Change always follows the New Year, and the world of television is no exception to the rule. Old favorites finally return, and, of course, major networks air new shows.
The writers' strike last year forced many networks to air horrible mid-season replacements, relying heavily on reality TV for low-cost filler material. This year faces a new set of problems, and while it may seem that the film and television industries might be impervious to the effects of the economic downturn, the number of new television shows for the spring has drastically decreased.
Fox probably has the most buzz surrounding its new shows, especially the sci-fi Joss Whedon creation "Dollhouse." Starring Eliza Dushku, "Dollhouse" presents a futuristic universe in which humans can be blank canvases for any type of identity. Expectations for this show are mixed, as it is difficult to determine what direction it will take.
ABC will unveil only three new shows: "Castle," "Cupid" and "The Unusuals." "Castle" is about a mystery novelist collaborating with the NYPD to solve crimes. While the premise is a bit baffling and requires viewers to suspend belief, Nathan Fillion's return to primetime is sure to excite many "Firefly" addicts out there.
"The Unusuals" is another New York City police drama, begging the question of whether the same network really needs two takes on the same age-old formula. Erring even further on the corny side, "Cupid" tells a story of a modern-day man who believes he is Cupid sent to earth to help lowly humans find love.
NBC has only one big show for the spring: "Kings" remakes the David and Goliath parable for a modern audience, featuring a young man who battles a powerful king (played by the incredibly talented Ian McShane from "Deadwood").
"Harper's Island," a 13-part mystery series reminiscent of a Clue game, will air on CBS in the beginning of April.
Other TV networks, however, will be giving the major networks a run for their money with their own spring additions.
The season's most promising show is Showtime's "The United States of Tara." Produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Diablo Cody of "Juno" (2007) fame, the show stars Toni Collette as a woman with multiple personalities, which include housewife, teenager, redneck and normal mother. Tara tries to run a family while dealing with her disease.
TNT has already aired "Leverage," a show about computer thieves who rob from rich corporations and give to the poor (think "Robin Hood" for the Internet generation). And Eric McCormack, most well-known for being the male half of "Will and Grace," returns to primetime in "Trust Me" on TNT.
HBO will bring Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling novels, "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," to TV this spring. They will also air "East Bound & Down," a comedy, and "Taking Chance," a mini-series starring Kevin Bacon as a war veteran. HBO will also release the film "Grey Gardens," with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as a reclusive mother-and-daughter pair, later this spring.
In all, 2009 promises plenty of new television for viewers who are tired of the same old line-up, and in the next couple of weeks everyone's favorite shows should slowly start coming back, if they haven't already. Hopefully 2009 can pull TV out of the dark abyss it's fallen into over the past year and give viewers something more substantial. The relatively creative concepts announced thus far lend support to such an optimistic prediction.
