Fall TV Preview: Lone Star Is Pulling One Over On Us

Get our take on Fox's Lone Star: Should you watch or pass?

By Drusilla Moorhouse Sep 07, 2010 6:56 PMTags
Lone Star, James Wolk, Jon VoightBill Matlock/FOX

Lone Star (Fox)

Premieres: Monday, Sept. 20, 9 p.m.
Time-Slot Competition: Gossip Girl (CW), The Event (NBC), Two and a Half Men (CBS), Mike & Molly (CBS)
Cast: James Wolk, Adrianne Palicki, Eloise Mumford, David Keith, Bryce Johnson, Mark Deklin, Jon Voight
Status: We've seen the pilot episode.

Should you watch Lone Star? Read on...

Oh, Lone Star, we just don't know what to make of you!

This wildly unique and sexy series is also wildly implausible—asking a lot of its audience in this era of social networking. Texas con man Robert Allen (James Wolk) is leading a secret double life, with a wife and live-in girlfriend separated by only 400 miles. He loves both, but he also has a conscience and wants out of the game—which infuriates his crooked father (Keith).

Fans of Friday Night Lights might be sucked in by Jimmy Wolk's uncanny resemblance to Kyle Chandler (hint: This newcomer is not hard to look at!)—plus Adrianne Palicki costars as his wife, and it's set (and filmed) in Texas. Plus, the series is flawlessly shot and looks gorgeous.

But can viewers really root for a man who insists he is truly in love with two women--and will keep them both at any cost (to the women)? If anyone can sell the idea, it's James Wolk, whose off-the-charts charisma and swoon-worthy smile leads you to believe he truly wants to do the right thing...Even if he's forcing the women he "loves" to live a lie.

One thing that's certain: When James squares off with Jon Voight, his oil-tycoon father-in-law (and boss), you could cut the tension with a Texas steak knife--and it makes for some truly top-notch television.

Verdict: DVR it. What can we say? We're suckers for charming con men. (The name Sawyer ring a bell?) And with the right touch, this show could end up being a success. You know, if viewers have enough love to spread around...

Poll

Fall TV Preview 2010: Lone Star

Lone Star?
Watch
32.4%
DVR
35%
Pass
32.6%

What's your take on Lone Star? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don't miss our reviews of Fox's other new shows: Raising Hope and Running Wilde.

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Click through E! Online's Fall TV Preview photo gallery, check out all our reviews for this season's new shows, and be sure to bookmark our calendar of premiere dates!