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Monday, Dec. 2, 2024
The Emory Wheel

Fall Premiers Feature Magnetic Characters

ifferent television shows on a regular basis, I consider myself a television aficionado. I couldn't help but be extremely excited about the multiple new shows that premiered during the week of Sept. 24. So, go ahead and take a break from studying, get comfortable and watch these shows too. I promise you, you won't regret it.

Creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan's highly anticipated "Partners" premiered last Monday on CBS at 8:30 p.m. Mutchnick and Kohan are the same two men who created the ever-so-popular television show "Will and Grace."

"Partners" stars David Krumholtz ("Numb3rs") as Joe, Micahel Urie ("Ugly Betty") as Louis, Sophia Bush ("One Tree Hill") as Ali and Brandon Routh ("Chuck") as Wyatt. The show follows the lives of two best friends turned business partners (Krumholtz and Urie) and their significant others (Bush and Routh).

Though the pilot episode was a little slow and uneventful, aside from some pointless drama surrounding a potential engagement, the relationship between friends Louis and Ali is dynamic and full of chemistry.

The two have a fast-paced, witty banter that flows naturally. The other relationships in the show seem as though they will blossom and grow to become more interesting and provide another dimension as their characters develop further.

Other shows that premiered on CBS include "Elementary," a new drama that aired on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10:00 p.m. and returning shows such as "How I Met Your Mother," which aired Monday, Sept. 24 at 8:00 p.m.

Though I am the last person who wants to see another Sherlock Holmes series, "Elementary" has the potential to be truly sensational with leading stars Lucy Liu ("Southland") and Jonny Lee Miller ("Eli Stone").

It will be interesting to see if this duo can pull of the Watson and Holmes chemistry that so many people have become accustomed to. Needless to say, "Elementary" has some big shoes to fill.

Personally, I am not an avid "How I Met Your Mother" watcher. However, after seeing a few episodes recently and watching the season eight premiere, I may have to start watching the show.

"How I Met Your Mother" is a rich comedy full of original jokes, that never ceases to get a laugh.

In addition, the show continually keeps viewers interested by concealing the identity protagonist Ted Mosby's future wife, or "the mother." This twist adds an air of mystery to the show that keeps viewers loyal, as if Neil Patrick Harris' perfect, dry delivery of hilarious one-liners wasn't enough.

Other networks with premieres this past week include ABC ("Castle" on Monday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 p.m. and "666 Park Avenue" on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10:00 p.m.) and Fox ("Bones" on Monday, Sept. 17 at 8:00 p.m. and "The Mindy Project" on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 9:30 p.m.).

Veteran shows "Castle" and "Bones" are two of my favorites. "Castle" recently took a leap by putting the two lead characters Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) together.

Many writers fear the "Moonlighting syndrome" when creating romance between two characters. Essentially, writers fear that once the characters are together, there will be no more sexual tension and drama in the show, which will cause viewership to diminish.

This has been the case for "Castle" writers Andrew Marlowe and Will Beall as well as "Bones" creator Hart Hanson. Placing the two main characters in a relationship decreases the sexual tension in the show, which as it turns out is a focal point of most of the drama and suspense.

Despite this, "Castle" managed to keep things interesting in the season premiere by providing plenty of drama that did not surround the new couple. "Bones," on the other hand has become a skeleton of the show it once was (pun intended).

Lacking new storylines and interesting character relationships (despite putting the two main characters together with a new baby), "Bones" is no longer a great primetime show.

Potential new shows to fill the void that "Bones" has left include "666 Park Avenue" and "The Mindy Project." A show about the devil and his wife, "666 Park Avenue" seems as though it could be a success if the writers can keep the storyline from straying too far into the unbelievable and mythical. Television shows that lean toward mythology and fiction tend to be less relatable for viewers.

"The Mindy Project" will likely have many fans due to the casting of Mindy Kaling from the hit show "The Office."

"The Mindy Project" will be a refreshing new comedy with a promising new idea, a female lead in a comedy series. Rarely does a woman have the opportunity to carry a comedy series. It will be interesting to watch Kaling attempt this.

From comedy to drama, there is something for everyone. Take your pick and start watching.

– By Annie McNutt