{alltv} Say hello to the new McGarrett and Danno

Strike one ... strike two ...

Alex O'Loughlin is being hard on himself.

But with his role as Detective Steve McGarrett in the new Hawaii Five-0 - which debuts Monday, Sept. 20 on CBS and Global - O'Loughlin figures he might as well swing for the fences.

"Well, three and out, you know?" O'Loughlin said. "What am I gonna do? "If this one doesn't work, I think I'm going to go away and work in films or direct community theatre or something."

The hunky 34-year-old Australian was referring to the fact that his two previous TV shows on CBS didn't stick around very long. Moonlight lasted 16 episodes in 2007-08. Three Rivers lasted 13 episodes in 2009-10.

"I need to preface this answer by saying, my gratitude to CBS, I can't explain it, it's enormous," O'Loughlin said. "That being said, it's really important to me personally and professionally that this show works, that I do more than 13 (episodes).

"My nervousness before I said yes to (Hawaii Five-0) when it was offered to me was that I would be the face of another show that didn't quite go. I know all the shows have been good, but it's a tricky thing. "If this one doesn't go, I'm completely bewildered."

The creators of the new Hawaii Five-0 have pointed out repeatedly that this is not a "remake" of the original, which starred Jack Lord and aired from 1968 to 1980.

"We will stand out from the original because it's 50 years later," said O'Loughlin, whose math is a bit off, but we get the point. "You can't look at any television from that long ago to television now. This is more cohesive to modern-day law enforcement."

Indeed, the opening sequence has more in common with 24 than anything that existed in the 1970s.

McGarrett (O'Loughlin) is a naval officer who returns to Oahu due to a family tragedy. He winds up staying in Hawaii after the governor (played by Jean Smart) persuades him to head up a new elite task force.

Through both happenstance and by mining old acquaintances, McGarrett puts together his team: * Detective Danny (Danno) Williams, a relocated New Jersey cop. Danno is played by Scott Caan, who has been playing Scott Lavin on Entourage. * Chin Ho Kelly, an ex-Honolulu police detective. Chin is played by Daniel Dae Kim, who played Jin on Lost. * Eager rookie Kono Kalakaua, fresh out of the police academy. Kono is played by Canadian sci-fi dream-girl Grace Park, who is familiar to audiences for her roles on Battlestar Galactica, The Border, The Cleaner and Edgemont.

Collectively speaking, it's a strong cast. Hence O'Loughlin's potential "bewilderment" if Hawaii Five-0 fails to fly.

"I was kind of joking, but what I meant by that is, I could never work for a (TV) network in the business sector, because I have no idea what makes a success," O'Loughlin said. "But I think our Hawaii Five-0 has so much to offer, to men, women, old, young, fans of the old show, newcomers. I love the relationship between McGarrett and Danno. It's just a cool show."

September 20 season premieres:

Castle (ABC, CTV)

Chase (NBC, Citytv)

Chuck (NBC)

Dancing With the Stars (ABC, CTV)

Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, Global)

House (Fox, Global)

How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Citytv)

Lone Star (Fox, Global)

Mike and Molly (CBS, A)

Rules of Engagement (CBS, Citytv)

The Event (NBC, Citytv)