DRIVE gets a "DNF"

As in Did Not Finish.

That's what they give the NASCAR boys who end up in the garage instead of crossing the finish line.

While I enjoyed the two hour premiere of DRIVE, its seams were showing. This looks like it has to be an expensive show to produce - and the producers are slicing expenses wherever they can.

Cars continually race down the same generic stretch of interstate highway. Office complexes double for Cape Canaveral (along with a preposterously bad CGI countdown clock on the side of a building). And I KNOW I've seen the motel the contestants were all departing from in more than one movie or TV show.

There's lots of CGI and green screen in this show - sort of a poor man's version of the incredible shooting techniques pioneered in CHILDREN OF MEN. Cameras swoop in, crossing through windshields while cars roar down the highway, then spin and fly out the side window. It could be impressive - if it were done a little better.

But, if I can overlook the cardboard walls of Kirk's Enterprise, I can overlook the budget limitations on a TV show's special effects.

The story has LOTS of potential. FIREFLY's Captain Tightpants - Nathan Fillion - is back - as Alex Tully, a very familiar role. Fillion can clench his jaw and smoulder like no other actor on TV.

ANGEL's Amy Acker plays Tully's missing wife, who is being held hostage so Tully will compete in a race that makes the Cannonball Run look like a party thrown by Dean martin (which it probably was!)

Melanie Lynskey plays a mom who seems to have had her newborn son taken from her. Hers may be the most intriguing characters so far. She's soft and quiet, and easily taken to be weak - but she's able to do what it takes to protect her child - something we learned very well, very quickly.

Lynskey was featured in an early promo for the show and her voice is so petite, I originally mistook her for Amy Acker. Mrs. Kimosabe and I were pretty puzzled as to how Acker had put on so many pounds - oops to us.

All in all, I'm in the for long haul on DRIVE. My season pass is programmed in and I'm hoping this race runs a long time.

But I have my doubts.

After announcing the show's premiere date, FOX quickly followed up with another announcement that they would be airing just 6 of the 13 episodes ordered before giving the show a break for the summer. That doesn't sound like a vote of confidence.

After seeing the Sunday night numbers, the suits may have been right on this one. DRIVE scored a 6 share.

I don't know what it is about folks from the House of Whedon, but it seems like everyone who learned how to make TV while studying at the feet of creator of BUFFY hits a glass ceiling in the 6 to 7 share range.

While a 6 share was considered a success for The Old WB, it's not enough for FOX. WONDERFALLS, FIREFLY, STANDOFF, TRU CALLING and now DRIVE - they're all quirky little shows created by folks who wrote for BUFFY or ANGEL - and none of them ever scored a double digit share of the audience.

Let's wait to see what Monday's numbers bring....

[Edit: Monday's numbers are in and - TA DA! - a 6 share. A rerun of HOUSE scored a 9 share last week. This does not bode well....)