What’s New On Tube? – Pilot Season ’08-’09 (Part 2)

Okay, what else we got? These are the last of my picks …

3. The Cleveland Show (Fox – Spring 2009) – Okay, what’s Family Guy going to do without Cleveland? I guess the real question is, what will Cleveland be doing? I’m glad you asked. Now that his wife Loretta is out of the picture, Mr. Brown seems poised to move back to his hometown in Stool Bend, VA with Cleveland Jr. in this spin-off. It looks like he’s starting a new life with his high school sweetheart and her two kids - but will there be more tomfoolery, pop culture skewering and freakish flashbacks a la Family Guy? And maybe a family of bears living next door? You bet your sweet patootie! For an early promo clip, go here.

4. My Own Worst Enemy (NBC – Fall 2008) – It’s categorized as a drama, but this could just as easily be the description for a sitcom: a suburban working dad and an efficient and deadly spy learn that they are the same person, due to a scorching case of multiple personality disorder. Jinkies! Being plugged into a Monday schedule with Chuck and Heroes as its compatriots, I’m assuming that there will be a good deal of tongue-in-cheek as well. And having Christian Slater in the starring role doesn’t hurt for exposure…

5. The Eleventh Hour (CBS – Fall 2008) – Another British remake (you know my mixed feelings about the upcoming Life On Mars remake), this time helmed by the king of CSI (and a slew of cheesy action movies – let’s not forget Armageddon here, folks), Jerry Bruckheimer. The premise: a special science adviser to the U.S. government is sent to save people from the worst abuses of science, with the aid of his spunky female sidekick! Much like my premonitions of the Mars remake, they need to tread carefully or take a bad turn into Hokey-ville. But with CSI as a lead-in, it has a better chance of survival than many.

Worth Mentioning:

90210 (CW – Fall 2008) – Yes, a spin-off of the cult primetime soap. I was more excited while Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars, not Matchbox 20) was attached, but with Freaks & Geeks producers on board, maybe it’ll still be okay. Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling are on board, with more original cast members looking to sign up.

Knight Rider (NBC – Fall 2008) – Is this really worth mentioning? Not entirely sure, but the TV movie did so well last year that it warranted a new series. Everything old is new again – but will The Hoff be able to take time away from his German tour to help out?

Kath & Kim (NBC – Fall 2008) – A sitcom featuring Molly Shannon & Selma Blair.

The Goode Family (ABC – Late Fall 2008) – Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead, Office Space, King of the Hill) brings us the animated tale of this do-gooder family. Their attempts to “Go green!” and do the right thing end up in hilarious misadventures – or so the description says. Sounds good, but outside of Fox primetime cartoons don’t tend to survive for too long - remember Father of the Pride or God, The Devil and Bob? I didn’t think so…).

See you in a couple of days for a Friday The 13th soundtrack...