Standoff

In Australia, the three major commercial television stations (Channels 7, 9 and 10) have always tried to match each other with similar shows to vie for the viewer's attention.

Channel 10 has always been home to 'Law & Order' (and its subsequents like 'SVU'), where as Channel 7 has been home to Jerry Bruckheimer's series including 'CSI' (as well as 'CSI: Miami' and 'CSI: New York'), 'Cold Case' and 'Without a Trace'. And then there was Channel 7...with it's re-runs of 'Blue Heelers' (an Aussie crime show) in the afternoons.

Well, 7 (now yahoo7) had to get in on this action, of course. And so Australians were treated to 'Criminal Minds'. As much as I like Mandy Patinkin the show wasn't anything special so I quit after the first episode. The same went for 'Bones'. And then 7 had the insight to put 'Standoff' on Monday nights, head-to-head with 9's 'Cold Case'.

Let me tell you, 'Standoff' is one entertaining show. The two leads are fun to watch and the show is interesting enough. I was hooked from the first episode. A must see to fans of crime drama, and, in my opinion, the best new show since 'CSI'. 7 out of 10.

Standoff is an awesome show. The plot is great and so is the cast. The show is about Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) who are the top-ranked crisis negotiators in the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, when they are not working together they are more than partners. Ron Livingston and Emily Lehman's chemistry kind of reminds me of the same chemistry that David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel (from "Bones") except Ron Livingston and Emily Lehman's characters have more of a relationship than David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel's characters. I hope this show lasts, just as along FOX does cancel another good show. This show premiered September 2006 on FOX.

BOTTOM LINE: AWESOME SHOW

Standoff is absolutely one of the best TV shows on Fox. I wasn't sure how this TV show would be able to create so many hostage situations... I mean a criminal takes a bank hostage, what more is there? But I was wrong. Every episode contains a totally different hostage situation, whether it being catholic parents taking their children hostage or an ex-military man capturing a prosecutor. But it isn't the situation which makes the show interesting, it's the character development. Each character has their own unique background, and it's especially interesting hearing the backgrounds and reasoning's of the hostage taker. Every episode is intense, thrilling and emotional.

Fox on the other hand is one of the most stupid networks of all time. Last summer, Fox promoted three (and more) new television constantly. Every person who watched this network last summer new about the shows Vanished, Justice and Standoff. I don't think I have seen a network advertise so many shows. Who knew one year later, almost all the TV shows Fox has spoken so highly about has been canceled (besides Till Death). Fox hasn't given any of these shows a chance. Most amazing series took off after a few seasons. The show Full House which has one of the highest ratings in it's time had almost no viewers before the third season started.

Standoff is the wrong show to take off. I must admit that Justice was just a copy of C.S.I. even though it was directed by the same guy. Justice was just a risk. Vanished as well was way too much like 24. I'm not saying Vanished was bad... I enjoyed the show but not nearly as much as 24.

I think Fox should create a petition or something of that sort so it can bring Standoff back. Tonight (July 20th) is the last episode ever. I think it should be the last episode of the season, not series.

I've known ever since Fox moved Standoff to Friday night, just as they did to the show Vanished that it was done.

BRING STANDOFF BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt Flannery (Ron Livingston) and Emily Lehman (Rosemarie DeWitt) are an FBI negotiation team. Cheryl Carrera (Gina Torres) is the head of the unit. This is a functional police procedural drama. Each week they get a new case.

The two leads have some good chemistry. They are both good actors, and they are able to convey some sexual tension. In fact it's so good, they actually married 3 years later. Maybe it's a good thing that this show got canceled so they have some time apart. Anyways this only lasted only 18 episodes. My guess is that neither lead is a A-lister, and there isn't anything particularly original in the concept. Although I liked the two leads, there's just not enough flash.

It's a refreshing crime-drama about two people, of the opposite sex, working as a team for the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, including good action, well written dialogue with snappy comebacks.

Simply put, this is just great entertainment. Great chemistry between the co-stars, their characters and relationship are not cardboard cutouts.

Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt does a great job fleshing out the lead characters, and the show even has a good supporting cast. Gina Torres does a great job as their boss.

Don't miss it, I'm at least hoping for another season! This is FOX, though, so you never know.