Review: Wit, wisdom and weariness

About this time of year, folks start asking me which new series to embrace. The answer has never been easier. "The Big C," which premieres Monday, grabbed me from the opening scene and never let go, spinning the premise of a middle-aged woman (Laura Linney) facing cancer into both comic and dramatic gold. Creator Darlene Hunt, who had written nine unsuccessful pilots before this one, has created a female character with wit, wisdom and weariness, traits also on display on Showtime's established hits, "The United States of Tara" and "Weeds." Credit also must go to Hunt's writing partner, Jenny Bicks, who uses her experience as a cancer survivor to provide depth and insight. Linney is sensational at doing what she does best: playing women who use putdowns and self-deprecating humor to keep themselves from falling apart. How much do I love this series? Let me put it this way: The last time I was so impressed with the early episodes of a new show was way back in 1999. It was called "The Sopranos."

NEAL JUSTIN