Times are tough, and while entertainment may fall in the nonessential household expense column, you might pause before scrapping the monthly cable outlay.
A number of promising original drama and comedy series are coming to cable early in 2009, many with big- name stars. Here are some of the notables.
In “The United States of Tara,” a comedy on Showtime starring Toni Collette (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and created by Steven Spielberg, a woman struggles with dissociative identity disorder (also known as multiple personalities). The half-hour series is slated for a Jan. 18 start, with a pilot written by Diablo Cody, who won an Oscar for “Juno.”
Showtime has another half-hour, “Nurse Jackie,” coming later in 2009. Edie Falco stars as a nurse at a New York hospital who tries to balance her personal dramas with her work traumas.
“Trust Me,” from the producers of “The Closer” and “Nip/Tuck,” is a drama premiering Jan. 26 on TNT and starring Eric McCormack (“Will and Grace”) and Tom Cavanaugh (“Ed”) as ad men at a Chicago agency.
Judging by the pilot, it’s a buddy dramedy that feels like a contemporary “Mad Men”-light, closer to the ad agency depicted in “thirtysomething” with lots of fast talk, less substance.
Let’s not forget the documentary “The Trials of Ted Haggard,” by Alexandra Pelosi, due Jan. 29 on HBO. This politically charged film charts the rise and scandal-ridden fall of the founder and pastor of Colorado’s New Life Church.
In February, Comedy Central unveils a new series, “Important Things With Demetri Martin,” a stream-of- consciousness sketch and variety show from the comedian who may be familiar to viewers from “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.”
In March, HBO debuts “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” based on Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling book series about the adventures of Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott) in Botswana.
And, for those of us who won’t make it to Broadway in coming weeks, HBO will offer Will Ferrell’s one-man show, “You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush,” as a special in the spring.
“Mistresses,” on BBC America beginning March 1, about four 30-something female friends with infidelities in common, looks like a “Sex and the City” from England but with much darker story lines. This one’s part drama, part thriller. The pals include Sarah Parish (“Viva Blackpool”).
Also in March, BBC America will introduce the sequel to “Life on Mars” (forerunner of the American version that couldn’t find life on ABC this season), “Ashes to Ashes.”
AMC will offer its second dramatic miniseries, “The Prisoner,” a remake of the 1960s classic. This time, Jim Caviezel (“Passion of the Christ”) will play the title role of “Number Six,” the part originally played by Patrick McGoohan. Ian McKellen (“Lord of the Rings”) will play “Number Two,” in a six-part story blurring the espionage, thriller and sci-fi genres.
A&E will unleash “The Beast” on Jan. 15, starring Patrick Swayze as a veteran FBI agent working with a rookie (Travis Fimmel, the former Calvin Klein underwear model).
Returning series in 2009 include the legal drama/conspiracy thriller “Damages” on FX, with Glenn Close back for Season 2 beginning Jan. 7. Judging by the first two hours, the second season ratchets up the suspense from the superb first season, with William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden joining the cast along with returnees Ted Danson and, in flashback scenes, Zeljko Ivanek.
The musical “Flight of the Conchords” and the polygamous “Big Love” both return Jan. 18 on HBO. A second season of the critically honored but widely ignored “In Treatment” has been ordered by HBO for later in the season.
Bryan Cranston’s depiction of a midlife meltdown in “Breaking Bad” resumes in March on AMC.
On Jan. 18, Showtime offers the sixth and final season premiere of “The L Word” and the continuation of “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.”
In short, there’s life beyond the broadcast networks (and “American Idol,” which will dominate commercial TV starting Jan. 13 on Fox).
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
