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Television needs yet another procedural crime show just about as much as it needs more reality TV. You can't turn the dial without hitting some form of CSI or NCIS or L&O; or one of their lighthearted cable cousins. So when "The Glades" popped up on the A&E;, I was pretty hesitant about giving it a shot. It definitely falls into the comic caper category popularized by the USA network or TNT in too many shows to enumerate. But I'll be darned if it just doesn't work here as well for two primary reasons. First, the locales within the Florida glades provides some pretty scenic areas for bodies to be dumped. In fact, the opening segments are usually quite well done and kick off each episode's mystery with a visual flair. But second, and most important, is the star making turn by a very charming Matt Passmore. As a Chicago cop relocated to a small local police force, Passmore hits all the right notes. With humor and intelligence, he cracks the cases as he cracks wise--but his verbal banter is genuinely amusing and not overly precious.

As with most procedurals, oftentimes the case solutions are fairly obvious or secondary to the journey of arriving at the finale. Most of the drama and comedy comes from Passmore interacting with the suspects as well as his team. He enjoys an easy chemistry with Carlos Gomez as his primary confidante and the two play off each other well. Of course, the show provides a requisite love interest. Kiele Sanchez plays a local med student raising a son alone while the boy's father is locked up. Sanchez has a genuine appeal and starts off the season as a terrific romantic foil. Passmore plays the surrogate father, naturally, and this element can be overplayed at times--but, for the most part, it works. The initial banter between Sanchez and Passmore has real heat and fire. As obvious as they seem as a couple, though, the program tries to interject additional drama with Sanchez's jailbird ex.

But as much as I like Sanchez as an actress, her character provides the most challenging aspect of "The Glades." After a few episodes, the show becomes increasingly strained trying to incorporate her character into the main action. Passmore often consults with her on matters that, in reality, he would not. She is knowledgeable in whatever random plot device is needed any given week--be it horses or pirate treasure or local politics. I really don't think this random medical student would be the police department's number one contact. And to keep things lively, the show presents a push/pull dynamic in their courtship that is less organic than it should be--it just makes her seem extremely wishy washy and high maintenance. Luckily, she is so strong in the beginning that I overlooked some of her character inconsistencies. Look, this is basically a show in which to have fun. As lighthearted entertainment, it certainly succeeds. I found Passmore genuinely funny and that's enough for me to make a recommendation. Try it out, you might like it! KGHarris, 4/11.

Jim Longworth (Matt Passmore), a hot, smart, new cop in central Florida. Is the headless body murder or just hungry gators? Longworth is a golfer with normal ability. He's much better with women and crime investigation.

This new A&E; crime, homicide, cop drama is American fresh, laced with comedy and a bit of romance. Worth seeing. It's reminiscent of Britain's TV series "Midsomer Murders" also filled with murder, humor, and love; but the Florida location is different, not countryside England, and the characters are at least a generation younger. Will "The Glades" experience the longevity of "Midsomer Murders", lasting years and still going strong? Well time will tell, but it has a very good start. While you're waiting on A&E; to release, try a set of "Midsomer Murders". Murders as delicious as chocolate.

Meet the rest of the cast too. Callie Cargill (Kiele Sqanchez); Carlos Sanchez (Carlos Gomez); Callie's son Jeff (Uriah Shelton); and Daniel Green (Jordan Wall). Then Randy Cromwell (Alexis Martinez), a new detective, & Colleen Manus (Michelle Hurd).

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