Tune In or Tune Out: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Created by: Dan Goor (Parks and Recreation), Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation)

Starring: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fuermo, Joe Lo Truglio, Terry Crews, and Andre Braugher 

The team from Parks and Recreation has brought together another odd ball group, but this time they are in a police station in Brooklyn.  While crime hasn't been funny since Barney Miller (1974-1982) this show tackles cops in a truly hilarious way.

The shows strength is ensemble which centers around Detective Jake Peralta (Samburg), Detective Amy Santiago (Fuermo), Detective Charles Boyle (Lo Truglio), Sergeant  Terry Jeffords (Crews), Captain Ray Holt (Braugher), and some relatively new players to round out the ensemble.  This show was at the top of my list for must-watch new comedies, and it did not disappoint. 

While Samburg may not be everyone's cup of tea his charm as cocky police officer attempting to grow up works.  Samburg has worked with Schur before on Parks and Recreation; he gets the humor and blends into this series well without becoming too obnoxious.  The best part of this first episode was Braugher; he is one of my favorite actors working today, and he tackles humor here with that perfect dry wit.  Braugher is the standout of the episode, but like this duos past work on Parks and Recreation there is a great ensemble which looks like it will be developed further.  The only person who felt a little out of place was Crews whose shell shocked officer was more gimmick than anything else.  

These two men who have worked on Parks and Recreation have helped write and create some of the greatest moments for the show.  Parks and and Recreation also knows how to use characters, through evolving them, or having them move on from the series.   I feel as though this was a great start to a show that has tremendous potential.   

Tune In! One of my Favorite Comedy pilots in a while 

Fall 2013 TV Preview: Most Anticipated New Shows

Who is excited for the new fall television series? Me, there are a lot of good ones on the horizon this year, and of course, a few shows, which make you ask "How did you get a green light?" Of the major 4 (5 if you want to count the CW), there a mixed bag on every network.  Here are the 6 new shows that I am looking forward to the most!

1-Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)

No description needed!  This is the most anticipated drama/series in general of this season.  ABC did not send out screeners of this, but smartly waited until this year's San Diego Comic Con to show more material, and after hearing people's reactions, I am pumped.  Marvel and Whedon are brilliant with how they have handled the overall creation of this world in a live action way, and I am excited to see the return of Clark Gregg as Coulsen. 

2-The Crazy Ones (CBS)

Log line: An unorthodox father-daughter team oversees a struggling ad agency.

Cast: Robin Williams, Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Wolk, Amanda Setton, Hamish Linklater.

The previews for this show look hilarious, and teaming Robin Williams with Sarah Michelle Gellar is a genius idea.  It doesn't hurt that the rest of the ensemble James Wolk, Hamish Linklater, Amanda Setton are all great.  The riff off with Kelly Clarkson making the McDonald's song dirty is enough to get me to watch.

3-The Blacklist (NBC)

Log line: One of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives mysteriously turns himself in and offers to help the bureau find a sought-after terrorist, but only if he can work solely with a rookie FBI profiler fresh out of Quantico.

Cast: James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix, Ryan Eggold.

While Spader was a ham on Boston Legal, he was still great, and I have only heard incredible things about this drama.  NBC has done a great job trying to break the bubble, and compete with non major network series, Hannibal is a great example.  This looks like it will be there next opportunity to create another great drama series.

4-Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Log line: A no-nonsense new captain at a Brooklyn police precinct forces an immature but brilliant detective to grow up.

Cast: Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Chelsea Peretti, Joe Lo Truglio.

Andy Samberg was only funny on SNL with his digital shorts (to me), but this show looks like he and the ensemble are going to knock it out of the park.  It's out there like Barney Miller, but with a more modern sensibility.  I am excited to see Braugher and Crews turn up the laughs for once.

5-The Michael J. Fox Show (NBC)

Log line: A TV reporter, after years of being the poster boy for Parkinson’s disease and a stay-at-home dad driving his family bonkers, finally returns to work.

Cast: Michael J. Fox, Betsy Brandt, Wendell Pierce, Katie Finneran, Conor Romero, Juliette Goglia, Jack Gore.

I did not see a preview for this show until about a few weeks ago, but boy is Michael J. Fox, one of the most impressive television actors of all time; he is probably going to go down, as having one of the most under rated legacies, from Family Ties, to Spin City, all his guest work recently, and potentially this show; he and the show look hilarious.

6-Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC)

I am excited to see where this spin-off goes, but place it at 6 because I do not want the Once folks to go too far and stretch the lore without thinking, the way things played out with Lost.