New USA series: yea or nay?

[annabelleleigh]

While we're waiting around for official word of CI's renewal, I thought it might be a tad entertaining to peruse USA network's newly-released list of original series "in development." Do any appeal to you?

Realize that "in development" doesn't mean much except that USA/NBCU has optioned these series as properties. It doesn't mean all -- or any -- will even get to the pilot stage. (The only new pilot USA has greenlighted is "Covert Affairs," a drama starring Piper Perabo as a young CI operative with a mysterious past.) However, from the following descriptions, we might all weigh in on which (if any) we'd like to see sometime in the future.

Remember that one of them may even end up pairing with CI. ;-)
(Boldfaces mine).

AL

P.S. With one exception, every central character in the titles below is a doctor, cop, lawyer or detective. Are there no other sufficiently dramatic (or comedic) occupations in the U.S.?
----------------

USA NETWORK ANNOUNCES NEW CAST OF CHARACTERS ON ITS DEVELOPMENT SLATE

Announced at NBCU's upfront event in Pasadena.
Press release published August 5, 2009

Excerpt:

"Having successfully launched the year's top-rated new cable series --for the fourth year in a row -- with ROYAL PAINS, USA will continue to develop a cast of unique characters with a 2010 development slate of original branded concepts...

"USA's development slate reflects our continued commitment to creating uniquely appealing characters," said [USA executive Jeffrey] Wachtel. "One year after forming Universal Cable Productions, the studio is moving ahead with an aggressive lineup for 2009/2010."

USA Network's upcoming slate includes:

FACING KATE
A new spin on a legal franchise featuring a mediator from a family of corporate lawyers. From Universal Cable Productions. Executive producer and writer is Michael Sardo ("The American Embassy," "Caroline in the City"). Steve Stark ("Medium") is executive producer.

CRASH DUMMIES
A veteran Hollywood stuntman, his reluctant son and a team of offbeat movie magic specialists. From Universal Cable Productions. Executive Producer is Matt Pyken ("Knight Rider"). Producers are Jack Gill and Steve Jensen. Actor John Schneider ("Smallville," "The Dukes of Hazzard") will star and produce. CRASH DUMMIES is produced by Reveille ("The Office," "Ugly Betty").

GOOD COP, BAD COP
Sibling rivalry is taken to new heights when an estranged brother and sister are paired up as cops in their small hometown. From Universal Cable Productions. Writer is John Quaintance ("Notes from the Underbelly," "Joey").

LOUISE CANDELL
A female attorney, whose star was on the rise, unexpectedly becomes a star on YouTube � for all the wrong reasons. From Universal Cable Productions. Writer is Matthew Lieberman ("Judging Amy"). John Wirth ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") is also an executive producer on the project.

BUSY BODIES
A soccer mom teams up with a gay stay-at-home dad to solve mysteries in the suburbs. From Universal Cable Productions. Writer is Billy Finnegan (playwright for "Esther Damsack"). Executive producer is Jimmy Miller ("Get Smart," "Step Brothers," "Elf") from Mosaic. Producers are Sam Hansen and Ann Blanchard also from Mosaic.

ROCK DOC
A famous rock star leaves the music business to go to medical school. From Universal Cable Productions. Writer is Todd Samovitz ("Wonderland"). Executive producers are Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Four Weddings and a Funeral"), Laverne McKinnon and Mary Martin.

STEPHEN J. CANNELL/SCOTT KAUFER PROJECT
An ex-con car mechanic goes undercover. From Universal Cable Productions. From Executive Producer Stephen J. Cannell ("The A-Team," "The Rockford Files"), with Scott Kaufer ("3 lbs," "Boston Legal") as executive producer.

HOTEL DIX
An old school hotel detective is brought back to work at a modern hotel. From Universal Cable Productions. Executive producer/writer is Tom Fontana ("The Philanthropist," "Oz," "Homicide: Life on the Street"). Adam Bernstein ("30 Rock," "Worst Week") is also an executive producer and attached to direct.

GOURMET DETECTIVE
A food detective travels the world and stumbles across mysteries of the palate�and murder. From Universal Cable Productions. Executive producer and writer are David Breckman and Randy Zisk (MONK). Producer is Steve Valentine ("Crossing Jordan," "Spiderman")."
# # #

Find this article at:
www.nbcumv.com/usa/release_detail.nbc/usa-20090805000000-usanetworkannounce.html

[Patcat]

Based on USA's record and my love of detectives, I'd give most of these at least one try. GOURMET DETECTIVE does seem to owe something to Nero Wolfe.

Patcat

[DonnaJo]

None of them sound very good.

Maybe "Crash Dummies" .....only because it sounds original & John Schneider can be funny.

"Busy Bodies" sounds horrible. Now watch...that is the one that they'll select.

[Techguy]

It's going to take an exceptional show to make me give up any NHL or NFL games. Based on the descriptions of the current crop of candidates, I seriously doubt any are good enough to compel me to forego watching the sports I enjoy.

[idget]

I think they all sound pretty lame.

[Patcat]

The thing about USA series is that this network has shown an ability to take a "lame" idea and turn it into good shows. I agree that some of these ideas don't sound all that brilliant, but the execution may be something else.

Patcat (who, by the way, does not go around singing "Up with People" and greeting everyone with a smile. Give me a couple of Irish whiskies, and I can be as dark as a Eugene O'Neil play.)

[ragincajun]

Aug 7, 2009 8:37:33 GMT -5 Patcat said:

The thing about USA series is that this network has shown an ability to take a "lame" idea and turn it into good shows. I agree that some of these ideas don't sound all that brilliant, but the execution may be something else.

Patcat (who, by the way, does not go around singing "Up with People" and greeting everyone with a smile. Give me a couple of Irish whiskies, and I can be as dark as a Eugene O'Neil play.)

How about one Called "LOCI Fan Boards"
Premise, war of boards goes into real life, when fan clubs meet up at same hotel in NYC. They race all over NYC in a battle to find their fav LOCI stars before the other groups does, sending NYPD on alert to protect the series stars.

[tjara]

Yeah, and that show could even be one of those ceap-to-produce reality shows!

[idget]

Aug 7, 2009 8:37:33 GMT -5 Patcat said:

The thing about USA series is that this network has shown an ability to take a "lame" idea and turn it into good shows. I agree that some of these ideas don't sound all that brilliant, but the execution may be something else.

Patcat (who, by the way, does not go around singing "Up with People" and greeting everyone with a smile. Give me a couple of Irish whiskies, and I can be as dark as a Eugene O'Neil play.)

Please don't ever change Patcat. I envy you glass half full kind of people. I wish I could be more like you, than the glass half empty kind of gal that I am.