Revisiting 'Three Rivers'

So far, most of the comments I've heard from viewers of CBS's "Three Rivers" sound like this:

-- "I watched it and it was awful"

-- "One of the worst medical dramas I've ever seen."

Although I do not think the show is good, it's not as bad as "Heartland," the last Pittsburgh-set medical drama (that's an admittedly low bar). And I do like some of the supporting characters. But the writing is pretty awful; it too often uses a sledgehammer where a chisel would suffice.

I haven't heard much about the Pittsburgh-centric aspects of the show (lots of nice, new establishing shots of Downtown and other neighborhoods), although I imagine I will hear from a few incredulous viewers after last night's opening scene (video link). It's the locally-filmed rugby scene that was supposed to open the series premiere.

Downtown Pittsburgh looked nice beneath a gauzy summer haze but the dialogue likely to inspire eye-rolling, head-slapping and guffaws came after a tough guy from Andy's (Alex O'Loughlin's) old neighborhood (Mount Washington) hit him after a play was over.

"Mister Big Shot. You may work across the river now but I know where you came from," the tough guy said, "and who you screwed over to get there."

So now "wrong side of the tracks" applies to the rivers? One side of the river is somehow better than another? And which river, since there are three, has the good side? Or does the tough guy mean no one from Mount Washington can become a successful transplant surgeon? Really?

I'm sure that line made no sense to Pittsburghers but even for those who have never visited town it just sounds ... cheesey. Anyone disagree?

Also, CBS's football runovers can't be helping viewers find "Three Rivers." I don't recall the CBS Sunday lineup in recent seasons beginning as late and as often after its scheduled start time as it has this fall. It wreaks havoc with DVR programming and has me ready to throw up my hands and give up trying to catch both "The Amazing Race" and "Three Rivers."

According to this report, the show was canceled in O'Loughlin's native Australia after just one episode aired. So far "Three Rivers" is scheduled to run in America on CBS through November sweeps.

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