I Wanna Know ... Have Ya Ever Seen the 'Raines' ? .....

Once upon a time, television featured one big blowout-time-of-the-year, when networks trotted out their new offerings for our entertainment ..... with a few of the didn't-quite-make-it-in-the-fall programs showing-up in the late spring, early summer.

Fall is still a big time for the debut of new shows and new lineups ..... but not AS big ..... one reason is the plethora of cable networks that have been trotting-out THEIR new shows at times that people aren't focused on the 'Big 3' (now '4'?) .....

That strategy has affected the entire industry, with the result that now ALL the networks are premiering new shows almost year-round .....

..... such as my new favorite program, which debuted two weeks ago on NBC .....

"Raines" is a new, weekly program on NBC. According to the show's website, "eccentric LAPD Detective Michael Raines (Jeff Goldblum) uses his unique imagination to focus on every murder case in such a way that the murder victims actually begin to take shape in front of him. At first, he thinks he's losing his mind, but he then uses the constantly evolving hallucinations - which are figments of his imagination and not ghosts - to help him discover the victims' killers. Raines struggles to accept this peculiar gift - or burden - and reconcile it with his daily life."

The show is well produced, relying as much - or more - on the fundamentals, on skilled camera placement and editing, as it does any kind of digital wizardry. It is also, I think, beautifully written. Fans of Goldblum should love the show ..... but even those who find him an acquired taste should give the show a try.

Any concerns or reservations? ..... well, yes, a couple .....

One, can the writer/producers/director/actors keep up the pace that's been set in the first two episodes? ..... this candle burns brightly, but will it also burn quickly?

Two, beginning this week, NBC is moving it from Thursday at 9 p.m. (central) to Friday at 8 p.m. ... which doesn't strike me as a particularly good time to reach out to A LOT of television viewers .....

So, anyway, I urge you to give this show a try ..... get it while it's hot ..... get it while you can .....