Pilots Roundup
With big hits like 'Grey's Anatomy' and '30 Rock' winding down for the season, we're getting a head start on all the buzz-worthy pilots every TV fan needs to know about.
And here are some hints -- small-screen vets like Kelsey Grammer, Julianna Margulies and Sarah Michelle Gellar are set to return, classic hits ('Melrose Place') are getting high-profile remakes and two spin-offs could give their predecessors a run for their money.
Click through our pilots roundup to find out where each will premiere and which stars are on board ... so you can make the informed decisions about which shows you may want to save room for on your DVR.
Getty Images (2)
Untitled Kelsey Grammer Project
ABC
Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Melinda McGraw
Premise: There's nothing funnier than unemployment, right? When a high-powered Wall Street CEO loses his job, he's forced to do something unfamiliar: spend time with his family.
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Mike Theiler, AFP / Getty Images
'The Good Wife'
CBS
Cast: Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Chris Noth (guest star)
Premise: Emmy winner Julianna Margulies returns to television as a politician's wife who also serves as a defense attorney. Sounds like a pretty 'Good' bet to us.
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Rob Loud, Getty Images
'Back'
CBS
Cast: Skeet Ulrich, Sherry Stringfield, John C. McGinley, D.B. Woodside
Premise: 'Jericho' star Ulrich returns to CBS to star in this mystery drama centering on a man who went missing during the 9/11 attacks -- only to reappear eight years later. Wonder what fans will send the network to save this one from early cancellation?
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Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage
'Barely Legal'
NBC
Cast: Hilary Duff
Premise: A new comedy about 18-year-old Kathleen Holtz (Duff), the youngest lawyer ever to pass the California state bar exam. Sort of like 'Doogie Howser, ADA.'
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George Pimentel, WireImage.com
'The Beautiful Life'
CW
Cast: Mischa Barton, Elle Macpherson, Ben Hollingsworth, Sara Paxton, Ashley Madekwe, Nico Tortorella
Premise: The CW looks to add even more beautiful people to its prime-time lineup with 'The Beautiful Life,' a new series about models living together in New York. Highlights include 'The OC''s Mischa Barton as Sonja, a high-fashion supermodel who's having trouble staying on top of the circuit, and Elle Macpherson, who plays the owner of Focus Models.
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'Boardwalk Empire'
HBO
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon
Premise: Could this be a 1920s version of 'The Sopranos'? Producer and director Martin Scorsese presents a drama about drinking, gambling and mob activities in Prohibition-era Atlantic City.
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Dominique Charriau, WireImage
'Body Politic'
CW
Cast: Brian Austin Green, Minka Kelly, Jason Dohring, Gabrielle Union
Premise: A look at the sexier side of D.C. politics, the CW has Minka Kelly playing Hope, a girl in search of her long-lost dad -- who just so happens to be Attorney General. She takes a job working for him and befriends her fellow Capitol Hill newbies, who also happen to be incredibly good-looking.
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Paul Redmond, WireImage
'The Bridget Show'
ABC
Cast: Lauren Graham, Jeffrey Tambor, Holly Robinson Peete
Synopsis: In her first TV role since 'Gilmore Girls,' Graham takes a darker comedic turn as Bridget, a self-help guru who becomes obsessed when her boyfriend dumps her, and struggles to take the advice she doles out. With Mitch Hurwitz ('Arrested Development') behind it and Barry Sonnenfeld ('Pushing Daisies') signed on to direct the pilot, this one is already generating major buzz.
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Jemal Countess, WireImage
'Community'
NBC
Cast: Chevy Chase, Joel McHale
Premise: Funnyman McHale ('The Soup') stars as a lawyer who enrolls at a community college after his degree is ruled invalid. Also on board is Chase, playing a fellow student who has been married five times. Given NBC's success with comedies, this could be a nice edition to the community.
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Michael Buckner, Getty Images
Reader Comments (43)
JannetMoore at 7:26AM on Apr 21st 2009
In Light of Grammer's Recent Healthy Issues....Perhaps The New Game Show Should Pay Homage To An Old Firesign Theater Skit And Be Called "Beat The Reaper"
E. Schwartz at 7:48AM on Apr 21st 2009
We still enjoy sitcom with K. Grammar in Frasier.
We will enjoy the sitcoms if it is not about sex, sex, sex. We have enjoyed the show Chuck, but now they are pulling in suggestive porn peeks which is why we turn a lot of the shows off.
E. Schwartz at 7:46AM on Apr 21st 2009
I've never enjoyed the garbage mouth sitcoms or the 70's show. What ever happened to the enjoyable family shows where you didn't have to sit nervously or anxious that sex and garbage mouths would ruin the evening for the family? The daytime soaps are so tasteless that we don't watch them either. Same sex relations are still not acceptable for everyone and another real turn off. It may be pushed, but that doesn't mean a majority are in favor of the exteme preoccupation with sex and murder that dominates many themes.
Rose at 8:11AM on May 7th 2009
Kelsey Grammar had a good show going when he was doing "BACK TO YOU " with Patricia Heaton. What happened to THAT one ?! I thought it was funny .Good supporting cast too!
NP at 8:05AM on Apr 21st 2009
I am suprised that Kesley Grammer is considered for any TV role because he openly confessed being a conservative.
Ron Noe at 8:23AM on Apr 21st 2009
NBC again canceling good shows for crap! Chuck is wonderful and a great way to wind down after work! Guess I won't be watching NBC this fall and I hate Conan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marla at 8:41AM on Apr 21st 2009
I can not get enough of Kelsey Grammer as Frasier !!!!!! The show doesnt come on here until , 1:30 in the morning ! But I make sure I stay up ( or set my alarm ) to see it !! Fraiser and his whole family and friends make me crack up laughing !!!! I wish it would come on earlier , but oh well . LOL I wish him well in his new show ! : )
Emma at 9:25AM on Apr 21st 2009
I hope the rumor that the CBS show, "Cold Case" is not cancelled. This show is excellent! Well written.
JUNBUG at 1:43AM on Nov 11th 2009
I AGREE WITH HER THAT COLD CASE IS A GREAT SHOW
DON'T CANCEL IT ,PLEASE
UncleBigBad at 1:13PM on Apr 21st 2009
my GOODNESS, WHY do they keep giving shows to the exact same people over and over? On any given day you can ALREADY see Grammer on both Cheers AND Frasier, then there was that bomb show with Patricia Heaton and now ANOTHER show? Surely both he and all the other actors who keep getting shows over and over realize people could use a break from them. How do new actors ever get a chance or a break with this "use the same actors all the time" mentality?