October 4, 2006
Lost is the most intellectually taxing program on network television. It takes the full concentration of the viewer, who must recall information from the entire run of the show and actively attempt to figure out what the hell is going at least a couple of times per episode. Even then, the surprises and twists come out of nowhere and punch the viewer in the proverbial stomach. AND EVEN THEN, there are still nagging loose ends and thought-provoking cliffhangers to deal with. After an episode of Lost, you could use a stiff drink (or a cigarette or a trip to the opium den). After I watch Lost, I either want to keep watching Lost (DVDs are the best) or do nothing. What I especially don't want to do is switch gears and watch something else that stimulates me intellectually. This is why ABC is making a foolish decision in placing newcomer The Nine in the seemingly coveted post-Lost time slot.
September 19, 2006
Tim Daly isn't falling for the hype surrounding the new ABC series The Nine, in which Daly plays Nick Cavanaugh, one of nine former strangers who are taken hostage following a bank robbery gone wrong, and whose lives are forever changed as a result.
September 18, 2006
Before BravoTV's BrilliantButCanceled, there was no reason to root for shows to fail. Well, unless you're a terrible, terrible person like me (or, possibly, you). I always root for shows to fail miserably, even when I've never even seen an episode of said show. But, there are fundamental truths to life, and one of them is this: New TV shows will be taken off the air unceremoniously and without remorse, like a court jester banished to the guillotine.
September 13, 2006
Fall 2006 New Shows Rank: #12
Gist of the Show:
Nine people are bound by some unknown force after they experience a bank robbery (and subsequent stand-off) together. The format of The Nine is similar to Lost: every episode reveals a couple more minutes of the robbery and stand-off.
Cast Member Looking To Reclaim Former Glory:
Baby-faced Scott Wolf, who still looks exactly like he did during his "Party of Five" days.
Similar in Theme to:
Lost
Time Slot Competition:
CSI: NY, Kidnapped
Likelihood of Second Season:
75%
Final Word:
ABC has given The Nine the all-important post-Lost time slot. They are obviously confident in The Nine and expect it to become a hit. The previews, however, have left a lot to be desired. It feels like a two-bit version of Lost, but with the mystical mysterious moved from a desert island to an urban setting. Also, watching any show after Lost is an inevitable letdown.
-Oscar Dahl
<< Return to 2006 Fall Preview: New Shows 11-23
September 1, 2006
ABC's hit show Lost has apparently rubbed off on other shows, including ABC's new drama The Nine. Lost uses the tragedy of survivors of a plane crash on a remote island to weave its story and characters together. The Nine uses the tragedy of a bank robbery gone awry that leaves two people dead. Similar, to Lost, The Nine also uses flashbacks at the beginning of each episode to reveal another 10 minutes of the hostage crisis to highlight how these nine people are forever linked together.