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“The
Handler,” CBS, Fridays at 10 p.m.
Telltale quote: “Never make a move without
talking to your handler first.”
Overview: Just when television was reaching
its saturation level of shows about government agencies, CBS brings
us “The Handler,” which follows undercover FBI officers and
their trainer. Not since “Hunter” has TV led us behind the
curtain of so much undercover work.
Joe Pantoliano, fresh off his Emmy win for his work on
“The Sopranos,” plays Joe Renato, an FBI agent who trains and
supervises deep undercover agents. He is joined by Lily (Anna
Belknap)
and Darnell (Hill Harper), who look to Joe for assignments and
guidance, in everything from panhandling and prostitution to drug
rings and mobsters.
In the first episode,
Pantoliano trains rookie Lily, priming her for her first big
assignment. Meanwhile, another colleague is torn between his real
life -- with kids and a wife – and his “undercover” life
working with the Russian mob. The show is well edited and well
timed, precisely balancing some resolution at the end of the episode
and with enough ongoing drama to sustain audience interest in the
series.
Verdict:
Pantoliano brings an edgy authority to his character that meshes
perfectly with
his role as teacher and instigator. CBS has a potential hit on its
hands, but it’s unclear whether audiences will be able to find it
in the 10 p.m. hour. Since NBC moved “Boomtown” into the same
timeslot, audiences will likely be split over the decision, but with
any luck, Pantoliano’s success on “The Sopranos” and his
recent Emmy win will create a stir for the new series.
By John Rash
“The
Handler,” CBS, Fridays at 10 p.m.
"The
Handler" should manhandle this time period on the strength of
one man, lead actor Joe Pantoliano, who was just handed his first
Emmy Award. This “Sopranos” scene-stealer has emerged as a
riveting actor, making “The Handler” one of the season's best
new programs. Indeed, the intimate insight of the acting skills
needed to play an undercover cop -- in real life and by extension on
TV -- elevate “The Handler” above most cops 'n robbers dramas.
This may make it tough for viewers, because in a rare
Friday night embarrassment of riches, “The Handler” runs against
one of last year's best new dramas, NBC's innovative, elliptical
“Boomtown.” Those who can handle TiVo should watch both, as both
should awe audiences with how good TV can be, given the right script
(“Boomtown”) and the right star (“The Handler”).
For
past Media Life reviews of the new fall shows, click below.
NBC's
"Coupling"
CBS's "Brotherhood of
Poland, N.H."
CBS's
"Navy NCIS"
ABC's
"I'm With Her"
WB's
"One Tree Hill"
NBC's
"Las Vegas"
CBS's
"Two and a Half Men"
WB's
"Like Family"
Fox's
"Luis"
ABC's
"Threat Matrix"
UPN's "All of
Us," "Rock Me Baby"
UPN's
"Eve"
WB's
"All About the Andersons"
WB's "Steve
Harvey's Big Time"
WB's "Run of the House"
UPN's "The Mullets"
UPN's "Jake
2.0"
NBC's "Whoopi"
NBC's "Happy Family"
A.J. Livsey's fall
season overview
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