Can I be a little bit cynical here? I'm watching the preview of the new NBC drama Kings (after the jump), and I can already tell this is probably going to have a hard time making it. Looks like it has a great cast (including Ian McShane) and a plot you don't usually see on primetime television (a small town guy becomes a war hero and rises to power in a city with the help of people behind the scenes pulling the strings - based on the story of King David).

But it also seems like a show that might be hard for viewers to grab hold of, especially in this day and age of networks wanting quick hits and large numbers of viewers. It seems rather complex and epic, and yet another show with a continuing storyline.

Oh, and it's on NBC, which means that they'll probably put it on Monday night at 10, and we know what happens to shows that debut there (NBC has not announced a premiere date for the show yet, only that it's sometime in 2009). NBC already failed with Four Kings; what makes them think they can succeed with one? Take a look at the video and let us know what you think.

Chances are the NBC censor will not have to worry about Ian McShane's mouth this time around; he won't be playing Frank in Deadwood. No, the new role he's tackling is a much more majestic kind of guy. What am I talking about? Ian McShane has been cast as one of the title characters in NBC's new drama Kings.

McShane, who was a memorable, dirty-mouthed proprietor of a seedy saloon on HBO's Deadwood, will be King Silas on Kings. The Universal project is said to be set in modern times, although its based on a story from the Old Testament, King David (remember Richard Gere in the movie of the same name?)

Just because there's a writers strike doesn't mean the networks aren't buying new shows!

Just before the strike announcement, NBC made a deal for a new drama titled Kings, which is described as "a contemporary soap loosely based on the story of King David, the Biblical king of Israel." There's really something funny about that description.