While heist films have been successful (like “Ocean’s 13,” et al.), heist series, thus far, have not (remember Ray Liotta in “Smith” or Andre Braugher’s  “Thief”?)

I think TNT’s new series could be a contender for a successful TV series though.

“Leverage” stars Oscar winner Timothy Hutton as a former insurance investigator gone rogue-ish.

The first episode, “The Nigerian Job” premieres Sunday, Dec. 7, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

In it, a desperate aerospace CEO hires Nate Ford (Hutton) – to lead a team of expert thieves to recover stolen airplane designs from a rival company.

But after Nate’s team recovers the designs and turns them over to the CEO, they realize the property never belonged to him in the first place.

And they’re now on his hit list.

The crew must come up with a new plan to return the designs to their rightful owner and wrangle the money the CEO had promised them as payment.

The ensemble cast is great, and fans of British shows might notice Gina Bellman — from “Coupling” as — Sophie, one of Nate’s favorite con artists.

This series also does a great job replicating the fast, stylized nature of the successful heist films –  something the other heist series lacked.

Like “The Closer,” this is a good reason to watch TNT.

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Premieres Sunday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on TNT

If you miss Noah Wyle’s Dr. Carter from “ER” then this one’s for you: the affable actor reprises his role as “The Librarian” for this made for TV.

Wyle plays Flynn Carsen, a man with dozens of degrees and very little direction in life. His job as The Librarian has him traveling the world, safe-guarding its most precious and often supernatural, artifacts. (Think James Bond with an Indiana Jones vibe.)

The third TV movie in the series picks up on Carsen, who has come to realize that his job is killing his personal life.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t have time to contemplate finding a new job, since the world is in danger of being overrun by vampires, and the only person who can prevent it from happening is Flynn.

In the film, both Bob Newhart (”Elf,” “The Bob Newhart Show”) and Jane Curtin (”Kate and Allie,” “3rd Rock from the Sun”) reprise their roles as his side kicks.

In this installment of the series, Flynn travels to New Orleans, where he tries to undo a nefarious vampire plot and rescue a kidnapped professor (Bruce Davison – “X-Men,” “Knight Rider”) with the help of a beautiful chanteuse (Stana Katic – “Feast of Love”).

I’ve seen the other two films, “The Librarian: Quest for the Spear” and “The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines” — I think they were better films. This one drags on two levels: first, Flynn is much whinier — which can be annoying to watch; and second the plot –, which is a little too outrageous and campy even for this series.

But hey, check it out for yourselves and let me know what you think.

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Since last we saw Dr. Greene, he was dead, these episodes will be “flashbacks.” Does that mean more hair? Will he look like he did in “Gotcha?”

For that I would tune in  . . .

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I absolutely loved the new “90210″ which premiered on the CW last night. Many had doubts about reinventing this sudser for the 21st century, but I think this version walked the line between a homage to the original and something interesting for the present.

I and yeah, I cheered when Nat and the Peach Pit appeared on screen.

I hope to see more of the “oldtimers” Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth.

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I have to say, I love this show — though I didn’t like season 2 as much as season 1. However, I may have to snag this, maybe those alternate endings were better? I didn’t even catch the season finale.

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Not wanting to give too much away, the episode puts the LA Priority Homicide Division and its Deputy Chief, Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) in the midst of a California wildfire, with suspicious origins.

It also brings back Irish actor Jason O’Mara as Bill Croelick — a pyromaniac and thorn in Brenda’s side.

While still focusing on interesting crimes — in a ripped-from-the-headlines, “Law & Order” kind of way — this season will also focus heavily on Brenda’s personal life, specifically her upcoming wedding to FBI agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney).

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I thought last night’s show was the best “American Idol” ever, possibly the best concert ever.

I mean, pairing David Cook and ZZ Top? Totally brilliant.

Almost every moment of the show worked, from the performances of the Top 12 with stars like Donna Summer and (OMG!) Bryan Adams to the video presentations | from the wisdom of the Guru Pitka to Galdys Knight and her unexpected Pips.

To cap it all off, Cook wins. I was positive Archuleta was going to take the title, but Cook was a great choice. Can’t wait to see the concert.

Mariska Hargitay.

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If you’ve never heard of “Jericho,” it’s a CBS drama set in a small Kansas town that survives a severe nuclear attack on the United States. Great ensemble cast. One of the best dramas on TV.

Would love to talk to some local, Eagle-Tribune circulation area fans who are passionate about seeing the show return for a second season.

Please post or drop me a line at rford@eagletribune.com.

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The X-Files live again in a movie.

Sex in the City will also see a comeback in a movie.

A Clinton is running for office.

And 90210 is set to return to the tube.

This is weird, right?

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