John From Cincinnati - best new show in ages

Starring: Rebecca De Mornay, Garret Dillahunt, Greyson Fletcher, Willie Garson, Luis Guzman, Keala Kennelly, Austin Nichols, Ed O'Neill, Luke Perry, Brian Van Holt Premiere Date: Sun., June 10, 2007

Premise: "Deadwood" creator David Milch and "surf noir" novelist Kem Nunn collaborated on this decidedly offbeat drama set in the small coastal town of Imperial Beach, Calif., where the Yost surfing dynasty seems to be suffering a karmic wipeout.

Grandfather Mitch Yost has held the sport in cynical disregard ever since he nearly destroyed his knee in a surfing accident years ago, and both he and his wife, Cissy, have watched their son, Butchie, surrender his own promise to a life of hardcore drugs.

Over Mitch's objections, Cissy hopes their grandson, 13-year-old Shaun, may be able to use his own prowess on the waves to shake off the curse that seems to hang over their family. And the sense that something miraculous may be in the offing is only intensified by the arrival of an enigmatic young stranger who seems to be from another planet altogether.

To anyone who asks, however, this eccentric visitor insists he is simply John from Cincinnati.

History: David Milch, Gregg Fienberg, Zvi Howard Rosenman and Mark Taylor are executive producers. Mark Tinker directed the pilot.