"Women's Murder Club": Move it already

I have no idea if this new TV series — debuting 9 p.m. ET Friday on ABC — bears any resemblance to the popular James Patterson crime novel series with the same name. I tried reading a couple of those books and quickly decided that I wasn't the ideal reader. (OK, what actually happened was that each time I tried plowing through a few pages, I became uncontrollably sleepy -- but the other explanation sounds better.)

Here's what I do know: ABC is foolish to keep this show on Friday nights. Sharply written, compellingly acted, this is the crime procedural ABC has needed all along, one for the “Grey's Anatomy” crowd. Instead, some scheduling genius at the network has decided that right after “Grey's” on Thursday nights, viewers should watch “Big Shots,” where misogynists sit around talking about their woman problems. That makes about as much sense as having Oprah and Gayle host the NFL postgame show. (And the viewers seem to agree.)

Angie Harmon stars in the role of Lindsay Boxer, the tough-minded, career-driven homicide cop who calls on her three friends -- coroner Claire Washburn (Paula Newsome), reporter Cindy Thomas (Aubrey Dollar) and prosecutor Jill Bernhardt (Laura Harris) -- for off-the-record chats to solve some of San Francisco's most baffling crimes. And when I say Harmon stars, I don't mean she co-stars. After toiling in leggy-sidekick purgatory on “Law & Order” she is allowed to run the show here, and she doesn't miss a chance. It's not just when she's talking, either. Unlike on “L&O,” her eyes get a chance to say a few things. Like when she gives a suspect a look that says, “You blankety-blank.” Or when she mistakenly accuses someone of murder, her eyes will say, “I am such an idiot.” Imagine if Sam Waterston were allowed that kind of range -- “L&O” might still be worth watching.

“Women's Murder Club,” as you may know from my previous stories about it, was co-written by Pembroke Hill grads Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, who have been collaborating since high school. (Before this gig, they wrote several memorable scripts of “The Shield.”) They describe their show as a “charact-ural.” In other words, they know this is color-by-numbers, and that viewers expect to see the bad guy led off in chains by the end of the hour, but they also believe viewers are tired of watching interchangeable solvebots. So every time there it reveals a break in the case, “Women's Murder Club” also reveals a crack in one of the character's armor. To keep it short, let's just say Lindsay isn't the only one here with man issues.

Even if the head writers weren't from our parts, I would still make the claim that “Women's Murder Club” belongs somewhere other than the least-watched night of TV. I'm thinking it would be nice and cozy tucked in after “Grey's Anatomy,” forming a smart ladies' night with that show and “Ugly Betty.”

I have another motive for getting “Women's Murder Club” off Fridays: It's up against “Friday Night Lights,” one of my favorite shows on TV, and one that is hanging on by the skin of its teeth. With barely 6 million viewers to its credit, “Friday Night Lights” was moved this season to a new night in the hopes (a) it would be easier to promote a show on Friday that has “Friday” in the title and (b) that by airing on a less competitive night, 6 million fans might be enough to survive.

So get moving, ABC. You owe it to the fans. Of both shows.
 


Comments

[Alex R.]

Totally agree Aaron - on your 2nd reason. I could absolutely care less about this show but it's hurting my beloved FNL. This makles "Club" the sworn enemy.

[Bob Foos]

My problem with "Women's Murder Club" is that I'm Netflixing old seasons of "Prime Suspect," and the Helen Mirren mysteries are much more compelling.

[Reandy]

I like Women's Murder club and the reason must people don't like it is because they are old fachioned and they think the men should kick butt and rule the show not the women but in this show the women have the power.So I love the show!