Once a graveyard for iffy pilots, midseason TV premieres offer another chance for great new TV. Need proof? Past midseason hits include “Grey’s Anatomy," “The Office," “American Dad," “Family Guy” and “The Wonder Years.” Check out these top five new shows this January. You might find a new favorite
“The Firm” – it is happening again
NBC offers a gripping TV adaption of John Grisham’s “The Firm." “The Firm” is film-quality, don’t-miss TV. The story picks up where the novel and movie left off — 10 years later. The McDeeres leave witness protection and face familiar dramatic obstacles. Josh Lucas stars as Mitch McDeere. This series will kick off on Sunday, Jan. 8, before settling in at 10 p.m. on Thursdays.
Drink up NBC’s “Are You There, Chelsea?”
If you’ve missed Laura Prepon of “That '70s Show," it’s going to be a great winter. Chelsea Handler’s best-selling book Are you there vodka? It's me, Chelsea is the inspiration for this comedy. Chelsea makes appearances as the born-again, judgmental, ever-pregnant sister. Sensitive, realistic moments add unexpected depth. Tune in to the NBC series premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 8:30 p.m.
Do not escape from “Alcatraz”
This highly anticipated FOX series has already received a Critic’s Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series in June of 2011. Sarah Jones plays protagonist Rebecca Madsen, a San Francisco Police Department homicide detective who's on the case of a grisly murder and an ex-con who was supposed to be dead. Be prepared for twists, turns and mind-blowing secrets about Alcatraz prison and its former inmates. The two-hour series premiere airs at 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.
“The River” is a wild ride
An explorer, wildlife expert and TV star, Emmet Cole, goes missing. His family and friends set out on an adventure to find him. This documentary-style drama comes from DreamWorks Production Company and executive producer Steven Spielberg. The show went through a bidding war before ending up with ABC. "The River" is in the Tuesday 9 p.m. time slot with a premiere date of Feb. 7.
Find "The Finder" this January
"Bones" spinoff “The Finder” is scheduled to premiere on FOX Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. Based on “The Locator” novels by Richard Greener, an eccentric recluse is the go-to guy for locating anybody or anything. Geoff Stults stars as Walter Sherman — a paranoid Iraq war veteran with brain damage. It is this flaw that makes him so uniquely good at his work.
