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Ben McKenzie in "Southland"
courtesy of TNT
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“Southland” (TNT)
One of my favorite programs of last year was “Southland” which aired on NBC. It was one of the few (very few) NBC programs I enjoyed. I was excited the show was coming back for a new season this year and then just as the new season was about to begin NBC abruptly pulled the plug in deference to Jay Leno’s Monday thru Friday comedy block. At that point I just checked the block that said “Good show – cancelled” and planned to forget the excitement that was Southland”. Then lo and behold TNT picked up the show. Hallelujah! There is fairness in the TV world.
The TNT showing of “Southland” starts with the first episode of last year and goes through a few extra episodes that had already been filmed for this year. Plus the first episode shown is an “extended version” which adds some filling out to what I remember. You also get most of the vulgar and profane phrases that are spoken rather than have them bleeped as NBC had to do (this is cable after all).
It is easy to fall back into familiarity with the characters. Ben McKenzie is the fresh-faced and eager young police officer also named Ben. Michael Cudlitz is his training officer John Cooper. Regina King is the compassionate detective Lydia Adams. Arija Bareikis is Chickie the dedicated patrol officer. And on it goes with many more solid actors filling major and minor roles.
The hope is that “Southland” will find an even better audience on TNT than it did on NBC. We will have a couple of months of episodes to help us decide if it is worth returning or not. Hopefully it will be.
TNT keeps upping the tally of possible series favorites by scheduling such shows as this one and “Men of a Certain Age” (which is growing on me). I still haven’t totally forgiven them for canceling “Raising the Bar” but they are easing their way back into my heart.
“Southland” premieres on Tuesday, January 12 at 10PM on TNT. |
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©2010 Jackie K. Cooper |
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