Courtesy of EW's Front Row site, we were finally able to watch the full pilot.
If you recall, in our original CBS review post, we gave the show a rating of 2 based solely on the previews. Well, here we go on the full review:
From the creator of "Two and a Half Men" – Strike One
Annoying laugh track (that plays even at unfunny moments) – Strike Two
Overabundance of nerds-meet-hot girl jokes & predictable outcome? – Strike Three!!!
Every "funny" joke in this show has already been shown in the previews. Compare it to a super-spoilery movie trailer, where you get all the best parts and by the time you watch the full thing, it doesn't have nearly the same effect.
For "The Big Bang Theory," it was only half-amusing to begin with.
We put forth an honest effort to review this show -- Marissa could not make it through the entire episode (can ya blame her?); I did, but only barely.
It was so predictable and unfunny, we are forced to downgrade it to a 1 -- Waste of airtime!
9.21.2007
The Big Bang Theory - DOWNGRADE!
9.18.2007
NBC: “Bionic Woman” Pilot Review
The last of NBC’s newest offerings this fall, “Bionic Woman” is a remake of the ‘70s series.
The details from NBC:
Struggling as a bartender and surrogate mom to her teenage sister, Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan) didn’t think life could get much harder. But when a devastating car accident leaves her at death’s door, Jaime’s only hope for survival is a cutting-edge, top-secret technology that comes at a hefty price. With a whole new existence and a debt to re-pay, Jaime must figure out how to use her extraordinary abilities for good, while weighing the personal sacrifices she will have to make. Ultimately, it’s Jaime’s journey of self-discovery and inner strength that will help her embrace her new life as the Bionic Woman.
What did we think?
Zzzzzzzzzzz….Oh, hey what were we watching now? Oh, yeah, that’s right, it’s the new, flashy “Bionic Woman.” Well, let’s just say it, under whelmed. The opening was semi-interesting, but the rest of the pilot felt a bit too rushed. Implausible would be the best way to describe it. Obviously the very concept of a “Bionic Woman” is improbable; however, when it takes Jaime all of five seconds to master combat skills, there’s something fishy with that.
The pilot left us with more than a few questions:
Why would Jaime need a trainer (Will Yun Lee) if she has miraculously acquired fighting skills without even spending any time with him?
How did her boyfriend manage to walk away from the car wreck with little more than a bruise and some scratches?
Who are those people running the underground research facility and why do they want to build a superhuman agent? What are their motives?
The version we watched was the original pilot, which has since been re-tooled and the role of Becca, Jaime’s sister, has been recast. The character is also no longer hearing-impaired. We may reserve judgment until we watch the (hopefully) improved pilot – but for now, “Bionic Woman” is getting a rating of: 
Our recommendation: if “Private Practice” really sucks and “Gossip Girl” fails to deliver (or just isn’t your cup of tea), then you may want to check out “Bionic Woman. It premieres Wednesday, Sept. 26th @ 9:00PM
9.17.2007
Tune In Tonight: Monday
"Prison Break" is back tonight! What's going on with the boys?
From FOX:
The season opener finds Michael Scofield in Sona, a hellish and deadly Panamanian prison where a previous riot has forced all authority out and has left the prisoners in charge of their own lives (and deaths). With the fate of his loved ones hanging in the balance, Michael must to find Whistler, a mysterious fellow inmate hiding within the prison’s sewer system, in order to break him out from a prison from which there is no way out. Meanwhile, Lincoln searches for a missing Sara and receives troubling news about LJ on “Orientacion.”
Also premiering tonight is K-Ville at 9:ooPM:
(And if you miss it tonight, don't worry, you'll get another chance tomorrow night when FOX encores the pilot)
Starring: Anthony Anderson and Cole Hauser
An unlikely and heroic team of Marlin Boulet, a brash, wry, in-your-face NOPD veteran, and Trevor Cobb, the redemptive tough and committed cop harboring a dark secret, is born. Battling an upsurge of violence, understaffing of police forces and a lack of crime labs and other facilities, the cops who remain in the New Orleans Police Department have courage to burn and a passion to reclaim and rebuild their city. Rounding out the crew are wisecracking Jeff “Glue Boy” Gooden, the team’s comic relief; tough-as-nails Ginger “Love Tap” LeBeau, the only female on the squad; and Captain James Embry, who wrangles the eclectic personalities of his squad with equal parts humor and tenacity. Through its no-holds-barred crime stories and dramatic personal stories, this intriguing story takes viewers from the Victorian mansions of the Garden District to the rubble of the Lower 9th Ward in the “Pilot” episode of K-VILLE
We didn't get a chance yet to watch K-Ville, so we'll be watching along with everyone else. We'll let you know our verdict tomorrow.
Let's talk Emmys
The in-the-round stage setup
M: Hmm, well this year, I actually kind of liked it. Though they should have had people talk and give out awards from all sides to include everyone.
J: Why is it that every major award show is using this setup now? While I absolutely love the Ugly Betty cast, I didn’t exactly want to look at their blurred faces all night long (and I’m sure they weren’t terribly thrilled either)
The reaction shot of TR Knight after the Isaiah Washington joke
M: Lame! They never should have panned to him; just rude really
J: Really went for the easy jokes there didn’t you, FOX editors?
Ryan Seacrest’s intro music – “Party Like a Rock Star”
M: Totally hilarious
J: oy vey
WINNERS we love:
M: WOO HOO I love The Pivs
J: – yay for The Pivs! Personally though, I wanted Neil Patrick Harris to win (at least for the Bob Barker ep alone!)
Terry O’Quinn (Supporting Actor in a Drama)
M: yay! for the win. interesting (and brave) for the shirt
J: The man has always turned out engaging and powerful performances week after week as the enigmatic Locke; it’s about time he was recognized! Loved the little dig @ the overpaid “Housewives.”
Jaime Pressly (Supporting Actress in a Comedy)
M: OH JESQUITA! Jaime really turns it out playing Joy.
J: Aw, snap! She got me a little teary.
Katherine Heigl [or apparently Hi-GELL] (Supporting Actress in a Drama)
M: Bout time! I remember watching her with Denny and when she cried I sobbed. I am really happy for her.
J: I know there are a lot of Izzie haters, but we both think she deserved some recognition. Maybe people are forgetting the beginning of last season, with all the grieving-over-Denny drama and her struggles to get back into the (surgical) swing of things. Well done Katherine! We fully support you!
Also totally thrilled for: America Ferrera, Judy Davis, Ricky Gervais, and Sally Field – well deserved. Ricky Gervais is a genius.
And the biggest surprise: “30 Rock” for Best Comedy Series! Tina Fey thanked new NBC honcho Ben Silverman (“Six years in advance") and the “dozens and dozens of fans” You’re welcome Tina!
Highlights:
- Don’t Forget the Lyrics with Rainn Wilson & Kanye West
- Stewart and Colbert giving Ricky Gervais’s award to Carell
- ANYTHING involving Steve Carell
- Terry O’Quinn, Katherine Heigl, and Sally Fields’ speeches (What the frak FOX? Censorship sucks)
- Stewie and Brian’s opening song – even though they dissed Zach Braff
- Ellen’s “I don’t know what’s going on” bit
- Elaine Stritch – anytime she was on
- Why Lewis Black felt the need to scream at the audience I don’t know, (is that his normal style? Anyone?) but he made some pretty valid arguments
What the &*%#? Moments:
M: Well I figured out why the bleeped & panned up during Sally Field’s acceptance speech, but I am still trying to figure out why did they do the same thing to Ray Romano?
J: Someone should’ve censored Brad Garrett for his awful jokes
J: James Spader? Really? Does anyone even watch “Boston Legal?”
9.16.2007
Psych: "Bounty Hunters!"
My favorite elements of this show are its laid back approach and endless (and sometimes obscure) pop-culture references. It's continually entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny. AND, it just got renewed for a 3rd season! Woo!
The finale was full of hilarity as usual. Here are the highlights:
Shawn: "Dude, I'm pretty sure this is the boat from 'Dead Calm.'
Gus: "Great, now we have to worry about Billy Zane too?"
Dwayne Cantana: "Did he just wink at me?"
Shawn: "Just pretend like we're in 'Road House.'
Gus: "Fine, then I'm Patrick Swayze."
Shawn: "Sam Elliott."
Gus: "Maybe if someone would've tied up the boat, we wouldn't have been swimming around like the couple from 'Open Water.'
As for the ending: They've been slowly building up Shawn and Juliet as a couple for quite some time (they were "perfect matches" according to the compatability test in the speed-dating centered "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me, Oops He's Dead" ep) and while it wasn't exactly a 100% payoff, I'd say it was about halfway there. I rather enjoyed the "very close talking."
Other funny moments included:
NBC: "Journeyman" Pilot Review
The concept is both interesting and original -- like nothing we've seen on TV recently.
It’s actually difficult to describe our feelings for “Journeyman.” I say this because for all of the other pilots we’ve watched, a large amount of notes were taken. While watching this pilot barely any were taken. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it was more of a, we were so engrossed in what was going on that we didn’t want to miss anything, kind of thing.
I can tell you we did enjoy the pilot, and that Kevin McKidd is definitely a strong leading man. I can also tell you that this is a show that you certainly need to pay attention to. There is a lot of information and back and forth flashes that could possibly be disorienting, not only to the watcher but also to Dan Vasser (McKidd). It was intriguing enough for us to want to find out where it's headed.
Overall the Rating = 3
"Journeyman" airs Monday's at 10pm on NBC
NBC: "Life" Pilot Review
“Life was his sentence and Life is what he got back” - Attorney Constance Griffiths
Premise: Detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis) wrongly imprisoned for 12 years is given a second chance at life. After his exoneration, thanks to close friend and attorney Constance Griffiths(Brooke Langton), he chooses to return to the force to find the real culprits behind his incarceration.
J’s thoughts:
Charlie Crews eats fruit like House pops Vicodin. Maybe that's the source of his quirkiness and Zen state. OR maybe that's due to spending 12 years in a maximum-security prison.
I thought the documentary-style interviews were an interesting method. I'm not sure if they'll keep up with this style throughout the season?
Marissa and I could not stop laughing during most of the 1st half. This may be another show in which the quirkiness of the lead character makes the show fun to watch.
I was not expecting to like this pilot as much as I did. It was a pleasant surprise and considering that I don't have anything else scheduled for Wednesdays @ 10pm, I'm going to give this one a try.
Rating = 3 ¾
M’s thoughts: 
Well where do I start. I was mesmerized by the way Crews eats fruit is probably a good place. It was kind of refreshing and super funny to see someone in their thirties not understand the concept of a cellular phone, and I think (hope) little bits like this keep popping in.
Crews is all about being “zen,” which kind of makes him appear wacky. Really the “zenness” is what makes him a better detective, it gives him a calming effect on almost everyone he talks to.
This is not your standard cop show people!!
Rating = 4
"Life" airs Wednesdays at 10pm