'3 lbs' Measures Up with the Best

Stanley Tucci is one of those excellent actors who floats around Hollywood without ever receiving the recognition that he deserves. Well, expect that to change really soon. Tucci stars as a neurosurgeon in CBS' foray into the popular medical show genre with its latest new series 3 lbs (premieres tonight at 10 p.m.). Faithful readers know that I'm not a huge medical drama fan, but this one is pretty good and it manages to distinguish itself from the medical drama pack. First of all, its focus is narrow (neurosurgery), its characters mostly male, and its story lines are less soapy and personal than Grey's Anatomy. But, 3 lbs' best story line involves a secret surrounding the prominent Dr. Hanson (Tucci). You'll get a glimpse tonight and it will leave you wanting to come back to learn more. The show's most endearing quality is its lead character. Despite his brilliance and renowned status in the surgical suite, the man is a deeply flawed human being. Don't expect a lot of bedside manner or lengthy explanations if you're under Dr. Hanson's care, but you will get the best chance at surviving whatever neurological obstacle that you're facing. And when it comes down to it, isn't that all that matters? Medical shows are becoming a dime a dozen lately, but 3 lbs will give you a lot more for your money than most.

THE 411

PREMISE: A team of top New York City neurosurgeons save lives while sorting through their different points of view
STARRING: Stanley Tucci, Mark Feuerstein, Indira Varma and Armando Riesco
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Peter Ocko (Boston Legal)
EXTRA BONUS: Go behind the curtain on some of the most advanced neurological procedures
BOTTOM LINE: A first-rate medical drama with a perfectly flawed protagonist (played by the excellent Tucci). GRADE: A-
PREMIERES: November 14th at 10 p.m. (TONIGHT) on CBS. For more information, visit cbs.com. You can watch the premiere now via streaming video at CBS' INNERTUBE.



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