Even scif-fi shows get 'O.C.'d

Play it: Threshold - Pilot (2 hour series premiere)

Friday nights historically have been the time slots where networks dump shows for death. Somehow NUMB3RS bucked that trend last year (and, beat the odds by having a hit show about math.) The lead-in this year is the science-fiction drama Threshold, from the producer of Enterprise, and shows like this tend to get a core audience that watch regardless of time. Thing is, though, they've decided to infuse this sci-fi alien invasion drama with music that you might normally hear on the O.C., which makes for an odd fit. Not sure if it will continue, but in the first half-hour they had Franz Ferdinand blasting on a US Coast Guard ship, and then later Kasabian in the background for an action sequence. It's the O.C. effect in full effect. It's an odd choice to spend the money on, especially given that Friday night audiences are usually void of the folks that would appreciate the musical gesture.

To the show's credit, it's probably got the best ensemble cast of any new series introduced this season. Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent,) Brian Van Holt (Black Hawk Down,) and Charles S. Dutton (Roc) are heavy hitters, and Carla Gugino (Karen Sisco) absolutely sizzles on the small screen. It's not a home run, but I'm sure it's already found an audience... it will need it to survive Friday night, with or without the O.C. effect.

tags: playlist, music, the oc, soundtrack, threshold, carla gugino