Showing posts with label The Blacklist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Blacklist. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Tune In or Tune Out: The Blacklist (NBC)

The Blacklist (NBC)
Created by: Jon Bokenkamp (The Call)
Starring James Spader, and Megan Boone


Let's hope NBC does a better job handling The Blacklist better than it handled Revolution.  While Revolution got pretty decent reviews, the ratings were solid, but their lack of marketing, and erratic scheduling for the show did not help.  The Blacklist had better reviews, and is getting solid word of mouth so can, and should this show succeed?

The Blacklist centers Raymond "Red" Reddington played with utter deviousness by James Spader FBI Special Agent Elizabeth Keen played by Megan Boone.  In the opening sequence Spader's character "Red." is a wanted criminal who surrenders to the FBI.  After his capture Red states that he will only speak with/work through Agent Keen.  Spader's character has information on one of many criminals he has worked with and is planning on helping the FBI catch him.  Reddington has numerous connections with unknown criminals, because he was the person who brokered the deals between them.

The show started in a traditional formulaic manner, but I like the direction the series is taking, in Silence of the Lambs style allowing for the criminal to guide the new agent towards catching other criminals.  Spader is one of the main reasons to watch this series; he takes the darker nature of his Boston Legal character to a whole new level.  Spader along with the premise of the series have me hooked at the moment.  I am looking forward to where this show goes.

Tune In: Spader is too much fun to miss! 



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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.