TELEVISION REVIEW 'STANDOFF' ...

TELEVISION REVIEW

'STANDOFF'

Rating 1 abroad of 4{

8 to 9 pm Tuesdays onward WFLD-Channel 32.

There are likewise many hostages on TV lately, and not just the tragic uniteds on cable news. This fall, persons are held captive in the first episodes of several of the present day shows -- "Vanished," "Kidnapped," "Heroes," "The Nine." Tonight's "Standoff" is thankfully the no other than one where the hostage-taker invokes Allah. And he's flaxen

The just discovered Fox drama revolves around brace crisis negotiators who work together saving captives, while also fostering a romantic relationship. It's not just a buddy exhibit it's a butt-buddy show.

Combining work and play is a workplace no-no for Emily (Rosemarie DeWitt) and Matt (Ron Livingston). The situation becomes make anxious after Matt stupidly reveals in brow of the whole cop force they're privately having an affair.

In standard-TV fashion, their bos reacts with over-excited consternation. Overly macho co-workers talk trash about Emily to raise Matt's ire. For near reason, Matt and Emily pretend to be the only without equivocation smart cops on the force.

In the midst of all this, the duo must awkwardly learn back to their jobs of chatting up a dude grumbling about "infidels" with bomb strapped to his chest -- in a diner he seizes.

Tick, tock. If Matt and Emily flower up, the show doesn't gain a second episode. Because they'll be dead. maintain your fingers crossed.

"Standoff" has "future cancellation" written all from one side of to the other it. Not because it's in such a manner bad. Tonight's debut episode is an OK diversion. It just lacks oomph pizzazz, a little somethin'-somethin', as they used to say onward Livingston's old show, "Sex and the City."

The main intent of "Standoff" is to lease viewers see the tensions and bonding between Emily and Matt. When they disagree about in what way to approach a bad stay one would assume these work arguments harbor deeper personal undertones, since they regularly diocese each other naked.

And they win confused about what's personal and what's professional. At single point, Emily thinks Matt's being sweet by means of taking her side in a dispute with a bos unless Matt grumps back at her:

"I backed you up because I deliberation you were right. Don't obtain used to it."

For a first hour of a present to view tonight's "Standoff" does an adequate do job-work of establishing the relationship and other, more stereotypical cop upon the force. The bomb essence seems secondary, which makes extent for chemistry to ignite. And DeWitt and Livingston give acute performances.

if it be not that who cares?

e-mail: delfman@suntimes.com

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