The last couple of weeks, we’ve introduced a few of the new programs to hit television screens in 2012. Many have accused us of adding too much to their already full TV schedules, and for that we apologize. But that’s not going to stop us from talking about even more!
That’s right, we’re not done yet! The networks are bringing television viewers a few additional winter premieres, or mid-season replacements as they like to call them, starting in February and some as late as April. But for the sake of today’s post, we’ll stick to a handful that we can expect to see sooner rather than later.
So what do we have to look forward to?
*****
Smash
Will a show about a Broadway Musical have as much success as the popular musical dramedy Glee?
NBC sure hopes so.
Smash stars two of entertainment’s most dynamic women: Debra Messing (Will & Grace) plays Julia, a co-writer of the musical, and Academy Award winning actress Angelica Huston plays Eileen, the producer. Keeping with the popular appeal of female success, former American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee plays Karen, a young and unfamiliar talent who finds herself a favorite for the starring role in the musical.
Perhaps the story behind the musical itself will attract an audience all its own, telling the story of the original blonde-bombshell and 1950’s starlet, Marilyn Monroe.
If the musical is actually biographical, this TV junkie might have more of an interest in checking out Smash. But we have a feeling the new series will actually focus on the personal lives of those behind the scenes and those vying for a part in the musical, rather than the life of one of our favorite sex symbols.
Smash premieres on NBC Monday, February 6th.
*****
Missing
What would you do if your child went missing while studying abroad?
This frightening situation is the premise behind ABC’s new drama Missing. The series stars yet another motion picture favorite, Ashley Judd, as widower and single mother Becca Winstone. Becca takes it upon herself to travel to Rome to search for any leads and clues into her son Michael’s disappearance, and it doesn’t hurt that she has a background as a former CIA agent.
Sounds like the kidnappers picked the wrong lady to mess with…
Missing also stars Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) as CIA Agent Paul Winstone, Becca’s deceased husband, and Nick Eversman as Michael Winstone.
Missing premieres Thursday, March 15th on ABC.
*****
Awake
What is quantum immortality?
Physicists explain that quantum immortality is the subjective experience of surviving quantum suicide, or that this highly controversial phenomenon implies that a conscious being cannot cease to be.
Does this make sense to anyone? How about an explanation that the rest of us who struggled in Physics can comprehend, please?
Better yet, let’s explain it by introducing the premise of NBC’s new science fiction drama, Awake.
Awake follows Detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs, from the Harry Potter films) after he survives a fatal car accident involving his wife and son. Once he wakes up, he is faced with two realities – one where his wife (Laura Allen, the 4400) did not survive, and another where his son did not survive. Michael begins moving from one reality to the other, struggling to remember which life he is currently living, all while attempting to keep his family together.
The new series is filled with familiar faces, including: Steve Harris (The Practice) as Michael’s partner in one reality; Wilmer Valderrama (That ‘70s Show) as Michael’s partner in the other reality; B.D. Wong (Law & Order: SVU) as Michael’s therapist in one reality; Cherry Jones (24) as Michael’s therapist in the other reality; and Michaela McManus (also from Law & Order: SVU), Michael’s love interest in the reality where his wife has passed.
How does he keep his life straight?
Awake is scheduled to premiere in March, after it was originally scheduled to begin in Fall 2011 and again in January 2012. What’s the deal? Why is NBC all over the place when it comes to the actual premiere date?
According to an online article by NY Mag.com, the writers had to work out a few kinks. Makes sense, considering the storyline could definitely confuse the audience with all the back and forth (Fringe, anyone?).
*****
What do you think? Do you plan to watch Smash, Missing, or Awake? Which show has the most promise and why? The least? I’d love to hear from you!
*****
If you’d like to take a stab at better understanding quantum immortality, quantum suicide, or metaphysics, click here! Thank you Wikipedia, but even this is out of my league.
Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor 
I am all about Awake! I hadn’t heard abou this series, so I’m glad you let us know!
Smash sounds the most appelaing to me as I love Glee but I’ll have to wait a while for them to get to the UK sigh!
If I had to pick one of these, it would have to be Awake. It sounds like it would be really good, but it will depend on how the writers handle all the confusion between his two realities. If the writing is good, this show could be a hit.
Ohhhh…I think Missing sounds fantastic. I’ll definitely add it to my list of must-check-out!!! Totally up my alley!
My head hurts after reading the description of Awake. Aren’t we writers told not to have too many characters and plot lines? Missing sounds good, but I’m afraid as a mom I’d cry every dang episode. Maybe I need to stick with my Psych and pineapple world. I do like that the networks are gearing toward shows for the thinkers out there.
Probably none of the above. I’m in mourning about the fact there will only be six more episodes of The Closer. Do you still watch that, Tiffany? Who do you think the leak is? I hope it’s Taylor, but I’m afraid it’s going to be Gabriel.
I absolutely can not WAIT for Smash! Two of my Glee Chat co-hosts and I are so excited about it that we have already started another podcast for it even though it hasn’t aired yet, lol. We just couldn’t wait to talk about it. I hadn’t heard of Missing, but I adore Ashley Judd and Sean Bean, so I may have to check that one out, too. I had seen commercials for Awake, but never understood what it was about until I read this – sounds really interesting. It will be wierd seeing Jason Isaacs without his “Paris Hilton wig” though! 😉
I am interested (although expecting little) from Smash. I am totally a Broadway girl. Seriously. Sondheim? Urinetown? LOVE the theater. Love musical theater more (my CB played a big role in the revival of The Music Man, as well as Guys and Dolls, you know).
But, as you will soon know when we do our watchwed YA reviews this time around, it takes more than crooning my fave Broadway tunes for me to give you the thumbs up.
Awake sounds like it has potential. Missing? I could take or leave without even seeing it.
Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
My husband hates musicals so much he won’t even let me watch Grease in the house. I mean, it’s Grease. How can you not like Grease?
Anyway, both Missing and Awake look super interesting. I’m going to keep an eye out for them and DVR the first couple of shows. Have I ever mentioned I think I watch too much TV?
I’ve seen a lot of ads for Smash, but I will probably wait and see what everyone says!
I’d consider Smash or Awake, but I feel like I have so many TV shows already… I’ll probably adopt my usual strategy of waiting for positive feedback, and then catching up if I hear good things.
I MUST watch AWAKE- I adore Jason, and I’ll probably check out Smash
I’m pretty excited for Smash (though the title sucks). I’ve always been a Broadway junky – with the exception of (I believe) three characters, the entire cast is made up of Broadway alumni. I watched the first episode and I thought it was fantastic. Like Glee for adults.
Smash? No. No musical theatre for me. Like nails on a blackboard.
Missing – sounds like Ashley Judd is playing the Liam Neeson role in Taken. If she’s as kick-ass as he was, I might like it.