The Fall Season presentations for all the networks new shows take place this week and already many of the plans have leaked online. With the help of The Futon Critic, here's a full breakdown of which concepts have made the final list over on Paramount's channel which will launch just two new dramas and one comedy for next season plus one mid-season effort from Missy Elliott:
<strong>UPN</strong>
<em><strong>New Dramas</strong></em>:
"<strong>Kevin Hill</strong>" (9pm/8pm (c), Wednesdays)
Taye Diggs ("Chicago") stars as a 28-year-old, self-made, hotshot entertainment lawyer in New York City with the ultimate bachelor life -- a high-power job, plenty of pretty ladies and enough money to buy whatever he wants. Through all of his exploits, he is joined by his two buddies, the charming and witty Dame (Jon Seda, "Bad Boys II"). But, Kevin’s whole life turns upside down when he's left to raise the six-month-old daughter of his cousin, who unexpectedly passed away. After figuring out how to deal with bottles, diapers and his new no-nonsense, gay nanny George (Patrick Breen, "Radio"), Kevin quits his workaholic law firm for a flex-time, boutique law office, Grey & Associates, owned and staffed completely by women. Kevin must adjust his attitude when dealing with his new co-workers, who include Jessie Grey (Michael Michele, "ER"), a professional single mom and boss; Nicolette Raye (Christina Hendricks, "Presidio Med"), the office's most underestimated legal weapon; and Veronica Carter (Kate Levering, "Law & Order: SVU"), a whip-smart diva, who previously had a one-night stand with Kevin. Despite continuing temptation from his party buddies, Kevin is determined to walk the line between the women at his job, the women that he chases, and the baby girl in the crib
"<strong>Veronica Mars</strong>" (9pm/8pm (c), Tuesdays)
From Joel Silver comes this new drama set in the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, where the rich and powerful make the rules, own the town and the high school, and desperately try to keep their dirty little secrets just that…secret. Unfortunately for them, there's Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell, "Everwood"), a smart, fearless 17-year-old, apprentice private investigator dedicated to solving the town's toughest mysteries. During the day, Veronica must still negotiate high school like any average teenage girl. Along with fellow outcast, sophomore Wallace Fennel (Percy Daggs III, "The Guardian"), she bravely maneuvers her classes, wary of former in-crowd friends, like ex-boyfriend Duncan Kane (Teddy Dunn, "The Manchurian Candidate") and his best friend Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring, "Judging Amy"), and edgy outsiders, like Weevil (Francis Capra, "CSI") and his P.C.H. Bike Club boys. At night, Veronica looks after her former-Sheriff father Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni, "Just Shoot Me") and helps with his struggling, new private investigator business. By sneaking through back alleys and scoping out no-tell motels with a telescopic-lens camera and her math book, Veronica attempts to uncover the California beach town's darkest secrets, including who killed her best friend and Duncan's sister, Lilly, and created a scandal that cost her father his job, his home and wife. Pushed to the edge of this multicultural, venomous little Peyton Place, Veronica Mars relentlessly continues to search for evidence that will clear her father's name and get her back into the "in-crowd," but what she finds may tear the town of Neptune apart at the seams
<em><strong>New Sitcoms/Reality</strong></em>:
"Second Time Around" (9:30pm/8:30pm (c), Mondays)
Stars real-life couple Boris Kodjoe ("Soul Food") and Nicole Parker ("Soul Food") as Jackson Muse, a handsome, earnest architect, and Ryan Muse, a beautiful, free-spirited artist, who are enjoying a more romantic, fun-filled second marriage to each other. Several adventurous years after their young first marriage ended, the lovers unexpectedly reunited and couldn't resist giving it another heartfelt go. Now, even with old stuff, new stuff and the stuff in between, the Muses are striving for wedded bliss a second time around. Determined to bring a newfound maturity to matrimony, Jackson and Ryan frequently find themselves in funny, awkward situations when old lovers, old arguments and old division of property issues surface. Even after another smooth, successful engagement and wedding, all of the couple's family and friends continue to dispense varied opinions and marriage advice. Jackson's younger brother Nigel (Brian White, "The Shield"), a dentist whose practice scarcely covers his lavish lifestyle, and his snobbish fiancé Paula (Danielle Nicolet, "3rd Rock from the Sun") are convinced that the twice-baked pair need to join their couples' therapy group. Ryan's gorgeous, spirited best friend Coco (Melissa De Sousa, "Miss Congeniality"), certain that "leftovers shouldn't be reheated," believes the marriage is a mistake. With a sense of humor and romance, Jackson and Ryan Muse are ready to clip around the thorny past and surrounding skeptics if it finally means a rosy future together.
"The Missy Elliott Project" (Starts January)
A new dramality series that will send thirteen aspiring performers coast-to-coast on tour with Grammy Award-winning artist Missy Elliott, where they will live together on the road in a tour bus and compete against each other for the opportunity to become the next big hip-hop star. Just like Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott, herself, the next big superstar could spring from a variety of backgrounds, but what they will have in common is amazing talent, distinctive style and fresh attitude. The series will feature everyday young singers and rappers as they transform into multi-talented hip-hop entertainers, in the process facing weekly tests that determine who can make the cut. Under 24-hour-a-day surveillance by cameras, the selected group will be challenged in a variety of ways while on the road, and with Missy's guidance, be exposed to top music industry insiders. With the help of a panel of industry experts, Missy will eliminate one performer each episode until only on is left standing. Then, Missy plans to help launch the winner's career, signing them to a deal with her record label.
Older Shows:
On the existing show front, the big news is the beleaguered "Enterprise" is back and in a new Friday night timeslot away from the "Smallville" competition. In fact Fridays are pretty quiet til mid-season on the other networks, leaving the show time to potentially win back some much-needed ratings. "Eve", "One on One", "Half & Half", "Girlfriends", "All of Us", "WWE Smackdown" and "America's Next Top Model" are all returning.
<strong><em>Cancelled</em></strong>:
"Jake 2.0", "The Mullets", "Game Over", "The Parkers", "Rock Me Baby"
Personal Pick(s): "Kevin Hill" looks proven to be a surprisingly strong drama for the network. Producer Mel Gibson has personally disassociated his name with the show because he thought it too 'racy' - so it's got to be good, and Diggs makes for an interesting lead.
Thanks to 'Rick'
