Some of us would have never guessed that a cable series
headlined by former ’80s geek Anthony Michael Hall (
”
Sixteen Candles,
”
”
The Breakfast Club
”
) would ever be on top of the summer-viewing list.
Some of us would have never guessed that a cable series headlined by former ’80s geek Anthony Michael Hall (“Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club”) would ever be on top of the summer-viewing list.
Well, here we are, five seasons later, and Hall’s quirky, curiously executed series “The Dead Zone” is still something to call a guilty pleasure. Fortunately, the series culls enough sci-fi “creepy” – and just enough – to be more than just a watered-down redux of Stephen King’s hit book and film.
The premiere (10pm June 18 on USA) finds Hall’s “psychic” Johnny trying to thwart the unlikely wedding of Greg Stillson (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Miranda (Laura Harris). Fans may recall that Stillson is Johnny’s nemesis and that Miranda is only marrying the corrupt congressman in a bid to protect Johnny’s life.
Keep your eyes on this season, though. There’s talk of a mysterious woman coming to the series’ fictional town of Cleaves Mills. And expect Flanery’s character to gain more power by season’s end. Wonder if Johnny will see that coming?
Getting to Know Gwen
Locals may recall the tragic story of Bay Area resident Gwen Araujo a few years ago. Araujo, a male-to-female transgender, was brutally murdered by four young males at a party who discovered her gender “status.” Lifetime, the network that seems to have a patent on creating gripping “real-life” teleplays, chronicles Araujo’s story in “A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story” (9pm June 19). All eyes seem to be on the resilient Mercedes Ruehl here, who plays Gwen’s mother. But expect J.D. Pardo (“American Dreams”) to steal the show. Hanky alert: High.
No Kelly, No Gellman – Just Regis
Is primetime ready for Regis Philbin again? Ready or not, here he comes. The Emmy-winning Philbin – who’s at the helm of daytime’s “Live With Regis and Kelly” and scored ratings gold back in 1999 with the primetime game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” – heads back topm duties in the buzzworthy “America’s Got Talent.”
The swank new competition show, which launches in what’s being promised as a passionate two-hour premiere (8pm June 21 on NBC), is the brainchild of American Idol anti-hero Simon Cowell.
“For years I’ve thought about hosting a variety show on television, but I could never put it together in my mind,” Philbin said about the new series. “Finally, here it is, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Let’s not get too thrilled – not yet. This certainly smells a wee bit like “American Idol Jr.” Here’s the premise: “Hot” performers from across America perform in front of a live audience. Home viewers are allowed to determine who prances off with a $1 million cash prize. On the roster: singers, dancers, comedic performers and a myriad acts spanning all age groups.
The yet-to-be-decided judges determine which acts will advance to those infamous final rounds. Expect a 30-minute “results” show to air at 8:30pm Thursdays. The show’s regular time slot is 9pm Wednesdays. With Philbin at the helm, this could be addictive summer viewing.
On the other hand, our fascination with competition shows doesn’t seem to be waning. Gone are the days of scripted originality. (OK, they’re not totally gone, but they have diminished considerably.) Maybe it’s just me, but I’m sucker for good writing and great character dramas. (See FX’s “Rescue Me” or TNT’s “The Closer” this summer, and watch yourself get hooked.) Whether this post-modern Gong Show wins raves remains to be seen. Still, I’ll be there for the first few outings – you know, just to see how things play out. Stay tuned …
Post-Karen Hangover
Megan Mullally is such a gifted performer, I’d tune in and watch her do most anything. Now that she’s put her Karen Walker alter ego aside, brace yourself for Mullally’s debut as syndicated talk show host in September. While “The Megan Mullally Show” already looks as if it will have similar ingredients to other talk shows – celebrities, real people, music and comedy – the show will have to offer something unique to keep viewers glued to the set. The host’s personality is a big sell, so I predict the producers will arrange the sequence of the show in a creative way to keep viewers interested and, more importantly, curious enough to come back for more. The good news? Mullally loves to sing. Translation: We won’t be bored.
Greg Archer is an entertainment writer based on the Central Coast. He writes about the TV, film and being human. E-mail him at ga*****@**********rs.com or visit www.greg-archer.com.
