Some sparks in new winter TV 2025

NBC has premiered its midseason shows, and at least one has some spark.

The Hunting Party

10 p.m. Mondays on NBC

Melissa Roxbrugh from “Manifest” leads this procedural about a woman using her skills to find missing violent criminals after a high-security prison explodes.

Flashbacks are used, but it keeps you guessing throughout the pilot. Some plot points feel heavy-handed, but I think it’s worth a shot.

Try it

Good Cop/Bad Cop

9 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW

Leighton Meester and Clancy Brown star in this family cop dramedy. Brown deserves better, especially after his role in “The Shawshank Redemption,” and Meester should be thankful she’s joining “Nobody Wants This” season 2. 

It’s such a flat show, but it has some humor. The pilot overexplains the premise; you’ll be beaten over the head with it.

Skip it

Suits LA

9 p.m. Sundays on NBC

If you think you need to know the original “Suits,” you’d be wrong. This “spinoff” has an entirely new cast and a different network. (Some characters will make cameos, according to several news sources.)

The pilot flashes back from 2010 to 2025 with a cast headlined by Stephen Amell. It seems glitzier in LA over NYC with this firm handling entertainment law as well as criminal defense.

But really, I just watched egotistical lawyers backstab each other and talk about trust. And I don’t need that.

Skip it

Grosse Pointe Garden Society

10 p.m. Sundays on NBC

You’ll recognize a lot of people on this soapy drama focused on a gardening club. (Hello, Warner from “Legally Blonde”!)

The flashbacks and narration are a bit of a crutch, but at least it provided some campy fun.

They’re advertising this show as being like “Desperate Housewives,” which seems accurate.

Try it

New winter TV 2025 won’t cure your blues

This new crop of TV broadcast shows have stars but no brightness.

Here are my thoughts:

going dutch

9:30 p.m. Thursdays on Fox

Denis Leary and Danny Pudi can’t save this show.

This family drama mixed with military farce was so boring I stopped paying attention, except to notice how different (older) Leary looks.

Skip it

Doc

9 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox

This Fox hospital drama had a lot to cover in the pilot to set up this complicated show.

As many doctor dramas tend to be, it’s a tad melodramatic. It feels like “The Vow,” except there’s a new relationship to contend with, but it feels forced.

Skip it

Shifting Gears

8 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC

Tim Allen and Kat Dennings are a decent pair for this family comedy; the show just isn’t that funny, even with Seann William Scott and Daryl Mitchell also co-starring.

There’s too much toxic masculinity and “I’m right” parenting talk for my taste, and be warned there are some random conservative jokes thrown in.

I just wish there was more oomph to this show.

Try it cautiously

Watson

9 p.m. Sundays on CBS

Morris Chestnut stars in another Sherlock adaptation, though (spoiler) Sherlock is killed off immediately in the pilot. It feels more like a convenient tie-in to pull viewers in.

Watson is a modern-day doctor, and it feels like we have more than enough of those shows, but there’s also a love interest and a mystery in it. It could be interesting to watch it play out, but I would prefer more mystery over medical.

Try it