Fresh Meat: Mr. Sunshine

Mr. Sunshine (ABC, Wednesdays at 9:30) got off to a rough start in its first season, as it temporarily holds the time-slot of the hilarious-despite-a-horrible-title-that-doesn't-accurately-reflect-it Cougar Town (which returns mid-April, so catch up!). Despite a strong premise (people running a multi-purpose sports arena) and a strong cast, the tone and humor of the show has been uneven. Generally, the comedy in the show's first five episodes following the pilot have been largely hit-or-miss, unfortunately with more miss. However, with last night's exceptional seventh episode, it seems like Mr. Sunshine may have finally found its groove.

The show stars Friends' Matthew Perry as Ben Donovan, the manager of the titular Sunshine Center. His primary plot line is his desire to grow from an unhappy narcissist to a more selfless person that can connect with others, following his 40th birthday in the pilot. Although his initial struggles could be difficult for some viewers to relate to (unless you can admit to being a little selfish yourself), his burgeoning relationship with the newly hired boss' son, the socially and professionally inept Roman (played with the right amount of restraint by Nate Torrence), helps draw you in as the two build a comedic rapport.

Roman's mother and the owner of the Sunshine Center is the contently narcissistic, insensitive, and pill-popping Crystal Cohen, played by a clearly-enjoying-herself Allison Janney (The West Wing). Constantly making absurd and offensive comments, Crystal's antics are increasingly ridiculous in the first few episodes, and while this can add to the humor, it also makes it difficult to appreciate her as a real person. However, her character does have a lot of potential and will likely continue to evolve and improve as she becomes a more fleshed-out character, as demonstrated in the most recent episodes.

The cast is rounded out by the delightful Andrea Anders (of the late Better Off Ted) as the Center's head of marketing and James Lesure (Las Vegas) as Alonzo, an extremely genuine and charitable former basketball player. As the show continues to develop, hopefully a fun supporting cast of the other various workers at the Sunshine Center (such as the mascot whom Ben is constantly trying to explain to that he doesn't belong in offices) will emerge, as on other more established comedies like Parks & Recreation and 30 Rock.

Bottom Line: If this show continues to improve and offer episodes like "Celebrity Tennis" that take advantage of the strong cast and premise, then perhaps it can eventually join the current crop of phenomenal sitcoms.

Shrew's News: Network Pilots

Welcome to our first Shrew's News column, where we'll post interesting production news for the various networks and shows. Today's Shrew's News will focus on some of the most interesting pilots currently being developed. In May (or later in some cases) the networks will decide which of these (and others) will be ordered to become series for the next television season. **{none of these concepts/pilots are guaranteed to become actual shows, a Shrew's News column will follow in May when the chosen pilots are announced}**

Emerson and Garcia

Alcatraz (FOX) - From J.J. Abrams, the producer of lost, a drama that follows the FBI's efforts to track down a group of guards and prisoners that mysteriously disappeared 30 years earlier and are now reappearing. With Jorge Garcia (Hurley on Lost) as an expert on conspiracies helping to understand the peculiar events.

Person of Interest (CBS) - Another drama from J.J. Abrams along with Batman screen-writer Jonathan Nolan (Chris' brother) that follows a reclusive billionaire (Lost's Michael Emerson) who hires a presumed-dead Ex-CIA agent (Jim Caviezel) to help prevent violent crimes in the city.

Don't Trust the Bitch in Apt. 23 (ABC) - Single-camera comedy about an earnest mid-western girl who moves to New York and lives with an immoral party girl (Krysten Ritter from She's Out of My League and Breaking Bad) who's best friend happens to be actor James Van Der Beek (starring as a version of himself).

Bent (NBC) - Single-camera comedy about a single mom (Amanda Peet) who tries to resist falling in love with the surfing contractor hired to renovate her kitchen (David Walton, Vance on Perfect Couples, if its cancelled that is, which is likely given the ratings). With Jeffrey Tambor (George Sr. on Arrested Development) as the contractor's former-actor father who now plays piano at Nordstrom and Margo Harshman (from Even Stevens!) as Peet's sister.

Deschanel

Chicks & Dicks (FOX) - Though its title is likely to change, this singe-camera comedy follows a girl who moves in with three of her male friends following a break up,. Sounds unexciting, except for the fact that it stars Zooey Deschanel in her first full-time TV gig, post 500 Days of Summer and guesting on Weeds.

17th Precinct (NBC) - Simple police procedural, though it takes place in a world where magic exists instead of science. With Jamie Bamber and James Callis (both from Battlestar Galactica) as detectives, and Tricia Helfer (also Battlestar, Burn Notice, and others) as a necromancer (as opposed to a medical coroner).

Ringer (CBS) - Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a women on the run from the mob who hides out under her rich twin sister's identity, only to discover that there is a bounty on the sister's head as well. With Ioan Gruffud (from Fantastic Four) and Nester Carbonell (Richard on Lost).

Powers (FX) - Another police procedural, this one is based on a graphic novel and is set in a world with superheroes, following a former superhero turned cop.

Louis-Dreyfus

Veep (HBO) - Comedy following the first female vice president, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. With Reid Scott (Brandon on My Boys) and Tony Hale (Buster on Arrested Development).

REM (NBC) - Drama centered on a detective (Jason Isaacs, Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter) who, after a car accident, lives two alternate realties; one where his son died in the accident, and one where his wife did. When he goes to sleep in one reality, he wakes up in the other, so he doesn't know which one is real and which one is a dream.

Locke and Key (FOX) - Drama following the Locke family, who move into a new house with multiple doors that open up various dimensions. Based on a graphic novel.

House of Lies (Showtime) - Dark Comedy starring Don Cheadle based on the book "House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Tell You the Time." Also starring Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Ben Schwartz (Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Recreation).

Palicki

Wonder Woman (NBC) - A reboot following the classic superhero, developed by David E. Kelley (creator of Harry's Law, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal) starring Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) as the titular heroine. With Cary Elwes (Princess Bride) as an ally and Elizabeth Hurley as an enemy.


Charlie's Angels (ABC) - Another reboot based on the '70s classic starring Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) as one of the girls and Robert Wagner as the voice of Charlie.


Eden (USA) - Follows a young man who's con artist cousin (Enver Gjokaj, incredible on the uneven Dollhouse) helps him land a job as the concierge at an elite New York hotel.


Family Album (FOX) - Mike O'Malley (Kurt's dad on Glee) stars in the single-camera comedy as a father obsessed with taking his family on the perfect vacation. With Rachael Harris (Hangover) as his wife and Rob Huebel (I Love You Man) as the Uncle.


Missing (ABC) - Drama with a plot similar to the movie Taken, except with Ashley Judd (instead of Liam Neeson) looking for her son (instead of daughter) who went missing in Europe.

Corddry

Little in Common (FOX) - Single-camera comedy from Rob Thomas (creator of Party Down and Veronica Mars) that follows three diverging families who have kids in the same little league. With Gabrielle Union and Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, Children's Hospital).


Pan Am (ABC) - '60s set drama following the stewardesses and pilots of the first commercial airline, starring Christina Ricci.


Playboy (NBC) - Drama set at the Chicago Playboy club in the '60s. With Amber Heard (Pineapple Express), Naturi Naughton (Notorious), and David Krumholtz (Numb3rs).  


Two Broke Girls (CBS) - Multi-camera comedy following two waitresses with big aspirations, starring Kat Dennings (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, 40-Year-Old Virgin) as one of the girls.


Three Inches (SyFy) - Dramedy following a covert team with super-abilities that aren't so super, such as the lead character's ability to move objects with his mind... a distance of three inches.

The Real Poe

Poe (ABC) - Fictionalized procedural that follows a young Edgar Allan Poe as he solves crimes in 1840s Boston, starring a not-at-all-Poe-looking Chris Egan as the title character.


Exit Strategy (FOX) - Drama following a CIA extraction team that is called in to handle missions gone wrong, starring Ethan Hawke.

Are You There Vodka? (NBC) - Multi-camera comedy based on Chelsea Handler's book of the same name about her pre-fame life working at a sports bar. Starring Laura Prepon (Donna on That '70s Show) as Chelsea with Natalie Morales (Lucy on Parks and Recreation, Lauren on White Collar) and Chelsea Handler as her own pregnant sister.

Alabama (FX) - Comedy set a thousand years in the future and following the crew of the USS Alabama, a peacekeeping spaceship, as they enforce treaties between planets. From the creators and stars of Reno 911!.

Hallelujah (ABC) - Drama about a small town being torn apart by forces of good and evil, featuring a musical element present in a Greek chorus. Starring Terry O'Quinn (Locke on Lost) as the town's kingpin and Donal Logue (Terriers, Grounded for Life) as a local who welcomes a mysterious stranger into his home.

Driver

Hail Mary (CBS) - Drama starring Minnie Driver (The Riches, Good Will Hunting) as a suburban single mom in Atlanta who becomes a private investigator after her son's death, teaming up with his small-time criminal best friend, played by Brandon T. Jackson (Tropic Thunder).

Weekends at the Bellevue (FOX) - Drama following the weekend staff at the famed psychiatric facility. Starring Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as the head doctor with Amber Stevens (Ashleigh on Greek) as part of the staff.

Brave New World (NBC) - Single-camera comedy following the workers at a colonial-reenactment theme village starring Ed Begley Jr. (Sitwell on Arrested Development, various guest spots) as their boss.

More as the Story Develops (HBO) - From Aaron Sorkin (creator of The West Wing and writer of The Social Network), a drama set behind the scenes of a cable news show starring Jeff Daniels as the host.

Damage Control (ABC) - Drama following Kerry Washington (Boston Legal, Ray) as a professional public relations "fixer" and her staff handling crisis management. With Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond on Lost)..

Messing

I Hate My Teenage Daughter (FOX) - multi-camera comedy starring Jaime Pressly (Joy on My Name is Earl) as one of two mothers who are appalled to learn their daughters are have become the same mean girls they hated when they were kids.

Smash (NBC) - Musical centered around the production of a Broadway musical, starring Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Katherine McPhee (American Idol).

The River (ABC) - Drama from director of Paranormal Activity that uses a similar "found footage" technique to tell the story of a famed TV host/adventurer who is missing and presumed dead in the Amazon and his former crew who search for him.

Vince Uncensored (CBS) - Multi-camera comedy produced by Conan O'Brien about a man (Michael Chiklis, The Shield, the probably-going-to-be-cancelled No Ordinary Family) who, following a near death experience, decides to take a more honest approach to his life. With Elizabeth Perkins (Celia on Weeds) as his wife.

Alpha Mom (NBC) - Sitcom starring Christina Applegate as a working mom and Will Arnett as her stay-at-home husband. Maya Rudolph (SNL) also stars as her best friend.

Also up for contention are two different pilots involving fairy tales on NBC and ABC, a ridiculous number of family sitcoms, including one on ABC starring Tim Allen and another on CBS with Rob Schneider, and other less interesting concepts. Check back for casting updates!