Fall TV Preview: The Defenders' Chemistry Is Winning

Get our reviewer's take on CBS' new legal dramedy: Should you watch or pass?

It's another new legal drama! But this one has Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi on board, in a pretty solid TV pairing you might want to check out...

The Defenders (CBS)

Premieres: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 9-10 p.m.
Time-Slot Competition: Law and Order: Los Angeles, The Whole Truth
Cast: Jerry O'Connell, Jim Belushi, Jurnee Smollett, Gillian Vigman, Tanya Fischer
Status: We've seen the pilot episode.

The Defenders revolves around Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi, who are (surprise, surprise) defense attorneys in Las Vegas. Jerry plays Pete Kaczmarek, the smooth-talking playboy. And as the yin to his yang, Jim is Nick Morelli, a passionate, seasoned lawyer whom Pete is constantly telling to "be bold."

We love Jerry as the cute and sarcastic character, and his chemistry with Jim glides smoothly from scene to scene. The show's purpose is to focus more on the lawyers' families and personal lives, but the pilot only does it in passing in an effort to keep POV on the trial. The main case is a bit slow-going and as standard as they come, but Jim and Jerry do their part to perk it up a bit. Someone to keep an eye on? Tanya Fischer as Sophie, the fun (albeit a wee bit dumb) assistant. She's a great secondary character that we'd like to see more of.

Verdict: DVR. Love the Jerry O'Connell-Jim Belushi dynamic, but it still needs time and room to wiggle into its niche.

Poll

Fall TV Preview 2010: The Defenders

The Defenders

Watch

Watch

21.2%

DVR

DVR

37.8%

Pass

Pass

41%

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