Those of you in the States who watch television perhaps have seen those auto insurance commercials featuring a deep voiced black man as the announcer, Dennis Haysbert. That smooth tone is responsible for Haysbert doing a lot of "voice over" work in television as well as many supporting roles in films.

Most recently he can be seen in a minor role in the recently released dvd "Jarhead" (bad movie, review to soon follow) but fans are most familiar with his role as president David Palmer in the Fox series "24" with Keifer Sutherland.

Haysbert's current role is that of Sargent Jonas Blane in the CBS series "The Unit" dealing with a top secret anti terror group controlled only by the highest powers in govt. Scary thought, huh? The thing that makes this series more interesting is that the team lives on a base WITH their wives and kids who, by the way, try to live a normal life with the knowledge that their men may not come home.

Clearly the most interesting character, so far, is Jonas Blane as the leader of the group. The first episode also features actor Scott Foley ("House", "Scrubs", "Scream", "Felicity", etc.)as the "new guy" being trained by Blane.

Unfortunately, or should I say, predictably, the bad guys in this one are (GASP!!) Arab terrorists. How tiresome! The saving grace is Haysbert himself. His presence and acting power are the keys to this show, but if the others, in future episodes, don't pick it up and stand out then I'm afraid this series will not see the new year. Being broadcast on Tuesday nights at 9pm, opposite "American Idol" is a bad omen.

On just the first episode I would have to give it a "C+" because it DID hold my attention, but "C+" is not good enough to make me look for it on whatever night it is on, although it MAY be good enough to record on the vcr to watch later.

Check it out tomorrow, IF you are an action fan and give us YOUR verdict.