10-11 PM · CBS · Debuts Sept. 25

CONCEPT A Cuban-American family struggles with the dramas of their rum and sugar dynasty.

THE SCOOP The West Wing's Jimmy Smits stars as the Duques' adopted son, who takes over the family business and all its complications — including murder! Set in Florida, Cane was created by The Mambo Kings screenwriter Cynthia Cidre (whose father — write what you know — was a chemist at a Cuban sugar mill). The ensemble includes Lost's Nestor Carbonell as the temperamental oldest Duque son, as well as vets Rita Moreno and Hector Elizondo as the Duque elders. ''I love seeing those names on the call sheet — they're gonna be the sexiest couple of the year!'' says Smits, who's also coexec producer.

BOTTOM LINE Love the cast, love the idea, but the pilot jammed in so many story lines it was as dizzying as a rum binge.