New US Dramas to Greet Fans This Year

By Han Sang-hee

Staff Reporter

Interest in television dramas was high last year, and cable channels are gearing up for another busy year.

Cable channel Catch On is offering new seasons of some of the most popular television series, including the fifth season of ``Desperate Housewives,'' the fourth of ``My Name is Earl,'' the second of ``Californication'' and ``Dirty Sexy Money.''

``Dirty Sexy Money'' will air every Monday at 11 a.m. The five desperate, yet comical and sexy housewives, will be screened every Tuesday at 11 a.m., while ``My Name is Earl,'' the American sitcom starring Jason Lee as a petty fellow trying to undo the wrong he committed, will greet fans every Friday at 11 a.m., followed by ``Californication'' starring David Duchovny at 11: 30 a.m..

Cable channel XTM brought viewers ``Saving Grace,'' starring Holly Hunter as a smoking and binge-drinking detective. Fans will get to see a new side of the Academy Award-winning actress, who won acclaim for her impeccable performance in the film ``The Piano.'' ``Saving Grace'' airs every Thursday at midnight.

CGV's ``The Mentalist'' is one of the most anticipated series here, with its interesting crime plots and main character, Patrick Jane, played by ``The Devil Wears Prada'' co-star Simon Baker, as an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation who solves high profile cases with his sharp observation skills and mentalist abilities. The pilot episode drew 15 million viewers. ``The Mentalist'' will air this summer.