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In Case of Emergency … change the channel!

January 04, 2007

There are a lot of familiar faces in ABC’s new sitcom, In Case of Emergency—David Arquette, Jonathan Silverman, Greg Germann, Kelly Hu, and Lori Loughlin. Unfortunately, none of them are playing very likeable characters.

Four high school classmates are brought together, 20 years later, by their own simple twists of fate. Diet guru Germann falls off the diet wagon and gets arrested for hijacking a snack food truck when his wife abruptly leaves him. Smarmy businessman Arquette shoots himself in the foot while contemplating suicide.

Whiny sensitive guy Silverman visits a massage parlor (not the therapeutic kind) and runs into his class valedictorian (Hu) as the masseuse (not the therapeutic kind). They all find themselves in a sudden case of emergency and wondering whom to call (hence the title—get it?). You’re going to wish they had all gotten a wrong number.

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Knights of Prosperity -- a success?

Boasting a pedigree that includes David Letterman and Mick Jagger as executive producers, ABC’s new series, The Knights of Prosperity is one of the most original sitcoms of the year.

Donal Logue stars as Eugene Gerkin, a career janitor, who longs for more in his life. While watching TV, he sees an entertainment show report on Mick Jagger’s 52-million dollar apartment and his mind is made up: He’s going to rob the Rolling Stone. Gathering his friends around him, he creates a “criminal organization” so complete and comprehensive, it even has its own intern.

The Knights of Prosperity are born, ready to be modern-day Robin Hoods, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor—themselves.

Filmed entirely in New York City, Knights has quirky charm by the boatload (including Jagger lampooning himself to great effect) and it’s certainly refreshingly different from any other sitcom on the air.

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Tonight: Midseason Premieres!

January 03, 2007

We're on pins and needles here at the DeathWatch today. Tonight are the premieres of two shows that ABC is trotting out for the Midseason. We can't wait to hear your take on these shows, and see how the DeathWatch ranking is affected.

“The Knights of Prosperity” (ABC) – Early buzz says that the show is actually laugh-out-loud funny and particularly well written. This show could, in fact, be the shot in the arm that ABC needs to save it's sagging comedy lineup. This is sitcom that was originally called "Let's Rob Mick Jagger" -- centering around a group of self-described losers who decide to... rob Mick Jagger. DeathWatchers have voted it to number three, with odds of cancellation at 11:1. Tune in! Let us know what you think.

"In Case of Emergency" (ABC) -- The early buzz on this show is that it seems to be a little "slapped togehter at the last minute." We've had a hard time getting a handle on what the show is about, even after reading several of ABC's promo blurbs about it. The best we can decipher -- some friends from high school are reunited because some bad stuff happens to them. (Right?)

One early review implied that the show seems heavy on recognizable faces and low on laughs and good writing. Which is a shame. We've always liked show leads Lori Laughlin and Jonathan Silverman, but we remain fairly ambivalent about David Arquette. DeathWatchers have voted this show to number 14, with odds of cancellation currently listed at 190:1.

We can't wait to read your take on these shows tomorrow. Tune in and let us know!

Remote Roundup: The Big Four

January 02, 2007

We returned from the holidays to find the top four shows still the top four shows on the DeathWatch. We thought we’d put the question to you to tell us why you think these show are destined for a quick cancellation.

“Big Day” (ABC) – Critics and viewers say that there isn’t a whole lot that’s funny about a wedding day. And this is a show that drags out that day over 13 episodes. Current odds of cancellation are at 2:1. Are you watching? What’s your take?

“The Class” (CBS) – We have a writer on staff who says he loves this show. It isn’t particularly well written, but these are actors who are all doing a very good job with the material they’ve been given. It currently sits on the DeathWatch in the number two position, with odds of cancellation at 6:1. Have you seen it?

“The Knights of Prosperity” (ABC) – This one, we’re particulary excited about. We love a new show premiere. It’s like the lights dimming in a movie theatre. At any rate, this sitcom about a group of self-described losers who decide to rob Mick Jagger has garnered some real attention. DeathWatchers have voted it to number three, with odds of cancellation at 11:1. Tune in! Let us know what you think.

“Andy Barker PI” (NBC) -- Rated fourth on the Deathwatch, with odds of cancellation at 23:1, this Andy Richter show about an accountant turned private eye is another series that has not yet premiered. Here’s our question – without seeing the show, how can you be so sure it’s going to be cancelled?

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