Upfronts 2012: Watch previews of ‘Revolution’ and ‘Chicago Fire’
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NBC presented its new shows on Monday at its upfront presentation, and perhaps the largest scaled project is ‘Revolution,’ written by ‘Supernatural’s’ Eric Kripke with Jon Favreau directing the pilot. But based on the trailer, this project has producer J.J. Abrams’ fingerprints all over it.
Set in a world 15 years after all forms of power have ceased to work, survivors battle each other over all the things survivors in post-apocalyptic worlds usually battle each other over. Adding to the anxiety factor is the casting of ‘Breaking Bad’ baddie Giancarlo Esposito (formerly known as ‘Gus’ Fring) as the series villain.
But back to the Abrams influence. It’s all right there in the trailer: the crashing airplane, the early ‘80s computer interface (remember the numbers in ‘Lost?’) and the unexplained events occurring in the background (just why exactly did power go out? First season finale, perhaps?)
Billy Burke (from the ‘Twilight’ series) gets to show off his prowess with a katana blade and Australian actresss Anna Lise Phillips looks very ‘Hunger Games’ with her crossbow action. Archery enthusiasts should have a lot to cheer about with this one.
‘Revolution’ will air Mondays at 10 p.m.
‘Law & Order’ chief Dick Wolf is conjuring the spirit of Ron Howard’s firefighter drama ‘Backdraft’ with his new series, ‘Chicago Fire,’ which promises all the fires, feuds and fornicating of the best evening soaps.
The men and women of a Chicago firehouse are picking up the pieces following the death of one of their own and it seems two of the firehouse’s members are now nearly at each other’s throats. Meanwhile, there’s the new guy in the house trying to figure things out. Of course, there are lots of shirtless firefighter guys (at least one of whom will no doubt make it on People magazine’s most sexy list next year, just you wait).
Amazingly, even Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel seems to have a cameo in the show.
Charlie Barnett, Merle Dandridge, David Eigenberg, Lauren German, Teri Kinney, Jesse Spencer and Eamonn Walker star. The show will air Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
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-- Patrick Kevin Day
Photo: The cast of ‘Revolution.’ Credit: NBC.
