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Vic Mackey's
dilemma: Life closing in


This is the final season for FX's 'The Shield'

Sep 2, 2008

Can Vic Mackey get away with it?

That’s essentially the question as the final season of FX’s “The Shield” opens tonight at 10 p.m.

Mackey, of course, is the crooked cop and protagonist of the show, which is now in its seventh season. This year Vic is trying to keep his spot on the squad while avoiding a murderous Armenian criminal ring that wants to wipe him and his family out at the same time that he's facing off with the Mexican drug cartels taking hold of his town, Farmington.

Mackey also has to deal with uneasy colleagues on his Strike Team and family problems that he can’t give his full attention to. Like Tony Soprano before him, Mackey is a man on the edge. The question, as with Soprano, is whether he’ll escape alive from the series finale later this year.

“Shield’s” final chapter also marks the end of the first era of great original programming on basic cable. Mackey’s portrayer, Michael Chiklis, became the first actor on a basic cable show to win a best actor award at the Emmys.

The edginess, sharp writing and strong acting on “Shield” set a high standard for cable dramas, one that has been continued with shows like TNT’s “The Closer,” AMC’s “Mad Men” and FX’s own “Damages,” which wooed Glenn Close for the lead role only after her spectacular one-season turn on “Shield” a couple years earlier.

The question now for FX is whether the network can keep up its momentum without one of its strongest shows. “Shield” remains a top cable show among adults 18-49 and, with good reviews for its final season, could even grow a bit as the finale approaches.

But the network has not managed to launch a new hit in several years.

“Damages’” numbers slipped throughout its first season, and “Dirt” and “The Riches” turned in disappointing second years. The network is hoping that “Sons of Anarchy,” a new drama about a gang of bikers, will get a strong start tomorrow with heavy promotion on “Shield” tonight. 

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Leona Lewis performs.

8 p.m.

NBC

“America’s Got Talent” (R)

Ten more of the season’s top 40 perform.

8 p.m.

CW

“90210” (D)

Series premiere. It’s been hyped, but will people watch?

9 p.m.

ESPN

“World Series of Poker” (S)

Coverage of the main event of this year’s tournament.

9 p.m.

MTV

“Making the Band” (R)

Brian gets heat for his dance skills, or lack thereof.

10 p.m.

ABC, CBS, NBC, cable news networks

“Republican National Convention” (N)

Among the scheduled speakers tonight is Rudy Giuliani, though the hurricanes could change that.

10 p.m.

FX

“The Shield” (D)

Season premiere. Vic deals with threats against his family as the final season kicks off.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Among other things, an interview with Dr. Phil.

7 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

The fading Yankees take on the Rays.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Bones” (D)

Season premiere. The crew gets caught up in a murder investigation in London.

8 p.m.

CW

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)

Season premiere. This year’s crop includes a transgender model.

10 p.m.

ABC, CBS, NBC, cable news networks

“Republican National Convention” (N)

Cindy McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin are scheduled to speak, but again it depends on the hurricanes.

10 p.m.

Bravo

“Top Design” (R)

Season premiere. Thirteen wannabe designers deal with annoying clients.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

ABC

“Good Morning America” (N)

Rachael Ray is among the guests.

7 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Football” (S)

The Redskins take on the Giants to kick off the NFL season.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Kitchen Nightmares” (R)

Season premiere. Ramsay’s other show should have a decent season, but could struggle tonight against football.

8:30 p.m. p.m.

ESPN

“College Football” (S)

South Carolina takes on Vanderbilt in an SEC matchup.

10 p.m.

ABC, CBS, NBC, cable news networks

“Republican National Convention” (N)

Sen. John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for president.

10 p.m.

Showtime

“Russell Peters: Red, White and Brown” (C)

The comedian delivers a standup performance.

10 p.m.

MTV

“Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew” (R)

A dance-off special.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

ESPN Classic

“Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” (S)

Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon are among the inductees.

8 p.m.

CBS, NBC, ABC

“Stand Up to Cancer” (A)

A cross-network fundraiser featuring a host of celebrities.

9 p.m.

NBC

“NFL Opening Kickoff 2008” (A)

Musical performers include Keith Urban and Usher.

9 p.m.

USA

“Monk” (D)

Monk solves his 100th murder case.

10 p.m.

CBS

“Swingtown” (D)

Season finale. Tom and Trina host a clambake and key party.

10 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

A big NL West game between the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Time

Network

Program

Description

3:30 p.m.

NBC

“College Football” (S)

San Diego State takes on Notre Dame for the first time in its history.

3:30 p.m.

Fox

“Major League Baseball” (S)

Today we have Twins-Tigers, Mets-Phillies or Dodgers-Diamondbacks.

7:30 p.m.

ABC

“NASCAR Racing” (S)

The Chevy Rock & Roll 500 in Richmond.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Tennis” (S)

The women’s final at the U.S. Open.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Season premiere. Cops in Broward County, Fla., open the 21st season.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“College Football” (S)

Miami takes on Florida in Gainesville.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Time

Network

Program

Description

4 p.m.

CBS

“Tennis” (S)

The U.S. Open men’s final.

8 p.m.

CBS

“Big Brother” (R)

Nominations for next week’s eviction are revealed.

8:15 p.m.

NBC

“Sunday Night Football” (S)

The Bears and Colts in the season opener for both.

9 p.m.

ABC

“America United: In Support of Our Troops” (A)

A range of performers pay tribute to American soldiers.

9 p.m.

History

“Ice Road Truckers” (R)

Season finale. High and Eric challenge each other in a personal race.

9 p.m.

MTV

“MTV Video Music Awards” (A)

Russell Brand hosts the 25th annual event.

10 p.m.

AMC

“Mad Men” (D)

Don buys a car to reflect his executive status.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.

 



Diego Vasquez is a staff writer for Media Life.