Pilot Review: Big Shots

Big Shots (ABC)
Premiered September 27 at 10pm

That oft-played line from the preview keeps running through my head: "Men, we're the new women." That one saying truly describes the show. To me, that is puzzling, since I just cannot figure out who the target audience is supposed to be here. If it is trying to be like a male "Desperate Housewives", it has neither enough intrigue nor enough sympathetic women. If it is trying to be like an older "Entourage", the men are just too feminine and obnoxious. The plotlines are not interesting and the show is just really not trying at all. I have no experience with Christopher Titus, but former great actors Joshua Malina, Michael Vartan, and Dylan McDermott (see early seasons of "The West Wing", "Alias", and "The Practice", respectively) are just bland here. I cannot imagine anyone will find this show entertaining enough to start a devoted fellowing.

How will it work as a series? It should be the same thing over and over. This is one of those pilots which is probably extremely indicative of the series and not a standout first episode.
How long will it last? Not very long, I think. ABC should have some great hits with its Wednesday night offerings and some bombs on Tuesday night, so will it keep this Thursday offering? I think both "Without a Trace" and "ER" will eclipse it before it finishes it out its first thirteen episodes.

Pilot grade: D