While awful shows like Happy Hour, Celebrity Duets and Nanny 911 plague network TV this fall, one stands above the rest and might actually bring entertaining television back to the small screen.
James Woods plays Sebastian Shark, an ill-mannered, hot-shot, egotistical lawyer in the new CBS series “Shark.” After a change of heart, Shark goes from sleazy defense attorney to sleazy assistant district attorney. Shark’s new boss is now his former nemesis, district attorney Jessica Devlin (Jeri Ryan, Boston Public, Star Trek: Voyager). Shark now leads the legal-equivalent of a SWAT team, manning a team of lawyers to prosecute the highest profile legal cases in Los Angeles.
The witty banter between the snide and egotistical Shark and equally ambitious Devlin is quite enjoyable. “Shark” has actual direction, which is supported by strong writing. The only thing bringing the show down is the acting of some of the minor supporting roles. Most of the actors on Shark’s crack team come from daytime television, which, needless to say, isn’t good. Adding to the mayhem is a subplot about Shark’s ex-wife and his 16-year-old daughter. At some points this subplot is actually heartwarming, but at other points it looks like a scene from the Disney channel.
Okay, Shark’s lackeys need some acting lessons, and some sappy scenes with his daughter pull away from the quality of the show, but “Shark” is better than most shows out there. Drama isn’t difficult to do but most manage to screw it up with unbelievable plots, horrible acting or bad writing; in these areas “Shark” is a cut above.
A quote from the series premier last week demonstrates the show’s lure: “Yes! I’m brilliant . . . but humble.”
Without Woods; however, “Shark” would likely fall into the graveyard of canceled shows. His big screen expertise and brilliant delivery capture the exact essence Shark needs to have: brilliant but arrogant – smart but snide. These are qualities that make “Shark” one of the best new shows of the season.
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