Although CBS fares a little better in the geek spectrum of tv scheduling than ABC does – CBS has The Big Bang Theory and A Person of Interest – like ABC, CBS also has only one show on its fall lineup that actually falls into the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genre, and A Gifted Man is it. It will premiere on the exceedingly popular Friday, September 23, though fortunately this one is at 8/7c.
Here’s a quick behind-the-scenes look at the show:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp-HtJXOVLU[/youtube]
Hey, that was Julie Benz (No Ordinary Family, Angel)! And here’s the synopsis from CBS:
A GIFTED MAN is a drama about a brilliant, charismatic surgeon whose life changes forever when his deceased ex-wife begins teaching him the meaning of life from the “hereafter.” Michael Holt (Patrick Wilson) is an exceptional doctor who lives a materialistic life of luxury thanks to his work-obsessed career and powerful and wealthy patients; however, Michael’s ordered world is rocked when his ex-wife, Anna (Jennifer Ehle), an idealistic free-clinic doctor and the love of his life, mysteriously appears to him. Michael’s off-beat sister, Christina (Julie Benz), a single mom to her teenaged son, Milo (Liam Aiken), is thrilled that Anna’s back in her brother’s life, even as an “illusion,” because Michael was always a better person with her. Curious about Michael’s sudden change in behavior is his efficient assistant, Rita (Margo Martindale). When Anna asks Michael to go to her clinic to help keep it running, he meets Autumn (Afton Williamson), a volunteer carrying on Anna’s work with the underprivileged. Touched by those in need and accepting of Anna’s compassionate “presence,” Michael’s attitude toward serving the rich and poor is turned upside down, and he begins to see that there’s room in his life for everyone. Academy Award nominee Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich”), Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme (“The Silence of the Lambs”), Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Neal Baer (“ER”) are executive producers for CBS Television Studios.
Okay, it might be a little too… romantic?… for a lot of sci-fi viewers (please don’t tell those people that the woman who plays the spirit was the same woman who played Elizabeth Bennet in the Pride and Prejudice A&E miniseries) but Jonathan Demme did use the term “supernatural” so it qualifies. We’ll see.
Here’s the latest update, then, for the Primetime Fall 2011 Sci-Fi TV Schedule:
Thursday, September 15 – 8/7c The Vampire Diaries, The CW
Thursday, September 15 – 9/8c The Secret Circle, The CW
Friday, 9/23 – 8/7c A Gifted Man, CBS
Friday, 9/23 – 9/8c Fringe, FOX
Friday, 9/23 – 9/8c Supernatural, The CW
Monday, 9/26 – 8/7c Terra Nova, FOX
Sunday, 10/23 – 8/7c Once Upon a Time, ABC
We’re still waiting on AMC and the premiere date for The Walking Dead, as well as anything TNT, FX, and/or HBO would like to toss our way. OH and of course the NBC Universal family…
A Gifted Man premieres Friday, September 23 at 8/7c on CBS.
