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It's a tension-fraught nail biter involving shadowy forces, an assassination plot and close attention to timing. That describes not just 24 (Fox, Tuesdays, 9 p.m. E.T., debuts Oct. 30) but also the network skulduggery this ambitious, stylish thriller has engendered. In the series, CIA agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) tries to defuse crises professional (a shooter is planning to kill an African-American presidential candidate) and personal (his rebellious daughter has run away). The twist: the entire season is devoted to a single day's events, each hour-long episode unfolding in real time (allowing, of course, 16 minutes or so for commercials). Rival networks, fearing a juggernaut, have threatened to air stunt programming against 24's debut to snuff it before fans get involved. But if viewers sample the smart, expertly filmed pilot, which interweaves its stories using supercool multiscreening reminiscent of movies like Timecode, 24's would-be assassins should have as little luck as Squeaky Fromme.
Proving it's a small creative world, ABC also takes on the CIA in Alias (Sundays, 9 p.m. E.T., Sept. 30), a slick, emotional fantasy about a college woman turned spy, as does CBS in the more conventional The Agency (Thursdays, 10 p.m. E.T., Sept. 20). Beyond the spook trade, NBC revisits the medical sitcom with Scrubs (Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m. E.T., Sept. 25); the WB, the Superman saga with Smallville (Tuesdays, 9 p.m. E.T., Oct. 16); UPN, the Star Trek franchise with Enterprise (Wednesdays, 8 p.m. E.T., Sept. 26). Meanwhile, HBO launches a D-day-style invasion of the networks' fall party with the 10-part, $120 million World War II mega-miniseries Band of Brothers (Sundays, 9 p.m. E.T., Sept. 9), from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Ah, we love the smell of ratings battles in the evening.
CRITIC'S PICK
At the Head of Their Class
The funny network sitcom has become the good 5[cents] cigar of TV, apocryphal and sorely needed. All the more reason to hail Undeclared (Fox, Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m. E.T., Sept. 18), an affable, perceptive coming-of-age story from Freaks and Geeks producer Judd Apatow. As with Seinfeld, Undeclared's premise is not much of one--a group of freshmen hangs out at a fictional, mediocre California college--but the strength is in the execution. Scenes zig when you expect them to zag; the characters are drawn with heart and respect; and the casting is pitch perfect, including lead Jay Baruchel (dryly Ben Stiller-esque as recovering nerd Steven), newcomer Carla Gallo, Freaks' Seth Rogen and folk singer Loudon Wainwright. Gut busting and touching, Undeclared studies a volatile moment of young adulthood closely, and the show has its subject down cold.
ART
BIGGEST BUZZ
Putting On Her Best Face