Folks, we are once again in a t.v. limbo. This happens in cycles where the traditional ideas dry up and executives then consider unusual concepts, at least at NBC Universal. This happens once or twice in each decade. The result is that, sometimes we see interesting concepts spring forth from this cycle, while others are flaky or just weird.

First off, the $10 Million pilot titled Mockingbird Lane, which is reported to be a dramatic reinvention of the 60's social comedy, "The Munsters". NBC then nixed the series idea, but will be airing the pilot tonight (Oct. 26) at 8 P.M. E.S.T., just in time for Halloween.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2130271/combined

And while looking into this show at imdb, I stumbled across the news that NBC is also planning a series based on the exploits of Dr. Hannibal Lecter and his associations with F.B.I. agent Wil Graham, as a prequel:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2243973/combined

Both projects are being written by Brian Fuller (Pushing Daisies) while "Mockingbird Lane" was directed by Brian Singer. 13 episodes of Hannibal have been written by Thomas Harris.

I can see potential in a more serious "Munsters", perhaps because a darker comedy often cannot be openly touted as "a comedy" on broadcast t.v. And I am concerned about the quality of "Hannibal".

I liked Dr. Lecter. Thoughts?

Munsters looks shitty but you can already tell that they are going to kill the show by casting Jerry Oconnell in it. With the exception of sliders, he kills every show hes in

Reading the second part of the title made me think that our fellow moderator was getting his own show.

And yes. It was a Seriously dark and gory comedy and I really enjoyed it.
Not a tired procedural.

...Dr. Lecter got a show?

I'll be cancelled after ten episodes, I fear.

Which only indicates that the show is That Good,

else, it's "The Curse of Bryan Fuller" as told by many.

Also with the exception of My Secret Identity.

Mockingbird Lane was one of the most ambitious pilots I've seen in a while. Maybe over-ambitious... I liked it in a weird way, but it was all over the map.

No one will ever accuse Bryan Fuller of not having a visuals-centric mind. The style certainly works for the setting. Too bad they couldn't decide if it should be a light-hearted remake of the 60s series or a dark, morbid retelling with very few similarities. It tried so hard to not be The Munsters, but then goes right to work on re-creating it in little ways.