Winter 2010 TV Picks
This season it seems legal dramas and even comedies are overtaking the medically dominated television. There are plenty of old favorites and a few of them are as strong as ever. The giant of American Idol, one of the most watched TV shows is back minus Paula, so other networks are working extra hard for your attention. Here are our top picks during the winter months.
Legal Dramas
The Good Wife
CBS, Tuesdays, 10/9c
Julianna Margulies continues her winning performance as Alicia Florrick, wife of a jailed politician, who has to go back to law after a very public humiliation, and she is impeccable. The rest of the cast is tremendous as well. In this, second season, Alicia is torn between pushing her career and helping her husband stay safe in jail, at the same while being a mom for her teenage kids. Having seen my share of crime and legal dramas, I have to admit, this one is impressively entertaining, with smart dialogue, interesting cases and the background drama. I bet this one is due for a few more seasons.
The Deep End
ABC, Thursdays, 8/7c, premieres 1/21
Five bright new graduates get a job at a legal firm not realizing that their degree is purely a starting point and the rest is shark territory. Will they survive in the ruthless world of law or will they crumble? With mostly new faces, except for the villain (aka Managing Partner) in Billy Zane, the show looks promising. Five personalities are very clearly set and it is type vs. type, boy vs. girl, smart and sleek vs. straight to the point. It reminded me of the med students on "Grey's Anatomy" except better dressed.
Girl's Night
Desperate Housewives
ABC, Sundays, 9/8c
Season 7 started with the developments after the plane crash. Children found and lost, husbands and lovers here and gone - all the lives on Wisteria Lane have been affected. It is the one event that will have repercussions throughout the entire season. Tough choices will have to be made and Bree is one to regret her past. It seems the show is getting onto a more serious note (as you would have to do following the crash), so expect to see more emotional connections and deeper stories. This is the quality I've come to expect of this team.
Big Love
HBO, Sundays, 10/9c
This controversial drama about a polygamist yet modern family in Utah is a riot to watch. The writing for all the female characters is crisp and Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin are each standouts. Bill Paxton, who is Bill Hendrickson, is the head of the family and he has his hand full managing his hardware empire and now a potentially booming yet troublesome casino business. Add to this the stress of having 3 wives, multiple kids and the old faith issues, and you've got the story. Sadly, the daughter, Sarah, played by Amanda Seyfried, will leave this season, but her departure will surely move you. Stay tuned for this one.
Pure Entertainment
American Idol
Fox, premieres Tuesday, 8/7c, 1/12
Paula is gone, Kara is back, as are Simon and Randy, and Ellen is now new in the picture. New guest judges - Shania Twain, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary J. Blige add some novelty to the round-the-country auditions. It will be interesting to see what the latest music style favorite is - after all each season favors a certain genre. Let's hope there is enough individuality and fun song selections this time.
Lost
ABC, Tuesdays, 9/8c, returns 2/2
Why is this show in the "Entertainment" category you may ask? Simply because this is the final season of the much talked about twisted tale and the end is near. We get all the answers and finish the loop. The show almost jumped the shark at the time when "the others" were getting a bit too out of control, but post the writer's strike it was back with the vengeance and the new "time travel" scenario of the events. Hold tight for February 2nd because Jack and Kate are back and you will finally get some clarity.
