"Moonlight" In The Shadows

"Moonlight," the vampire detective show bowing tonight on CBS, has been almost completely made over on- and off-camera since a short "presentation" that was shown to us critics this summer. Among other things, the studio hired and then jettisoned an executive producer from "Angel" whose presence gave everyone ideas about the show's, um, inspiration. Star Alex O'Loughlin as the handsome though blood-drinking "hero" is about the only thing that hasn't changed. He's Mick, an L.A. vamp with a conscience who buys his blood from a dealer and takes on a mission reining in his less moral fellow vamps. Unfortunately, this is the only new fall show from the five major networks I haven't received. But to judge by other critics, it's no great loss...

"Yet it would be one thing if "Moonlight" stole from the best and made it its own. What it does instead is steal other shows' lifeblood and water it down -- and as any vamp can tell you, that's no way to improve the flavor." (Ted Cox, Daily Herald)

"This bites...feels in every way a throwback to 1990s syndicated dramas..." (Televisionary)

"Even the show's liveliest element, the newsroom of a TMZ.com-like Web site where intrepid reporter - and blond mortal - Beth Turner (Sophia Myles) works, is packed with people who say things like, 'Don't think - go. Mama needs fresh content.' I know how Mama feels." (Ellen Gray, Phila. Daily News)

"Watching the new CBS vampire show, Moonlight, one gets the sense that the resurgence of science fiction/fantasy shows on broadcast networks may prove short-lived." (The TV and Film Guy)