Friday, August 04, 2006

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.

17 comments:

yellowdoggranny said...

i hate when the hook me on a show and then even though it may be the best thing on tv they jerk it cause it gets the wrong demographics for viewers..they can kiss my ass...i love 24, lost, er. and boston legal.which is the best written show on tv, especially since west wing is gone..them bastids..i think i would like the hollywood tv show..cant ever remember it's name...because of the cast...and the writers...i love smart tv and if i never see another reality show again ill be a happy sunsabitch..except for last comic stnding..that 'blue' guy is hysterical...hire the handicapped they're fun to watch...

yellowdoggranny said...

ps..show me how to comment on your music review site...plus i am going to tout this place and the review place...ya dun gud..

Anonymous said...

Man. You need to block off some time and curl up with Season 1 of 24. If you just watched an episode here and there, you wasted your time.

Trust me. Watch it from beginning to end (preferrably on DVD) and you won't be sorry.

Ben said...

I watched the first few episodes of 24 and couldn't get into it. The camera work seemed jerky, which usually I find really annoying (see: The gas station scene from Romeo and Juliet, a piece of crap in it's own right).

Also, it seemed a little fantastic, and not in a good way. Sorta like Mission Impossible. Just sort of falls too far outside the realm of possibility. Maybe I'll give it one more shot though. It wouldn't be the first time I loved something upon second glance.

MC said...

Ben, did you ever read an article on the Ming Na factor? I think you would get a kick out of it.

I just remember seeing so many previews for this during the season finale of Prison Break, and there was something was just something about this show that just looked off. I know this is the kind of show that does take off.

But at this point, Vanished with be facing off The Bachelor:Rome, Two and a Half Men/Old Christine, Runaway and Heroes.

Studio 60 will face Life with Brian(which should be easy to beat) and CSI:Miami(not so much).

Now when I reviewed Studio 60, I made a leap in logic that it was possible that if Vanished didn't open strong, NBC could shift their 10PM series back an hour and take advantage of a situation where no clear winner was being established while sidestepping a strong CSI foe. Of course, come January, we know that 24 is getting that slot, and that would change the whole equation once more.

Ben, I look forward to reading some of your other assessments of the upcoming season.

Nicole said...

Actually, I AM familar with Gale Harold, from Q as F. I have a dear friend who lives 8 hours away from me, and we used to watch it and then always review it the next day over email or MSN. Perry liked a different character, but I was all about Gale. I actually think he just might be the most beautiful human in the whole entire world. It wouldn't break my heart if he was gay either, as I could sleep better at night knowing that NO other woman could have him either. LOL

Anonymous said...

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Amanda said...

I was thinking Studio looked good, but hey difficult to tell from the trailers so far

Persico said...

I watched Kidnapped this morning...

I'm in love with Jeremy Sisto, therefore, biased opinion.

Persico said...

I just commented about the wrong show. I suck at life today.

Mocha said...

Since I never get a chance to review them, I'll be coming back to see your suggestions. Great idea.

Lovely comments on my space today. Your son is quite lucky to have you.

Ben said...

Sorry for being incognito, everyone. Work, and a family emergency (everyone is fine so far) seems to have rocked the boat. I'll try to get back on track soon. In the meantime, please visit "Please Do It, Ms. Hewitt" in the left column.

Wilford Brimley has gone and answered another one of my questions (and boy, is it a doosy).

MC- That's an awesome article. I'm going to have to start watching her press conferences.

EJL said...

I can't wait for Vanished. I think it looks spooky. Kind a like a 24 meets, prison break meets, the davinci code...:)

Nicole said...

Hey...hope all is well. Keeping good thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Man, it's almost like Ben has 'vanished.'

(rim shot)

Get it? Because he reviewed the show Vanished? It's like he...er...well...
not here...and...no update. Ahem.

*fart*

Shelly said...

I watched this one and am intrigued. Of course with FOX's history, as soon as I really get into it they'll pull the plug. I think I might just have to put this on the giye-it-a-try list.

Ben said...

Caught the first 20 minutes of Vanished last night...I'm not going to post about it. It isn't worth the effort.

Truely Craptacular.