2007 Fall TV Preview: ABC, new ABC shows, ABC fall lineup

Bullz-Eye's 2007 Fall TV Preview: ABC

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Wow, "Ugly Betty" was a hit. Who'd've thunk it? ABC might've totally dropped the ball with "The Knights of Prosperity" last year, but they're back in the sitcom business with a couple of solid entries this year. Then again, they've also got "Cavemen." More notably, though, they're bringing on two more female-driven dramas. So, what, do the network's initials stand for All 'Bout Chicks now?

Private Practice (Wednesday, September 26 @ 9:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Kate Walsh, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly, Taye Diggs, Audra McDonald, Paul Adelstein, KaDee Strickland, Chris Lowell
Producers: Shonda Rhimes, Betsy, Beers, Marti Noxon, Mark Gordon, Mark Tinker

Network's Description: A story about finding a way to begin the rest of your life. Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned surgeon. Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital, a broken marriage with Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd, and her torn relationship with Mark "McSteamy" Sloan, Addison moves to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities. Addison reunites with her friends from medical school, Naomi and Sam Bennett, joining them at their chic, co-op, Oceanside Wellness Center in Santa Monica. Naomi, a fertility and hormone specialist and majority owner of the clinic, and Sam, an internist whose self-help books have made him the "common man's medical guru," are newly divorced. They co-exist for the sake of their teenaged daughter, Maya, and their medical practice, but the relationship is hardly amicable. The center's resident pediatrician is Dr. Cooper Freedman, whose success in his profession belies his rocky personal life. He's a serial internet dater who is always attracted to the wrong woman. Most dates end badly for him; some even end in petty or grand theft. Cooper finds solace and counsel in his closest friend, co-op psychiatrist Dr. Violet Turner - but she's no luckier in love. Able to deftly advise her patients in their relationships, she's intense, determined and unwilling to let outsiders see the obvious cracks in her veneer. Inside, Violet is crumbling after her recent breakup with an ex who has already moved on and married. Dr. Pete Wilder is the alternative medicine specialist at the practice. Attractive and assured, Pete is a "catch" by any standard; in fact, he's already caught Addison's eye, and he, hers. Though the chemistry is immediate and palpable between the two, Pete's cockiness and confidence conceal a man still reeling from his wife's tragic passing eight years beforehand, a man who has been unable to truly connect with a woman since. With Addison starting anew in Los Angeles, Pete may chance new beginnings in his own life. Witness to it all at the co-op is the receptionist, William Dell Parker. Young, quirky and confident, Dell may seem like an easygoing surfer, but he's deeply interested in the medical profession. In Addison, he sees the chance to have a mentor and pursue his dream -- becoming a midwife. Coming in direct conflict with the co-op doctors is Charlotte King, the Chief of Staff of the nearby hospital. A southerner who does not suffer fools gladly, Charlotte believes that the co-op doctors' patient care methods are unorthodox and, therefore, inferior to her own. For Addison, an old friend's invitation brings her to a new city and a new life full of promise. At Oceanside Wellness Center, the doctors are dedicated pros; it's their private lives that need a little practice.
The Buzz: The mere concept of a "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off was enough to have fans of the show salivating and critics predicting that it'd be the biggest hit of the new season, but now that the cast has been filled out with talent like Brenneman, Daly, and Diggs, it's clear that you won't have to have followed "Grey's" to appreciate "Private Practice."
Pilot Highlight: The 2-hour episode of "Grey's" last season that introduced these characters was the de facto pilot for "Private Practice," so going by that, the most telling line probably comes from Daly's character, who says of Addison, "Who was that red-head...? She's hot. Possibly insane. But hot." Otherwise, the complicated relationship between Addison and Naomi continually results in both comedic and dramatic moments.
Bottom Line: ABC's clearly not wasting this spin-off opportunity. It looks great and feels familiar without feeling derivative. Looks like another hit for Shonda Rhimes' résumé.


Dirty Sexy Money (Wednesday, September 26 @ 10:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Natalie Zea, Glenn Fitzgerald, Samaire Armstrong, Seth Gabel, Zoe McLellan, Jill Clayburgh
Producers: Craig Wright, Greg Berlanti, Josh Reims, Matthew Gross, Bryan Singer

Network's Description: Power, privilege and family money are a volatile cocktail. Living proof of this are the Darlings of New York City, so absurdly wealthy, they put the "upper" in Upper East Side. This preeminent family are always getting mixed up with the wrong people and finding themselves in the middle of bad situations. It'll take a miracle to take care of the legal and sometimes illegal needs of the Darling family. That miracle comes in the form of Nick George. As a boy, Nick watched his father surrender his freedom and family as the Darling's trusted consigliere. Nick grew up in a troubled household where he was always second to the overpowering Darling family. Burned by his own boyhood encounters with them, he vowed never to follow in his father's footsteps. The idealistic Nick did a 180-degree turn and became a lawyer for the disadvantaged. After the mysterious, sudden death of Nick's father, family patriarch Tripp Darling offers Nick the opportunity to inherit the responsibility of protecting the Darlings' secrets. The job, with an ungodly salary, will allow Nick the freedom to be an altruistic do-gooder. But he discovers all too soon that his new position requires him to be an all-around problem fixer, hand-holder, therapist and public relations expert. The powerful and persuasive Tripp Darling, owner of vineyards and homes around the world, lives with his beautiful, graceful and posh wife, Letitia. While they symbolize the charm and all-Americanism of old money, they also embody scandal and have spawned five grown, troubled children. The oldest is Patrick Darling, the attorney general for New York. He's a handsome and commanding man whose political star is quickly rising. There's just one problem -- he has a transgendered girlfriend who won't go away, and this potential senatorial candidate needs Nick to fix the situation. The sexy, stunning and thrice-married Karen is the eldest daughter, a socialite who runs the family foundation. She lost her virginity to Nick, a fact she isn't shy about telling her newest fiancé. A self-described loser in love, Karen still looks to Nick for help in her personal life. Brian Darling is a man of the cloth, working in the Episcopal church. He loathed Nick as a kid and loathes him still. When Nick's father was alive, he spitefully accused the man of trying to infiltrate a family he didn't belong in, and now feels that Nick is attempting the same thing. But now Brian needs Nick's help in sweeping a problem under the rug -- an illegitimate son. The youngest siblings are Juliet and Jeremy Darling, twins in their 20s. Juliet is a petulant, spoilt celebutante who longs to be taken seriously as an actress. Should a taxi driver, an autograph seeker or anyone else upset her, she will snap at them her favorite retort, "You're poor!" Jeremy is frequently seen in rumpled clothing, hung over, smoking cigarettes and pleading with Nick to get him out of a jam. He's completely oblivious to the concept of relative suffering and unable to conceive of a life worse than his, despite his obscene wealth. He fears he's the family disappointment and that his father hates him. As Nick handles the whirlwind goings-on of the Darlings, his sensible wife, Lisa, is a patient partner in parenting their young daughter and gets a kick out of the Darlings' lavish parties. But lately she has gotten the sense that Nick is drifting away from her, specifically in the direction of the alluring Karen Darling. The billions of dollars possessed by the Darling clan have created a great American family -- and those same riches might also demolish it. The money Nick earns as their personal lawyer allows him the freedom to do some good for society. But as he finds himself racing to plead with cops, hush the tabloids and furiously try to wipe the mud off the esteemed Darling reputation, Nick wonders if he has gotten the chance of a lifetime -- or a life sentence.
The Buzz: There have been a lot of mutterings about how this series could be the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to television spotlighting lifestyles that the average viewer can't possibly relate to, but it seems pretty clear that the producers are approaching the scenario with the intention of poking as much fun at the rich, powerful, and irresponsible as possible, even as they make them seem...gasp!...almost human.
Pilot Highlight: The running joke about how Nick's cell phone has been programmed with a different ringtone for each member of the Darling family. (Example: when the Paris-Hilton-like Juliet calls in, we hear Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl.")
Bottom Line: With a perfect set-up for including celebrity cameos -- Dan Rather pops up in the pilot and is used to great effect -- and a fantastic ensemble cast headlined by Krause (the guy's a master at blending a deadpan look with a snappy one-liner), plus the plum timeslot after the network's most valuable new series ("Private Practice"), "Dirty Sexy Money" seems set for success.


Big Shots (Thursday, September 27 @ 10:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Michael Vartan, Christopher Titus, Joshua Malina, Dylan McDermott, Nia Long, Paige Turco, Peyton List, Jessica Collins, Amy Sloan
Producer: Jon Hardman Feldman

Network's Description: The lines between boardroom and bedroom blur in the story of four friends who are at the top of their game... until the women in their lives enter the room. These competitive but dysfunctional New York CEOs take refuge in their friendship, discussing business, confiding secrets, seeking advice and supporting one another through life's twists and turns. James Walker is the group's moral center, but his professional life almost crumbles in an instant, thanks to a corporate shakeup at AmeriMart Industries. However, his work woes pale in comparison to what he later learns about his wife. Brody Johns is Senior Vice President of Alpha Crisis Management. Despite his professional success, his wife will be judging him by how magnificently he can put together her birthday party. Karl Mixworthy is the sweet yet always nervous CEO of a large pharmaceutical company. He has a loving wife -- and a cunning mistress who is beginning to monopolize whatever free time he can muster. And Duncan Collinsworth is the sexy, divorced CEO of Reveal Cosmetics. Having built his company into the industry leader, he now finds his personal life threatened by rumor of a personal indiscretion -- which is actually a fact -- that could turn his world upside down.
The Buzz: Here's the other potential back-breaking straw when it comes to shows catering to the rich folks rather than the average joes. Still, the chemistry between these four guys is undeniable.
Pilot Highlight: The giddy grin that slowly appears on Duncan's daughter's face when she meets her father's "personal indiscretion."
Bottom Line: Setting the chemistry of the four leads aside, there are a lot of clichés to be found within the script of this pilot, and it's gonna take more than that to defeat NBC's long-running Thursdays-at-10 ratings behemoth, "E.R.." (Just ask ABC's 2006 attempt for the timeslot, "Six Degrees.")


Cavemen (Tuesday, October 2 @ 8:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Bill English, Nick Kroll, Sam Huntington, Stephanie Lemelin, Kaitlin Doubleday, Julie White
Producers: Bill Martin, Mike Schiff, Josh Gordon, Will Speck, Daniel Rappaport, Guymon Casady, Joe Lawson

Network's Description: They have been around since the dawn of time, survived the Ice Age and witnessed the evolution of the Homo sapiens, making them one of the world's oldest minorities. Keeping mostly to themselves over the millennia and living in remote communities, a small number of cavemen - and cavewomen - have been slowly migrating from these sub-societies and attempting to acclimate themselves to the Homo Sapien world. Needless to say, this has proven difficult. Meet three cavemen who have successfully made the move to San Diego and are just trying to fit in. Joel is a sophisticated and intelligent man who has a beautiful girlfriend, a decent job and shares an apartment with his younger brother, Andy, and his best friend, Nick. Nick is wary of the Homo sapien world and feels like he's running away from his heritage. Andy, on the other hand, looks at this new world with his eyes wide open and is willing to take risks in order to learn and to live life to the fullest. Nick questions Joel on many of his choices, including his girlfriend, Kate, a beautiful Homo sapien woman. The fact that Kate's eccentric mother, Leslie, owns Joel's condominium complex makes things even more complicated for the three roommates. Meanwhile, Kate's best friend, Thorne, is intent on discovering the cavemen's wilder side. Joel, Nick and Andy have to overcome prejudice from most of the Homo sapien world and the misconceptions that modern society has of its earliest ancestors. In order for these cavemen to survive in the 21st century, they must work together to render those misconceptions extinct.
The Buzz: About as awful as you can imagine...which is only appropriate, given the pilot. Given how people reacted to the mere idea of transforming a series of Geico commercials into a 30-minute sitcom, you'd think that the producers would've set their sights on being the best damned comedy of the new season. Instead, they've got a heavy-handed and horribly-failed attempt at poking fun at the foolishness of racism, one which will almost certainly have the NCAAP foaming at the mouth.
Pilot Highlight: Lord knows they're few and far between, but seeing the three lead cavemen walking in slow-motion to Jet's "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" while wearing cowboy attire (they were on their way to a Texas-themed barbeque) was worth a laugh.
Caveat: There's been some recasting since this pilot, along with the announcement that this episode will be retooled and rearranged in the running order to be the 5th episode.
Bottom Line: Any series which falls back on a parody of "Baby Got Back" in 2007 deserves whatever horrific fate may befall it. If "Cavemen" lasts more than a few episodes, it'll either be because the writers have figured out what went so horribly, horribly wrong, or, more likely, because people are perversely fascinated by how incredibly bad it is.


Carpoolers (Tuesday, October 2 @ 8:30 PM, ABC)
Starring: Fred Goss, Faith Ford, Jerry O'Connell, Jerry Minor, Allison Munn, Tim Peper, T.J. Miller
Producers: Bruce McCulloch, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, David Miner, Anthony and Joe Russo, Marsh McCall

Network's Description: Four guys who carpool to work every day come to savor their commute as the only safe time to commiserate about jobs, families -- and secrets. Even though "what happens in the carpool stays in the carpool," they'll go beyond the boundaries of this fast-moving commuter confessional to get involved in each other's lives and develop friendships. Gracen is the unofficial leader of the carpool pack. As a professional mediator, he thinks he's a problem solver, but more often he's a causer. He seeks fairness in an unfair world, and so finds himself in the middle of situations because he's compelled to be there. In the pilot, Gracen is stunned to learn that his wife makes more money than he does, which sets his resolve to assert his manly authority. Laird is Gracen's playboy dentist neighbor and best friend. He thinks his life is an unending quest for stories -- and women. In the middle of a messy divorce, he allows himself to live a little and taunts the other carpoolers with the freedom of his near-single status. He would never admit that he secretly misses marriage. Laird constantly leads the carpoolers into adventures, but once there, he isn't sure what to do. Aubrey is a sweet but intense pushover at the bottom of the family food chain. The daily ride has become the only peaceful time in his life. Forty-five minutes, two times a day -- he needs the carpool the most. Always quick to come to the carpoolers' aid, he believes in the brotherhood almost to a fault. Only the carpoolers know he's boiling inside, because "in the carpool lane, no one can hear you scream." Dougie is the eager newlywed. He doesn't know all the rules of the Carpooler Society, often breaks them, and has to have the ways of the world explained to him by his tribal elders, the three other carpoolers. He and his wife, Cindy, are the perfect modern couple, but as you get to know them, you start to see their cracks. Dougie is the guy who seems to have it all together, yet he's drawn to the carpoolers for a little excitement. The carpoolers will both instigate problems for Dougie and help him deal with the realities of life to come.
The Buzz: The cast might be full of mainstream comedy staples like Ford and O'Connell, but the show's spearheaded by a former Kid in the Hall (with another Kid popping up in a tiny role), so there's good potential for the humor to be a little askew. But, come on, could T.J. Miller -- he plays Gracen's slacker son -- come off more like he's doing a Jon Heder impression?
Pilot Highlight: Aubrey's revelation in the midst of a group sing-along to Air Supply's "All Out of Love" that "I lost my virginity to this song...well, the first verse, anyway."
Bottom Line: For God's sake, get this show away from "Caveman," stat. The guys are comedically diverse, but they play well off each other, and the characters' respective problems are different enough that the plot lines could go on for ages...and that's not even counting anything that might go on at their respective jobs. But if it's stuck playing second fiddle to the season's most likely bomb, count on major "Car" trouble fast.


Pushing Daisies (Wednesday, October 3 @ 8:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz, Kristin Chenoweth
Producers: Bryan Fuller, Barry Sonnenfeld, Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen, Brooke Kennedy

Network's Description: A new series with an unprecedented blend of romance, fantasy and mystery, "Pushing Daisies," a forensic fairytale about Ned, a young man with a very special gift. As a young boy Ned discovers that he can return the dead briefly back to life with just one touch. But his random gift isn't without deadly consequences...as he soon finds out. Grown up Ned puts his talent to good use by touching dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor. He opens a pie shop. But his gift leaves him wary of becoming close to anyone, as beautiful waitress Olive Snook finds out. His life as a pie maker gets more complicated when private investigator Emerson Cod finds out about Ned's secret. Emerson convinces the cash-strapped Ned to help him solve murder cases (and collect the hefty reward fees) by raising the dead and getting them to name their killers. Then Ned is handed the case that changes his life forever. His childhood sweetheart, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles, is murdered on a cruise ship under strange circumstances. Her death brings him back to his hometown of Coeur d' Coeur to bring Chuck back to life, albeit briefly, and solve the crime. But once reunited with Chuck, Ned can't bring himself to send her back. He helps her escape after her grieving aunts, Lily and Vivian, former synchronized swimmers Darling Mermaid Darlings, think they've buried her forever. Chuck becomes the third partner in Ned and Emerson's PI enterprise, but she encourages them to use their skills for good, not just for profit. Ned is overjoyed to be reunited with Chuck, the only girl he's ever loved. Life would be perfect, except for one cruel twist -- if he ever touches her again, she'll go back to being dead, this time for good.
The Buzz: It's pretty much unanimous that the gorgeous-looking pilot is the most Barry-Sonnenfeld-feeling Barry Sonnenfeld directorial effort since the first "Men in Black" film (if not the first "Addams Family" flick), while the premise is, like so many other Bryan Fuller creations, incredibly clever, providing the opportunity for comedy and poignancy in equal doses.
Pilot Highlight: There are a ton of them, but the most heart-wrenching comes in the early minutes, as Ned learns about the restrictions of his gift via a simple good-night kiss from his mother.
Bottom Line: Unfortunately, Fuller's brilliance is often too clever for American audiences, as most recently proven by the all-too-short run of "Wonderfalls," so we can only hope that the bumpkin contingent will be transfixed by all the pretty colors while all the intelligent viewers enjoy the writing. The bad news is that it's up against "Deal or No Deal," but at least it has the advantage of being the only one-hour drama in its timeslot.


Women's Murder Club (Friday, October 12 @ 9:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Angie Harmon, Paula Newsome, Aubrey Dollar, Tyrees Allen, Laura Harris
Producers: James Patterson, R. Scott Gemmill, Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain, Brett Ratner, Joe Simpson

Network's Description: Based on author James Patterson's bestselling novels, the show is a new one-hour drama series about four successful working women in San Francisco -- Homicide Inspector Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt and crime reporter Cindy Thomas -- who use their expertise, their close friendship and their instincts to solve murder cases. Each a success in her own field, they work together to uncover clues to the city's most grisly homicides.
The Buzz: Given how many copies of his various books Patterson's sold, his name is enough to inspire a certain number of viewers to tune in on curiosity alone, and Harmon's face is familiar to genre fans due to her time on "Law & Order"...but, then, that'll involve them actually having to be home on Friday nights.
Pilot Highlight: The last moments of the episode, when we finally get a reason to tune in next time that doesn't involve a development in the romantic lives of the four main characters.
Bottom Line: Based on what we're seeing here, the material looks set to play very heavy on the soap-opera aspects of the women's personal relationships, with the crime and punishment taking a back seat too often, and all of it seems to play out in a relatively by-the-book fashion. Given that that's what Patterson's fans have come to expect from his work, however, this "Club" could well continue to meet on Friday nights for years to come.


Samantha Who? (Monday, October 15 @ 9:30 PM, ABC)
Starring: Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn, Melissa McCarthy, Tim Russ, Barry Watson, Jean Smart
Producers: Donald Todd, Peter Traugott

Network's Description: What if you had the chance to start over, to do it all again? For Samantha Newly, this fantasy becomes a reality after a hit-and-run accident leaves her in an eight-day coma. When she awakens in the hospital, she is surrounded by family and friends. The only problem is that she has no idea who they are - or who she is. In medical terms, Sam has retrograde amnesia, which allows her to fully function in the world but leaves her with no personal memories. Most people would deem this disorder a curse. But Sam may come to call it a miracle. As she sets out to rediscover herself, Sam is forced to rely on the only people who can help her -- an eclectic bunch of friends and family. Although now strangers to Sam, it's not long before she begins to get an idea of who she was before the accident. Regina and Howard appear to be loving parents -- when they're not downplaying the fact that Sam hasn't spoken to them in two years. Her supposed best friend, Dena is sincerely supportive, until her real best friend, Andrea, exposes Dena as a fraud who hasn't seen or spoken to Sam since the seventh grade. Andrea is a party girl who seems to have Sam's best interests at heart. However in the midst of celebrating her return, Andrea neglects to mention that Sam's an alcoholic, is having an affair with a married man, and has a tendency for all-around morally questionable behavior. Sam's only seemingly trustworthy acquaintance is boyfriend Todd. But will that trust last when he discovers that she cheated on him? Sam quickly discovers she was a horrible person. Vain, selfish and potentially surrounded by far more enemies than friends. She makes a conscious decision to improve herself moving forward. She vows to make better choices, even though her instincts may not always steer her in the right direction. She begins with Frank, the doorman at Todd's apartment building. Sam never gave him the time of day before, but upon actually saying hello to him, she discovers an incredibly observant and unlikely confidant. Sam will need to continue to piece together things from her past to guide her in discovering who she is... or was. After all, sometimes to get to the end of the story, the only place to start is the beginning.
The Buzz: When Christina Applegate first tried to break free of her Kelly Bundy image on a sitcom, it was with the painfully average "Jesse." With this romantic comedy with a mystery twist, however, her incredible cuteness and her well-tested comedic chops (anyone who can hold their own against Will Ferrell has performed their rite of passage) make this show far more interesting.
Pilot Highlight: When Samantha first wakes from her coma, she asks how long she's been out, and her father gravely replies, "18 years." He's then promptly elbowed by his wife, who reveals that it's actually only been 8 days...but he still snickers with glee.
Bottom Line: Applegate's cute and funny, the ensemble matches her joke for joke, and the premise will keep viewers interested as the mystery of the "real" Samantha unravels. Chances of success look good, as long as "Dancing with the Stars" viewers can keep from changing channels to CBS's "Rules of Engagement."


Cashmere Mafia (Tuesday, December 4 @ 10:00 PM, ABC)
Starring: Lucy Liu, Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto, Bonnie Somerville, Julian Ovenden, Peter Hermann
Producers: Kevin Wade, Darren Star, Jeff Rake, Michael Pressman, Gail Katz

Network's Description: Four ambitious, sexy women who have been best friends since business school, Mia, Zoe, Juliet and Caitlin, try to have it all. They aren't just powerful and intelligent as singular executive sensations in a man's world; they've bonded into a formidable unit -- a female "boys' club" -- to support and counsel each other through good times and bad. How better to climb up the corporate ladder than with your buddies at your side? Set in glamorous New York City, where titans of media, finance, advertising and publishing reside, these driven women, who daily share their relatable and relevant problems dealing with both the boardroom and bedroom, combine their smarts, wit and humor to deal with personal and professional misfortunes and stunning triumphs. Whether it's coping with rocky marriages, fending off scheming colleagues or just trying to find themselves in the midst of chaotic lives, these compelling women use their valuable friendship to keep centered. Ever since Mia Mason was a young girl, all she ever wanted to do was win. Now as a sexy, competitive woman in the publishing field, that drive to be first has intensified, even pitting her against her fiancé for a key position. What price will she have to pay to stay on top of the mountain? Zoe Burden, an investment banker with a handsome, loving, work-at-home architect husband, Eric, and two small children, seems to be the prototype for the woman who has it all. The couple face their 24-7 waltz of balancing full-time work and the challenge of being good parents with good humor, but the wheels may be coming off the cart, forcing Zoe to re-evaluate her life. For Juliet Draper, the Chief Operating Officer of a major hotel chain, appearances come first -- no matter what's going on behind closed doors. And she will have to work overtime to keep up the façade of a perfect life with her philandering husband, Davis, and her rebellious 14-year-old daughter. Juliet decides on a unique method of payback for Davis' indiscretions and simultaneously, in a bold move, must decide to drop her public image to step out in the world. Caitlin Dowd is a top marketing executive for a cosmetics firm. Like the other women, she is excelling professionally, but she's still discovering who she is personally and sexually. She's worked hard to get ahead, but still counts on her street smarts to keep her there, while her sense of humor and a sweet wackiness makes her all the more attractive.
The Buzz: Wow, Darren Star produces a new series which focuses on four women, and the end result feels kinda like "Sex & The City"? Don't worry about being surprised; frankly, we were all blindsided.
Pilot Highlight: Working parents everywhere will shift uncomfortably in their seats at the familiarity of Zoe getting a call from her young son, who wants her to guess what news he has for her while she's in the middle of an important business meeting.
Bottom Line: The biggest surprise about "Cashmere Mafia" is that ABC is waiting so late to premiere it. The show is right up there with "Private Practice" when it comes to a solid ensemble, the dialogue sounds realistic, and despite having four female leads, it never feels like the TV equivalent of a "chick flick"...unlike, say, "Women's Murder Club."