The first day of network Upfront presentations features a doubleheader, with NBC followed by FOX. That means another stack of trailers (unlike NBC, FOX also released the materials for its midseason shows), so let’s take a look. Reminder: it’s patently unfair to judge a TV series based on a 3-4 minute trailer, except that clearly it’s exactly what the networks want us to do, so we shouldn’t feel too bad about it.
We begin with FOX’s highest-profile new comedy, DADS. This is Seth MacFarlane’s first live-action comedy series, and the network must be in love with it, because FOX not only increased its initial order from 6 to 13 episodes, it gave the show the lead-off slot on Tuesday nights.
Dads looks like a more FOX-ian version of what NBC is trying to do on Thursdays next fall, a broad family comedy but one with a little bit of rude edge. Unlike the NBC star vehicles, this one is cast in depth, with the strong quartet of Seth Green, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael McKean and Peter Riegert (and don’t forget Liza Lapira Brenda Song in the supporting cast). The premise is age-old–gee, elderly parents are clueless and drive their sons crazy–and the show isn’t going to avoid silliness, but the chemistry seems to be there, and with more well-played bits like Riegert and McKean competing to make the other pay the bill for lunch, this could work.
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About the Author
Mitch Salem
MITCH SALEM has worked on the business side of the entertainment industry for 20 years, as a senior business affairs executive and attorney for such companies as NBC, ABC, USA, Syfy, Bravo, and BermanBraun Productions, and before that, at the NY law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. During all that, he has more or less constantly been going to the movies and watching TV, and writing about both since the 1980s. His film reviews also currently appear on screened.com and the-burg.com. In addition, he is co-writer of an episode of the television series "Felicity."
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