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Some things change, some things stay the same. That’s what you can count on TV for in the autumn — a host of new shows, as well as your beloved ones from seasons past. Here’s the scoop on your oldies, as well as some newbies…
“THE O.C.”
Network: Fox
Airs: Thursdays, 9/8c (Season 4 premiered 11/2)
Star Rating: 4 Stars
When we last left the rich, messed-up kids of “The O.C.”, Ryan was carrying Marissa’s lifeless body away from a burning car after being run off the road by a scheming Volchok. Not the high school grad night anyone expected, and the tragedy will bring out the best and worst of people.
This series tells the story of Orange County, California, a wealthy, harbor-front community where all is not as perfect as it seems. Yes, the ole rich-beautiful-kids-have-problems-too premise.
The fourth season finds the angst-ridden teens leaving behind their high school lives of drugs, death, shootings, romance drama and a horrible car crash.
This year, Sandy Cohen returns to the Public Defender’s office, and he and Kirsten seem happy — for once. They’re trying their best to keep Ryan on the right track, even as he threatens to spiral back into his former life of drugs and booze. Summer has left Orange County for Brown University in Rhode Island, where she’s now a tree-hugger environmentalist bolstered by activist Che (and this is the dude’s name, no relation to Guevara.)
Meanwhile, Seth, lonely in the O.C., and working at a local comic bookstore, starts hanging with Summer’s dad for social stimulation. Kaitlin Cooper, now the No. 1 troublemaker at The Harbor School, befriends Luke’s younger twin brothers, Eric and Brad.
In short, life probably won’t get any easier for these people. Or at least, let’s hope not, because apparently audiences love drama.
“The O.C.” also has one of the best TV soundtracks (tunes from Imogen Heap, the Shout Out Louds, Phantom Planet, and LCD Soundsystem.) And later this season, singer Chris Brown will join the cast. Hmmmm…I won’t make the token comment…
“MY BOYS”
Network: TBS
Airs: 10/9c (premieres 11/28)
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Being a chick who’s “one of the guys” can be fun…. unless you’re a tomboy looking for love.
PJ Franklin (Jordana Spiro) is a 20-something sports reporter for the Chicago Sun Times. At first glance, she’s smart, cute, outgoing, and likeable. But her no-nonsense, sports-savvy approach to dating often freaks out potential boyfriends.
And then there’s the boys in her life: her brother, Andy, whose wife keeps him on a short leash; Mike, PJ’s friend, who is a commitment-shy ladies’ man who works for the Chicago Cubs; Kenny, a sports-memorabilia store owner who’s still working on the whole dating thing; and Brendan, a DJ whose on-again, off-again romance with his girlfriend often leaves him crashing at PJ’s apartment.
The most recent addition to the group is Bobby, a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, the Sun’s rival newspaper. PJ’s one female friend, Stephanie, tries to offer advice on men and dating. But tomboy PJ isn’t into dressing and acting more feminine. And she knows that relationships come and go, but her “boys” are forever.
With a behind-the-scenes crew that includes executive producer Gavin Polone (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Gilmore Girls”) and director Robert Duncan McNeill (“The O.C.,” “Summerland,” and “Desperate Housewives”), look for this to be a mid-season breakout. Think “Sex and the City,” only with poker games instead of breakfast at a kitschy café.
“VERONICA MARS”
Network: The CW
Airs: Tuesdays, 9/8c (Season 3 premiered 10/3)
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
“Veronica Mars” is the little show that everyone should be watching. Are you? It plays like an updated version of Nancy Drew. But unlike the always-perfect Nancy, Veronica is a lot like the rest of us. Only with a snappier comeback.
After wrapping up last year’s mystery — Veronica’s investigation into the murder of her wealthy best friend — the third season finds the sleuth enrolled at Hearst College in the seaside community of Neptune, California. Other co-eds include bad-boy boyfriend Logan, and best pals Wallace and Mac.
When Wallace’s new roommate, the charmingly nerdy Piz has his stuff stolen, they call on Veronica for help. While working on this little mystery, she learns the campus serial rapist has struck again — a storyline set up at the end of last season. And sparks fly between Piz and her.
Don’t write “Veronica Mars” off as just another teen soap-detective series. It’s a charming mix of smart-alecky lines, moody mysteries, and characters so complex they rival those castaways on “Lost”.
At the center of it all is Kristen Bell, whose glib responses keep things from getting too gloomy. We should all brush off adversity so well (“My boyfriend just fled the country with his dead ex-girlfriend’s baby. I need a project,” she chirps). And her loveably sarcastic chemistry with her dad is the best father-daughter act on TV.
“Veronica Mars” narrowly avoided cancellation for two years in a row, thanks to praise from Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and Stephen King (you know who he is), along with a rabid fan base and 4.5 million viewers (a drop in the bucket in TV World). We hope that while Veronica investigates deaths, the show is kept alive!