After several weeks of highlighting all the new shows unveiled by the networks, it's worth revisiting a few just to make sure they don't fly under your radar.
Too many good shows wither early on from lack of attention. Viewers' habits are hard to break and in the clutter each fall, it is always difficult for worthy new programs to get properly noticed.
One such show is ABC's Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. It airs at 9 p.m. today and I recommend you check it out if you haven't already.
The series stars Jason Ritter, who had the good fortune to learn his craft from one of the best -- his dad, John Ritter. If you hadn't noticed, Jason strongly resembles his father.
Jason was born in 1980 in the middle of John's signature run as Jack Tripper on Three's Company (ABC, 1977-1984). Sadly, John died in 2003 during surgery for an aortic dissection. He had been misdiagnosed as having had a heart attack when he collapsed on the set of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. He was only 54.
Trivia: Jason's first TV role was a three-second cameo in the Season 6 opening credits of Three's Company. He is the little blond boy in overalls running up to Joyce DeWitt (as Janet Wood) at a petting zoo.
As an adult, Jason played Kevin Girardi in Joan of Arcadia (2003-2005), and had the recurring role of English teacher Mark Cyr in NBC's Parenthood (2010-2015), for which he received an Emmy nomination.
Ritter also starred as Lord Frederick Bellacourt in Comedy Central's Another Period in 2016, as well as the occasional episode in assorted series along the way.
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World could turn out to be Ritter's career-defining role. It could be the sleeper hit of the season if there is a TV god.
Why not? Ritter is not only charming, he displays a mature depth at 37 that we have yet to see. His supporting cast is outstanding and allows him to shine in the role of Kevin Finn, a directionless sad sack whose life was out of control after he failed at suicide.
Everything changes when he meets Yvette (Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Vice Principals), a celestial being who arrives with a mission from God. It is Kevin's dubious task to save the world. However, he's going to take some convincing that he is rightfully chosen, but the process so far has been delightful, even inspiring.
Kevin has moved back to his hometown in Texas and is living with his recently widowed twin sister Amy Cabrera (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Reba), and her typically surly teenage daughter, Reese (Chloe East, True Blood), who is extra mopey because of the loss of her father.
India de Beaufort plays Kevin's old high school flame, Kristin Allen, and Dustin Ybarra is Tyler Medina, Kevin's goofy friend. Almost all comedies have a goofy best bud or neighbor for comic relief.
The series is billed as a fantasy comedy/drama, but the themes have been universal. It will remind viewers of other quirky shows with a spiritual element. They include Ritter's own Joan, and others such as Eli Stone, Wonderfalls and or Dead Like Me.
I loved all of those series. The problem was that not enough viewers agreed with me. Hopefully the time is right for such a series. Kevin is a sort of "everyman" and we all should be able to relate. His journey could be our journey and if anyone can break through, it's Ritter.
Tonight's episode is the fourth in the season. Viewers can get caught up with past episodes On Demand or on the ABC website, abc.com, one week after they premiere.
LONGMIRE DATE SET
That's right. Longmire finally has a return date! I put an exclamation after that because it will be exciting news to the hundreds of you who keep asking when the show is returning. OK, maybe only 15 or 20 are asking.
Season 6 is set to download on Netflix Nov. 17. The official trailer is out and it promises to be a thrill-packed season. Here's what we know.
The final season opens with a bank heist that draws Walt (Robert Taylor), Vic (Katee Sackhoff) and Ferg (Adam Bartley) into a murder investigation.
And we finally find out what happens in last season's cliffhanger that left Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Philips) staked out in the desert. Will they get to him in time?
And how about Walt and Vic? Will those two crazy kids make a go of it. Let's hope so, because Vic is with child and has said it's none of Walt's business. Ouch.
Walt and crew will be around for 10 episodes to wrap everything up, then everyone rides off into the sunset.
The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:
mstorey@arkansasonline.com
Style on 10/24/2017