New ‘Idol’: Sans edge, the thrill is gone
New series almost always owe a debt to old ones, and the comparisons usually don’t flatter the newcomers.
That’s the story for three of four series arriving this week. The most ballyhooed is the “American Idol” revival starting Sunday on ABC. In 15 seasons on Fox, “Idol” became a red-hot phenomenon that dazzled the culture, then cooled off before leaving the air in 2016. ABC is going for a nicer singing contest.
In the premiere, new judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan dismiss the misguided with strange looks but polite words. They encourage promising singers with hugs, dances and raves. Simon Cowell’s frankness is missed. Will an “Idol” without edge work? ABC is banking heavily on the show, with two-hour installments at 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.
The standout this week is “Rise,” a high school drama about a thea-
ter program remaking itself. The show, debuting Tuesday on NBC, focuses on a teacher (Josh Radnor) who decides to stage the edgy “Spring Awakening” instead of giving “Grease” another go.
He stands up to doubters and wins over reluctant students. By challenging himself, he finds purpose and inspires students to push themselves. These are timely themes in a first-rate show that is more “Friday Night Lights” than “Glee.” Radnor gives a heartfelt performance, and the dynamic young actors excel at music and drama. “Rise” does just that.
ABC goes a slicker route with two dramas. “Deception,” debuting Sunday, tells of a magician (Jack Cutmore-Scott) whose career tanked after a scandal. He seeks redemption by sharing his illusion savvy with the FBI.
In this flashy show, CutmoreScott’s magician is a cocky, chatty expert. Ilfenesh Hadera plays an FBI agent who slowly realizes he’s a big help. “Deception” is like “Castle” with magic.
“For the People,” premiering Tuesday, is “Grey’s Anatomy” with law. The drama from the Shonda Rhimes empire follows young, attractive prosecutors and public defenders in New York.
“This isn’t TV,” says a jaded veteran attorney (Hope Davis) who talks baseball lore to make points. A show built around her would be more intriguing. The veteran actors fascinate more than their young co-stars in what is very much TV.