2008 Winter TV Preview: Eli Stone

Eli Stone - Season 1

Premieres: Thursday, January 31 at 10 p.m. EST

Network: ABC

Creator(s): Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim

Starring:: Jonny Lee Miller, Victor Garber, Natasha Henstridge, Loretta Devine, Sam Jaeger, James Saito, Matt Letsher, Julie Gonzalo

Website: ABC.com

Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) has built a successful career at a top San Francisco law firm, representing rich corporations by routinely screwing over the little guys.

But when he starts having odd hallucinations, including pop star George Michael singing "Faith," Eli turns to his neurologist brother, Nathan (Matt Letsher), who first says there’s nothing wrong with him, then discovers Eli is suffering from an inoperable brain aneurysm that’s causing his illusions – the same thing that plagued his father.

He also looks to Dr. Chen (James Saito), a Chinese acupuncturist who believes that Eli may be a prophet. Eli redefines his outlook on life, starting with representing an old acquaintance against one of his firm’s most important clients.

Despite opposition from his boss and future father-in-law, Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber) and fiancée Taylor (Natasha Henstridge), Eli continues his journey away from the dark side.

This looks interesting, not only because of the quirky storyline, but also because of the behind-the-scenes talent. Greg Berlanti helmed Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money and Everwood, and Marc Guggenhein was the force behind Law & Order and The Practice.

I just hope the production lives up to my expectations, and if so, that the network gives it enough time to gain some traction in the fickle TV world. Eli Stone reminds me of those wonderful early episodes of Northern Exposure, with that fish-out-of-water Joel. Oh, and I also predict a resurgence in George Michael music. You heard it here first.