Midseason TV: A time for fresh starts, fresh shows

In “Harry’s Law,” an NBC drama debuting this month, Kathy Bates plays a fired lawyer who seeks an invigorating fresh start. That might as well be the plot line for television’s midseason.

Entering a new year, the networks are poised to hit
the reset button. Nowhere is that more evident than on “American Idol.”
The Fox talent show will launch its 10th season with two new judges in Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, some format changes and a new Thursday time slot.

Meanwhile, former “Idol” panelist Paula Abdul is getting a fresh start of her own on a CBS reality dance competition. Also, a couple of ex-“Friends” — Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc — resurface in new sitcoms on ABC and Showtime, respectively.

Even widely ridiculed “Bachelor” bad boy Brad Womack is starting anew, having been given a second shot at finding love on the ABC
reality series. And then there’s “The Game,” a sitcom that was axed by
The CW more than a year and a half ago, only to find new life on BET.

Over at beleaguered NBC, they’re taking
this fresh start thing really seriously. With several new shows —
including the highly-hyped “The Cape” — and multiple schedule changes,
the network’s lineup represents a radical departure from fall. The
shakeup includes a novel approach to Thursdays with an all-comedy night.

But the midseason isn’t just about rebirth. It also
brings some closure. On HBO, “Big Love” launches its fifth and final
season. And on CBS, “Medium” will leave the air after its Jan. 21 series finale.

Here’s a look at what TV’s midseason will offer:

—New dramas

“The Cape”: An honest cop (David Lyons), framed for murder, goes into hiding and takes on the guise of his son’s favorite comic-book hero. (Two-hour premiere, 9 p.m. Jan. 9, NBC).

“Shameless”: William H. Macy plays dad to six rowdy kids, the eldest of whom keeps the home afloat while he’s out carousing. (10 p.m. Jan. 9, Showtime).

“Lights Out”: An aging former heavyweight boxing champ (Holt McCallany) struggles to adjust to life in retirement. (10 p.m. Jan. 11, FX).

“Off the Map”: A medical series from Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy”) set in a South American jungle village. (10 p.m. Jan 12, ABC).

“Being Human”: A supernatural saga pegged to three 20-something roommates — a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost. (9 p.m. Jan. 17, Syfy).

“Harry’s Law”: The latest legal drama from David E. Kelley. (10 p.m. Jan. 17, NBC).

“Skins”: The hit British series about the lives and loves of a group of teens gets a U.S. makeover. (10 p.m. Jan. 17, MTV).

“Fairly Legal”: A feisty lawyer (Sara Shahi), fed up with the injustices of the system, shifts gears to become a mediator. (10 p.m. Jan. 20, USA).

“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena”: There’s more gladiators, more blood and more skin in this six-part prequel starring Lucy Lawless. (10 p.m. Jan. 21, Starz).

“The Chicago Code”: Producer Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”) is behind this cop series starring Jason Clarke and Jennifer Beals. (9 p.m. Feb. 7, Fox).

“Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior”: A spin-off of the hit crime show with Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker in the lead role. (10 p.m., Feb. 16).

“Body of Proof”: Crime procedural features Dana Delany as a medical examiner. (10 p.m. March 29, ABC).

“The Killing”: A mystery-crime series about the murder of a young girl in Seattle and the subsequent police investigation. (TBA, March, AMC).

“Camelot”: An epic “re-imagining” of the medieval tale of King Arthur with Joseph Fiennes as Merlin. (10 p.m. April 1, Starz).

“Chaos”: Rogue CIA spies combat threats to national security. (8 p.m. April 1, CBS).

“Game of Thrones”: A fantasy series based on a
bestselling series of books about an epic struggle for power in a vast
and violent kingdom. (TBA April, HBO).

—New comedies

“Bob’s Burgers”: An animated series about a guy who runs a seaside burger joint — next to a crematorium. (8:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Fox).

“Episodes”: Matt LeBlanc (“Friends”) plays an over-the-top version of himself in this spoof of the network television industry. (9:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Showtime).

“Love That Girl!”: A young divorcee (Tatyana Ali) returns home to Southern California for a second chance at life and a career in her father’s real estate business. (9 p.m. Jan. 10, TV One).

“Let’s Stay Together”: A young couple tries to blend their independent lives into a traditional family. (11 p.m. Jan. 11, BET).

“Retired at 35”: A New Yorker leaves the rat race to live with his parents (George Segal and Jessica Walter) in Florida. (10:30 p.m. Jan. 19, TV Land).

“Perfect Couples”: Three young duos struggle to find out what makes the ideal relationship — and how to maintain it. (8:30 p.m. Jan. 20, NBC).

“Onion News Network”: A satirical sendup of the 24-hour cable news culture from the makers of “The Onion.” (10 p.m. Jan. 21, IFC).

“Portlandia”: Fred Armisen (“Saturday Night Live”) stars in this series set in a “dreamy and absurd” rendering of Portland, Ore. (10:30 p.m. Jan. 21, IFC).

“Working Class”: A single mom (Melissa Peterman) moves her kids to an upscale neighborhood, next door to a cranky neighbor (Ed Asner). (8 p.m., Jan. 28, CMT).

“Traffic Light”: A group of friends trying to balance their relationships with their need for freedom. (9:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Fox).

“Mr. Sunshine”: Matthew Perry plays a self-centered manager of a San Diego sports arena. Allison Janney is his boss. (9:30 p.m. Feb. 9, ABC)

“Mad Love”: A tale about a quartet of New Yorkers, two of whom are falling in love while the other two despise each other. (8:30 p.m. Feb. 21, CBS).

“Breaking In”: Christian Slater headlines this workplace comedy set in a high-tech security firm. (9:30 p.m. April 6, Fox).

“Happy Endings”: A couple (Elisha Cuthbert and Zach Knighton) breaks up on their wedding day, causing repercussions for friends and family. (10 p.m. April 13, ABC).

—New reality

“Live to Dance”: Paula Abdul resurfaces as mentor and lead panelist in this dance competition series. (Premiered Jan. 4, CBS).

“Sons of Guns” — A look at the proprietors of a Louisiana shop that deals in historic and customized weapons. (10 p.m. Jan. 12, Discovery).

“Heavy”: Obese people go through an intense, six-month treatment program. (10 p.m. Jan. 17, A&E).

“Restaurants Impossible”: Chef Robert Irvine tries to save failing restaurants from disaster. (10 p.m. Jan. 19, Food Network).

“Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best?”: Joan Rivers moves in with her daughter. Craziness ensues. 9 p.m. Jan. 25, WE).

“Face Off”: Wannabe special-effects and makeup artists compete for supremacy. (10 p.m. Jan. 26, Syfy).

“Shedding for the Wedding”: Overweight couples drop pounds in an attempt to win a dream wedding. (9 p.m. Feb. 23, The CW).

“America’s Next Great Restaurant”: Contestants compete for the opportunity to open a restaurant chain. (9 p.m. March 16, NBC)

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RETURNING SHOWS

“The Bachelor” (8 p.m. Mondays, ABC; Returned Jan. 3)

“Pretty Little Liars” (8 p.m. Mondays, ABC Family; Returned Jan. 3)

“Greek” (9 p.m. Mondays, ABC Family; Returned Jan. 3)

“The Biggest Loser: Couples” (8 p.m. Tuesdays, NBC; Returned Jan. 4)

“V” (9 p.m. Tuesdays, ABC; Returned Jan. 4)

“Southland” (10 p.m. Tuesdays, TNT; Returned Jan. 4)

“Are We There Yet?” (10 p.m. Wednesdays, TBS; Returned Jan. 5)

“Wipeout” (8 p.m. Jan. 6, ABC)

“Ace of Cakes” (10 p.m. Jan. 6, Food Network)

“Jersey Shore” (10 p.m. Jan. 6, MTV)

“Merlin” (10 p.m. Jan. 7, Syfy)

“It’s Me or the Dog” (8 p.m. Jan. 8, Animal Planet)

“Californication” (9 p.m. Jan. 9, Showtime)

“Bad Girls Club” (9 p.m. Jan. 10, Oxygen)

“You’re Cut Off!” (9 p.m. Jan. 10, VH1)

“The Game” (10 p.m. Jan. 11, BET)

“Teen Mom 2” (10 p.m. Jan. 11, MTV)

“Tosh.0” (10 p.m. Jan. 11, Comedy Central)

“The Ricky Gervais Show” (9 p.m. Jan. 14, HBO)

“Real Time with Bill Maher” (10 p.m. Jan. 14, HBO)

“Big Love” (9 p.m. Jan. 16, HBO)

“White Collar” (10 p.m. Jan. 18, USA)

“American Idol” (8 p.m. Jan. 19, Fox)

“Hot in Cleveland” (10 p.m. Jan. 19, TV Land)

“Parks & Recreation” (9:30 p.m. Jan. 20, NBC)

“Royal Pains” (9 p.m. Jan. 20, USA)

“Kitchen Nightmares” (8 p.m. Jan. 21, Fox)

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (9 p.m. Jan. 24, Logo)

“Archer” (10 p.m. Jan. 27, FX)

“Being Erica” (11 p.m. Jan. 26, SOAPnet)

“Million Dollar Listing” (10 p.m. Feb. 1, Bravo)

“Who Do You Think You Are?” (8 p.m. Feb. 4, NBC)

“Justified” (10 p.m. Feb. 9, FX)

“Survivor: Redemption Island” (8 p.m. Feb. 16, CBS)

“The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” (8 p.m. Feb. 20, CBS)

“America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m. Feb. 23, The CW)

“The Marriage Ref” (8 p.m. March 6, NBC)

“Ruby” (8 p.m. March 6, Style)

“Secret Millionaire” (8 p.m. March 6, ABC)

“Celebrity Apprentice” (9 p.m. March 6, NBC)

“Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m. March 21, ABC)

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(c) 2011, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

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