Premise

Jason Alexander stars as Bob Patterson, a highly successful motivational speaker Unfortunately, after riding to success with two best-selling books, Bob Patterson finds his own life falling apart when his wife leaves him.

Familiar Faces

Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Robert Klein

Our Take

Despite rumors of creative team changes, all the previews are quite funny (which was not the case with Michael Richards last year). This show has a good time slot and a very popular star. The only real challenge is Frasier.

Expect to Hear

“The only thing standing between you and your dreams…is you and your dreams.” - Bob Patterson

Premise

Kim Delaney returns to her old NYPD Blue time slot in this new series from her old boss, NYPD Blue producer Steven Bochco. This time she plays Kathleen Maguire, an attorney working against the system in trying to protect the rights of her clients. Adding to her challenges is the difficulty of raising a son as a single mother, as well as her arrogant assistant D.A. ex-husband.

Familiar Faces

Kim Delaney (NYPD Blue)

Our Take

Unlike NYPD Blue, Philly is more targeted to women (based more on the fact that it has a woman lead than anything else). This will be a key challenge in facing the established female skewing Judging Amy (which features another former NYPD Blue female lead).

Expect to Hear

“We do a volume business in this building…Move things along, counselor…Make the deal…Close the deal…If you’re dumb enough to still believe in truth and innocence, keep it to yourself.” - Kathleen Maguire

Premise

Nick Fallin is an attorney working for his father at a highly successful Pittsburgh law firm. Only concerned with making money, Nick finds his life completely changed when he is sentenced to community service after being arrested for drug use. He then finds himself dealing with a different side of the law when he is assigned as an advocate at Legal Aid Services.

Familiar Faces

Alan Rosenburg (Cybil, L.A. Law), Dabney Coleman

Our Take

There is a great deal of competition for this time slot. ABC and NBC have a lock on the sitcom audience while Roswell and Smallville will each have cult followings in the sci-fi arena. If it comes down to 24 versus The Guardian for the same audience, 24 will have more of a youthful appeal.

Expect to Hear

Assistant: “My father always told me not to worry about making money, but to worry about making a difference.”

Nick Fallin: “Well, money makes a difference... Make the money first. Then, if you still feel like it, then go make a difference.”

Premise

A sitcom focusing on the new freshmen living in a coed dorm floor at the fictional University of Northeastern California.

Familiar Faces

Our Take

Considering the popularity of That 70's Show as well as American Pie, this program should get some tune-in. The key issue is whether it comes off in later episodes as a fresh interpretation or just a cheap American Pie knock-off.

Expect to Hear

“60% of all people meet their spouses at college. That means my future wife could be, like, seated right beside me…These girls at college, they don’t know me.” - Steven Karp

Premise

In this series, which will take place in real time (i.e., each episode will represent one hour of a single 24 hour day), C.I.A. agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) finds himself trying to save a presidential nominee from assassination, while trying to locate his missing daughter.

Familiar Faces

Kiefer Sutherland

Our Take

Bearing in mind the high competition in this time slot, 24 does offer something different. They key issue is how much of its potential action-adventure audience will be drawn to Roswell or Smallville.

Expect to Hear

“Don’t trust anybody…not even your own people.” - Richard Walsh

Premise

In this sitcom, Emeril plays his real-life persona as a successful television cooking show chef as well as a devoted family man. Emeril juggles the chaos of his career while still trying to devote enough time to his wife and family.

Familiar Faces

Our Take

NBC is in the process of re-tooling what is very likely looking like a recipe for disaster.

Expect to Hear

“When life gives you lemons, make lemon chambord cake with toasted coconut.” - Emeril Lagassee

Premise

A sitcom focusing on the lives of the new medical interns at a major hospital. It’s the scariest time of their new careers as they find themselves working with patients for the first time while seeking the approval of the eccentric Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins).

Familiar Faces

Our Take

Scrubs does not exactly fit in with the Frasier audience. However, the pilot is a quality program, and assuming the remaining episodes follow suit, viewers will have a sitcom alternative to Spin City.

Expect to Hear

“Four years of pre-med, four years of medical school and a ton of unpaid loans has made me realize one thing…I don’t know jack.” - John Dorian (J.D.)

Premise

While the grown-up Superman may have to deal with super villains and major disasters, the teenage Clark Kent (Tom Welling) has it really bad - dealing with the type of teenage angst that you will only find in a WB drama. As he struggles to figure out how to deal with his new powers, Clark finds himself facing off against a young Lex Luther (Michael Rosenbaum), while hoping to romance Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk).

Familiar Faces

Michael Rosenbaum (Zoe, Duncan, Jack, and Jane)

Our Take

This program will quickly build a small base of loyal fans. Additionally, the very nature of the show ties right in with the WB viewing audience. Considering WB can get by with lower rated programs, Smallville may have a shot, even considering the competition.

Expect to Hear

Clark Kent (sarcastically): “What are you trying to tell me, Dad - that I’m from another planet…suppose you stashed my spaceship in the attic.”

Jonathan Kent: “Actually, it’s in the storm cellar.”