Winter 2009 TV Preview: Shows Coming to the Small Screen

Mid-season is here for the 2008-2009 television season, and it couldn't come fast enough. I think it's fairly safe to say that the new TV shows that premiered this past fall didn't have too many hits out of the ballpark. There are a few keepers, of course, but nothing has really risen to become the must-see hit of the television season, but that may be about to change. Development for the fall 2008 television schedule was severely hampered by the writer's strike (hopefully that's the excuse), and many new TV shows were put off until midseason. So here's a brief look at the new (scripted) TV shows coming to your screen this winter and spring.

NBC

Kings - A modern version of the story of King David. I saw an extended trailer back in the fall of 2008, and I must say that it actually looked good and interesting - two things you wouldn't expect to hear about a TV show on NBC nowadays. Of course, it may have been the Coldplay track they were using as background, but it's definitely on my list to check out when it debuts. Starring Ian McShane (Deadwood), Susanna Thompson (Once and Again), and Christopher Egan as David Shepherd. The show is scheduled to premiere March 19 at 9 pm with a two-hour premiere before settling into the 10 pm Thursday time slot on March 26.

Amy Poehler show - If there was an actual name for this TV show, I'd tell you. As far as I know, it is still called "The Untitled Amy Poehler Project." That would be an interesting name, wouldn't it? Not much is known about this show other than it comes from the producers behind "The Office." Rashida Jones (Karen from "The Office" has joined the cast, but where it takes place and what it's about is still pretty much a mystery.

The Philanthropist - This show has undergone some creative revamping from its inception, which may or may not be a good thing. This show is about a billionaire who becomes a vigilante philanthropist after the death of his only child, doing whatever it takes to right the world's wrongs and help people in need.

Merlin - A fantasy series based on the young adventures of a young Arthur and Merlin.

FOX

Dollhouse - A much anticipated show from a cult favorite, Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), this show stars Eliza Dushku (Buffy, Tru Calling) as Echo, a human doll whose memory and personality is wiped clean after every assignment. The show is scheduled to air on Fridays at 9 pm, starting February 13, after Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Lie to Me - Wednesdays after Idol

Starring Tim Roth as a "deception expert" who can tell if someone is lying or not - in other words, he's a human lie detector who helps the government, police, corporations and private individuals in their search for the truth.

Sit Down, Shut Up - If you miss "Arrested Development, then this animated show based on an Australian show adapted by the creator of AD and pretty much voiced by the cast of AD may help you get over the blues. The show focuses on staff members at a high school in a small northeastern town who are concerned with pretty much anything but the students.

The Cleveland Show - A spin-off of "Family Guy," Cleveland Brown gets his own show when his long lost high school love comes knocking and offers a second chance at love.

ABC

ABC has six new television series debuting in midseason - definitely an after effect of the writer's strike.

Castle - "Castle" stars Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Desperate Housewives) as a mystery novelist who teams with a NYPD detective to solve crimes copied from his novels. It is currently scheduled to air on Mondays at 10 pm starting March 9.

The Unusuals - "The Unusuals" is an ensemble dramedy set in a New York police precinct co-starring Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Harold Perrineau (

Lost), and Adam Goldberg. Tamblyn stars as a homicide detective with co-workers who have an unusual sense of humor for their line of work. The show will air Wednesdays at 10 pm starting April 8.

Cupid - If you think this sounds like a show that was on ABC before, you're right. An update/remake of the previous show (which starred a pre-Entourage Jeremy Piven), this show is about a man (Bobby Cannavale) who may or may not be the real life Cupid who has to make 100 couples fall in love before he is allowed to return to Mount Olympus. The show is scheduled to air Tuesdays at 10 pm starting March 24.

In the Motherhood - This show was originally a web series starring Chelsea Handler, Jenny McCarthy and Leah Remini about the lives of three mothers based on real life stories. ABC has now adapted it and replaced Jenny McCarthy and Leah Remini with Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) and Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm).

Better Off Ted - This is a satirical office comedy looking at a successful, but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs the research and development at a morally questionable corporation. Starring Jay Harrington and Portia de Rossi.

The Goode Family - an animated half-hour from the executive producers of the Fox show "King of the Hill." The show is about the Goode family, who is dedicated to doing the right thing - environmentally, politically or socially.

Scrubs - Not technically a new show, but it is new on ABC. The show has moved from NBC to ABC so it is new on ABC, but if you haven't watched this show before, chances are that you aren't likely to watch it now either, even if it is actually funny.

CBS

CBS' television schedule is pretty tight, but it will make room for one new scripted show, Harper's Island, which is a murder mystery that takes place on an island where people have gathered together for a wedding. The show is scheduled to start April 9 on Thursdays at 10 pm and run through July 2.

Also coming back on Fridays at 9 pm starting January 9 to replace The Ex-List is the summer series Flashpoint, which is a cop show about Toronto's version of SWAT. Although it is another cop show, I do recommend checking this one out. It takes a different look at a case and actually makes you care about the cases and the cops who work to resolve them.

Let's hope that these shows offer some better choices than this fall's television offerings did. And while we're at it, keep your fingers crossed that there won't be a SAG actors' strike that will affect television for next season either. Happy watching!