A pile of DVDs taunts me, holding out the promise of new favorites amid the midseason onslaught. Here it is, not yet the end of 2009, and the spring 2010 series are mounting up.
Somewhere in that mountain of dross, there may be greatness. Could be the introspective teen-angst drama, or the blood-and-guts sword- and-sandal action. Maybe the beautifully photographed nature films. Or even the couples’ reality show from Jerry Seinfeld.
Highlights due in winter- spring include “Life Unexpected,” a coming-of-age drama on the CW that could be the “My So-Called Life” of its era; “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” with Lucy Lawless, an original from Starz (more bloody than sandy, judging from the trailer); and “Life,” a stunning 11-part natural history film from Discovery and the producers of “Planet Earth.”
Dates for returning favorites: “Chuck,” Jan. 10 on NBC; “American Idol,” Jan. 12 on Fox; “24,” Jan. 17 on Fox; “Damages,” Jan. 25 on FX; and “Lost,” Feb. 2 on ABC. Late March will bring “Nurse Jackie” and “United States of Tara” on Showtime.
For now, note the delayed “Parenthood” series — an update of the 1990 movie — launches March 1 on NBC.
“The Marriage Ref,” Jerry Seinfeld’s reality show, joins the NBC lineup after the Winter Olympics. Skating, skiing, luge, etc., in Vancouver give NBC a respite from fourth place Feb. 12-28.
A too-cute action drama, “Human Target,” launching Jan. 17 on Fox, looked expensive but bland in the pilot. Mark Valley and Chi McBride are endearing, but will that be enough?
On Jan. 18, the tender “Life Unexpected” premieres on CW. The hour follows a teenager in Portland, Ore., who has kicked around in foster care and wants to be a legally emancipated minor. She meets her biological parents, who broke up long ago but who are granted temporary custody. Sounds cheesy, but it’s well done by producers Liz Tigelaar (“Brothers and Sisters”), Janet Leahy (“Boston Legal,” “Gilmore Girls”) and Gary Fleder (“October Road”).
Other debuts: On ABC, a legal drama, “Deep End,” premieres Jan. 21. “Caprica,” the “Battlestar Galactica” prequel, launches Jan. 22 on SyFy.
Jacksons minus one
The most compelling part of “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty,” the celebreality series airing Sundays at 8 p.m. on A&E, is its absent member. Michael’s death in the midst of production meant a change in plans.
“We took time off to mourn,” brother Marlon told MTV. Then, they got right back to exploiting the family member who has kept the whole thing going all these years. If you feel the need to watch the remaining Jacksons at a family barbecue, or traveling the world on individual projects, if you relish the humor of Tito or the wisdom of Jermaine, maybe you’ll find reason to watch. If you’re hoping for insight into Michael’s life or death, you’ll be disappointed.
G-Steph’s start
ABC is wisely giving George Stephanopoulos some newsy interviews to handle in the first hour of “Good Morning America,” then tapering off his face time in the fluffier second hour. He’s adept and smart, not loquacious and possessed of Diane Sawyer’s star wattage.
So far, the former Sunday- morning political talker has made the switch to “GMA” wake-up host rather seamlessly — although it was painful to watch him attempt to chat about online holiday shopping with coupons, a subject evidently outside his wheelhouse. But the thought lingers just out of camera range: How long will he have to bide his time trying to seem cheerful in the mornings in order to succeed Sawyer on “ABC World News Tonight”? Sawyer starts that job Monday, and Stephanopoulos already may be counting the days.
Rumored possible successors on the Sunday “This Week” include Jake Tapper and Ted Koppel, who could be lured out of retirement.
Recession-era TV
The recession has brought more viewers back to TV, according to a study out this week. Tight budgets have cut attendance at movies, concerts and sporting events, and purchases of DVDs and video games, Reuters reports. Instead, 34 percent of those surveyed ranked TV watching as their favorite media activity, up from 27 percent in 2008.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
