TheFutonCritic is doing their yearly review of upcoming television pilots. So far, they've reviewed Chuck and the failed pilot, Lipshitz Saves The World.

Here is the link: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20070615

Chuck recieved a glowing review while Lipshitz Saves The World also received a rather positive review. On paper, descriptions for Chuck, Bionic Woman, and Journeyman dont sound too amazing, but all three of those shows have been getting good reviews from other critics, so it looks like Reilly did pick up a few more quality shows before Zucker screwed him over.

We posted this at almost the same time.

quote:

Originally posted by Legends:
On paper, descriptions for Chuck, Bionic Woman, and Journeyman dont sound too amazing, but all three of those shows have been getting good reviews from other critics

I've seen the previews for all three of these. Chuck looked horrible. Bionic Woman and Journeyman both looked disoorganized, for lack of a better word. Both of those shows will obviously take awhile to establish their 'logic' if they have any.

In my opinion, Chuck looks a lot like Reaper. That could kill both programs as Reaper looked slightly better. Bionic Woman and Journeyman both look good, but whether or not they really are good is the key issue. Of all 3 NBC shows, I'd say Chuck looks the best, but is unfortunately, the most likely to fail based on timeslot (Biggest Loser is a good lead in, but by January that's likely to be Dateline).

All of the reviews I've read for both Chuck and Reaper say that both shows are excellent, but they are two shows that going for the exact same audience in the exact same timeslot. Chuck will likely hurt Reaper more, but I think both shows will actually make it past a second season.

Once The Biggest Loser ends, NBC either has the choice of moving Chuck down one hour or I think they should place 1 vs. 100 in that timeslot, and maybe have two editions of that a week like they do DOND (or just one depending if they place Dateline, The Singing Bee, or World Moves on Fridays at 8).

quote:

Originally posted by Legends:
All of the reviews I've read for both Chuck and Reaper say that both shows are excellent, but they are two shows that going for the exact same audience in the exact same timeslot. Chuck will likely hurt Reaper more, but I think both shows will actually make it past a second season.

I think it will be rough sledding for both going up against House and Dancing With the Stars results.

I'm seeing a rough ride for this one.
Even when the primary competition was
HOUSE and UNIT, L&O CI was down in the
low 5's, and CI was the caliber of show
that would have done better elsewhere.
I don't see CHUCK stripping viewers
from ABC, FOX, or CBS.

The apparent lack of a clear premise
and a very questionable title will
make promotion difficult on a net where
promotion is difficult to begin with.

As far as longevity, the unknown on
all these NBC shows is what will the
ratings standard be? I read in a
column at this site that their 18-49
for the last season was a 2.4.

Wasn't My Name is Earl in this timeslot for part of its first season?