CBS Shows Coming This Fall

Now that we have taken a look at some of the new NBC and ABC shows, it makes sense to see what CBS is cooking up.  Two shows in particular interest me because they have that interesting twist that could either save the program or make it lame real quick (even though they are the typical doctor and cop types):

-- A Gifted Man:  First, I am amazed they could get Patrick Wilson, such a gifted actor, to take the lead in a TV series.  Wilson plays a surgeon (no surprise yet) who can see the dead (okay, still no surprises).  This Ghost-like story where the dead spouse communicates with the living spouse is not necessarily new, but I am willing to tune in and see how it goes.  I am also interested in seeing how Margo Martindale does as the surgeon's assistant.  Martindale was fascinating as a backwoods mother protecting her brood in the second season of FX's Justified, so we know what she can do with a new role when given a chance.  Here is the basic storyline per 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.

-- Unforgettable:  In this another story partially dwelling on a past death, but in this case its a police consultant trying to solve her sister's death while also serving as a super crime-fighter. The scenes for this series do not give too much away, though the star starts with a Rain Man-like performance involving viagra - do I have your attention yet?  Here again is the hard sell from CBS:

UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder. Carrie has tried to put her past behind her, but she's unexpectedly reunited with her ex-boyfriend and partner, NYPD Detective Al Burns (Dylan Walsh), when she consults on a homicide case. His squad includes Det. Mike Costello (Michael Gaston), Al's right-hand man; Detective Roe Saunders (Kevin Rankin), the junior member of the team; and Detective Nina Inara (Daya Vaidya), a sassy, street-smart cop. Being back on the job after a break feels surprisingly right for Carrie. Despite her conflicted feelings for Al, she decides to permanently join his unit as a detective solving homicides - most notably, the unsolved murder of her sister. All she needs to do is remember.

I am placing my bets on Patrick Wilson, but the critics may see things differently.