Boardwalk Empire, and it's not even close. I have not seen anything but gushing over this show by the few who have seen it- saying the setup gives it the potential to run for a really long time. The pedigree (Scorcese, Terrence Winter- 2nd in command on The Sopranos) could not be better. HBO allegedly spent $50M on the pilot (putting it on par with mega expensive series like Rome) so it should look every bit like a movie. For perspective, the Lost pilot is notoriously the most expensive ever, and it cost $14M. Everything about this series screams epic.
Lone Star on Fox, depending on your taste for a little soapiness, could be great. BIlled as "Dallas" without the cheese, it's about a guy that is living a double life- married to a rich oil tycoon's daughter in Houston, and playing with a girlfriend in Midland while he bilks people out of their money. The director of (500) Days of Summer is behind this one, and the pilot is supposed to be pretty fresh.
Running Wilde New sitcom from the Arrested Development team starring Will Arnett. I have an unhealthy and inexplicable crush on Keri Russell, so that doesn't help. Been reshot a few times, so it's either a mess, or they're really gonna have something decent.
Undercovers JJ Abrams is the best creator in recent TV history, and I miss the hell out of the good days of Alias. This could be a chance to take what's good there and rectify the mistakes. Unfortunately, Abrams won't be involved day to day past directing the pilot.
Better with You Keri Russell comments above apply to Joanna Garcia. ABC picked it to go between the underrated The Middle and the perfect Modern Family- so there's gotta be something decent there, right?
Staying away from: The Event (we've been down this road too many times before, unsuccessfully, and NBC is the least trustworthy network out there), No Ordinary Family (the pilot link is posted a page or so back- even more terrible than expected considering the premise is "live action version of 'The Incredibles'" ), any new/spunoff generic crime show.
[This message has been edited by 20ag07 (edited 8/25/2010 6:18p).]
