January has come and gone and as we fold into February it’s time to take a look at nine series/season premieres airing this month. Jump after the break for all the deets.
Sunday, 2/9: The Walking Dead (AMC, 9PM)
The zombie show returns for the second half of its fourth season tonight. The prison is no longer safe haven and our band of survivors have been dislocated. Eight episodes left. And don’t forget to tune into the Chris Hardwick after-show Talking Dead which also returns immediately following the new episode.
Friday, 2/14: House of Cards (Netflix)
The second season of the Kevin Spacey/Robin Wright political thriller House of Cards returns this Valentine’s Day. And just like before all 13 episodes will premiere on the streaming service simultaneously. On a related note, the award-winning series has been renewed for a third, 13 episode season.
Monday, 2/17: The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:35PM)
Out with the old, in with the new: Jay Leno bid The Tonight Show adieu last week and former Late Night host Jimmy Fallon is bring the show back to New York when he takes over on the 17th. His first guests include Will Smith and U2.
Monday, 2/24: Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC, 12:35PM)
One week later former SNL head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers will assume the host position at Late Night. Jimmy Fallon leading into Seth Meyers–couldn’t ask for a more fun pairing! Meyers’ first guest will be Amy Poehler.
Update: With Quest-Love and The Roots packing their bags to join Jimmy at The Tonight Show, the new Late Night will arrive with a fresh band and its leader will be another SNL alum–Fred Armisen. On February 10, Seth Meyers tweeted out a photo of his band and Armisen stands front and center cradling a guitar. According to Meyers, Armisen “will curate and lead the band, and continue to run it even when he’s off shooting [his IFC comedy series] Portlandia.” Click here to meet the studio 8G Band.
Saturday, 2/22: About a Boy (NBC, 11PM, following Olympics coverage)
Jason Katims, creator of Parenthood, is adapting the best-selling Nick Hornby novel and Hugh Grant starring movie About a Boy into a TV series that shares the same name. The coming-of-age story stars David Walton (Perfect Couples, Bent, New Girl) as Will Freeman who moves in next door to a single mom (Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting) and her son (Benjamin Stockholm, 1600 Penn, Once Upon a Time), the latter of which he oddly relates to. I’ve screened the pilot and I’m happy to report this is one of the warmest, funniest sitcom pilots this season–don’t miss it! The pilot airs after Olympics coverage on Saturday the 22nd, and the 25th it lands in its regular Tuesday at 9 slot. Watch a new sneak peek here.
Tuesday, 2/25: Mind Games (ABC, 10PM)
From Kyle Killen, creator of the short-lived but exceptional Awake, comes Mind Games starring Christian Slater (Breaking In, The Forgotten, My Own Worst Enemy) and Steve Zahn (Joyride).
With a little bit of science, a dash of con-artistry, plus a smattering of Jedi mind tricks, brothers Ross (Slater) and Clark Edwards (Zahn) can tailor a plan to influence any life-altering situation, thereby making their clients’ dreams come true and their nightmares go away. They are partners in Edwards and Associates, an unusual business based on the belief that people’s decisions are influenced by their environment in ways they’re not aware.
Killen has proven he is the master of manipulation in dual-life dramas Awake and Lone Star; personally I cannot wait to see his latest smart project unfold. Watch a couple clips from the show here.
Wednesday, 2/26: Mixology (ABC, 9:30PM) / The Americans (FX, 10PM)
ABC’s cooking up a new relationship show written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (the guys behind The Hangover, 21 and Over) and executive produced by Ryan Seacrest. Mixology features a large ensemble cast and its most interesting draw is that the entire season takes place in one night at the same location: a bar. These facts alone have piqued my interest and I’m looking forward to finding out how properly and humorously it’s executed. Preview the show here.
America’s favorite KGB spies return in the highly anticipated second season of The Americans. Breakout star Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell resume their roles as Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings. With neighbor and FBI Agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) always a couple steps behind the shady couple and the Jennings’ daughter Paige starting to get suspicious about her parents’ actions and whereabouts, season 2 is expected to really ramp things up. Also, you must admit you’ve missed Phillip’s alter-ego Clark who is married to the clueless yet adored FBI secretary Martha. Click here to watch a season one finale recap and here to view season 2 promos and teasers.
Friday, 2/28: Hannibal (NBC, 10PM)
Bryan Fuller’s beautiful take on serial killer Hannibal Lector and tormented FBI profiler Will Graham continues with a second season premiering at the end of the month. If you can recall, the end of the first season the tables were unexpectedly turned when Hannibal went to visit Will who’s been placed in jail for crimes he did not commit (Hannibal did!). Now that Will is aware of Hannibal’s true nature, this opens up a new creative avenue for the bold series to take. Hannibal is one of my favorite dramas on TV today so it comes highly recommended. It’s inherently a very disturbing show, of course, but the writing is so believable and the cinematography is unique and something to behold. Watch the incredible season 2 trailer here.