Originally published September 11, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 11, 2007 at 2:04 AM
Television
"Cane" shows potential to become a sweet success
Oh, how we mourned "The Sopranos. " Never again, we whined, would we have a family so odd yet so relatable. Never again would we see conspiracy...
Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader
Oh, how we mourned "The Sopranos."
Never again, we whined, would we have a family so odd yet so relatable. Never again would we see conspiracy with the morning cappuccino and crime with the family business.
Time to wake up and smell the cafe Cubano.
CBS takes a giant leap this fall from its usual crime procedural, solved-in-an-hour lawyer routine with "Cane."
The family drama, featuring an experienced cast led by Jimmy Smits, follows a colorful Cuban-American family in charge of a vast rum and sugar empire.
Tony who?
Select Tuesday shows
"Cavemen"
ABC: 8 p.m. Oct. 2
What: Cavemen — the sensitive, underappreciated Neanderthals from the Geico commercials — get their own show.
Who: Bill English, Nick Kroll, Sam Huntington, Kaitlin Doubleday, Stephanie Lemelin, Julie White.
Why: I just can't explain this one.
![]()
How: Cavemen, yes, the guys from the commercials, try to exist in the modern world as a population oppressed for 750,000 years. They wear cardigans and own iPods and go to country clubs. But they're still fuzzy and fighting the negative stereotype that comes with being a caveman. Western-themed barbecues and golfing? Not so great for them, when everyone around them is looking for a scapegoat or a reason to blame them for their troubles.
It's a weird commentary on racism, stereotypes and cultural differences. Even more weird than a show based on characters from a commercial. (In the pilot, there was no obvious hawking of insurance.) And unfortunately, it just doesn't seem that funny.
"Carpoolers"
ABC: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 2
What: Four guys survive on the strength of their carpool.
Who: Faith Ford, Fred Goss, T.J. Miller, Jerry O'Connell, Allison Munn, Jerry Minor, Tim Peper.
Why: "Desperate Housewives" gets a lot of viewers. Let's make it for men!
How: A new guy (Peper) enters the carpool, and his fellow road warriors aren't so sure he fits in. He's always talking about a partnership with his wife and seems reluctant to throw himself in front of another carpool when it's about to steal their pool's rightful parking space. Jeez. And the rest of the pool members have their own problems, including wives who make more money than they do, wives who are bleeding their bank accounts after divorce and wives and children who won't give them any peace. (Noticing a theme?)
Funny moments abound, but the show needs more personality to keep propelling it forward.
"Cane"
CBS: 10 p.m. Sept. 25
What: A Cuban-American family of rum makers and sugar producers tries to survive with business and politics intact.
Who: Jimmy Smits, Hector Elizondo, Nestor Carbonell, Rita Moreno, Paola Turbay, Eddie Matos, Michael Trevino, Lina Esco, Sam Carman, Alona Tal, Polly Walker.
Why: "The Sopranos" is gone. Smits was looking for work. Why not create a new family drama and attach a big star to it?
How: Alex Vega (Smits) inherits the Duque family sugar and rum empire, and all the historic scandals, shady deals and family feuding that come with it. In this colorful drama, there are generations trying to balance their history and heritage with their tremendous fortune and modern business.
This is one of the better dramas of the season, putting together a stunning cast in a storyline thick with possibility. It's also one of the more diverse casts on television, sometimes relying on subtitles for scenes spoken in Spanish.
"Reaper"
CW: 9 p.m. Sept. 25
What: A 21-year-old guy discovers he's the reaper, as in the devil's indentured servant. Rough life.
Who: Bret Harrison, Tyler Labine, Ray Wise, Missy Peregrym, Rick Gonzalez, Valarie Rae Mills.
Why: It's a delicate balance between "Supernatural" and "Veronica Mars."
How: A long time ago, Sam's dad was sick. So before Sam (Harrison) was born, his parents sold the soul of their firstborn to the devil, thinking they'd never have kids. Oops. Twenty-one years later, the devil (Wise) comes to collect on Sam's parents' debt. Sam becomes the devil's bounty hunter, recapturing, with the help of a hyper-powered Dirt Devil hand vacuum, evil souls that escaped from hell.
This is surprisingly funny, if a little twisted. Because really, if a guy is the devil's bounty hunter, how is he ever supposed to get the girl?
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
'Eureka' returns to Syfy with a story line custom-made for pregnant actress
Coverage of the Tour de France on Versus is a Friday TV pick
The return of "Big Brother" to CBS is a Thursday TV pick
Top cable programs for June 29-July 5
Billy Mays remains a TV pitchman, even in death

Gen. David Petraeus: Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Watch highlights of General David Petraeus discussing the Iraq and Afghanistan War at the Global Leadership Series sponsored by the World Affairs Council.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
What not to wear to work this summer
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sports car/coupe? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Driver killed, deputy and prisoner injured in head-on crash near Monroe
- House Democrats likely to alter intel bill
- Drunken man shocks Spain with his generosity
- Movie review | "Brüno" struts his stuff to hilariously expose intolerance
- Chase will no longer sponsor Lake Union fireworks
- Authorities keep investigating Ill. cemetery
- Mass. files lawsuit against federal marriage law
913 - Health-plan costs soar for individuals
525 - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners: 07/09 game thread
243 - Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik again declines to quell Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumors
147 - World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
126 - Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
91 - Wednesday night notes
86 - Pay parking in West Seattle?
76 - Franklin Gutierrez bails Mariners out in a 3-1 win
75 - House Dems want to expand secret briefings
63
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- Grab the kids and hop on Amtrak for a stress-free getaway to Portland
- During financial crisis, the business of college sports is complicated by Title IX
- Local Smith & Hawken garden stores to close
- Green River Valley plans ahead for possible flooding
- Pay parking in West Seattle?
- Jerry Large | Issues of aging affect all









