THE PROOF IS IN THE…

Body.  At least that’s the mantra of Dr. Megan Hunt, portrayed by Dana Delaney in ABC’s new hit crime drama Body of Proof.  The show premiered Tuesday March 29th at 10pm with a strong lead in from Dancing with the Stars. According to the network, the premiere drew the highest ratings in three years for a one hour regularly scheduled program in its time slot. Proof nabbed just under 14 million viewers, beating out its toughest competitor in CBS’ The Good Wife.

The show follows Delaney’s character, a neurosurgeon turned medical examiner, after a car crash leaves her physically unable to operate and mentally forced to start over.  For Dr. Hunt, the body is the clue to solving its own death and it quickly becomes clear she cares more now about the dead than she ever did about living. Delaney delivers a female lead, haunted by the personal casualties of her career-driven past, including her neglected teenage daughter and failed marriage. The often quirky tone of the show is complemented nicely by its crime solving cast which includes Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, and Nicholas Bishop.

The success of the premiere episode proves there is a place for strong female leads in network television. Both Dana Delaney and her Good Wife rival Julianna Margulies play smart, complex leading woman who must balance the demands of career, family, and personal choices.  Luckily, thanks to Tivo, it’s one choice this female viewer won’t have to make…oh and admit it, I made you say pudding!