letterten 2003-04 fall preview

debuts Friday, Sep 26, 10:00pm

premise from	An FBI agent trains and handles agents who go undercover to solve crimes at all levels of Los Angeles' diverse society, interfacing with government and local law enforcement agencies the come to him for help with both long-term and quick sting operations. [CBS link]
stars	Joe Pantoliano ("The Sopranos"), Anna Belknap ("Deadline"), Hill Harper ("City of Angels"), Lola Glaudini ("The Sopranos," "NYPD Blue"), Tanya Wright
producers	Chris Haddock
studio	Viacom Productions

opinions
	Take Joey Pants, throw in some "Alias," a dash of "CSI" and mix it with a cop show and you've got it. It looks like it could be fun, but without Pantoliano, I'd pass.
	Presenting the show, CBS Chairman Les Moonves declared, "Who doesn't love Joey Pants?" We couldn't put it any better. Pantoliano is a fantastic screen personality and this show should give him a chance to show off. The "every week we play dress-up" premise appears malleable enough for durability and the supporting cast, particularly Hill Harper, seems strong. Joey Pants with hair going undercover every week? Seems a safe bet.

my thoughts on "The Handler"
	Probable full season. I'm torn. Friday at 10pm isn't exactly the greatest place to launch a drama, (although CBS did it at 9 with "CSI" several years ago) but with Joey Pants as a good guy, it'll get sampled and beat "Boomtown."