Private Investigators, Dognapping and Murder.
FX is a channel that sits between mainstream channels like ABC, FOX and NBC and subscription channels like HBO and Showtime. This has led to drama like The Shield
Terriers is a joint venture between Shawn Ryan (Creator of The Shield) and Ted Griffin (Writer of Ocean’s Eleven
In the first episode we see two friends who have a floundering unlicensed private investigator buisness, their services rather than earning them money are more likely to be traded in favours. Hank Dolworth is an ex cop and takes a job from a friend to find his daughter, this leads him and his partner Britt Pollack to a property developer who double hires the PIs to find the girl and return a ‘personal item’ she stole from him. As you would expect things soon spiral out of control and go beyond what the duo can deal with alone. They are left in a situation where they either cut their losses or step up to the big leagues.
I have radically simplified the plot, partly because it was so dense, but also to leave you a few surprises, as this is a show you should check out. While the Private Investigator backdrop is nothing new (think Raymond Chandler’s
This is a solid first outing, there are some surprises, it is well written but ultimately we are left with all the staples of the genre, the all purpose rich bad guy, friction with the police, casual beatings, sexy vixens. As an example of the genre it is top notch, but adheres a little too close to the formula for it to feel like truly original drama. I am looking forward to the next episode, but this not quite the must see show I was hoping for.
Created / Written by: Ted Griffin
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Donal Logue, Michael Raymond-James, Laura Allen, Rockmond Dunbar, Jamie Denbo, Kimberly Quinn
Date premièred: 8th September 2010
UK Details: TBA
and 
, she didn’t but I got a few laughs out of the show. Then as I grew, she grew up with me, maturing to the slightly more grown up 
and sure that got dragged out through university when she did a Maxim photoshoot, all was looking good, but then we parted ways. I started to work for living and she stopped. Now our paths cross again as Melissa makes a return to TV in her new multi camera sitcom Melissa and Joey (Yes that Joey is the floppy haired (now shaven headed) brother to 
.
, it is isn’t subtle, clever or funny (check out this 
, 
and 
still running and 
, 
and 
doing reruns), this is something that others appear to shy away from, certainly other powerhouses like HBO, FX and AMC, for all their great drama have not a single female led show among them… well maybe at push 
.
. Using the traditional 3 camera set up and a live studio audience it was a bold choice when many other comedies had switched to the single camera format. However after a single series HBO said “no more”, this was not due to ratings, as the show had a strong cult following, but because the critics didn’t like it and HBO’s image was more important (Sadly my rage at 
has not led to a similar fate for that show). Anyway Louis when back out on the stand up circuit, picking up a roll on Parks and Recreation before FX finally offered him a new show.
and new entry Memphis Beat. Since these last two have more than little in common I will review both now.
the pilot sets up that all too familiar police dynamic and while Raylan maybe more gentleman than brute force, his unconventional methods still rials up his boss. With 
. Such a success was this multi generational look at one of life’s greatest challenges network TV rushed out to make a small screen version. Ed Begley Jr, David Arquette and Leonardo DiCaprio took on the roles of their big screen counterparts, unfortunately for Leo, the series followed the fate of other 80s and early 90s movies turned TV shows (
, 
, 
and Baby Talk (based on the film 
)) and lasted only on series.
star Peter Krause. Originally intended for a September airing it pushed back to the mid-season as actress Maura Tierney was diagnosed with breast cancer, as a result Mercy was brought up in its place. Tiernay went on to leave the series due to her treatment and Lauren Graham took her place.
, but since 
and 
, it stars Courtney Cox (
and 
) the show is certainly packing some veteran talent, even relative new comer Dan Byrd (Aliens in America) delivers a confident performance.
, which itself was based on the 
of the same name by John Updike. This is not the first time someone has tried to make The Witches of Eastwick into a TV series, the first attempt was in 1992, a pilot was shot and aired, but NBC failed to be picked up. Things then went quiet for 10 years, but in 2002 FOX tried again, with Marcia Cross who, when the show failed to be picked up, went to on star as Bree in 
in 2008 and the stage musical probably helped raise the profile of the source material, making it a slightly more tempting offer for the commissioners.
, 
or not… the show was quite forgettable.
and Ricky Gervais’ quirky friend in 
), Billie has recently broken up with her boyfriend since he was not going to propose and now 37 she is feeling a little over the hill. Then she gets hit on by young 20 something chef Zach (Jon Foster), they go back to his bachelor pad and make babies on his mattress on the floor.
