WE’RE LATE TO launch this 10-episode market, what with “American Idol” eliminations and season finales galore occupying the TV-lobes of our brains. Oh wait: the rest of America is in that mindset too, which means last week was one lousy time to launch a new series. But that’s precisely what FOX did with its sneak-preview of “The Good Guys.” Unsurprisingly, the action dramedy drew a lousy 5 million viewers – not quite equaling game show “Minute to Win it” on NBC. (Ouch.) To recover from such a weak start, of course the show would have to show some keen originality and some great writing – a la, for example, ABC’s rapidly growing “Castle.” We don’t see it. Rather we saw the same good-cop, really-bad-cop gag repeating throughout the premiere (that along with jokes about lead Bradley Whitford’s ’stache). Honestly, FOX, launch this in three weeks, and it at least has a fighting chance – so many viewers will be going through “Lost” withdrawal they’d probably watch a Jai-alai tournament. We see no chance at renewal, but the show might make 10 episodes simply because FOX may have nothing else in the summer pipeline. 5/24/10.
THE MARKET: Will “The Good Guys” on FOX make it to a tenth episode? A preview episode premiered on May 19, and the show will resume on June 7. Trading will close immediately after its scheduled sixth episode on July 5. If a tenth episode airs, shares are worth $100. If it doesn’t, they’re worth $0. Remaining episodes aired after a cancellation decision will not count toward the 10-episode requirement.
RESEARCH: Google News :: Home Page and Episodes