ABC's No Ordinary Family

[doctorD]

Another trailer for another new superhero type tv show staring Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mDuk...layer_embedded

[WyldeMan45]

This was one of my most forward looked to pilots on the fall because of Chiklis and Benz. It's not quite what I was expecting, but I will definitely give it 3 episodes to make up my mind, it was pretty hard to tell based on that 3:00 trailer. I just enjoy the hell out of Michael's performances so more than likely I'll stay with the show as long as it's on.

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

This was one of my most forward looked to pilots on the fall because of Chiklis and Benz. It's not quite what I was expecting, but I will definitely give it 3 episodes to make up my mind, it was pretty hard to tell based on that 3:00 trailer. I just enjoy the hell out of Michael's performances so more than likely I'll stay with the show as long as it's on.

I hear you...I feel the same way!

[mredman]

yeah and Julie Benz is hot as hell. So that might help the show

[detective392]

This looks really good can't wait for the premiere. Love the cast of the show and it looks to be a serious/comedy type show.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by detective392

This looks really good can't wait for the premiere. Love the cast of the show and it looks to be a serious/comedy type show.

I just want to see two things, Chiklis kickin' ass, and Benz lookin like the holy grail of hot.

[WyldeMan45]

Tate Donovan and Christina Chang exit 'No Ordinary Family'

ABC’s superhero-themed series No Ordinary Family is undergoing some routine post-pilot retooling.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Family regulars Tate Donovan (Damages) and Christina Chang (CSI: Miami) are leaving the Greg Berlanti-produced drama.

“It was strictly a storyline-related decision,” maintains a Family source, adding that producers hope to bring both actors back on a guest-star basis, their schedules permitting.

Chang played a cop who worked alongside Michael Chiklis’ character, while Donovan — who was barely seen in the first episode — played a mysterious pilot.

[hardtosayx]

They left before the show even started? I'll check it out even though it's not my type of show.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by hardtosayx

They left before the show even started? I'll check it out even though it's not my type of show.

Typical retooling stuff, though based on the promo Chang seemed to be a big part of Chiklis' work career, though I won't miss Donavan as I've just never been a fan of his. Just be glad they figured out what didn't work now, so they didn't have two bad characters that weren't working stuck on the show until they where killed off. I'd much rather them use this time to make the show awesome, than just ok. Not to mention Chiklis and Benz? Come on!!!!!!! Legendary!

[hardtosayx]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Typical retooling stuff, though based on the promo Chang seemed to be a big part of Chiklis' work career, though I won't miss Donavan as I've just never been a fan of his. Just be glad they figured out what didn't work now, so they didn't have two bad characters that weren't working stuck on the show until they where killed off. I'd much rather them use this time to make the show awesome, than just ok. Not to mention Chiklis and Benz? Come on!!!!!!! Legendary!

That's true. I hate when they have characters that just don't work anymore but can't find a way to get rid of them. Or they just keep reappearing when you think they're gone. That happened with Katherine Heigl in Grey's Anatomy. She wanted to leave and they wouldn't let her. Then they were hinting she was leaving then she did, but appeared randomly then was gone for good, never really finishing what was going on in the show.

I've actually never seen anything Chiklis was in, at least that I can remember.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by hardtosayx

I've actually never seen anything Chiklis was in, at least that I can remember.

Oh man after 7 seasons as the lead of the BRILLIANT cop show The Shield, I will watch anything Chiklis does.

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

Typical retooling stuff, though based on the promo Chang seemed to be a big part of Chiklis' work career, though I won't miss Donavan as I've just never been a fan of his. Just be glad they figured out what didn't work now, so they didn't have two bad characters that weren't working stuck on the show until they where killed off. I'd much rather them use this time to make the show awesome, than just ok. Not to mention Chiklis and Benz? Come on!!!!!!! Legendary!

I have to agree with you on Donavan. I feel meh on his exiting. And I don't even know who the lady is.

[WyldeMan45]

Collins upped to series regular

Stephen Collins (“7th Heaven”) has been upped to series regular on the ABC dramedy “No Ordinary Family” opposite Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz.

The series is about a family who gain supernatural powers after surviving a plane crash. Collins plays Benz’s boss.

Collins recent credits include roles on "Private Practice” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

[WyldeMan45]

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s focus being ABC’s NO ORDINARY FAMILY.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Elevator Pitch: If The Incredibles had an origin story, this would be it.

The Plot: The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding. During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something’s not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers. But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them.

The Snap Judgement: Worried that ordinary people discovering they have extraordinary abilities sounds somewhat eerily reminiscent of that recently canceled NBC series on the same subject? Well, don’t be. Because what could have very easily come off as a HEROES retread is anything but thanks in no small part to some fantastic performances by Powell parents Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz (both of whom, spoiler alert, inexplicably seem to get better with age!), their very non-Hollywood TV offspring (Played by Jimmy Bennett and Kay Panabaker), and of course ABC’s not-so-secret weapon that is executive producer Greg Brelanti. Indeed, the man behind such TV Addict favorites like EVERWOOD, JACK & BOBBY, and ELI STONE is back. What’s more, he is firing on all cylinders. Grounding a somewhat far-fetched concept (Julie Benz is The Flash!) with enough genuinely believable family drama (Evidently, Panabaker’s daughter Daphne went to the Ephram Brown school of “Family Confrontations”) and light-hearted moments (Remarks an understandably disappointed JJ when his powers fail to manifest themselves, “Oh talking about your new cool powers? Well keep me updated on the costume design.”) that we’re confident that no ordinary family is destined to become no ordinary drama.

The Verdict: Superpowers, THE OC’s Autumn Reeser in a supporting role and a surprise appearance by one of our favorite EVERWOOD alumni that we have yet to mention! Do you really have to ask?

[WyldeMan45]

First look: 'No Ordinary Family' plus full trailer

Reading Kurt Sutter going off about the origination of "Sons of Anarchy" reminds me of a couple conversations I've recently had about ABC's fall superhero family drama "No Ordinary Family."

Sutter makes the point that many people have pitched a biker drama, that the idea is hardly new.

"Isn't 'No Ordinary Family' just a rip off of 'The Incredibles'?" an interviewer asked during the upfronts.

I replied, sure, it's the same idea, but this is TV. Most crime shows knock off dozens of other crime shows. For a TV series to only have one obvious influence, instead of legions, actually makes ABC's new show pretty unique on the dial.

The second conversation was with a talent agent who said something to the effect of, "I get pitched 'Superhero Family' about 40 times every year."

Many have tried to do "No Ordinary Family" before, in other words, but this is the first time somebody has actually pulled it off.

Industry insiders, by and large, seem to like the "No Ordinary Family" pilot. I was looking for one of the other 40 potential versions. When I heard about the show, I expected a drama. "No Ordinary Family" best resembles a comedy. It's bright and sunny with bouncy music, jokey dialogue and the lead characters (played by Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz) giving on-camera confessionals.

It's aiming to be like "Modern Family" with supernatural powers. But when fighting crime is played this softly, it's tough to take the action seriously. Come to think of it, "The Incredibles" was often pretty grim by comparison.

The pacing of "Family" is breakneck. Like "V" last year, it's as if somebody felt tremendous urgency to get all the setup out of the way and reach the eternal second act, where most broadcast dramas tend to live. In two minutes, we've met every member of the family, they've debated whether to take a vacation, have a boarded a plane and are on their way into severe life-threatening weather that will change their lives forever. In the "Lost" pilot, it took Jack two minutes just to stand up and jog out of the bamboo field.

I did like the teen daughter's storyline -- being able to read minds in high school presents a lot of possibilities. Overall, though, the group feels like an ordinary family -- an ordinary TV comedy family -- even if they can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

[Hendricks4333]

Ill give this a try for sure. All the new summer shows cant be bad... can they?

[Mr_Bester]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Ill give this a try for sure. All the new summer shows cant be bad... can they?

This one isn't a summer show, it's a big deal fall premiere...

[Jacques]

Looks like a pretty cool show, I will watch it.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bester

This one isn't a summer show, it's a big deal fall premiere...

Yup, it's one of the highest rated pilots of the fall season. They are really hoping this is a big hit for the network. Definitely not a summer show.

[Batman1980]

Count me in too, at this rate I may end up watching more shows on ABC than any other channel.