Premise

From film director Wolfgang Petersen (In the Line of Fire, Air Force One) comes this series focusing on the inside workings of the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.). The series examines the key roles of both field agents and the analysts back in Virginia.

Familiar Faces

Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal), Ronny Cox, Will Patton (Armageddon), Andrea Roth (Players), Paige Turco (Party of Five)

Our Take

Prior to last year, we would not have placed much hope on a competing drama at 10pm. However, thanks to CBS’s growing Thursday night (Survivor and C.S.I.), this nicely produced program may very well have a shot against the aging ER.

Expect to Hear

“Every day we’re not in the news is a day we won.” - Matt Calhoun

Premise

The Tick is a somewhat dim-witted man blessed with the ability of nigh-invulnerability. With the help of his side-kick Arthur (a former accountant), the Tick fights for justice in the City with fellow crime fighters Captain Liberty (a heroine reminiscent of Wonder Woman) and Bat Manuel.

Familiar Faces

Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld), Liz Vassey (Brotherly Love), Nestor Carbonell (Suddenly Susan)

Our Take

FOX clearly faces some real challenges against Survivor and Friends. While both The Tick and Family Guy (at 8pm) offer a different type of humor, that probably will only help in building a small audience base.

Expect to Hear

“Life is your chance…grab it! Squeeze the milk of life into your dirty glass and drink it warm.” - The Tick

Premise

Adam Schwartz is a huge sports fan who has just separated from his longtime girlfriend. Working for his father’s restaurant business despite a desire to become a sportscaster, Adam deals with life’s problems by fantasizing that his life is being reviewed by a series of famous sportscasters.

Familiar Faces

Breckin Meyer, Richard Kline (Three’s Company)

Our Take

While NBC Thursday night has traditionally been a strong night, this 8:30pm slot has been their weakest link. While Inside Schwartz is an enjoyable program, it does appear to skew more male than Friends.

Expect to Hear

“After a breakup, when a woman says ‘I miss you’ - does not mean ‘I want you back’…It means I wanna keep you as a back up in case I get horribly disfigured.” - Julie Herman

Premise

Elimidate Deluxe features a different man or woman each week dating four potential mates at the same time in order to find the perfect date. This reality show will also be stripped in syndication.

Familiar Faces

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Our Take

We are unsure why WB expects a Chains of Love clone to perform any better than the real Chains of Love, especially considering the high levels of competition in this time slot.

Expect to Hear

<Expect to hear the same type of banter found on Blind Date or Chains of Love>