As the US television season approaches its Christmas hiatus and with the writers' strike ensuring a longer break between episodes than usual, it's time to asses the new shows coming to UK television in the next year and to see which channels have a hit on their hands and which bought this year's Studio 60:
Bionic Woman Coming To You On: ITV2 The Plot In A Nutshell: The former Zoe Slater saves the world while feeling incredibly miserable about it. What Works: Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff plays rogue Bionic Woman Sarah Corvus with all the charisma and style you would have hoped for. What Doesn't: Sadly Sackhoff's First Law of Charisma appears to work in inverse proportions. She might be on fire but the rest of the cast, an out-of-her depth Michelle Ryan in particular, are very damp squibs indeed. Overall: A murkily shot, indifferently acted mess. Bionic Woman is doing OK in the ratings in the US but may struggle more over here. Grade: D
Pushing Daisies Coming To You On: ITV The Plot In A Nutshell: Shy piemaker discovers he can raise the dead with one touch. Complications ensue. What Works: The year's most divisive new show features the year's most tender romance and a subtle performance from Anna Friel as hero Ned's recently deceased love. The show's offbeat Technicolor world is beautifully thought out and fully realised. What Doesn't: It's a show about a piemaker who lives in a Technicolor world and can raise the dead. It features cute lovelorn waitresses and eye-patch wearing aunts who once made a living as synchronised swimmers - it's not going to appeal to everyone. Overall: The sort of show you either love or hate: some will find that Pushing Daisies sugar edges towards the teeth bitingly saccharine, others will love the risks it takes. Grade: A-
Reaper Coming To You On: E4 The Plot In A Nutshell: An amiable slacker is forced to work as a bounty hunter for hell after his parents admit they sold his soul to the devil at birth. What Works: The entertaining Kevin Smith-directed first episode. The casting of Ray Wise aka Twin Peak's Leland Palmer as the devil. What Doesn't: Great scenario but after a while the plots all seem the same. Overall: One of the funniest of the new shows although doubts remain over its potential longevity. Grade: B
Gossip Girl Coming To You On: ITV2 The Plot In A Nutshell: Utterly shameless drama set among Manhattan's wealthy elite and adapted by OC creator Josh Schwartz from a best-selling series of teen novels. What Works: Leighton Meester's performance as uber bitch Blair Waldorf, Brit Ed Westwick's turn as the super smug Chuck and the wonderfully knowing tone. What Doesn't: If you don't like shows about troubled wealthy adolescents then don't bother. Overall: Is it a guilty pleasure or just a pleasure full stop? Easily the best teen drama since The OC and possibly the craziest since the sadly short-lived Popular, Gossip Girl won't appeal to everyone but of its kind it's excellent. One worry: If ever a show was made for E4 it's this one, it may struggle on ITV. Grade: A
Dirty Sexy Money Coming To You On: Channel 4 The Plot In A Nutshell: Lawyer Nick George - Six Feet Under's Peter Krause - is forced to look after the crazy Darling family while trying to uncover the mystery behind his father's death. What Works: A fantastic cast clearly having fun, in particular Donald Sutherland who as Darling patriarch Trip Darling steals every scene he is in. What Doesn't: If the foibles of the rich and wealthy aren't your scene then this won't win you over. Overall: Six Feet Under meets Dynasty, Dirty Sexy Money is shamelessly shallow but also strangely addictive. Grade: A-
Cane Coming To You On: ITV The Plot In A Nutshell: Soapy drama about a Cuban-American rum dynasty. What Works: A great cast and a slow burning plot featuring betrayal, dark deeds, steamy sex and the obligatory struggle for control of the empire. What Doesn't: Occasionally slightly too soapy, marred by a slow moving first episode. Overall: The Dallas to Dirty Sexy Money's Dynasty, Cane isn't quite as much fun as the latter although it's getting better with each episode. Grade: B+
K-Ville Coming To You On: Channel Five The Plot In A Nutshell: Two very different cops solve cases in post-Katrina New Orleans. What Works: A strong ensemble cast plus an interesting setting... What Doesn't: ...is let down by a mediocre script and a sense that, setting apart, this is no different from any other buddy buddy cop show. Overall: K-Ville has potential and might be a grower but it's not quite there yet and needs to fend off rumours of pending cancellation. Grade: C+
Back To You Coming To You On: Channel 4 The Plot In A Nutshell: Kelsey Grammer makes his comeback in this sitcom brought to you by the team behind Frasier and set on a network TV news show. What Works: Grammer and co-star Patricia Heaton - formerly of Everybody Loves Raymond - are on form. The script is as polished as you'd expect given the pedigree. What Doesn't: It's all a bit too polished: the ingredients are there but the end result is uninspiring. Overall: So-so rather than great, this may improve but at the moment it's decidedly underwhelming, especially given those involved. Grade: B-
