Mondays this Fall: Vanished

This series is dedicated to new shows coming this fall. I'll cover a show a day for the next month.

"Vanished"

When: Mondays, 9:00 PM EST
Who: Gale Harold, Rebecca Gayheart, Ming-Na, John Allen Nelson
Where: FOX
What:

Fox has at least put a lot of time and resources into this one, which is more than I can say for almost every other review so far (exception: Heroes).

The cast is somewhat talented, the promotion has been better than FOX's usual efforts, and the premise is at least compelling. Usually the disappearance of a Senator's wife is enough of a plot, but then, well, this show would just be "Kidnapped," with older people. In this little gem, they allude that the Senator's wife has lead a double-life. Perhaps she wasn't kidnapped at all, she just got what she needed.

This is gunning to be the next "Lost." It's going to have the same drama, the same evening soap opera type feel. I'm not sure it's for me, but I bet it succeeds.

The talent:

Some of you will know Gale Harold from HBO's hit series, "Deadwood." I regret that I've never seen it. He only appeared in a couple of episodes, I believe, as Wyatt Earp. Others will recognize him from Showtime's "Queer as Folk." I missed that one too. I heard good things, but I'm just not that interested in five gay guys in Pittsburgh. Either way, he's got some critical acclaim, even if it's from shows I've never seen.

It's good to see Rebecca Gayheart (whom I was IN LOVE WITH several years ago) is getting her career back on track after she killed a little kid. You might remember her as the Noxema Girl, or from an early Maxim cover. Maybe Urban Legend, or Scream 2. Either way, she's still eye candy, even if she has no idea how to drive.

Ming-Na is best known for her role as 'only asian doctor on ER' from 2000 to 2004. Meh. She's done other things too, but I don't think she'll be the key element this show needs to succeed.

The good Senator is played by none other than John Allen Nelson. You might recognize him from an episode of "CSI: Miami." It's more likely you recognize him as the latest edition to "24." I never could get into "24," but it's popular in the circles of people I trust. He's probably got something to offer. More importantly, this is the first time I've reviewed a show and covered all of the main actors (and actresses).

Projected Watchability:

Women: 8 out of 10
Men: 6 out of 10

Projected Longevity:

This is just the kind of show that will make a serious bid at captivating anyone who doesn't like football. It's going to be interesting to see which new show wins out in the timeslot, this one, or this weekend's blog project, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." My money is on Vanished. "Studio" will be the better show by far, but audiences are generally dumb. They won't get "Studio," much like the West Wing and Arrested Development.

This show will stick around until the Talent begins demanding more money than they are worth. We'll stick the over/under at six seasons.