Apres this show, la deluge

The real action starts this week, with a whole pile of shows premiering.  So before they come crashing in, the last review of the previous week's premieres:

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, new.  Single-camera sitcom.)

Premise:  Tales from a department of idiosyncratic, but ultimately competent, Brooklyn police officers.

Promise:  This show is obviously a star vehicle for Andy Samberg, and suffers somewhat for that; whereas Tina Fey and Amy Poehler fit right in among their respective ensemble casts, Samberg’s character has a significantly larger personality than his castmates’.  Since his character is (intentionally) kind of annoying, it unbalances the show and makes us wish for more time with the others. That said, the show has a promising mix of comedy and heart, as the characters (much like their cousins on 30 Rock and Parks & Rec) generally bumble well-meaningly into doing the right thing.  It offered a few solid chortles, which is more than I get from most sitcoms. Overall, I enjoyed the pilot, and think there's a meaningful chance that the show will find its balance.

Verdict: Promising, if the show can find a way to balance its attention more broadly.  I like its chances.

On the DVR -- or more accurately, arriving there tonight:  Mom, The Blacklist, Hostages.