A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

OR AT LEAST THE SUBSET OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT HAS NIELSEN BOXES HOOKED TO THEIR TV'S: So, based on last night's ratings, we can state there are things that the American public does and does not like.

• Does like--Third tier celebrities dancing, things exploding in Hawaii, being told that something is imminent and important, but not being told what exactly it is, Chuck Lorre comedies.
  
• Does not like--morally ambiguous con men backed by indie folk-rock, overly attractive U.S. Marshals running around.
  

For what it's worth, I really admired the craft and performances of Lone Star, but can see how it might not be a big hit--it's very morose and indie-film/cable-y--I'll watch the few episodes before Fox pulls it and replaces with whatever else it's got in the queue or dumps it off to FX. It's also not terribly compatible with House, or at least what that show has become as it's abandoned making House a morally ambiguous protagonist. I do hope Fox does have the decency to formally let the creators know that the show's toast so they can bring things to a satisfying conclusion.

On the other hand, Hawaii Five-0, I get completely why it's a success--completely in CBS's wheelhouse, and 3 of the 4 principals are likable and funny--in particular, it's nice to see Daniel Dae Kim getting to be lighthearted and verbal rather than morose and silent. Like NCIS: LA, it's a success in spite of something of a charisma vacuum in the lead. Not as much fun as Castle is, but a solid procedural, and as the cast and writers finds the show's rhythm, I expect the show will only get better, as NCIS: LA did over the course of its first year.