With the beginning of another fall, a new crop of television hopefuls emerges on the prime-time line up. Reminiscent of sitcoms past, mini-series of the ages, and reality programming of yesteryear, few new shows manage to snag the attention of both viewers and critics, let alone survive the turmoil of their freshman year. However, television shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," and "Nip/Tuck" have managed to withstand disappointments and surprise audiences with what could be their strongest seasons yet.
"Grey's Anatomy" quickly became part of the backbone of ABC's record-breaking ratings powerhouse. Holding three of the top five spots within the Nielsen Ratings, ABC has relied heavily on the medical drama to carry other new programming, such as the Calista Flockhart drama "Brothers and Sisters." Once piggybacked onto another hit ABC series, "Grey's" has now moved to Thursday nights at 9, hoping the steal the coveted primetime spot once occupied by NBC's long-running sitcom "Friends." The move does not seem to have hurt the show at all; it ranked number one in viewership for the week of Sept. 18, bringing in an estimated 25.4 million viewers anxious to see whether Meredith chose McDreamy or McVet. Though disappointed that they would have to wait until this Thursday's episode to find out, for numerous diehard fans the wait is inconsequential.
ABC's second-highest rated show, "Desperate Housewives," is receiving somewhat of a facelift this season, prompting many fans to sit on the edge of their seats, waiting to see whether the third season brings back much of the intrigue and character development that the second season lost. Season two held steady with over 20 million viewers per episode, but was down about a million viewers from its record-breaking first season. Most critics attribute the change to the lack of focus on the four main characters and to too much time and effort spent on the plot line of the mysterious Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard).
"Will we ever match the pop-cultural-phenomenon status of Season One? I don't know," creator Marc Cherry told Entertainment Weekly Magazine. "I think some people might like Season Three better. Certainly, the level of wit and humor is higher than anything we've done before. I've got my fingers crossed.''
Cherry has hired more writers rather than scripting out every episode as he did in season two. The story arcs he has produced for this season look promising and draw audiences back into the central characters' lives. What is the deal with Orson, Bree's new fiance? Will Gaby and Carlos reconcile? And is Lynette finally going to snap? Only the new season will tell.
Another show returning to its roots is "Nip/Tuck," FX's deliciously slick and oftentimes disturbing black comedy. Last year's season finale broke cable television records as the identity of the Carver was revealed to be that of an associate of the firm. Though the suspense and drama was at full throttle, by the end of the season, several story arcs became messy and downright irritating, such as one doctor's son's involvement with a neo-Nazi. This season, however, the focus returns to the dynamic between the promiscuously suave Christian Troy, his adulterous firm partner Sean McNamara and Sean's wife Julia, who has just given birth to their handicapped child.
"Last year, we tried a much more gothic, darker approach,'' creator-executive producer Ryan Murphy told Entertainment Weekly. ''As well as it did, I thought it got away from the point of my show -- how people transform and fix the wrong things.''
This season begins with a web of deceit (as always) and the potential for a true Pandora's box effect. Christian tried to seduce his new boss Michelle (Sanaa Lathan) but has resorted to blackmail in order to bed her. She is also being blackmailed by her former pimp (Jacqueline Bisset). Sean has cheated on his wife with a possible candidate for their child's nanny, all while Julia debates between taking anti-depressants or breastfeeding their child so that he will be strong enough for reconstructive surgery. And this is all before Rosie O'Donnell will be a guest on the show.
While networks continue to peddle a number of mediocre possibilities for future lineups, it is shows like these that are the jewels of programming. Just as "Dallas" ruled the television waves in the 1980s, we faithfully tune in to our generation's prime-time soap operas. When we sit down, we watch more ...
Sorry. I'll finish later. "Grey's" is on.
