TV’s New Year
Christmas has come and gone. To deal with the post-Christmas blues, take solace by catching one or two of the following TV shows…
The Dresden Files
Network: Sci Fi
Airs: Sundays, 9-10 p.m.; Premieres 1/21
Harry Potter has nothing on Harry Dresden.
Based on the best-selling book series by Jim Butcher, “The Dresden Files” tells the story of Harry Dresden (Paul Blackthorne), a Chicago-based private eye with some interesting abilities. Where others see typical big-city crimes of murder, kidnapping and assault, Harry sees <insert creepy music> supernatural forces at work.
You see, Dresden is a wizard. Whether consulting for the cops or investigating his own cases, Dresden battles the forces of darkness — always, of course, with a droll sense of humor.
The series begins with local gangster Tommy Tom and his girlfriend Jennifer Randall found dead in a hotel room. Apparently their hearts exploded from their chests. And there’s no explanation for the grisly scene either. No forced entry, no signs of struggle, and no evidence that the two organs had become fatally claustrophobic. So police Lt. Connie Murphy turns to Dresden for help.
A little bit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” a little bit “Kolchak, the Night Stalker,” this is a fun premise that deserves a look.
Be aware that the show includes a few scorched corpses, dark lords, maybe a vampire or two. You get the drift.
Adventures in Hollyhood
Network: MTV
Airs: Wed., 10:30-11 p.m.; Premieres 1/31
Amazing what winning an Oscar for Best Original Song will do. In this case, land you your own TV show!
Set in Los Angeles, this reality series follows rap artists Three 6 Mafia, 2006 Oscar winner for a single from the movie Hustle & Flow. They’re determined to establish themselves as Hollywood players (or, in their case, HollyHOOD players).
The group and their entourage say later to their hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, and head west, vowing not to let fame and fortune go to their heads. And, of course, keep it real.
The players: core members Juicy J and DJ Paul; assistant Big Treice; Internet consultant Computer (yeah, that’s his name); and Project Pat. I’m not sure what he does.
Given the success of similar MTV shows such as “The Newlyweds,” “The Osbournes,” and “Runs House,” this show — a sort of true-life “Entourage” — will likely find a following with hip-hop fans. And it’s produced by Ashton Kutcher, who seems to have a knack for knowing what viewers want.
And even if you’re not a hip-hop fan, it’s always fun to look into the fishbowl of someone else’s life. In most cases, it just makes you glad you’re not them.
Dancelife
Network: MTV
Airs: Mondays, 10:30-11 p.m.; Premieres 1/15
The dance craze continues with this new reality series from executive producer Jennifer Lopez. It’s about the lives of dancers trying to make it in the biz. And it’s not easy.
All glory? Hardly. This show looks at eviction notices, broken-down cars, rejection calls, flared tempers… dancers go from struggling to pay the rent to being on stage in front of 50,000 screaming fans. And their stories are all interconnected as they go for their dreams.
The players: Staci, a former Pussycat Doll who wants to be a singer and is betting it all on her new CD; Jersey, a young ingénue hoping dance will be her ticket to fame (and her way out of debt); Nolan, a guy who’s battled personal troubles to make it this far; Blake, one of the best hoofers in Hollywood (the only trouble is he knows it); Kenny, a former baseball player (and current party animal) who got his big break dancing with Lopez; and Celestina, a driven hip-hopper who sees dance as the first step to building her empire.
Lopez will help audition and select the dancers, and also show up here and there throughout the season. The former fly girl spreads her knowledge…and celebrity to bring us the trials and tribulations of life void of two left feet.
Wildfire
Network: ABC Family
Airs: Mondays, 8/7 c; Premieres 1/1
Romance. Family. Horses. That’s Wildfire in a nutshell, but there’s so much more to this thoughtful series about a teenager who is given a second chance to make something of herself.
The story follows the life of 18-year-old Kris Furillo who, after serving time in a juvenile detention center, is hired to work at Raintree Horse Farm, owned by the Ritter family. The once powerful family, headed by Henry and Jean Ritter, has fallen on hard times, and they’re in the midst of trying to save the ranch from financial ruin.
Their greatest hope is a horse named Wildfire. Like Kris, he comes from the wrong side of the tracks and was written off as a loser. But to her, he’s more than just a horse with “winner’s circle” written all over him. He’s her best friend in this strange new world of high-stakes horseracing, where people will do just about anything to come out ahead.
Of course, there’s plenty of family and friendship drama. Kris’ friendships with Matt, the Ritter’s eldest son, and Junior Davis, the wealthy son of Raintree’s main competitor, mean everything to her. But Dani Davis, Junior’s sister and Matt’s on-again-off-again girlfriend, isn’t too happy with Kris’ presence in her world.
Season 3 begins with Kris and Wildfire in a close call that puts them in the spotlight. The competition between the Ritter and Davis families heats up, and Matt, Junior and Dani are starting to venture out on their own. Long-held secrets, unlikely alliances, and bitter rivalries will continue to dominate the lives of everyone in this series that’s a little bit “The O.C.” and a little bit “National Velvet”.
Fun for anyone who loves horses, romance and drama. Cool music, too, with season 1 and 2 songs available on iTunes.