OK, when did Rookie Blue get so good?!
ABC's Canadian cop show returned last night and we gotta say, this thing deserves more than a summer fill-in slot. It's like Grey's with a badge and less Shonda-isms.
For its third-season premiere, the series — about recent police-academy graduates cracking crimes and yeah, hooking up — trotted out William Shatner for a guest spot as a drunk driver who winds up leading the 15 Division to a twisted kidnapping case. Being Shatner, there was a fair share of over-the-top dramatics, but the frequent flares of comedy, and the super-likable ensemble (particularly Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith) more than made up for those moments. Oh, and the closing scene with his character's recently recovered granddaughter was a total eye-wetter. We are not ashamed to admit that.
read more
After playing Treat Williams' introspective son, Ephram Brown, for family drama Everwood's four-season run, Gregory Smith was determined to break out of the tortured-teen box for his next television role. As cocky cop Dov Epstein on ABC's surprise hit Rookie Blue (Thursday, 9/8c, ABC), the 27-year-old actor is doing just that...
read more
So let's see...
Multi-racial group of charming newbies? Check.
A setting rife with life-and-death drama? Check.
A wise-ass with a deep soul and floppy hair? Check.
Thoughtful voice-over narration by willowy lead with a family history? Check.
Color in the title? Check.
Charm, likeability or original thought? Child, please.
Seriously, shoot me now. Because after last night's debut of this Grey's Anatomy wannabe...
read more
It's no longer news that summer is among TV's busiest seasons — but this year, cable is getting more competition than usual with scripted fare from the networks. The difference being that cable channels (USA, FX, TNT, Syfy, ABC Family and the pay giants, to name a few) tend to put their best foot forward with critically championed signature shows. The networks? Not so much.
Still, ABC is going unusually gung-ho, launching three new dramas of varying quality and distinction within a single week. Its Sunday combo of the whimsical Scoundrels and the sinister The Gates at least aims for something a bit different, while Thursday's Rookie Blue misfires with a tired arsenal of generic cop-show clichés.
Rookie doesn't try hard enough to stand out, while the Sunday shows may be guilty of trying a bit too hard...
read more
Quite possibly.
This much is certain — Everwood alum Gregory Smith is among the ensemble of guest stars on board for the 13th episode of Eli Stone's second season. Given recent events and scheduling announcements made by ABC, that outing would appear to be the Greg Berlanti-created legal drama's swan song.
Though unconfirmed, it appears that Smith will be playing ...
read more