s season three, I'm worried that the shock-factor of the first two seasons has been left behind. I’m finding their latest story moving along much more slowly than even the very first episode, which was a "set up" episode designed to introduce us to show. Despite the pace, I’m intrigued to see where this story will go. Is Miguel evil? Will he discover Dexter's secret? Will Dexter have to kill him?

So far, season three is focusing less on Dexter the Serial Killer and more on Dexter the Family Man. The original premise seems to be getting lost as the writers try to cope with Dexter's concience: it’s no longer about whether Dexter will be able to lead a double life, but which life he will ultimately choose. With Rita’s pregnancy the forefront of the story (a blatant plot device – Dexter’s inner journey could have taken much more creative venues) the show is becoming almost the opposite of what is was before – Dexter getting away with being a serial killer. Now he can barely get away from his social life.

Dexter may be following his own rules now, but he can’t have it both ways; he’s getting spontaneous, emotional, sloppy. He’s no longer the precise, deliberate Dexter from season one, and not the hunted, driven Dexter from season 2. He’s Dexter Lite, a whiny, indecisive Dexter that I’m not sure I like.

What I’d like to see more of this season:
• Masuka’s crazy ways
• Angel really becoming a leader
• Debra continuing to grow as a cop and a person
• Quinn. Enough said.

What I’d like to see less of:
• Maria pining after Miguel. That woman sure needs a lot of attention.
• Dexter and Rita’s not-so-subtle interactions
• Rita trying to be a sexpot soccer mom
• Dexter’s random daydreams
• Jimmy Smits’ bad fake Hispanic accent


Former Dexter Cast Member Heads up CW Show

In other Dexter news, Jaime Murray, who played the tempestuous Lila in season 2, now heads up the cast on Valentine, a cute show on the CW about the Greek Gods living among us and bringing soul mates together. It reminded me a little of Charmed, with the magical family helping those in need. The Gods are updated, living as an LA family, and “Cupid” carrying a gun instead of a bow and arrow.

It’s hard for me to picture Lila as a matriarch, but Murray is quite surprising and likeable in the role. And much better styled. The show also stars familiar faces Christine Lakin (from Step By Step), Autumn Reaser (the OC), and Patrick Fabian (Veronica Mars). All in all, it’s a fun little guilty pleasure for a lonely Sunday evening.

Bones is Back - 2 Hour Premeire Airs Wednesday, Sept. 3

It's officially the first week of the new TV season. For me, it kicks off Wednesday with a 2-hour premiere of Bones. Our favorite duo heads to London, where Bones is a guest-lector at Oxford University. Nothing short of comedy will certainly ensue as Booth trades in his Escalade for a Mini Cooper and his misfit Squints for some straightlaced university folk- who certainly don't speak his language. And he does it all while trying to keep a lid on his jealousy as Bones makes googly eyes at a fellow professor. (A much more complex specimen of human, no doubt.) Back at the Smithsonian, Hodgens and Angela must deal with the return of her long-lost husband and figure out what exactly it means to their own future.

I can't wait- can you?

Bones airs Wednesdays at 7p.m. on FOX.

Not Canceled! Some TV Shows Survive for 2008-2009 Season

While several of my favorite shows from last season met an untimely demise (Journeyman, Moonlight), a nice sized crop of shows were spared to see the light of another season. Many of my friends often ask me if their favorite shows made it through the cancellation storm, so here I present you with this year's list of shows-you-thought-were-cancelled-but-aren't!

Friday Night Lights - Not Canceled! However, the third season is airing this fall on DirecTV channel 101. If you don't have DirecTV, I hear that NBC will re-air season 3 in the spring or summer seasons.

Life - Not Canceled! Life returns to NBC on Fridays this fall, although its premeire date is currently listed as Monday, September 29. Check your listings for the correct airdates.

Eli Stone - Not Canceled! Eli returns on Tuesdays on ABC.

Law & Order: CI - Not Canceled! The third installment of the L&O series will air new episodes on USA Sunday nights. NBC should re-air them in the spring or summer.

Scrubs - Amazingly enough, not canceled! Scrubs is moving to ABC for a spring run.

According to Jim - Canceled! Then un-canceled! According to Jim (unfortunately) will return on ABC's spring schedule.

Reaper - Not Canceled! Reaper's second season will start in January on the CW.

Any other shows you want to know about? I've got the answers, so leave me a comment!

SYTYCD: The Final Four

We're down to the final four, the show's last chance to wow us, to amaze us, to throw us something we've never seen before.

Well, they've never had men dancing in kilts, so that's a first.

This is the finale, SYTYCD, and this is what you give us? Girls dancing with umbrellas? Hip-hoppers dancing in hammer pants? More of Nigel commenting on Joshua and Twich's complete lack of training?

From Twitch and Courtney's first hip-hop routine, I was underwhelmed. Sure, the piece was energetic and fun, and pretty entertaining, but it just wasn't finale material.

The second routine was a Wade Robson lyrical piece danced by Katee and Joshua. I was glad to have him back, and the choreography was extremely raw and difficult. But really, can't we give these two something other than contemporary? I guess it's their strong point, so of course the judges want to see it over and over. And over. And over.

Next, Katee and Courtney dance a Tyce Broadway routine. This is the moment where I know Katee is the better dancer. Putting the two girls side by side only reveals Courney's weaknesses. Her leaps are not as long and her movement is in general more amateur. But on the bright side, I've always liked Courtney's personality, and I absolutely loved her New York Italian accent during her interview with Cat (and didn't you love how Cat referred to her family as the Sopranos? Priceless!)

Joshua and Twitch danced some sort of traditional Russian battle dance. Sure, it was difficult, but to me it was less dancing and more trick-doing. Joshua can jump really high! Twitch can walk on his knees! The routine did a really great job of showcasing each of their individual talents but did not do well at creating a unified piece. It seemed like two separate dances to me, and I would have liked to see more cohesion.

Katee and Twitch then danced a fox-trot. I can't help but compare all of these dances to past routines, both this season and last, and even the Twitchington piece that appeared in Twitch's flashback was more memorable. I just didn't believe the passion between Twitch and Katee, although the movement itself was graceful. I really like Jason the Aussie, and hope to see him back next year.

The final partner dance is a jive with Joshua and Courtney. The judges reiterate by this time that the dancers are tired and worn out, and it showed in this dance. I never really liked Chelsie, but I have to admit she would have torn up the stage in this routine. Courtney's kicks were way too choppy- and it didn't help that she was wearing those ugly snow boots! They made her legs look really stubby and didn't go with the dress at all. Come on, wardrobe! This is the finale! Did no one get the memo?

Then, of course, there was Mia Michaels' Braveheart routine. I don't even know where to start with this one. It was like Lord of the Dance meets Scottish warriors meets the convent. I mean...Seriously?

My Conclusion
You know I've been pushing for Joshua to win this entire time, but he let me down a little tonight. I hate to admit this too, but I think Twitch did a better job. Just a little. There, I said it! Please don't throw stones!

Courtney, while I love her to death, agree wholeheartedly that she needs more training and will probably come in last. Katee has been the most consistent dancer this season and arguably deserves to win.

As for tonight's show, which routines do you want to see repeated? Will Nigel really dance this year, or will we get another Jib-Jab ripoff?

SYTYCD: Top 6 Perform

Tomorrow the top 4 will be revealed, and then it's only a week before Katee and Joshua will be battling it out for the title of "America's Favorite Dancer". Their contemporary, choreographed by Tyce, blew the pas de deax she did with will straight out of the water. It was so much fun to watch and the lifts were effortless. Speaking of Tyce- why isn't he sitting at the judges' table? He's been on the show longer that Tabitha and Napoleon, choreographed more dances this year than Mia Michaels, and is far less annoying than Adam Shankman. (What's he doing anyway? Choreographing Step Up 3?)

Yes, I'm pretty sure Katee and Joshua--who oh-so-convieniently got paired up again--are a shoe-in for the final 2. So does it really matter who joins them in the Top 4? Not at all. But I would love it if underdog Courtney was dancing in the finale. She is graceful, humble, and dyanamic, opposed to Chelsie, who only revels in the fact that her partners are only there to make her look good. Except in hip hop.

Unfortunately, there is a high chance this season will mimic last year's finale, when Lacey beat out Lauren for the final spot. But if this year does indeed follow the trend, then we can be hopeful that Chelsie won't make the top 3.

As for the Mark/Twitch showdown: it really is just a toss up. There's a lot of similarity between these two- great personality, quirkiness, charisma, but not a lot of technique. At this point, it's all a matter of personal preference. Twitch was in the bottom 2 last week, so it may just be his time to go, grill and all.

SYTYCD: Top 10 Perform

Tonight, the dancers not only switched partners, but it also marks the first night audience votes send the bottom 2 home. Most of my predictions from last week still stand, but there were definitely a couple of surprises for me in tonight's show.

Courtney and Joshua: I thought these two did really well with their routines. Courtney could have given a little bit more during the hip hop, but Joshua once again lit up the stage. He is still one of my favorites.

Comfort and Twitch: Their first routine, a waltz, was a total disaster. This dance completely reiterated the fact that Comfort needs to go home, and I was disappointed in their connection to one another. Twitch seems extremely lost in anything outside of hip hop and contemporary, which may be his downfall.

Katee and Will: A.Ma.Zing. That's all i have to say about that. That pas de deux was insane. Hated the song though. Marc walked in right when they messed up and said "wow, that didn't work." ha. I still think Will needs to show a little more personality to win this competition.

Kherington and Mark: I was excited to see them perform a two-step- but I was completely disappointed in their execution. They were disjointed in both routines - not even a sliver of a connection. I agree with the judges that Mark is good at acting, but not so great at just dancing. And Kherington! Did she look bored or what? She didn't even look like she was trying. I must say, my interest in her is fading fast.

Chelsie and Gev: We all know that Chelsie is good, and that was only reiterated tonight. In contrast to my last post, I was really impressed with Gev. He did the contemporary justice but I could totally tell he was thinking during the jive. Either way, I think he deserves to stay another week.

My predictions this week: Mark will say goodbye and Comfort will be ousted once again. I hope.