Season to grieve

The fall TV season is only two weeks old and it is already clear that this year will be far from vintage. After serialised dramas like “Heroes” burned brightly for a season before crashing spectacularly, the networks have decided to play it safe. Instead of taking a risk with dramas that require viewer immersion and patience, this season is conspicuous by the absence of risky shows. None of that shows that debuted this fall will be the new “Lost” but there are plenty of shows that follow the hackneyed path of procedurals like “Law and Order” and “CSI”.

Amid the gloom, though, we can always rely on HBO for creativity. That comes in the form of “Boardwalk Empire” which got such impressive ratings it was immediately renewed for a second season. In its two episodes so far, the ensemble cast, particularly Steve Buscemi and Michael K Williams, has shown the chemistry that is essential to all long-running shows. “Boardwalk Empire” may not have the most original origins — its mobster theme is reminiscent of “The Sopranos” and the portrayal of 1930s Atlantic City takes a cue from the period sets of “Deadwood”. But with Martin Scorcese as an executive producer and some of the snappiest dialogue around, “Boardwalk Empire” is the undoubted breakthrough of the season.

Then there are those shows which are not terrible per se but are a huge disappointment given the pedigree behind them. Mitch Hurwitz will forever be known for being the brains behind “Arrested Development” which had more and funnier jokes and better characters than just about any comedy ever made. Think “Blackadder” on steroids and you begin to get an idea of its comic genius. Hurwitz came up with “Running Wilde” this fall, which tells the story of an obnoxious heir and the servants he torments. Two “Arrested Development” alumni, Will Arnett and David Cross star, but they can’t save the show, which has a few laughs but no heart.

JJ Abrams is another showrunner who rarely misses. Whatever flaws they may have had, “Lost”, “Alias” and “Fringe” are among the most challenging to follow TV series ever. His latest venture “Undercovers” is the polar opposite. Instead of an unwieldy cast, sprawling storylines and plenty of sci-fi madness, Abrams has gone for conventionality. The story of bickering law-enforcement partners who finally realise they’re meant for each other has been done many times before. It now needs to be euthanised before yet another show can spit on the memory of “Moonlighting”, which was the undeniable peak of this genre.

The disappointing new shows this season wouldn’t be quite so infuriating if there were lots of quality shows returning in the fall. But with “Lost” and “24” having ended their runs and “Breaking Bad” on hiatus till next summer, there really isn’t much worth watching. “The Office” and “30 Rock” are well past their sell-by dates and need to be put out of their unfunny misery. There is a fear that the two break-out hits of last season “Modern Family” and “Community” will suffer a sophomore slump.

After a decade of quality television has spoiled us for choice, it’s time to be afraid. We may have to go back to watching movies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2010.