‘Four Kings’ likely to have short reign
It’s a whole new year. And NBC comedy takes two steps forward and one giant step backward.
The relatively innovative “My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC) and “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC) take their place as “must-see” comedies in the tradition of “Seinfeld” and “Cheers.”
But on the same night, NBC introduces “Four Kings” (8:30 p.m., NBC), a thoroughly derivative, unfunny sitcom in the tradition of “The Single Guy.”
Produced by the creators of “Will & Grace,” “Kings” concerns four friends from childhood who move into the palatial New York apartment that Ben (Josh Cooke) inherits from his grandmother.
Ben is a sympathetic guy given to long relationships and friendships with women. But it seems that the frat house atmosphere of his new surroundings is about to change all that.
Barry (Seth Green) is short, bitter, picked-on and envious of Ben’s charmed existence. He also has an ex-girlfriend with two bratty twin daughters who pop in and out of his life.
Bobby (Shane McRae) is the quintessential slacker dude. Think of a mellower version of Ashton Kutcher’s Kelso from “That ‘70s Show.”
Jason (Todd Grinnell) rounds out the quartet as a finicky, weight-obsessed neurotic who is forever working out. He seems extremely similar to the Will character from “Will & Grace,” but in the first two episodes of “Kings,” he appears to be interested in women.
Given the show’s pedigree and trajectory, I can see that changing within three or four episodes. But I’m really hoping and expecting that there won’t be three or four episodes. On the other hand, “Joey” lingered for a year and a half.
Did I mention that the characters spend an inordinate amount of time together trading quips in a coffee shop?
Look for “Four Kings” to be forgotten quickly – or at most remembered as the first major failure of 2006.
NBC is seriously delusional if it thinks its revamped comedy schedule is going to challenge the “CSI”- fortified CBS lineup.
But a second helping of “Dancing with the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC) just might.
This addictive talent show was the surprise hit of the summer and made America sit down, watch and wonder whether Evander Holyfield could tango.
This year’s batch of dancing fools is a similar crazy quilt of has-beens, never-weres and I-thought-they-were-deads. Or at least their careers.
Who can resist a dance floor with actress Tia Carrere, the ever-tan George Hamilton, journalist Giselle Fernandez, wrestler Stacy Keibler, 98 Degree alumnus Drew Lachey, ESPN’s Kenny Mayne, actress Lisa Rinna, the Oscar-winning child actress and author Tatum O’Neal, NFL legend Jerry Rice and the former child rapper known as Romeo?
Prepare to be entranced.
Other highlights
On back-to-back episodes of “CSI,” death by camping (8 p.m.), and where the werewolves roam (9 p.m.).
Feeling Von Trapped on “Will & Grace” (8 p.m., NBC).
An ancient spell makes a spoiled teen (Rachel McAdams) and a slob (Rob Schneider) switch bodies in the 2002 comedy “The Hot Chick” (8 p.m., Fox).
Earl’s past misdeeds deny Joy’s kids their summer camp experience on “My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC).
An ill-timed motivational cruise on “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC).
A paramedic vanishes after treating a participant in a gang-related scuffle on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
Abby mulls maternity on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Good guys get the bad guys with the help of some heavy, military-style weaponry and armor on “Dallas SWAT” (10 p.m., A&E).
Cult choice
A meteor shower rains down flaming serpents on unsuspecting medieval kingdoms in the 2004 fantasy “Dragon Storms” (9 p.m., Sci Fi), starring John Rhys-Davies.
Series notes
A hero from the deep on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Makeovers and networking on “Beauty and the Geek” (9 p.m., WB).
Late night
Felicity Huffman and Anthony Hamilton appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Will Ferrell and Flipsyde on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … The John Mayer Trio performs on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC) … Allan Covert and Tom Papa chat on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Don Rickles, Emily Mortimer and Aimee Mann on “The Late, Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).