More Replacements!

The dog daze of summer are a great time for the networks to run some “new” ideas up the flagpole and see who salutes (by not changing the channel). Let’s take a look at a few of the new kids on the block in this sultry season.


Ghost Bodega Did CBS’ untimely cancellations of ‘Touched by an Angel’ and ‘Ghost Whisperer’ leave you in the lurch? Why not try a little Latin “sabor” in your supernatural? In this Saturday night entry, a Dominican inner-city grocery owner (Esai Morales) who was tragically gunned down in a robbery returns behind the counter to keep his ‘loca familia’ in line, and solve the numerous problemas of his customers on the block. Della Reese- watch your back! (CBS, SAT 9pm)

Rim Job It’s like Pawn Stars, but 60% more “street,” as teams of desperadoes nationwide plunder prize tires from cars and bicycles alike, competing to become king of the black-market ‘bling,’ and tear up the road in a cross-country race. Better get a better lock - These boys don’t haggle. (NBC, THURS 10pm)

The Sub Aging dweeb Jon Cryer made good use of his down-time during the ‘Two ½ Men’ turmoil to flex his chops in this intriguing new dramatic series. Cryer plays a mild-mannered journeyman substitute teacher who travels the back-roads of America’s beleaguered educational system, filling in for 3rd period social studies while moonlighting as a problem solving (a la “Equalizer”) heroic mercenary-for-hire. Who needs tenure when the job gets done right? (ABC, WED 9pm)

Blackout! In this reality entry, a serious problem drunk is ‘punk’d’ each week- his world turned upside down by a professional prank team as he rests in a pool of his own vomit – with hilarious results. You won’t believe the priceless reactions, running the gamut from “Holy shit - I killed a guy?” to “I have a butler?” to “I run Fox News?” (FOX, SAT 9pm)

Brick, Notary Public ‘Where’d he go’ TV fave Ted McGinley returns to the airwaves as Brick- a guy who you call to sign stuff. Twist is, Brick is pretty badass- he lives on a boat, scores a lot of babes, solves a crime or two and knows how to party. If he’s not laying down his ‘John Hancock,’ he’s (literally) jumping sharks! (USA, FRI 10pm)