It’s mid-September, my favorite time of year. Brand new television programming begins and old favorites return. I’m going to run through the new network and cable shows that I’m most anticipating, let you know which returning shows you should be watching, and I’ll hypothesize about which new shows are likely to get the axe. Not so interested in my opinions? Simply click here to view the 2010 fall schedule for the big four networks (including synopses, cast/creator info, and trailers) and decide what to watch on your own terms.
CBS: There’s a reason why CBS is the most watched network–they mostly air procedural crime dramas that do not force viewers to tune in every week. Take, for example, the CSI franchise (which now includes CSI, CSI: NY & CSI: Miami) and the NCIS franchise (NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles). Sprinkle in some fantastic comedies like The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother plus popular reality shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race, and Undercover Boss and you’ve got a worthy lineup that does not require weekly viewing. Though I am not not the biggest fan of the procedurals, The Mentalist does a fine job of drawing me in when I happen to channel surf to the network. Also, I’ve only heard good things about The Good Wife, so you might want to give that a try as well.
Of the five new shows premiering this fall on CBS, there’s only one that I’m fully interested in: Hawaii Five-O. Again, crime procedurals are usually not my cup of tea but there’s no denying how action-packed and fun this 1960s reboot looks. (The show originally aired on CBS for 12 seasons from 1968-1980.) Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Fringe) serve as executive producers and stars Alex O’Loughlin (Three Rivers), Scott Caan (Entourage), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), and the beautiful Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica: The Plan) will work together to take down the villains. Except tons of explosions, violent action scenes, and quick, witty banter from Caan. It only helps that the backdrop to all of this is Oahu! Premieres Monday, September 20 at 10PM.
Getting the axe? $#*@ My Dad Says.
NBC: After screwing up big time last fall by giving Jay Leno his own program (and cutting off a number of primetime programs), the time is now for NBC to prove its worth against heavy hitters like CBS and FOX. NBC has their offering of crime procedurals (Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Los Angeles), reality shows (The Biggest Loser, The Apprentice), cult favorites like Chuck and Parenthood, and their famed Thursday night comedy lineup (Community, 30 Rock, The Office). And don’t count out Saturday Night Live! So what are they bringing to the table this fall to spice things up?
With Heroes dead and gone and ABC’s Lost concluded, NBC is ready to capitalize on the next big serialized drama with The Event. The conspiracy thriller promises to focus on the characters and offer an onslaught of mysteries and puzzles using flashbacks. Ring any bells? At the end of the day we need to realize that Lost set the bar extremely high for incoming dramas wanting to tell a compelling, character-driven story with a splash of mythology and unconvential time jumps. I say we give The Event a chance; it might just fill the gaping hole left by Lost in a network TV landscape that is slowly but surely gravitating toward strict procedurals. Sure, the show might experience the FlashForward effect, but investing in this show early on is a risk I think is worth taking. Premieres Monday, September 20 at 9PM.
The second NBC program I’m greatly looking forward to is Undercovers. I’ll pretty much anything that has J.J. Abrams’ name on it. Though you might feel compelled to compare this spy show with Abrams’ Alias, the creative team behind Undercovers has let it be known that the two shows will not step on each other’s toes. In an unexpected move, Abrams and co-creator Josh Reims have given Undercovers the procedural treatment, making it so that a wider audience can jump into the show any time. It has been revealed, though, that an overarching plot will keep loyal viewers interested. Stars Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw already have a crazy amount of on-screen chemistry, as can be witnessed in the previews and commercials. Expect a whole lot of sexy mixed with exciting fight sequences in this international espionage spy series from the brilliant mind of Abrams. (He’s directed the pilot, the first time directing for TV since Lost!) Premieres Wednesday, September 22 at 8PM.
Getting the axe? Chase & Outsourced.
FOX: Before its ratings juggernaut American Idol returns in January, FOX is playing it safe by airing mostly returning shows in hopes to keep its core audience strong. House, Fringe, Bones, and Glee will continue right where they left off–telling facinating stories with relatable characters in compelling situations. Escapist programs Lie to Me and Human Target were lucky to stay alive after reletively weak ratings performances, Friday time slots, and schedule shuffles. Sunday’s animation domination never disappoints: The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy & American Dad.
Are you a fan of Arrested Development? Well you’re going to want to tune into Mitch Hurwitz’s Running Wilde starring Will Arnett, Keri Russell, and David Cross. While you can expect zany, absurdist comedy in Wilde, the show is being pushed as an actual love story between Arnett’s rich and spoiled billionaire and Russell’s tree-hugging environmentalist. Though there’s been whispers of pilot retoolings, I have full confidence in Hurwitz and his creative team that Wilde will blossom into a hilarious, over-the-top laughfest with the deadpan Arnett and beautifully talented Russell at the center. As long as FOX gives them a chance. Premieres Tuesday, September 21 at 9:30PM.
Getting the axe? The Good Guys, Human Target
ABC: Lost is no more. What will ABC do? Not too much, unfortunately. Besides adding one new comedy and four new dramas (only one of which has piqued my interest), ABC is following in FOX’s footsteps by playing it safe until mid-season rolls around. Long-running series like Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy, and Dancing with the Stars dominate the fall lineup with Wednesday comedy night (The Middle, Modern Family & Cougar Town). Though I have yet to start watching this series, Castle, I’ve been told, is a must-see.
So what’s that single new ABC program I’m mildly anticipating? It’s No Ordinary Family, a show about a no-frills family that gains superpowers overnight. From what I’ve read, the show sounds like Heroes meets The Incredibles; “ordinary” people are bestowed supernatural powers when they’re least expecting it, and after learning of these new-found abilities they become a crime fighting family who learns to deal with it all. Though the show is billed as a drama, expect to see comedic relief often; remember, at its core this is a show with family values first, then super cool sci-fi stuff. If this show has anything going for it it’s that Michael Chiklis (The Shield) and Julie Benz (Dexter) play mom and dad. It would be nice for ABC to jump into the superheroes game for once, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that No Ordinary Family produces some potential. Premieres Tuesday, September 28 at 8PM.
Getting the axe? Detroit 1-8-7.
Cable TV: This is an area of TV I’m definitely lacking right now. Dexter (Showtime), Eastbound & Down (HBO), Bored to Death (HBO), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) are all shows I will eventually play catch-up with. Thankfully there are two brand new shows for all of us to become invested in.
HBO is going in hard with Martin Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire. Need I say more? Okay, fine. The cinematic Scorsese-influenced production created and written by Terrence Winter (The Sopranos) stars the brilliant Steve Buscemi who plays an Atlantic City politician looking to make a buck during the prohibition era. Great casting (Michael Pitt, Stephan Graham, Michael Kenneth Williams) plus a dynamite creative team will easily result in must-see TV. When was the last time TV journeyed us to the 1920’s prohibition era populated with fat cats and gangsters? Never like this, that’s for sure. Don’t miss tonight’s Scorsese-directed pilot! Harboring regrets is never a good thing. Premieres Sunday, September 19 at 9PM on HBO.
It’s true, I’ve saved the very best for last. AMC’s The Walking Dead is going to be killer television, I can guarantee you that. Showrunner Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) is courageously adapting Robert Kirkman’s comic book The Walking Dead for the small screen. Zombies will rule the six-episode season; we will follow protagonist Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln) as he wakes up from a deep sleep to find the world infested with amazingly realistic looking zombies (thanks to special FX lead Greg Nicotero). I’ve been following all the news leading up to this show, and everything from the initial cast murmurs (Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun) to the makeup test photos to the first production stills and finally to the epic trailer has got me anticipated like no other for the series premiere. Much thought and effort has been put into making this show special; Darabount eases the comic book fan’s fears by promising to keep the story closely vested to Kirkman’s origins and at the same time “giving [themselves] permission to veer off the path and find the interesting detours.” Flesh-eating zombies have had their time to shine at the movies, but now it’s time for them to invade our TVs. And with Darbont, Kirkman, and producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens) at the helm I have little doubt The Walking Dead will produce a thrilling, sometimes downright scary adventure. The Darabont directed, produced, and written pilot airs this Halloween. Get pumped! Premieres Sunday, October 31 at 8PM on AMC.
Before I let you go.. I bet you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned the return of Parks & Recreation (NBC) and V (ABC). That’s because the networks are saving them for a mid-season premiere (think January/February). And don’t forget to watch South Park (Comedy Central); the second half of season 14 begins later this fall.
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