ABC's newest medical drama stars Dana Delaney as Dr. Megan Hunt, prized neurosurgeon turned medical examiner (M.E.). She has a reputation for being right (all the time) and knowing it. She has no problem with letting you know that she's brilliant. Wait, House? No, it can't be. This is a show about brilliantly misinterpreted FEmale doctor in New York, not a hard-nosed wiseass male doctor in New Jersey.

*crickets*

If "House" and "Castle" had a baby, it would be "Body of Proof." Delaney is fine as the arrogantly-flawed M.E., but I get the feeling that it's going to be very formulaic with Delaney having some part in solving the weekly groovy mystery.

While Dr. Hunt is brilliant, she also has a softer, caring side that no one ever sees. She has an ex-cop for a sidekick/partner, Peter Dunlap, who knows she's not the bitch everyone thinks she is, and constantly has to be her Jiminey Cricket. Megan has a storied past, a broken marriage, and a 12 year old daughter named Lacey whose affection she is constantly trying to buy. She just wants to be loved.

In the supporting cast is Jeri Ryan, is the chief medical officer and Megan's boss. She's kind of vanilla, at least for now, but keeps Megan grounded and reminds her that while she is the best person for the job, she could just as easily screw it up. But she says it in a nice way. Nice boss.

The remaining cast is made up of stereotypical detectives (that don't like Megan--gasp) and quirky doctors. I can't wait for the "funny" episode.

• John Carroll Lynch as Detective Bud Morris
• Nicholas Bishop as Peter Dunlap
• Geoffrey Arend as Dr. Elliot Gross
• Jeri Ryan as Dr. Kate Murphy
• Sonja Sohn as Detective Samantha Baker
• Windell Middlebrooks as Dr. Curtis Brumfield

I have to admit, for a pilot, "Body of Proof" is better than most. There's enough character building in the pilot to establish show a few arcs for the long-term folks as well as the murder of the week to keep those with no attention span interested.

"Body of Proof" airs Fridays this fall at 9pm EST.