It's time to look ahead to the future. When cars can fly, computers will do the laundry and shows are genetically engineered not to suck. Have we reached that point yet? Not according to the new ones that are headed our way, but there are a few to keep an eye out for.
Snoops - Sundays at 8 CST
Premise: A female private investigating team take on Los Angeles.Why it'll win Emmys: David E. Kelly has been box office gold as of
late. And Gina Gershon and Paula Marshall, a Spin City vet, sure
are purty.Why it'll suck: With his attention focused on The Practice, Ally
McBeal, Ally, and Chicago Hope, there's litte time left to focus
on this one. Plus, Cupid's producer Rob Thomas has already been
chased off.Outlook: Potentially a smart counter-programming move against the last
season of X-Files. But there's a better chance that this show will
simply be a misguided mess.Once and Again - Tuesdays at 9 CST
Premise: 40-somethings in a weepy, romantic drama.Why it'll win Emmys: The production team behind 30-something is
at it again.Why it'll suck: Their last shows were My So Called Life
and The Byrds of Paradise. Neither of them lasted a whole season.Outlook: Will sub for a late-starting NYPD Blue.
It's ratings will determine if and when it will return.Oh Grow Up - Wednesdays at 8:30 CST
Premise: Newly outed gay guy moves in with his buddies. Why it'll win Emmys: If the show is as funny as the ads based on the
Monster.com commericals, it'll be a laugh riot.Why it'll suck: It isn't.Outlook: If it siphons off too much from Drew Carey's
lead-in, could get replaced by Whose Line?Then Came You - Thursdays at 7:30 CST
Premise: Older woman falls for twenty-something dude.Why it'll win Emmys: A fresh idea on the May-December romance.Why it'll suck: ABC has already pulled the show and said it
"may" bring it back as a midseason replacement. Don't count on it.Outlook: Could follow the Scott Baio bomb Rewind as
shows that were cancelled before they even aired.Wasteland - Thursdays at 8 CST
Premise: Six 20-somethings live in New York. It's like Friends,
only it's not funny.Why it'll win Emmys: Show creator, Kevin Williamson, has been responsible
for this youth revival.Why it'll suck: The most hotly contested time slot this year. And
did I mention it wasn't funny?Outlook: The show really belongs on the WB. Might have survived in
another time slot, but here it's as good as dead.Odd Man Out - Friday at 8:30 CST
Premise: Male teen stuck in a house with a bunch of women.Why it'll win Emmys: The pilot was written by co-writers of There's
Something About Mary.Why it'll suck: It's the writers that aren't named Farrelly.Outlook: Sticks out like a sore thumb in kid-friendly TGIF.
Ladies Man - Mondays at 7:30 CST
Premise: Odd Man Out with the guy aged about 30 years.Why it'll win Emmys: Stephen Root, criminally underrated in NewsRadio,
stars.Why it'll suck: So does Betty White.Outlook: It's in a good time slot between King of Queens
and Raymond, but that premise sounds awfully familiar.Family Law - Mondays at 9 CST
Premise: A group of cast-off lawyers fight for justice in the legal
system.Why it'll win Emmys: It's the same formula that worked for The
Practice.Why it'll suck: Instead of David E. Kelly, we get Dixie Carter.Outlook: Won't last the football season.Judging Amy - Tuesdays at 9 CST
Premise: The 2 differences between this and Providence:
The daughter is a judge and the annyoing mother isn't dead.Why it'll win Emmys: Those voters just love Tyne Daly no matter what
she's in.Why it'll suck: The TV viewing public does not share the same opinion.Outlook: If it can last until Once and Again is moved,
it could last. But probably not.Work with Me - Wednesdays at 7:30 CST
Premise: A married couple must learn to work together.Why it'll win Emmys: Kevin Pollack is a gifted actor.Why it'll suck: Hasn't this been done before?Outlook: Catch it while you can. In the running for First to be
Cancelled.Love and Money - Fridays at 7:30 CST
Premise: Young woman gets married. And that's when the hyjinks
ensue.Why it'll win Emmys: The producers bribe the judges.Why it'll suck: Does anyone care about this show?Outlook: When your own network won't run promos for your show, you're in
trouble.Now and Again - Fridays at 8 CST
Premise: A modern update of the 6 Million Dollar Man
with a hint of X-Files thrown in.Why it'll win Emmys: Voters mistakenly think John Goodman is still on Roseanne.Why it'll suck: The last time CBS succesfully created a sci-fi show was The
Twilight Zone.Outlook: Any ratings this show can pick up on Friday nights would be
gravy.
Malcolm in the Middle - Sundays at 6 CST
Premise: Similar to the now-defunct Smart Guy.Why it'll win Emmys: The buzz is pretty hot for this show. And it's
on one of TV's strongest schedules.Why it'll suck: The back-shaving scene in the pilot doesn't sound too
entertaining.Outlook: More of a midseason replacement since it doesn't start until
after football. But it's got some serious potential.Time of Your Life - Mondays at 7 CST
Premise: Jennifer Love Hewitt moves out of Party of Five.Why it'll win Emmys: The strong supporting performances from Hewitt's
prodigious chest.Why it'll suck: The pilot has already been reshot. And it's not a
great match with Ally McBeal.Outlook: Never count out Hewitt and her, ahem, assests.Ally - Tuesdays at 7 CST
Premise: Just like Ally McBeal, only half as long.Why it'll win Emmys: It already has.Why it'll suck: Everyone will see it for the shameless money grab that it
is.Outlook: Will stay on the air, because it doesn't cost a dime to produce.Get Real - Wednesdays at 8 CST
Premise: A family that talks to the camera about pop-culture references.Why it'll win Emmys: A disctinctive style, to be sure.Why it'll suck: An annoying style, to be sure.Outlook: Could be the heir apparent to 90210.Manchester Prep - Thursdays at 7 CST
Premise: Just like Cruel Intentions, except no Buffy.Why it'll win Emmys: The formula has already won Oscars in the form of Dangerous
Liasons.Why it'll suck: Just another show with horny teens.Outlook: Against Friends, doesn't stand a chance.Action - Thursdays at 8:30 CST
Premise: A behind the scenes look at Hollywood, complete with bleeped
obscenities and raw sex.Why it'll win Emmys: Easily the funniest new show of the year.Why it'll suck: Could be too wrapped up in being controversial that it
loses the mark. (See South Park)Outlook: Meida watchdogs will have a field day, but critics already love
it.The Badland - Fridays at 7 CST
Premise: A young 'un is new to the police force.Why it'll win Emmys: It won't, but it's smart counterprogramming against Providence
and TGIF.Why it'll suck: FOX best cop show ever was COPS.Outlook: MANTIS, Brisco County Jr., Strange Luck...
all FOX Friday shows that didn't last a year. This one will probably join them.Harsh Realm - Fridays at 8 CST
Premise: Virtual Reality goes a step too far.Why it'll win Emmys: Chris Carter created The X-Files.Why it'll suck: He also created Millenium.Outlook: Chris Carter has owned this time slot for 7 years now. He
should continue.
Third Watch - Sundays at 7 CST
Premise: Overworked and underpaid public servants work the night shift.Why it'll win Emmys: The same formula worked for ER.Why it'll suck: John Well's last creative venture was Trinity.Outlook: ER ran out of fresh stories last year.
What makes you think there's any for this new show that's really the same idea?Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - Mondays at 8 CST
Premise: Law and Order, only more kinky.Why it'll win Emmys: Dick Wolf, show creator, does this well.Why it'll suck: People might confuse the title as Law and Order:
SUV and think it's about a crime-solving van.Outlook: Could be great, but should be later in the evening.The Mike O'Malley Show - Tuesdays at 8:30 CST
Premise: An aging party dude realizes he needs to grow up.Why it'll win Emmys: Well, if 3rd Rock can...Why it'll suck: Who the heck is Mike O'Malley? Outlook: With this turkey as competition, SportsNight
might actually pick up viewers.The West Wing - Wednesdays at 8 CST
Premise: Hyjinks at the White House. And hopefully no interns.Why it'll win Emmys: John Wells (ER) and Aaron Sorkin (SportsNight)
know how to put together a TV show.Why it'll suck: Truth will be stranger than fiction in this case.Outlook: A powerhouse creative team, an all-star cast, and the backing of
the network. Say hello to this year's best new show.Stark Raving Mad - Thursdays at 8:30 CST
Premise: A horror writer (think Stephen King) and his agent (thing Doogie
Howser) try to make magic.Why it'll win Emmys: Steve Levitan also created Just Shoot Me.
And the two lead actors, Tony Shaloub and the aforementioned Doogie, are winners.Why it'll suck: Since Friends, name another new Thursday
sitcom that's been anything better than awful.Outlook: Could be the next Cheers. Probably the
next Caroline in the City.Cold Feet - Fridays at 9 CST
Premise: Weepy, nutty couples get it on.Why it'll win Emmys: Couldn't be worse than Friday counterpart Providence.Why it'll suck: The scene with the rose and the guy's butt doesn't sound
promising.Outlook: Destined for the scrap heap.Freaks and Geeks - Saturdays at 7 CST
Premise: 80's Retro dramedy about growing up in that oh-so-familiar
decade.Why it'll win Emmys: The only teen show that doesn't take itself too
seriously.Why it'll suck: Everyone wants to relive the days of Wang Chung and
parachute pants.Outlook: Would fit better on NBC's Saturday morning lineup.
UPN
The Parkers - Mondays at 7:30 CST
Premise: Moesha's buddy and her mom go to college.Why it'll win Emmys: Minority disension.Why it'll suck: Is the viewing public clammoring for more Moesha-related
programming?Outlook: If you like Moesha, this ain't much different.Grown-Ups - Mondays at 8:00 CST
Premise: Urkel is all grown up and now he's looking for love.Why it'll win Emmys: America has missed Jaleel White and opens him back with open
arms.Why it'll suck: Makes Family Matters look like Broadway theater.Outlook: Might survive on curiosity alone. But won't make a dent in the
landscape.Shasta McNasty - Tuesdays at 7:30 CST
Premise: You couldn't make this up if you tried: Jake Busey heads a white
rap group that goes by the aforementioned name.Why it'll win Emmys: Emmy gives an award for worst idea of the century.Why it'll suck: There's not enough room for that here.Outlook: Should be cloned with last year's UPN bomb to create The Secret Diary of
Shasta McNasty. Now there's a show!The Strip - Tuesdays at 8 CST
Premise: Action adventure in Las Vegas.Why it'll win Emmys: Joel Silver, produces The Matrix and FOX's Action, generally
knows how to make hits.Why it'll suck: He was also responsible for Xanadu.Outlook: Not a bad idea, but it'll probably be creamed in it's time slot.WWF Smackdown! - Thursdays at 7 CST
Premise: If you don't know already, you won't be watching.Why it'll win Emmys: Most creative use of a chair.Why it'll suck: Mankind exposes The Rock for the fraud that he is.Outlook: The decline of civilization or a creative new idea? Either way, it
proves UPN isn't a real network.
WB
Jack and Jill - Sundays at 8 CST
Premise: He's Jill, she's Jack. Together, they love and learn in the big
city.Why it'll win Emmys: People become slack-jawed idiots after watching Felicity and
just can't change the channel.Why it'll suck: Up against the X-Files, 20/20, and Snoops.Outlook: It'll be lucky to make it to sweeps.Safe Harbor - Mondays at 8 CST
Premise: Family drama starring an ex-Golden Girl. (Rue McClanahan)Why it'll win Emmys: From the same people as 7th Heaven.Why it'll suck: Anything starring a Golden Girl and Greggory Harrison has got to.Outlook: Make way for 7th Heaven reruns.Angel - Tuesdays at 8 CST
Premise: Much like Buffy, only darker and in LA.Why it'll win Emmys: Josh Whedon is probably the second-hottest creator right now
(behind David E. Kelly).Why it'll suck: If Whedon spends too much time on his first show, this one will
suffer.Outlook: Has a built-in audience as a lead in. But the time slot is tough.Roswell - Wednesdays at 8 CST
Premise: Dawson's Creek meets the X-Files.Why it'll win Emmys: An interesting premise, having aliens as alienated teens.Why it'll suck: Does the WB really need more alienated teens?Outlook: Has some buzz, but expect a modest hit of WB-sized proportions.Popular - Thursdays at 7 CST
Premise: Prom Queen helps wallflower to become popular.Why it'll win Emmys: Uh.....Why it'll suck: This ground has been tread before; She's All That and Clueless
come to mind.Outlook: Friends will eat it alive.Mission Hill - Fridays at 7 CST
Premise: Just like Friends, only Chandler and Joey are gay and it's animated.Why it'll win Emmys: Cartoons have been hot as of late.Why it'll suck: This one just doesn't excite anyone.Outlook: Has a good pedigree, but a horrible time slot.