Because we knew that Remote Ben was going to be typing up his notes on the Life on Mars premiere, we decided to stick around after CSI -- surprisingly good, btw, and not just for Warrick's strange and sad death scene -- and check out Eleventh Hour, Jerry Bruckheimer's gloss on the paranormal. Blecch, we say, and blecch again. Which do you like better? "Numb3rs + X(files) = Zero" or "CSI-Fi"? We went with option three for our headline, which is less funny perhaps, but ultimately got at the heart of our feelings. Particularly after we switched channels and caught the last few seconds of Life on Mars. Brilliant closing shot, guys. We'll definitely be catching the whole show on our DVR's this weekend.
So who will win in the ratings battle? Hard to say. We think they both could survive, actually, though Life on Mars might be the first to get reschedules if it's a draw or worse for them. As for Eleventh Hour, well, CBS is doing really well with Buckheimer-type stuff right now, so our bet is it'll get big numbers and be around for at least five years. Because Bruckheimer ain't just interested in a show that does well now; he wants something that TNT will buy in five years, and nets all over the world will buy today.
Well, good on Rufus Sewell, who's an actor we love and deserves a steady paycheck. And Marley Shelton, well, we'll always have Grindhouse.