Hey, look, a pontificating know-it-all. Exactly what we needed on TV this fall, don't you think?
CBS's new series Bull, which premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, stars Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull, who seems to be a pioneer in the art of jury psychology.
That is, he advises lawyers who they want on the jury, how to package the client in the most sympathetic way possible, and how specific jurors are reacting as the trial gets under way.
All that is big business in real life these days, if you hadn't noticed.
For CBS, it's a different entry point to the crime procedurals the network has done so well for so long.
But not every procedural has scored, including some of the ones that are currently on the air, and Bull starts with a few serious red flags.
For starters, the character isn't very likeable. He always acts like the smartest guy in the room, and while that may often be true, it gets old to hear him treat everyone else as if he's doing them a favor to be there at all.
Hey, he's a paid consultant. He's not doing charity work.
It's fair to argue that TV has an increasing roster of antiheroes these days, even on procedurals. Characters don't get much crankier or antisocial than Gregory House, and he had a long run.
But there's a difference between a character who's dealing with his own serious flaws, and one who seems to be acting obnoxious because he thinks he's perfect.
Bull may reveal a human dimension in the weeks ahead. Up front, he comes across mostly just a jerk.
Did we mention CBS says the show was "inspired by" the early career of Dr. Phil? Just saying.
On the positive side, Bull really is a smart guy and he's definitely onto something with this jury psychology stuff.
In the first episode he correctly identifies Daddy issues and gay ambivalence as he analyzes and breaks down key characters in a murder case.
It's also worth noting that Bull's team isn't as arrogant as the boss, and their investigative and prep work is also a prominent part of the show.
Bull's former brother-in-law Benny Colon (Freddy Rodriguez) helps out with mock-trial prep and often shows that he's as smart as Bull.
Marissa Morgan (Geneva Carr) (above center) can analyze people's speech. Danny James (Jaime Lee Kirchner), a former NYPD detective, does the investigating. Chunk Palmer (Chris Jackson) gives clients the right look and Cable McCrory (Annabelle Attanasio) (above left) is the requisite computer hacking whiz who can find anything on the Internet in a microsecond.
They give the show some heart and some comedy. Bull gives the show a near-magician that you would want on your side if you were ever on trial for murder.
That doesn't necessarily mean you'd invite him into your house on Tuesday nights.