Buzz surrounds UPN’s ‘Kevin Hill’
One of the few new shows to get advance buzz was “Kevin Hill,” which debuts tonight at 9 on UPN.
When a UPN show actually has buzz, you know there’s something there.
Most of the buzzing is about Taye Diggs, who’s been a ladies’ favorite in movies and in a recurring role on “Ally McBeal.” Certainly it isn’t about the show’s premise, which has him as a hotshot lawyer and playboy whose lifestyle changes overnight when he inherits a 10-month-old baby girl from his dead cousin.
All together now: Awwwwww.
The fallout starts at work, where his firm gives him a hard time about “focus.” So he quits and joins a small, previously all-female outfit run by Michael Michele, who was excellent on “Homicide” and good on “ER.”
Right away he finds himself representing a woman who accuses a pro ballplayer of sexual assault.
He’s handsome, and he’s going to get sensitive, and when things get slow, he can pull out the cute baby.
Are any guys going to watch this?
Highlights
“Lost,” ABC at 8: A transponder raises hopes of rescue. But where did the handcuffs and the gun come from?
This oddball new drama did quite well in last week’s ratings; let’s see if the samplers come back for a second helping.
“60 Minutes,” CBS at 8: NASCAR phenom Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks to Mike Wallace.
“That ‘70s Show,” Fox at 8: Red offers Hyde a job at the muffler shop — and Fez gets hired as a shampoo boy at a beauty parlor. Plus, Tanya Roberts returns as Midge.
“Hawaii,” NBC at 8: Detectives Gains and Edwards track a drug dealer’s connection to an island that claims to be an independent nation growing its own cash crop — marijuana — and Gains gets left behind.
“America’s Next Top Model,” UPN at 8: New episode; no details available.
“Smallville,” WB at 8: Clark and Lois Lane investigate Chloe’s murder but are stopped by an Army officer (Michael Ironside of “Scanners”), who turns out to be Lois’ father.
“Quintuplets,” Fox at 8:30: Bob worms his way into Parker’s rock band, and they are offered the opportunity to play in the school’s battle of the bands.
“The Bachelor,” ABC at 9: The first one-on-one date includes a serenade from pop star Brandy.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS at 9: Hmmm. Late last week, CBS slotted in a rerun of this hit show (episode to be announced) instead of the planned season premiere of “King of Queens” and the debut of the new “Center of the Universe,” which is rumored to be dreadful.
“The Apprentice,” NBC at 9: The restaurant industry is tonight’s challenge, and one of the teams uses sex to its advantage. (Note Wednesday airing due to Thursday’s presidential debate.)
“The Mountain,” WB at 9: David spends the night in jail after a bar fight in Denver, then rushes home to face a crisis.
“Wife Swap,” ABC at 10: An heiress swaps places with a rural mom.
“CSI: NY,” CBS at 10: The episode title is “Creatures of the Night.”
“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: When a recently paroled gangbanger is found shot to death, the detectives follow the clues to a hard-nosed corrections officer. Candice Bergen guests as a judge.
Family Fare
“The Bernie Mac Show,” Fox at 9: Vanessa wants Wanda to take her out to practice driving, but Bernie says no, due to Wanda’s bad case of lead foot. So he takes over. A second episode follows.
Cable Cast
Baseball, ESPN at 4: Doubleheader.
“The Wire,” HBO at 9: Repeat of Sunday’s episode of the serious-minded drama about the drug war in Baltimore.
“Rescue Me,” FX at 10: Tommy continues his risky behavior.
“Choose or Lose: Sex, Votes & Higher Power,” MTV at 10:30: Christina Aguilera hosts MTV’s latest election special, this one on issues like abortion and abstinence-only sex ed. It’s not hard to guess where MTV might come down on such issues, but with the beyond-bawdy XXXtina hosting, well, yikes.