Where's the Originality?

Ok, in this summer of movie sequel hell I'm begging for just a small shred of originality.

A colleague and I were looking at the summer TV schedule and couldn't help but immediately identify half of the "new" shows as copies.

Let's see if you come to the same conclusion.

First the obvious ones.

Flash Gordon - new show, really old idea, circa 1934

Age of Love - Yes, they really continue to make this crap.

On the Lot - Hmmm, Project Greenlight perhaps?

Hidden Palms - Aren't there already a Gazillion teen drama shows?


Now the following are a little tougher but if you think hard enough I would bet you'll remember where you saw them before.

Traveler -
Now, hunted by the F.B.I. as domestic terrorists, the friends must rely on each other to elude capture, while trying desperately to prove their innocence by answering two questions -- Who is Will Traveler? Why did he do this to them? Jay and Tyler search for clues both in the present and the past, and slowly unravel a conspiracy that involves their friends and family members and calls into question the very nature of American democracy.

Psych -
Shawn Spencer happens to possess some uncanny powers of observation; his police officer father, Henry, taught his son to remember even the smallest details of his surroundings. So when Shawn is accused of committing a crime that he actually solved, he convinces the cops that he's a psychic -- and with the reluctant help of best friend Gus, Shawn starts solving cases for a skeptical but increasingly impressed police force.

Burn Notice -
While on assignment, agent Michael Westen gets a "Burn Notice" and becomes untouchable. Having no idea what or who triggered his demise, Michael returns to his hometown, Miami, determined to find out the reason for his sudden termination. Unable to utilize his normal contacts and needing to stay under the spy network radar, he puts his Special Ops training to use to help those who the police can't or won't, in order to fund his ongoing personal investigation.

Honorable mention for
Pirate Master & Shaq's Big Challenge, too pathetic for me to even provide links.

Ok, I understand that basic marketing is to find a good idea and stick to it, but it bores me to tears to watch this same crap over and over again.

The last two original shows I got excited about, Firefly and Invasion, were both canceled in their first seasons.

If Imitation really is the sincerest form of Flattery then a lot of people should be saying "thanks for the compliments"

Excuse me while I go watch Underworld Revolutions again. It may not be original but at least it has Kate Beckinsale in it.