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The Englishman Rates 27 Pilot Scripts From Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN & the WB On The Herc Scale!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
Our spy, who calls himself “The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain,” seems to like pretty much all the pilot scripts for this coming season. He gives 24 of the 27 scripts discussed here three stars or better, and gives four stars to 14 of the 24. He even gives the new pilot from Greg Berlanti (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Everwood,” “Jack & Bobby”) five stars, and the new pilot from Aaron Spelling (“Safe Harbor,” “Titans,” “Deep Cover,” “10-8,” “Summerland,” “Clubhouse”) four stars.
Striking also is the number of hourlongs looking to ride the success of “Lost,” including a Bermuda Triangle drama and at least three dramas dealing with extraterrestrial incursion: CBS’ “Threshold,” ABC’s “Invasion” and NBC’s “Fathom” (which, we now know, deals with sea creatures from Venus).
And while Fox’s “Prison Break,” obviously inspired by “24,” sounds like a supercool premise, I’m not encouraged by the fact that it was written by Paul Scheuring (“A Man Apart”), directed by Brett Ratner (“Red Dragon,” “After the Sunset”) and produced by Neal Moritz (“Torque,” “Point Pleasant”).
Here’s “The Englishman” with the rundown:
Hey Herc, just spent the last few days browsing through a shit load of drama scripts in contention for a fall spot berth (luckily, this development season has garnered some great projects) and thought you and your fellow AICN-readers might like a bit of rundown and a quick review. UPN
"Triangle" (**, Herc's Strong Rating System) is about a young doctor's investigation of his wife's mysterious disappearance during their Caribbean honeymoon. Ivan Sergei is on board, but the script was nothing to write home about. "Crazy" (****) on the other hand, from writer Sarah Thorp, is actually a great drama about a female psychiatrist who sees the problems of her patients reflected in her own life. Unlike most of Spelling's other outings, this feels real, poignant and funny.
The WB
"Supernatural" (***) is described as a cross between "The X-Files" and "Route 66" in which Sam, a recent Stanford graduate, who along with his estranged older brother Dean encounter unusual ghosts and local creatures straight out of American folk lore and urban legends during a road trip from San Francisco back home to Los Angeles. Not quite up to par with Mulder and Scully adventures, it's still a promising script that boasts the addition of director David Nutter. "Dog Town Lawyers" (****) centers on the relationship between a young prodigy lawyer (Jay Baruchel) and his mentor, a jaded defense attorney who has fallen from the big leagues. This is from über-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and it's another home run for the producer. "The Prince" (*****) from producer Greg Berlanti ("Everwood") and feature scribe Jesse Wigutow, is a drama about a rich New York family and the relationship between the father and the younger son following the older son's death. The script reads like a novel, and hits all the right nerves about this upper crust world.
Fox
"Amy Coyne" (****) is described as "Ally McBeal" meets "Jerry Maguire" in which a young woman inherits her father's sports agency business following his sudden death. Feature scribe Paul Scheuring is on a roll with two scripts set up at the network. "Briar & Graves" (****) is a drama about a hard-living priest who partners with a female doctor to investigate unexplained religious phenomena, and "Prison Break" (*****) follows a man's (Wentworth Miller) attempt to break his older brother (Dominic Purcell), a wrongly convicted man on death row, out of prison over the course of a season. The former is fun and creepy. The latter was shot late last year under the direction of Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour"), and with this script, I don't see how they can fuck it up. This is the show to look out for this fall season, mark my words. "Murder Book" (***) revolves around L.A. cops and the beat-by-beat way they go about their business, including compiling reams of info about a case in one giant book. Feature director Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") is on board to direct. "Crazy Lawyers" (****) is a drama about a successful golden boy lawyer (Chris O'Donnell) who has a nervous breakdown and teams up with another mentally disturbed lawyer (Adam Goldberg) with an anger problem to help people with issues, legal and otherwise. This is quirky and funny, and a definite keeper in my book. "Revd" (**) is about two brothers in North Carolina NASCAR country who, working out of a chop shop, try to protect local residents from threats of big business and corrupt government. This is basically about lots of cool cars, attractive people and action. 'Nuff said.
NBC
"NY-70" (*****) is, according to NBC's press release, a stylized look, a la "Casino," at the tumultuous and exciting times of 1970s New York as seen through the eyes of two cops who were at the epicenter of all the action. In a time when "fun shows" on TV are "in," the program will be the antithesis to all the dark and moody cop shows that have been proliferating for years. Donnie Wahlberg and Bobby Cannavale have been cast as Popeye and Sonny Grosso, and Clark Johnson ("s.w.a.t.") is set to direct. The script was a fun ride, and one of my bets for a fall spot. "Book of Daniel" (****) offers a provocative take on a family with a religious bent. An Episcopalian reverend and father finds himself speaking routinely with Jesus, who appears as a vision and offers valuable guidance to help him navigate through family issues, church politics (especially as they involve a rehabilitation clinic run by the church) - and his own personal issues. "World of Trouble" (**) is about a squad of U.S.-based FBI agents who solve crimes committed against Americans (and U.S. interests) overseas. The series would be a driving, single story crime drama set on an international stage that combines high-end, intelligent crime story (much like NBC's "Law & Order") with international intrigue (a la "The Bourne Identity" and "Supremacy"). Also showcased are more fully developed lead characters than in most contemporary procedural legal dramas. The premise sounds intriguing, but unfortunately, the script doesn't deliver. "Fathom" (****) is an intriguing sci-fi drama. NBC's press release reads: What do naval officers in the South Antarctic Sea, a family in San Diego, the oceanographic institute in Monterey, and fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico all have in common? They're all about to be the first to meet a new form of sea life - it's beautiful, the kids may even want to play with it, and it likes to make the water warm. But what they don't know yet is that they are on the verge of a world disaster. In fact, these sea creatures are space invaders from Venus, here to make life on earth sustainable for even more creatures to come. "Fathom" is a series full of continuously evolving twists that deliver across several long-term arcs. "The E-Ring" (*****) is another outing from über-producer Bruckheimer where he brings the trademark action-paced storytelling of his big features to the small screen and into one building - the Pentagon. Every decision could mean life or death somewhere in the world as conflicts between America's military heroes and the civilians to whom they report often escalate to explosive climaxes - maneuvering through that building in a crisis requires the agility of walking a tightrope over landmines. Benjamin Bratt is the lead, and behind the helm is Taylor Hackford ("Ray"). This is a solid, riveting drama that only confirms the solid tube reputation of action-maestro Jerry. CBS
"American Crime" (****) is about a female prosecutor who juggles the world of suburban crime with the challenges of being a new mother. It's from our friend Jerry again, so I’m going to leave it at that. "Threshold" (****) is a drama about a female government contingency analyst who leads a team of scientists and military personnel to respond to the threat of a mysterious alien lifeform. Produced by David Goyer ("Batman Begins"), this is a page-turner and a fascinating sci-fi story. "Untitled Diamond & Weisman Project" (***) revolves around the lives of a sports agent and his wife, a magazine editor, as they juggle parenthood. This was a cut above your average family drama, and I'll keep it that. Oh, and it's another directing duty for Brett Ratner. ABC
"Commander-in-Chief" (****) is a political drama about the nation's first female President which, unlike NBC's "The West Wing," will spend more time examining the president's family life with less focus on West Wing matters. The script from Rod Lurie is fresh, insightful and clever. "The Evidence" (***) is a new procedural crime drama which, unlike most procedural crime series, will present all the evidence and then try to deconstruct the crime. "Invasion" (****) is an alien-themed drama that looks at what happens in a small Florida town after a hurricane. From the genius of Shaun Cassidy, this is a great sci-fi drama about aliens, quirky characters and small-town life in general. "The Night Stalker" (***) is the revival of the 1972-75 ABC series about a reporter named Carl Kolchak who had a tendency to uncover mysteries involving vampires, serial killers and other freakish occurrences. I was really looking forward to this project from Frank Spotnitz ("The X-Files"). It was an interesting read, but I was still left wanting more from the script. "Westside" (****) is described as "L.A. Law" meets "Nip/Tuck," and the drama will focus on an upscale real estate agency specializing in high-end homes on L.A.'s Westside with three of the main characters being related by blood. The comparisons with "L.A. Law" and "Nip/Tuck" are somewhat apt with all the drama and backstabbing. This is a great starting point for a soap drama. Then, I'm happy to introduce a triple treat, a triple J.J. Abrams ("Alias," "Lost") treat. First up, two dramas that he's producing. "Pros & Cons" (****) revolves around five ex-cons who end up working with the government's antifraud forces. Okay, so it's from the writers of "Elektra," but this script is sexy, cool and full of intrigue and drama. "What about Brian?" (****) is about a single man in his 30s still trying to figure out his life after all his friends have gotten hitched. Feature writer Dana Stevens has penned a touching and heartfelt story that I pray to the TV gods end up on the tube. But, what tickles my fancy, is Abrams' own little pilot, a project that's been on the cards for a while, but finally looks to roll later this month. Yes, it's the highly awaited Greg Grunberg ("Alias") collaboration, "The Catch" (*****), an ensemble drama set in the world of bounty hunters. The one-note paragraph may not wet your appetite, but the name J.J. Abrams oughta. At first I was thinking in the vein of "Midnight Run," which would've been cool, but this is so much more. It walks that fine line between drama, comedy and action, and the characters, well, the characters are what you would expect from Abrams. They’re real, they’re flawed… they’re just great in short. In a truly fantastic world of TV, next season - be it fall, midseason or both - all three of J.J. Abrams' projects will be on the tube. And on ABC. Imagine that line-up, five drama series from the true genius that is J.J.
Call me The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a MountainThe Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
***** better than we deserve
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins
Looking for bumper stickers, plush toys and girls’ underwear covered with cute cartoon double-amputees? Visit The Herc Store!
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All these shows are going to blow
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Feb 20, 2005 7:15:30 AM CST
So, if "The Catch" gets picked up, then that means that J'Abrams
by smarkjobber
...right? That's not good for "Lost," and definitely not good for "Alias." While he's trying to set up "The Catch" all nice and pretty, Syd and Co. are gonna be flailing about, drifting ever closer to cancellation (*groan*). Hopefully they put a slug through Weiss's head by the end of this season (something they should have done to Will Tippen in the Season 2 finale).
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Feb 20, 2005 10:12:14 AM CST
JJ isn't that focused on either show at the moment anyway.
by chorleyfm
And for the others except Catch he won't be that involved. NY-70 has sounded quite good so far, and both Prison Break and Crazy Lawyers have good casts. Supernatural will suck (the leads are Jared Padelicki and the new guy from Smallville who is with Lana). The big pilot season news is that Ed Helms may be leaving Daily Show for something, like Carrell did a while ago. My big hope is that the NBC sched is shit again so we get more West Wing.
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What about "Police Cop" or "Night Boat?"
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I just skimmed the article but it seemed like this guy liked everything he saw. Was there anything he didn't like? Or did he only mention things he thought were good and didn't mention the awful stuff? I guess I'm just accustomed to hearing more negative feedback around here. When I sense a lack of negativity it doesn't feel right. Is that wrong?
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It's too early to tell but I wish they'd made feature films out of this first, rather than produce another tv series. Part of the reason the original failed as a series was it's adherence to the monster of the week formula. Kolchak doesn't fight large scale conspiracies; he fights vampires and werewolves. I'm still not sure how the producers are going to stretch this out over a full season let alone on an on-going basis. I wish Fincher had got the rights together for a slew of feature films. Perhaps even using Matheson's 3 original telescripts - Night Stalker, Night Strangler, Night Killers. Fingers crossed the new Kolchak gets the success that the legacy deserves.
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Englishman can give us an idea of what the Night Stalker pilot was about?
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And also, who wants to bet that only the crappiest, most derivative of all these get picked up and the good ones get shelved indefinitely?
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You know most of these will get canned after 2 episodes. To me they all sound pretty shitty. TV sucks.
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Neat. But why did Herc love almost everything :) ?
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Feb 20, 2005 1:37:25 PM CST
i'm too lazy, but can someone else who's actually read these thi
by i87d
make it known that some of the "3 star" and "4 star" scripts this guy claims to have read are more like 1 and 2 star scripts? that many of 5 stars he bestows are on projects that will never even get picked up (and for good reason... they aren't that promising). is this guy an intern who works in an office/agency with lots of access to scripts or something? because, if so, here's some advice: if you want to move up in your career, you can't like everything. smply stated, not everything is that good, and your superiors will know that. your coverage sounds like it's hedging too many bets, and I don't like to receive "safe" coverage from interns...
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don't knock medical shows. I'll take SCRUBS, HOUSE and the upcoming GREY'S ANATOMY any day over a Bruckheimer crime procedural. In fact, Scurbs and Grey's (based on the pilot I saw last year) are probably in my top 5 of all shows, regardless of setting... (HOUSE would be higher on the list, but that cat autopsy single-handedly turned me off for the remainder of the season)
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Shaun Cassidy stinks as a producer. When will Hollywood learn not to give control of a TV show to this ratings poison? Get a hint! None of his shows have last. COLD CASE had to get rid of him and their ratings went up.
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So the WB sends established cult hit off to UPN to die two years early, then flat out cancels Angel, probably a good two years early, and now they want to try and jump back in with Supernatural? Bastards! Well, I guess it could be good, but I'll expect it to be on par with Charmed, which somehow still exists in an Angel-less world. Too bad it's about a brother and sister instead of Faith and Spike on a motorcycle.
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I read it wrong, it's two brothers. No reason to watch.
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How can you tell? When the new NBC shows are reviewed well.
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Then how did Roar happen?
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Just because his shows get cancelled doesn't mean they're bad. He did after all create one of the best shows in the last 10 years (American Gothic) and the Agency was pretty good too. In those shows he had a lot more input so they weren't watered down garbage like Cold Case.
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Feb 21, 2005 12:14:28 PM CST
What about "1/4 Life," the new drama from the guys behind Thirty
by lance rock
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Roar... cancelled. A cheap attempt to ride the coattails of BRAVEHEART. The Agency was a riding off of a horribly predictable show called JAG. It was the longest lasting show Cassidy was involved but not because of him. It was because Wolfgang Peterson was involved and the network didn't want to upset him. That's why the show was sent to void called rating Hell AKA Saturday night at 10pm. Cassidy as a producer on COLD CASE... it only made you think that the police were complete idiots in the first place because the murderers were so predictable. Time and technology had nothing to do with helping to solve the case. I saw the first episode of American Gothic before I knew Cassidy was producer and it was so boring, I don't even remember what it was about.
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THERE IS NO FUCKING WATER ON VENUS. Jesus H. Christ - do these people ever read books?
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Feb 21, 2005 4:13:35 PM CST
Thank you, DonnaDarko! Venus has a surface temp of 480 degrees,
by frankdrebin
They should've just optioned Michael Turner's "Fathom". Oh wait, right, those pesky royalties...
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Feb 21, 2005 4:16:58 PM CST
What gets aired is determined by which producer currently has pu
by frankdrebin
Quality is not a factor.
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