Standoff

Working for a TV station, I was lucky enough to get to see the first episode of this show. It's a smart and funny show that I hope continues in this direction. It's two lead actors, Ron Livingston and Rosemarie Dewitt, play their roles as crisis negotiators very well. I only hope that the writing continues to be as strong in progressive episodes as it was in the pilot.

Being a big fan of "harder edge" shows like 24, The Shield, & The Sopranos, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed this show. I've been a big fan of Ron Livingston's since he had a side role in Swingers back in '96, and while I haven't seen much featuring Rosemarie Dewitt, I thought she provided a perfect foil for Ron Livingston's dry wit.

Overall, I'd rate the show an 8 out of 10, only because I've only seen the first episode so far. I hope they continue to build on the relationship between the two lead characters and keep the level of writing high.

In Australia, the three major commercial television stations (Channels 7, 9 and 10) have always tried to match each other with similar shows to vie for the viewer's attention.

Channel 10 has always been home to 'Law & Order' (and its subsequents like 'SVU'), where as Channel 7 has been home to Jerry Bruckheimer's series including 'CSI' (as well as 'CSI: Miami' and 'CSI: New York'), 'Cold Case' and 'Without a Trace'. And then there was Channel 7...with it's re-runs of 'Blue Heelers' (an Aussie crime show) in the afternoons.

Well, 7 (now yahoo7) had to get in on this action, of course. And so Australians were treated to 'Criminal Minds'. As much as I like Mandy Patinkin the show wasn't anything special so I quit after the first episode. The same went for 'Bones'. And then 7 had the insight to put 'Standoff' on Monday nights, head-to-head with 9's 'Cold Case'.

Let me tell you, 'Standoff' is one entertaining show. The two leads are fun to watch and the show is interesting enough. I was hooked from the first episode. A must see to fans of crime drama, and, in my opinion, the best new show since 'CSI'. 7 out of 10.

Standoff is an awesome show. The plot is great and so is the cast. The show is about Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) who are the top-ranked crisis negotiators in the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, when they are not working together they are more than partners. Ron Livingston and Emily Lehman's chemistry kind of reminds me of the same chemistry that David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel (from "Bones") except Ron Livingston and Emily Lehman's characters have more of a relationship than David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel's characters. I hope this show lasts, just as along FOX does cancel another good show. This show premiered September 2006 on FOX.

BOTTOM LINE: AWESOME SHOW

It's a refreshing crime-drama about two people, of the opposite sex, working as a team for the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, including good action, well written dialogue with snappy comebacks.

Simply put, this is just great entertainment. Great chemistry between the co-stars, their characters and relationship are not cardboard cutouts.

Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt does a great job fleshing out the lead characters, and the show even has a good supporting cast. Gina Torres does a great job as their boss.

Don't miss it, I'm at least hoping for another season! This is FOX, though, so you never know.

Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) are an FBI negotiation team. Cheryl Carrera (Gina Torres) is the head of the unit. This is a functional police procedural drama. Each week they get a new case.

The two leads have some good chemistry. They are both good actors, and they are able to convey some sexual tension. In fact it's so good, they actually married 3 years later. Maybe it's a good thing that this show got canceled so they have some time apart. Anyways this only lasted only 18 episodes. My guess is that neither lead is a A-lister, and there isn't anything particularly original in the concept. Although I liked the two leads, there's just not enough flash.