Countdown with Keith Olbermann – Premieres on Current TV today (6/20) at 8 EST
ABOUT: After exiting MSNBC, Olbermann finally makes his return to the political TV realm. With his new show, Olbermann promises to bring unadulterated clarity to national and international politics, a dig not only at Fox News but his old employer, as well.
VERDICT: Conditional see it. Olbermann has followers and detractors, and most already know which side they lie on.
Expedition Impossible – Premieres on ABC on Thursday (6/23) at 9 EST
ABOUT: ABC launches their own version of The Amazing Race, complete with daring feats, exotic locales, and team infighting. The winning team in this reality race is given $150,000 and three Ford Explorers to divide amongst themselves.
VERDICT: Skip it. With a 19th season of The Amazing Race in the works, I’m not sure that what TV needs is another show that follows the same pattern.
Combat Hospital – Premieres on ABC on Tuesday (6/21) at 10 EST
ABOUT: Set in Afghanistan in 2006, Combat Hospital is a medial drama that depicts the daily lives of doctors and nurses on the front lines. Based on the real NATO Role 3 Hospital, a facility with the highest level of treatment available in Kandahar, the series aims to portray the intensity and struggle of such an extreme situation.
VERDICT: Skip it. Nothing about this show feels original.
Wilfred – Premieres on FX on Thursday (6/23) at 10 EST
ABOUT: Ryan, a young adult struggling to find his place in the world, strikes up a unique friendship with Wilfred, his neighbor’s dog. Though Wilfred looks like a regular dog to everyone else, Ryan sees Wilfred as a grown man in a dog costume who becomes a companion in his quest to find himself.
VERDICT: See it. FX has slowly and steadily been raising their status as a network, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Commercial Kings – Premieres on IFC on Friday (6/24) at 10 EST
ABOUT: Two YouTube stars, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, travel the country as they shoot commercial spots for deserving small businesses.
VERDICT: Skip it. The premise is fun, but nothing is worse than videos that are made with the intent to go viral.
