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'V' is coming, and so is 'The Prisoner'
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Published: October 28, 2009
The hype has begun for two major TV events in November: the remakes of "V" and "The Prisoner."
At least they are major events on my TV calendar. And they look really cool in the commercials and some extended video clips available online.
"V," debuting Tuesday on ABC, is a remake of the 1980s series about alien invaders who take over Earth.
"The Prisoner," debuting Nov. 15 on AMC, is a six-hour miniseries based on the 17-episode 1967-68 British cult classic about a spy who was held captive.
•As far as the originals go, "The Prisoner" is the more esteemed. Created by and starring Patrick McGoohan, it was a perfect fit for the 1960s when James Bond was thrilling us on the big screen and there was widespread distrust of government authority.
Jim Caviezel takes on the McGoohan role as a spy who is kidnapped and taken to The Village, a "paradise" where everything is provided as long as he doesn't question authority or try to escape. He is known only as No. 6. Ian McKellen plays No. 2, the Big Brother boss of The Village who tries to break the willful No. 6.
"The Prisoner" will air in two-hour blocks over three consecutive nights.
•"V" (for "Visitors') has more nifty special effects than the 1983 miniseries that became a 1984 series. In the original, reptilian aliens disguised as humanoids took over the planet.
The remake begins with the arrival of a spaceship carrying the beguiling Anna (Morena Baccarin), the Visitor Leader. She says they come in peace. (But we know better, don't we?)
The aliens need water (and other things). In exchange, they will give Earthlings advanced medical cures and amazing technology. If the story follows the original, some will embrace them, some will be manipulated by them, and others will resist.
ABC is promoting "V" this week with a fleet of skywriting planes in 15 cities, making ominous red Vs over U.S. landmarks. Tampa is not one of the cities, but Orlando is.
FOX SHUFFLE: "Dollhouse" has been pulled from the Fox schedule for November sweeps. This sci-fi thriller is not a very good show, so it should come as no surprise.
In place of "Dollhouse" on Fridays at 9, Fox will air repeats of "Bones." This Friday, however, a repeat of the two-hour "House" season debut will begin at 8 p.m.
"House" reruns will air at 8 p.m. Fridays in November, replacing the sitcom "Brothers," which moves to 7 p.m. Sundays, and "Til Death," which goes on hiatus.
NEW FORECASTER: Sheena Parveen, a meteorologist and reporter at WCTV-TV in Tallahassee, has been hired by WTVT, Channel 13, as a forecaster for weekend morning newscasts.
The St. Petersburg native will join WTVT in late November. The retirement of veteran meteorologist Howard Shapiro on Friday resulted in the need for another meteorologist.
Replacing Shapiro on the noon Fox 13 newscast is WTVT meteorologist Jim Weber. Longtime meteorologist Andy Johnson will move from weekend morning newscasts to weekend evening newscasts.
Parveen, a graduate of Florida State University, has been appearing on WCTV as Sheena Samanipour. According to WTVT officials, she will use her middle name, Parveen, when she debuts here because it is easier to pronounce.
TUNE IN TONIGHT
World Series, at 8 on Fox
A year ago, the Tampa Bay Rays were in the series. Tonight, it's the New York Yankees against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1.
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