Hack

[elSicomoro]

I watch more TV than I should...

Over the last few years, I've found myself taking a liking to shows with a "local" flavor. It started with "The West Wing" and "The District" when we lived in DC.

Since moving to Philadelphia, there have been at least 2 shows that are centered in the city. One was ABC's "Philly," starring Kim Delaney. I personally liked the show, but it was canceled at the end of last season.

Now, there is a new show on CBS called "Hack." It stars David Morse (St. Elsewhere), George Dzunda (Crimson Tide, L&O's first season), and Andre Braugher (Homicide). It's centered around the character of Michael Olshansky (Morse), a cabbie who used to be a police officer (he got busted for taking money from a crime scene). As a cabbie, he uses his police smarts to bring justice to "the little guy." In tonight's episode, a drunk guy got into the cab, spoke about "not making the same mistakes I did," then dies in the cab. Olshansky uses his former partner (Braugher) and his police smarts to figure out who the man is (he had no ID), and manages to bring closure to the dead man's brother. Tonight was the first time I saw the show...it's a bit sappy, but all in all, not a bad show.

The coolest thing about it though is that it actually appears to be primarily shot in Philadelphia. It's quite possible that it's a lot of effects, but most of the show takes place outside...and I seriously doubt the show has the budget to do such detailed effects: Standing on the Walnut St. bridge, with 30th Street Station in the background; walking along Penn's Landing, with the Ben Franklin Bridge in the background (including the covers on the bridge for the current repair work); throwing the football to his son at Franklin Field. It definitely has more of a local feel than "Philly" did.

Check it out...Fridays at 9P ET on CBS.