Fall dramas try to offer something for everyone

‘Fringe’
"Fringe" is the latest offering from TV auteur J.J. Abrams, of "Lost," "Alias," "Felicity," and "Mission: Impossible 3" fame, working with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

Like Abrams' other series, "Fringe" will have a central mystery and mythology, as its characters try to discover why the passengers of a flight all died horrible deaths before the plane landed itself safely in Boston.

The show stars Joshua Jackson as the son of an institutionalized scientist who specializes in science that's not exactly scientific fact. Jackson's character reluctantly works with an FBI agent (Anna Torv) and tries to keep his father in line.

The two-hour premiere begins compellingly, but then quickly turns to the familiar, desperately trying to become another "Heroes" or "Lost" but instead ending up like an episode of one of the many quickly-cancelled sci-fi wannabe shows. ("Bionic Woman," anyone?)

"Fringe's" reported $10 million budget for its first episode is nowhere to be seen, nor is the talent of its marquee writer-producer, who's a lot better than this series.

One to watch? Those who love all things Abrams may not be able to help themselves, no matter how boring and uninspired the first two hours are. But those who value their time should spend it on better TV. (Premieres Sept. 9, Fox, 8 p.m.)    —A.D.

'Knight Rider'
Really, "Knight Rider" is one of those gleefully goofy shows that should have been allowed to rest in peace and on Betamax.

Mitchell Haaseth / © NBC Universal, Inc. Is the new "Knight Rider" star Jason, or Justin? Don't ask David Hasselhoff.

But in February 2008, NBC aired what's called a "backdoor pilot," testing the waters with a two-hour "Knight Rider" movie. It did well, and now the series gets a shot. Justin Bruening (best known from "All My Children") plays Michael Knight's son, Mike Traceur. His love interest, played by Deanna Russo, is the daughter of the original designer of supercar KITT.

But is it really "Knight Rider" without Michael Knight? According to WENN.com, David Hasselhoff is fuming because his vision for the remake wasn't listened to, so he won't be involved. But according to a video interview with The Hoff, he is supporting the show and will be making some appearances (although he calls Justin Bruening "that kid Jason").

Showrunner Gary Scott Thompson told Sci-Fi Pulse that the show needs to be more sophisticated, the characters more three-dimensional, and KITT's technology has to be amazing. "This car has  to not just change colors, this car has to transform into other vehicles," Thompson said.

One to watch? Could lose speed quickly. There's an audience for "Fast and Furious" type driving drama, but can it sustain a weekly series? (Premieres Sept. 24, NBC, 8 p.m.)    —G.F.C.

'Life on Mars'
ABC’s only new scripted series this fall is another adaptation of a popular British show. In the BBC original, a cop wakes up after an accident to find himself living in the 1970s but still working on the police force.

"Life on Mars" had a tumultous orbit, and features a new cast and new pilot.

This version, by “October Road” producers Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec, keeps that premise, but moves the action to New York. Jason O’Mara stars as Sam Tyler, who must adapt to solving crimes without the use of modern technology while trying to figure out how he got to 1973 in the first place.

Though the British original ran for only 16 episodes, producers say the time period lends itself to many seasons of great storytelling. “There're a lot of similarities to where we are now,” Applebaum told critics this summer. “We were trying to get out of a war in which we were embedded. We had an unpopular president. There were (high) gas prices. It was a tumultuous time.”

The new adaptation itself has had a tumultuous time getting on the air — an original pilot by David E. Kelley was scrapped and all actors but O’Mara were recast. But the new cast features such heavyweights as Michael Imperioli and Harvey Keitel.

One to watch? Yes. If the how-Sam-got-there mythology doesn’t get too trippy, “Mars” could be one of this season’s best new shows. (Premieres Oct. 9, ABC, 10 p.m.)    —J.H.

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