TNT's "Trust Me" Is No Modern "Mad Men" -- or Updated "thirtysomething," Either

TNT's newest series, Trust Me, premieres tonight at 10 ET. It's set in the world of advertising, and thus, in theory, aspires to be a modern Mad Men or an updated thirtysomething.

In practice, though, it's more like another Knight Rider...

No, there's no talking car. But there is a mind-numbing barrage of product placement -- brand-name discussion and recognition that drives the plot, like a runaway KITT, rather than serves the narrative, like the well-chosen clients of Mad Men.

What's more annoying, or at least more disappointing, is that the three very likable leads of this new series -- Tom Cavanagh from Ed, Eric McCormack from Will & Grace and Monica Potter from Boston Legal -- are wasted here. Their characters reveal too much too quickly, act too much like clueless stereotypes, and basically run around in a money-rich environment that already seems about as dated as the three-martini lunches enjoyed by Don Draper.

If you're looking for credible characters, memorable performances and quality drama -- and I know you are, or you wouldn't be here -- there's no real reason to watch Trust Me.

Trust me.