New dramas hope viewers are willing to commit

‘Shark’
Legally, there’s a difference between abusing one’s wife and attempting to kill her. And with that distinction, unbeatable defense attorney Sebastian Stark (James Woods) saves the day for his scumbag client. But when said scumbag advances to murder, Stark begins to doubt his career choice. Wracked with guilt, he decides to switch teams and lead the high-profile crimes unit for the D.A.’s office.

Bringing with him his “cutthroat manifesto” and an in-home courtroom purchased by his many hefty fees, Stark promises to show D.A. Jessica Devlin (Jeri Ryan) a thing or two about winning cases. In return he’ll no doubt, learn a few things himself. Redemption arcs, both professional and personal, are swirling around him by the end of the pilot.

Clearly inspired by Fox’s hit series “House,” “Shark” (CBS, Thursdays, 10 p.m. ET) misses the mark. Sure, there’s the disapproving female superior and the group of young professionals learning from his gruff-but-spot-on analysis, but Stark lacks the dark humor and cutting wit that makes House such an entertaining character.

So what makes “Shark” swim away from other legal eagle dramas? Oscar-nominated Woods. Viewers might tune in for the lead's star power, but don’t count on them sticking around for the same old courtroom shtick.  —R.H.

‘Friday Night Lights’
Are you ready for some football? Based on the book and film of the same name, “Friday Night Lights” (NBC, Tuesdays, 8 PM ET) illuminates the highs and lows of small-town Texas high-school football.

FREE VIDEO 'Friday Night Lights' It was a book, it was a movie, now meet 'Friday Night Lights': the TV show. MSNBC

Viewers can probably already imagine the character lineup: new head coach who is pressured by both the community and his neglected family, choirboy quarterback and his loving cheerleader girlfriend, the backup quarterback who may never get a chance to play, talented but brazen African-American running back whose teammates treat him well on the field but shun him socially.

Like the film and book, the series has several dramatic veins to mine: the life-or-death seriousness of small-town football, the plight of celebrated high school players who are quickly discarded by their supporters, and the circumstances of the kids who don’t play. While the plot and dialogue are predictable (an injury in the pilot is telegraphed early on), the teen relationship drama and gripping football action, as well as performances by television veterans Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, should be enough to keep audiences intrigued.    —Kim Reed