TV: Fall Preview

The new fall season is coming. It’s exciting. I thought I would share what new shows I’ll be trying out this year. I usually allow for three episodes before I pass judgement unless it’s is so awful I can’t stand it. Like always, all the good shows are piled on a couple of nights. Sundays are nearly impossible and so are Monday this fall. Thursday is not looking much better. Anyway here’s the rundown of the fall shows and such.

SHOWS I’M EXCITED TO SEE

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

Sundays 9pm HBO (premieres Sept 19)

PROS

1 It’s produced by Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Casino) who also directs the pilot. That should really be enough.

2 Steve Buscemi is an awesome actor. He has did some great TV work on the Sopranos. Love to see what he does here as Nucky Thompson.

3 I’m enjoying the period dramas like Mad Men more and more. This one’s set in the Prohibition-era. Should be interesting.

THE EVENT

Mondays 9pm NBC (premieres Sept 20)

PROS

1 It’s intricate premise and frenzied pace reminds me of a little show called Lost. Hope the makers learned from Heroes.

2 I really like a bunch of the cast. Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia), Blair Underwood (Dirty Sexy Money) and Zeljko Ivanek (Damages) are some fine people to watch every week.

3 I’ve already been asking myself what the event is. Love myself a mystery.

UNDERCOVERS

Wednesdays 8pm NBC (premieres Sept 22)

PROS

1 It’s produced by JJ Abrams. He knows how to do spy stuff.

2 I still miss Alias, I think this will fill that void

3 Never seen the actors before but they look pretty slick.

HAWAII FIVE-0

Mondays 10pm CBS (premieres Sept 20)

PROS

1 Great cast. Scott Caan (Entourage), Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica). These people can act!

2 Looks like fun. The actors seem to have some great chemistry.

3 The locales should look pretty nice being Hawaii and all.

SHOWS I’M IFFY ABOUT

CHASE

Mondays 10pm NBC (premieres Sept 20)

PRO: Looks action packed and intense

CON: The dialogue looks lame

NO ORDINARY FAMILY

Tuesdays 8pm ABC (premieres Sept 28)

PRO: Fun to see family learn how to use their powers

CON: Don’t want another Heroes and it seems touchy-feely

OUTSOURCED

Thursdays 9:30pm NBC (premieres Sept 23)

PRO: I usually enjoy the comedies that NBC puts out

CON: Seems limited and pretty racist

RUNNING WILDE

Tuesdays 9:30pm FOX (premieres Sept 21)

PRO: Will Arnett and the folks behind Arrested Development are running this show

CON: Don’t know if Felicity can do comedy and the premise seems limited

THE WHOLE TRUTH

Wednesdays 10pm ABC (premieres Sept 22)

PRO: Seeing both sides of a course case looks interesting

CON: The cases better be worth watching

TERRIERS

Wednedays 10pm FX (premieres Sept 8)

PRO: The actors have a good chemistry

CON: The cases need a little more excitement

LONE STAR

Mondays 9pm FOX (premieres Sept 20)

PRO: The critics are raving about it

CON: Seems a little soap opera-ish and it’s on FOX so they’ll probably cancel it soon

Normally at this point I would show you a grid of what I’ll all be watching but with the PVR, lots of things are getting recorded and watched at different times. I’ll show you in list form instead.

SUNDAYS

6pm Rubicon (AMC)

7pm Mad Men (AMC)

8pm Simpsons (FOX)

8pm Amazing Race (CBS)

9pm Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

9pm Dexter (SHOW)

9pm Family Guy (FOX)

9pm Undercover Boss (CBS)

10pm Bored to Death (HBO)

MONDAYS

8pm How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

8pm House (FOX)

8pm Chuck (NBC)

9pm The Event (NBC)

9pm Lone Star (FOX)

9pm Two and Half Men (CBS)

10pm Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)

10pm Chase (NBC)

10pm Weeds (SHOW)

TUESDAYS

8pm Glee (FOX)

8pm No Ordinary Family (ABC)

9:30pm Running Wilde (FOX)

10pm Parenthood (NBC)

WEDNESDAYS

8pm Undercovers (NBC)

9pm Modern Family (ABC)

10pm The Whole Truth (ABC)

10pm Terriers (FX)

THURSDAYS

8pm The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

8pm Community (NBC)

8:30pm 30 Rock (NBC)

9pm Fringe (FOX)

9pm The Office (NBC)

9:30pm Outsourced (NBC)

FRIDAYS

8pm Smallville (CW)

9pm Human Target (FOX)

SATURDAYS

11:30pm SNL (NBC)

Lots to watch. We’ll see what lasts. I’ll have a report probably in late October as to where these new shows stand. Last year I wouldn’t have predicted that Modern Family would be one of my favourite new shows. So anything can happen. Stay tuned.