Hot new TV shows (and one cold one) (MSNBC)

[Brian Damage]

“Pushing Daisies”
It’s a sweetly magical fairy tale, blended with a hint of murder. “Pushing Daisies” is already a critical favorite, even though it doesn’t premiere until Oct. 3. Lee Pace plays Ned, a pieman with a secret talent — he can bring people back to life. But of course, there are rules and consequences — and when he brings his childhood sweetheart back to life, the two can never touch. A wonderful Tim Burton-esque touch and hyper-bright colors, as well as storybook-like narration from Jim Dale, make the show look and sound like nothing you’ve ever seen outside a movie theater. Fans of “Dead Like Me” will be tuning in to see that show’s star, Pace, and creator Bryan Fuller working together once again, but the show’s buzz ensures it’ll be far from dead in the water. (ABC, Wednesdays, 8 p.m. ET.)

[Brian Damage]

“Reaper”
Think your parents were unfair? Seattle slacker Sam learns on his 21st birthday that his folks have sold his soul to the devil, and guess who’s here to collect? With the help of his chubby co-worker from a Home Depot-like store, Sam sets out to learn his new career — sending escaped souls back to Hell. Some have sneered that the bounty hunter for Hell bit was ripped off from 1998’s short-lived “Brimstone,” but get over that and you’ll find a show rich with humor and delightfully full of smart dialogue. Don’t fear this “Reaper.” (CW, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET, Sept. 25 premiere.)

[Brian Damage]

“Sarah Connor Chronicles”
She’ll be back. OK, so maybe Sarah Connor didn’t actually say that in “The Terminator” films, but she’s now taken the blockbuster movie franchise to TV. Lena Headey plays Sarah, with Thomas Dekker as her son, John, who’s predestined to save the world from the rise of the evil Terminators. But “Firefly” fans will be especially interested in the role of a helpful female Terminator, played by Summer Glau (River on “Firefly”). Sci-fi fans are difficult to please, but an early look at the pilot is promising — the show looks to be a worthy extension of the films. Ah-nold would be proud. (Fox, Sundays, 9 p.m. ET, premiering in January 2008.)

[Brian Damage]

“Chuck”
Nerds are a popular plot device this fall. Geeky Chuck (Zachary Levi) works for the Nerd Herd, a Geek Squad-like tech team at a big-box electronics store. His interests don’t rise much above video games and computers until an old friend sends him a coded secret message that somehow downloads the nation’s secrets into his brain. Now the government baddies, led by a babelicious blonde, are after him, and Chuck’s not going to be spending any more lonely nights at home playing World of Warcraft. Nerd becomes spy, and he gets the girl too? It’s a geek’s dream come true. (NBC, Mondays, 8 p.m. ET, Sept. 24 premiere.)

[Brian Damage]

DUD: “Cavemen”
Maybe they should have let it thaw out longer. Like for a couple more centuries. Even the executive producers of this show admit they had second thoughts about turning their popular Geico “Cavemen” commercials into a weekly series. Too bad they didn’t have third and fourth thoughts, as well. You know the plot if you’ve seen the ads: Three cavemen living in our modern world face the prejudices and pains of our modern society. But the jokes and set-ups date back to the Paleolithic era and the dialogue is just painful. If you’re a fan of Geico’s hairy little guys, content yourself with watching the commercials on YouTube — the ads will be yanked during the show’s run. (ABC, Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 2 premiere.)

[Corolla]

“Reaper”
Think your parents were unfair? Seattle slacker Sam learns on his 21st birthday that his folks have sold his soul to the devil, and guess who’s here to collect? With the help of his chubby co-worker from a Home Depot-like store, Sam sets out to learn his new career — sending escaped souls back to Hell. Some have sneered that the bounty hunter for Hell bit was ripped off from 1998’s short-lived “Brimstone,” but get over that and you’ll find a show rich with humor and delightfully full of smart dialogue. Don’t fear this “Reaper.” (CW, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. ET, Sept. 25 premiere.)Might be an interesting show, even though if CW is airing it and it actually is good it'll be off the network in a few days. *cough* Reba, Veronica Mars *cough*


“Chuck”
Nerds are a popular plot device this fall. Geeky Chuck (Zachary Levi) works for the Nerd Herd, a Geek Squad-like tech team at a big-box electronics store. His interests don’t rise much above video games and computers until an old friend sends him a coded secret message that somehow downloads the nation’s secrets into his brain. Now the government baddies, led by a babelicious blonde, are after him, and Chuck’s not going to be spending any more lonely nights at home playing World of Warcraft. Nerd becomes spy, and he gets the girl too? It’s a geek’s dream come true. (NBC, Mondays, 8 p.m. ET, Sept. 24 premiere.)Hmmm... I'd rather have the story of a geek, rather than a geek that ends up being a spy. Or a Knocked Up or 40 Year Old Virgin sitcom. :lol: Still gonna watch it and give the show a chance.


DUD: “Cavemen”
Maybe they should have let it thaw out longer. Like for a couple more centuries. Even the executive producers of this show admit they had second thoughts about turning their popular Geico “Cavemen” commercials into a weekly series. Too bad they didn’t have third and fourth thoughts, as well. You know the plot if you’ve seen the ads: Three cavemen living in our modern world face the prejudices and pains of our modern society. But the jokes and set-ups date back to the Paleolithic era and the dialogue is just painful. If you’re a fan of Geico’s hairy little guys, content yourself with watching the commercials on YouTube — the ads will be yanked during the show’s run. (ABC, Tuesdays, 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 2 premiere.)Might be alright, but meh.