It’s cold out, so it’s the perfect time to curl up in front of the TV.
Here are my reviews of the winter TV season, after watching only the pilot:
‘STAR’
9 p.m. Wednesdays on Fox
“Star” is another music-focused drama/soap opera from the creators of “Empire.”
Two sisters find each other and run away (and leave the foster care system) to meet their godmother in Atlanta. Oh, by the way, the running away includes a crime.
The two girls form a group with another (rich) girl who’s dad is a musician.
In the pilot alone there was violence, crime, back-door deals, fashion, church, drugs, cat fights…and a snazzy musical number.
Fans of “Empire” will appreciate this side product, but for many it’ll probably feel too much like a soap opera.
Grade: B
‘THE MICK’
8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox
This comedy is a vehicle for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Kaitlin Olson.
She plays Mackenzie Murphy, a barely-getting-by woman who’s coerced into taking care of her sister’s three kids when the sister and her husband are taken away by the FBI after being accused of an unnamed white collar crime.
Mackenzie doesn’t care a lot, nor does she have a clue about taking care of children, but these three are a handful.
The Fox show is unfortunately full of stereotypes, and the pilot set up only exposition, so I don’t have interest in continuing.
Grade: C+
9 p.m. Fridays on NBC
Viewers, we’re not watching the Judy Garland version of “The Wizard of Oz” anymore.
This dramatic take on the classic tale is much darker. It leaves the musical numbers and adds violence and torture.
It feels more intimate in its storytelling, but the setting feels medieval or old world in style.
If you like darker dramas with some mystery, I’d check it out. But I’ll stick to the movie.
Grade: C+
‘RANSOM’
8 p.m. Saturdays on CBS
If you combine CBS shows “Bull” and “Pure Genius,” you’ll get its new show “Ransom.”
The show centers around a team that solves crises without police by using negotiation, psychology, police logic, technology and knowledge tactics.
There’s a small subplot about the newest member’s mother being involved with the leader of the group, , but other than that, it’s a technology and crime show.
It’s relatively run-of-the-mill, and a bit tense at times, but it piqued some of my interest.
Grade: B-
9 p.m. Thursdays on CW
A teen drama mixed with a murder mystery…sounds a little cliche, right?
Maybe so, but this new CW show feels surprisingly fresh.
Yes, the classic plot points of a love triangle, cheerleader backstabbing and parties gone wrong are all in the pilot, but at least this drama feels more real and with the times (“Mad Men” is referenced; so is James Franco.)
Produced by Greg Berlanti (does the man behind all of CW’s superhero shows ever sleep?), this dark take on Archie has enough twists and high stakes to keep viewers interested.
Grade: B+
What new shows are looking forward to watching?