New TV Shows in '08

Previewing new shows/seasons starting this January and beyond.

On the Fox Network: "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" will have a two-night premier starting on Jan. 13, 08 and the second on Jan. 14, 08. This show is based on the Terminator film franchise, and the time frame is after "Terminator 2: Judgment day" but before "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines". Since, in Terminator 3 Sarah Connor was dead.

Lena Headey plays Sarah Connor. John Connor is by Thomas Dekker. Summer Glau is the good Terminator (Cameron Phillips) and Richard T. Jones is the bad one (James Elison). The only actors I recognize are Thomas Dekker (Zach on Heroes) and Summer Glau (Crystal Burns on The Unit). The story is the same as in the movies; the Connor's are begin chased by Skynet's that were sent from the future (again). Instead of continuing to run the Connor's focus on keep Skynet from ever existing. So begins their quest to stop the US military from creating the deadly program.

Of course, the month of January would be complete without a new season on "American Idol". The two-night premiere is scheduled for Jan. 15 &16 (8/7c). I do not look forward to the 'bad auditions'.

Some of the shows scheduled for Mid-season that may fill slots due to the writers strike are "When Woman Rule the World". A reality show where the participants are taken to a primitive location and explores what it would be like if women were in charge and men were subservient. I wonder if a man or woman thought up this show? To win, the men do what ever the women tell them to do 24/7. During the duration of the show, the women will eliminate the men and the last man standing will be the winner. No scheduled air date yet.

On NBC "American Gladiators" will be premiering Jan.6, 08 (9/8) and it will be hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali. NBC is also accepting applications for the next "America's Got Talent", so expect it to start some time in January or February 08.

"The Celebrity Apprentice" starts Jan. 3 (9/8). The celebrity contestants are Gene Simmons,Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Tito Ortiz (Ultimate Fighting Champion), Piers Morgan (Judge on America's Got Talent), Omarosa (from the first 'Apprentice"), Lennox Lewis ( Former heavyweight-boxing champion), for a complete list check out here.

The "Lipstick Jungle" is based on a best-selling book by Candace Bushnell (author of 'Sex and the City"). It premieres on Feb.7 (10/9). This is dramedy (drama-comedy) that follows three high-powered girlfriends' while trying to make it in the Big Apple.

"Baby Borrowers" is a social experiment, taking five teenage couples and giving them adult responsibilities, and let them experience parenthood firsthand. The teenage couples are desperate to have their own life and families, so they are given real houses with real kids. They will begin with an infant followed by toddler, pre-teen, teenager, and than finally (no joke) a senior citizen. How will these kids cope with the pressures of real life? Can they handle it or will they break, you have to watch to find out.

The CBS show "Jericho" returns for its third season on Feb. 12, 08. Jericho is about life after a series of terrorist attacks on the US that leave the country in a state of disaster that they have to deal with. Jericho is the name of the small town in Kansas that they live in.

"The Power of Ten" is returning to the CBS prime time line up on Jan.2 (8). Contestants on "The Power of Ten" predict how American's responded to poll questions. If contestants accurately predict the answers, they could win up to $10 Million dollars. Drew Carey will continue to be the host.

"Big Brother 9" is scheduled to premiere Feb 12 (9).

Other game shows coming to CBS are "Do You Trust Me" and "Million Dollar Password". Tucker Carlson will host "Do You Trust Me"; this game is based on trust or the lack of. Two contestants (total strangers) will play as a team for $1 Million dollars, and test their ability to trust. Throughout the show the host will reveal facts about the contestants that will help them determine if they are or aren't trustworthy. No scheduled air date yet. The "Million Dollar Password" a Primetime game show is set to be hosted by Regis Philbin (as if we really want him to host another show). Contestants pair up with a celebrity to win $1
Million dollars. Auditions are going on now! There is no scheduled airdate for this show yet.

A new game show on ABC is "Duel"; it will have a six-night premiere starting on Dec. 17^th (weekday 8/7, Sunday 8/7). This show combines trivia and strategy as 24 contestants duel against each other to win a jackpot of over one million dollars. Multiple-choice questions are asked and players choose their answer by placing a chip (valued at $5,000) over their answer(s). Chips on the wrong answer(s) is collected by the House and added to the jackpot. When a player runs out of chips they are out, and the winner chooses another player to duel.