"New Amsterdam" - a Review

It seems that whenever anyone comes up with an idea for a new television show all of a sudden similar themed shows pop up all over the airwaves. The latest in this senario is the immortal cop/detective theme. FOX planned to air their new show "New Amsterdam" in the fall but held off after a similar show aired on a rival network. Finally the show has arrived and aired a few weeks ago.

The show's main character is a 400 year old man who also happens to be a New York city police etective. Unlike many immortals Amsterdam does not "hide" his secret. He has never left the New York area and he is always making references to things in his past. The "flawed character" tends to be a fan favourite. With any luck John Amsterdam of "New Amsterdam" will follow suit and stick around for a while.

While the first few episodes have left some questions in viewers minds that may seem like mistakes - like how does a cop collpse in a subway station and the police department isn't notified - but the show has also broken some barriers like a mixed couple with a baby in the forties. The grown son tends to lend a little comedy to the show. Questions have also been raised about Amsterdam remaining in the same city and re-inventing himself every so often without the notice of the authorities. That feat even in today's society is not that difficult a task.

In my mind there is little on the television these days that is worth the trouble of watching and now that fans are without Jack Bauer for a while; it is nice to find something worth watching. I like the shows which portray scenes from history in them.

"New Amsterdam" does not need foul language, excessive violence, and adult behaviour to tell a good story. It's nice to have a show where the main character gives the female population something to look at and be intelligent at the same time. There are several levels going on at the same time in the show - John's past, his search for "the one", his relationship with Omar, and of course his job as a detective.

John Amsterdam is a police office in New York City, John Amsterdam is 400 years old and cannot die. John Amsterdam provides some quality entertainment without insulting the intelligence of viewers. And John Amsterdam and "New Amsterdam" just might teach us something in the process. If nothing else the show will give you something to go hmmmmmmmm about.

Unfortunately, "New Amsterdam" only lasted eight weeks. The writer's strike shortened an already short season and in this day and age television executives don't give viewers any chance to settle into a show before they cancel it.