Film: American Made

GENRE: Action Biography

RATING: R for language and some sexuality
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 55 minutes

STARRING: Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible, Jack Reacher, Top Gun)

Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars 7&8), Sarah Wright (Marry Me)

DIRECTOR: Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, Bourne Identity)

WRITER: Gary Spinelli (newcomer)

PLOT: A pilot becomes to ‘go-to’ guy for transporting drug, firearms and more for the CIA and drug runners.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: Like Tom Cruise but had no expectations.

STORY STUFF: The story is enjoyable enough but not enough to keep me engrossed. The fact that it was based on a true story helped. I didn’t find there was that much character development though.

ACTING STUFF: Cruise has the charisma, but that’s about it. Jesse Plemons (Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad) is wasted in a small sheriff role. Not much else to say.

ARTISTIC STUFF: There were some weird cuts and angles in the first fifteen minutes of the film but then it just leveled out. Not much to talk about on the artistic level. I actually expected a bit more from Liman.   

VERDICT: Two stars out of five

SEE IT IF: Like Tom Cruise and Escobar drug smuggling

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Battle of the Sexes, Bladerunner 2049

2017 Fall TV Anticipation

So my uncle was ranting this week about how there are too many long lists this time of year. Instead of a top thirty how about a top five.  Well, I decided to make a list of seven. People are often asking me these days, which shows I am looking forward to. Unfortunately, most of the new shows look like duds. These are some returning shows that I am slightly anticipating. For this list, I limited myself to one show per day of the week. These are the ones I will make sure I watch the night of instead of PVRing.

SUNDAY ~ CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO 10/1 10pm)

While I am mildly curious about White Famous, I would like to see what awkward situations Larry David can get into.

MONDAY ~ THE GOOD DOCTOR (ABC 9/25 10pm)

Sure, it looks an awful lot like House, but I enjoyed that show. I also liked Freddie Highmore in Bates Motel. (Monday’s sort of an off night.)

TUESDAY ~ BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (FOX 9/26 9:30pm)

I know, I know, This Is Us is also on this night. I do really enjoy that show but give me some great laughs over inevitable ‘manly’ tears.

WENESDAY ~ RIVERDALE (CW 10/11 8pm)

I’d usually pick Mr. Robot but the last season didn’t wow me. Riverdale is my guilty pleasure. It’s so nostalgic and silly at the same time.

THURSDAY ~ THE GOOD PLACE (NBC 9/20 8:30pm)

I was nervous the concept wouldn’t work during season one and Michael Shur surprised me. I hope my faith is rewarded even more this season.

FRIDAY ~ STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX 10/27 12am)

It’s been a long wait to see what happens next to these awesome kids and the town in general. Toast up some Eggos.

SATURDAY ~ SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC 9/30 8:30pm West Coast)

Coming off a pretty strong year, I’m eager to see how far they go this season. Let the Twitter responses commence.

There you have it. Of course, I watch far more than just one show per night, but these are MVPs for me.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Battle of Sexes, Kingsman 2

2017 Emmy Awards Wrap Up

Did well this time around. I got 21 out of 24 categories (I count predicted and wanted as wins). Handmaid’s Tale and Big Little Lies had a big night. I enjoyed Stephen Colbert’s hosting from his opening song to his tongue-in-cheek comments about John Oliver after losing the Variety Talk category.  I also really liked David Mandel acceptance speech with Veep’s win. Weird things for me included Sarah Paulson’s disco ball dress and the bizarre In Memoriam segment with cheesy Family Ties-inspired picture frames with sappy music and cross fades. My wife also noticed that there were a lot of green earrings (I was not aware). As is evidenced with my score, there were not many surprises. Well, Sean Spicer was a surprise. It was fun watching the utter shock on the celebrity faces; Melissa McCarthy looked so uncomfortable. Anyway, here is what won:

THE WINNERS:

Drama Series: The Handmaid’s Tale (Predicted)  

Comedy Series: Veep (Predicted)

Limited Series: Big Little Lies (Predicted)

Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Predicted & Wanted)

Variety Sketch Series: SNL (Predicted & Wanted)

Reality Series: The Voice

Lead Actor [Drama]: Sterling K Brown (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Drama]: Elisabeth Moss (Predicted & Wanted)

Lead Actor [Comedy]: Donald Glover (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Comedy]: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Predicted & Wanted)

Lead Actor [Limited]: Riz Ahmed (Predicted)  

Lead Actress [Limited]: Nicole Kidman (Predicted & Wanted)

Supp. Actor [Drama]: John Lithgow (Predicted & Wanted)

Supp. Actress [Drama]: Ann Dowd  

Supp. Actor [Comedy]: Alec Baldwin (Predicted)

Supp. Actress [Comedy]: Kate McKinnon (Predicted & Wanted)

Supp. Actor [Limited]: Alexander Skarsgard (Predicted)  

Supp. Actress [Limited]: Laura Dern (Predicted & Wanted)

Directing [Drama]: The Handmaid’s Tale – Ofred (Pilot) (Predicted)  

Writing [Drama]: The Handmaid’s Tale – Ofred (Pilot)

Directing [Comedy]: Atlanta – B.A.N. (Predicted)  

Writing [Comedy]: Master of None – Thanksgiving (Predicted & Wanted)   

Directing [Limited]: Big Little Lies (Predicted)  

Writing [Limited]: Black Mirror – San Junipera (Predicted)  

The fall season begins soon.

Check out my Fall Preview. (just click here)

2017 Emmy Award Predictions

The Emmys are this coming Sunday. Looking forward to Colbert hosting the festivities. For the Primetime Emmys predictions, it’s same as past years: I play to win but am happy if the one I want to win takes the statue. Here now are the fearless predictions:

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul | House of Cards | Stranger Things | The Crown | The Handmaid’s Tale | This Is Us | Westworld

WILL WIN: The Handmaid’s Tale (seems oddly relevant right now)

WANT TO WIN: Stranger Things (such binge-watchable fun)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Atlanta | Black-ish | Master of None | Modern Family | Silicon Valley | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Veep

WILL WIN: Veep (The love is never-ending for this show)

WANT TO WIN: Master of None (love the writing and Ansari)

Outstanding Limited Series

Big Little Lies | Fargo | Feud: Bette & Joan | Genius | The Night Of

WILL WIN: Big Little Lies (great cast and female driven)

WANT TO WIN: The Night Of (loved watching the story unfold)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee | Jimmy Kimmel Live | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | The Late Late Show with James Corden | Real Time with Bill Maher

WILL WIN: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (so needed right now)

WANT TO WIN: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (always make me laugh and think)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

Billy on the Street | Documentary Now! | Drunk History | Portlandia | SNL | Tracey Ullman’s Show

WILL WIN: SNL (It had one of its best seasons in years)

WANT TO WIN: SNL (very strong this year)

Outstanding Reality – Competition Program

Amazing Race | America Ninja Warrior | Project Runway | RuPaul’s Drag Race | Top Chef | The Voice

WILL WIN: RuPaul’s Drag Race (have never seen it but still popular for some reason)

WANT TO WIN: Amazing Race (back to normal after that dreaded YouTube one)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

The Americans: Matthew Rhys | Better Call Saul: Bob Odenkirk | House of Cards: Kevin Spacey | Ray Donovon: Liev Schreiber | This Is Us: Sterling K. Brown | This Is Us: Milo Ventimiglia

WILL WIN: Sterling K Brown (this guy is on a roll, stellar acting)

WANT TO WIN: Bob Odenkirk (you want to root for him the whole time)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The Americans: Keri Russell | The Crown: Claire Foy | The Handmaid’s Tale: Elisabeth Moss | House of Cards: Robin Wright | How To Get Away With Murder: Viola Davis | Westworld: Evan Rachel Wood

WILL WIN: Elisabeth Moss (She deserves some awards)

WANT TO WIN: Elisabeth Moss (Her Offred was pretty moving)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Atlanta: Donald Glover | Baskets: Zach Galifianakis | Black-ish: Anthony Anderson | Master of None: Aziz Ansari | Shameless: William H Macy | Transparent: Jeffrey Tambor

WILL WIN: Donald Glover (consolation for loss of series to Veep)

WANT TO WIN: Aziz Ansari (love his authenticity)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Better Things: Pamela Adlon | Black-ish: Tracee Ellis Ross | Grace and Frankie: Jane Fonda| Grace and Frankie: Lily Tomlin | Mom: Allison Janney | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Ellie Kemper | Veep: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

WILL WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (why not another one)

WANT TO WIN: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (if you can’t beat ‘em…)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Fargo: Ewan McGregor | Genius: Geoffrey Rush | The Night Of: Riz Ahmed | The Night Of: John Turturro | Sherlock-The Lying Detective: Benedict Cumberbatch | The Wizard of Lies: Robert De Niro

WILL WIN: Riz Ahmed (such an interesting transformation)

WANT TO WIN: John Turturro (a toss up for this awesome series)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

American Crime: Felicity Huffman | Big Little Lies: Nicole Kidman | Big Little Lies: Reese Witherspoon | Fargo: Carrie Coon | Feud-Bette & Joan: Jessica Lange |  Feud-Bette & Joan: Susan Sarandon

WILL WIN: Nicole Kidman (such a risky role of an abused wife)

WANT TO WIN: Nicole Kidman (she deserves it, it’s so hard to watch)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Better Call Saul: Jonathan Banks | The Crown: John Lithgow | Homeland: Mandy Patinkin | House of Cards: Michael Kelly | Stranger Things: David Harbour | This Is Us: Ron Cephas Jones | Westworld: Jeffrey Wright

WILL WIN: John Lithgow (his Churchill outshone the queen at times)

WANT TO WIN: John Lithgow (although I still like Michael Kelly’s work)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The Handmaid’s Tale: Ann Dowd | The Handmaid’s Tale: Samira Wiley | Orange is the New Black: Uzo Aduba | Stranger Things: Millie Bobby Brown | This Is Us: Chrissy Metz | Westworld: Thandie Newton

WILL WIN: Thandie Newton (Westworld needs some love)

WANT TO WIN: Chrissy Metz (Loved her work this past season)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Baskets: Louie Anderson | Modern Family: Ty Burrell | SNL: Alec Baldwin | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Tituss Burgess | Veep: Tony Hale | Veep: Matt Walsh

WILL WIN: Alec Baldwin (Trump wins again)

WANT TO WIN: Matt Walsh (His pathetic-ness is so fun)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

SNL: Vanessa Bayer | SNL: Leslie Jones | SNL: Kate McKinnon | Transparent: Kathryn Hahn | Transparent: Judith Light | Veep: Anna Chlumsky

WILL WIN: Kate McKinnon (Hillary and then Kelly for the win)

WANT TO WIN: Kate McKinnon (She’s amazing)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Big Little Lies: Alexander Skarsgard | Fargo: David Thewlis | Feud-Bette & Joan: Alfred Molina | Feud-Bette & Joan: Stanley Tucci | The Night Of: Bill Camp | The Night Of: Michael Kenneth Williams

WILL WIN: Alexander Skarsgard (even bigger risk as an abusive husband)

WANT TO WIN: Stanley Tucci (a small but wonderfully dick-ish role)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

American Crime: Regina King | Big Little Lies: Laura Dern | Big Little Lies: Shailene Woodley | Feud-Bette & Joan: Judy Davis | Feud-Bette & Joan: Jackie Hoffman | The Wizard of Lies: Ruth Madoff

WILL WIN: Laura Dern (she makes it so easy to hate her character)

WANT TO WIN: Laura Dern (not much more to add)

Directing for a Drama Series

Better Call Saul • Witness | The Crown • Hyde Park Corner | The Handmaid’s Tale • The Bridge | The Handmaid’s Tale • Offred (Pilot) | Stranger Things • Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers | Westworld • The Bicameral Mind

WILL WIN: The Handmaid’s Tale-Offred (lots of emotion to be had)

WANT TO WIN: Stranger Things-The Vanishing of Will Byers (great start to a series)

Writing for a Drama Series

The Americans • The Soviet Division | Better Call Saul • Chicanery | The Crown • Assassins | The Handmaid’s Tale • Offred (Pilot) | Stranger Things • Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers | Westworld • The Bicameral Mind

WILL WIN: Stranger Things-The Vanishing of Will Byers (nostalgic creepy fun)

WANT TO WIN: Better Call Saul-Chicanery (a wonderfully tense brother vs brother trial)

Directing for a Comedy Series

Atlanta • B.A.N. | Silicon Valley • Intellectual Property | Silicon Valley • Server Error | Veep • Blurb | Veep • Groundbreaking | Veep • Justice

WILL WIN: Atlanta-B.A.N.(just because of the clever format)

WANT TO WIN: Silicon Valley-Server Error (Jared steals the show)

Writing for a Comedy Series

Atlanta • B.A.N. | Atlanta • Streets On Lock | Master of None • Thanksgiving | Silicon Valley • Success Failure | Veep • Georgia | Veep • Groundbreaking

WILL WIN: Master of None-Thanksgiving (well done coming out story)

WANT TO WIN: Master of None-Thanksgiving (I like some of the other MoN eps more though)

Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

Big Little Lies | Fargo • The Law of Vacant Places | Feud-Bette & Joan • And the Winner Is . . . (The Oscars of 1963) | Genius • Einstein: Chapter One | The Night Of • The Art of War | The Night Of • The Beach

WILL WIN: Big Little Lies (a well told miniseries)

WANT TO WIN: The Night Of-The Beach (watching all his mistakes was gripping)

Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

Big Little Lies | Black Mirror: San Junipero | Fargo • The Law of Vacant Places | Feud-Bette & Joan • And the Winner Is . . . (The Oscars of 1963) | Feud-Better & Joan • Pilot | The Night Of • The Call of the Wild

WILL WIN: Black Mirror: San Junipera (though I like the first one of the season better)

WANT TO WIN: Feud-Bette & Joan-And the Winner is . . .  (truth is stranger than fiction)

I got 15 out of 22 categories last year. Let’s see how I do this year. I’ll post after the Emmys with the results and commentary. 

2017 Fall Television Preview

It’s September, and the fall television season is almost upon us. Most of the shows will return in a couple of weeks. Not too sure about many of the new shows but I’ll give a couple a chance. Here’s the run down (starting with Sunday):

THE SIMPSONS [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 29

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 1 @ 8pm

Genre: Animated Comedy

Starring: Dan Castellaneta (Hey Arnold!)

Hank Azaria (Smurfs, Ray Donovan)

Creator: Matt Groening (Futurama)

Why I watch: I’ve seen every episode, why stop now?

Coming up: Voices of Ed Sheeran & Daniel Radcliff, an ‘It’ parody

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 1 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Apocalyptic Comedy

Starring: Will Forte (SNL, Nebraska, MacGruber)

January Jones (Mad Men, X-Men: First Class)

Creator: Will Forte (That 70’s Show, 3^rd Rock from the Sun)

Why I watch: The concept is lagging but want to know what happens next

Coming up: Kristen Wiig and Chris Elliot have recurring roles

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM [HBO]

Upcoming Season: 9

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 1 @ 10pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Larry David (SNL, Clear History)

Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs)

Creator: Larry David (Seinfeld)

Why I watch: It’s an amplified version of Seinfeld’s George.

Coming up: Apparently lots of twist and crazy stuff

THE WALKING DEAD [AMC]

Upcoming Season: 8

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 24 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama / Horror

Starring: Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Strike Back)

Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints)

Creator: based on Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel

Why I watch: It’s an intense hour of drama and zombies

Coming up: A big war between Rick and Neegan

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER [HBO]

Upcoming Season: Still in Season 4

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, still running @ 10:30pm

Genre: ‘News’ program

Starring: John Oliver (Daily Show, Community)

Creator: John Oliver

Why I watch: Love Oliver’s rants and in depth stuff

Coming up: More focussed news stories and Trump analysis

THE BIG BANG THEORY [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 11

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 25 @ 8pm (moves to Thurs in Nov)

Genre: Friends Comedy

Starring: Jim Parsons (Garden State, The Muppets, Normal Heart)

Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, In Time, Christmas Vacation)

Creators: Chuck Lorre (2½ Men) & Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg)

Why I watch: Great cast chemistry

Coming up: Sheldon & Amy’s relationship hits a new milestone

[NEW!]YOUNG SHELDON [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 25 @ 8:30pm (really starts Thurs in Nov)

Genre: Family Comedy

Starring: Iain Armitage (Big Little Lies, The Glass Castle)

Zoe Perry (Scandal, The Family)

Creators: Chuck Lorre & Steven Molaro (The Big Bang Theory)

Premise: The early life of Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory

Why I’ll give it a chance: The kid’s cute and the writing is funny

What could hurt it: Seems like a retread of Malcolm in the Middle

[NEW!]ME, MYSELF & I [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 25 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Bobby Moynihan (SNL, Sister, new DuckTales)

John Larroquette (Night Court, The Librarians, Boston Legal)

Creator: Dan Kopelman (Malcolm in the Middle, Galavant)

Premise: An inventor’s life is explored at 14, 40 and 65.

Why I’ll give it a chance: Interesting premise & like the actors

What could hurt it: The creator’s shows are not my favourite

[NEW!]THE GOOD DOCTOR [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 25 @ 10pm

Genre: Medical Drama

Starring: Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel, Finding Neverland)

Richard Schiff (West Wing, I Am Sam, The Affair)

Creator: David Shore (House, Houdini and Doyle)

Premise: An autistic surgeon is hired at a prestigious hospital

Why I’ll give it a chance: I like the actors

What could hurt it: Too much like House and too procedural-y

[NEW!]THE GIFTED [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Oct 2 @ 9pm

Genre: Marvel Action

Starring: Amy Acker (Angel, Person of Interest, Cabin in the Woods)

Stephen Moyer (True Blood, The Bastard Executioner)

Creator: Matt Nix (Burn Notice, The Good Guys)

Premise: Mutated human fight to achieve equality

Why I’ll give it a chance: It’s Marvel and I like Acker

What could hurt it: The premise looks a little blah

THIS IS US [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 26 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama

Starring: Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember, Tangled)

Sterling K Brown (ACS: The People vs OJ Simpson)

Creator: Dan Fogelman (The Neighbors, Grandfathered)

Why I watch: Top notch writing and performances

Coming up: Randall adopting and how Jack died

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 5

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 26 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Workplace Comedy

Starring: Andy Samberg (SNL, Hot Rod, Celeste & Jesse Forever)

Andre Braugher (Last Resort, Homicide:Life on the Street)

Creator: Michael Shur (SNL, The Office, Parks & Recreation)

Why I watch: Such a great ensemble. Still very funny.

Coming up: Jake and Rosa try to take down a dirty cop

[NEW!] LAW & ORDER: TRUE CRIME [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 26 @ 10pm

Genre: Crime Drama

Starring: Edie Falco (The Sopranos, Nurse Jackie)

Chris Bauer (True Blood, Sully, The Deuce)

Creator: Dick Wolf (Law & Order and Chicago franchises)

Premise: Anthology series looking at real court cases

Why I’ll give it a chance: Interested in Menendez Brothers case

What could hurt it: Not as good as The People vs OJ Simpson

THE FLASH [CW]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Oct 10 @ 8pm

Genre: Action/Adventure

Starring: Grant Gustin (Glee, 90210, Arrow)

Jesse L Martin (Law & Order, Smash, Rent)

Creators: Greg Berlanti (Dawson’s Creek, Everwood, Eli Stone)

Andrew Kreisberg (Boston Legal, Arrow) & Geoff Johns (Arrow)

Why I watch: Fun stories despite their playing with time

Coming up: A new non-speedster big bad

MODERN FAMILY [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 9

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 27 @ 9pm

Genre: Family Comedy

Starring: Ty Burrell (Back to You, Out of Practice)

Julie Bowen (Boston Legal, Weeds, Lost, Ed)

Creators: Steve Levitan (Just Shoot Me, Frasier, Wings)

Christopher Lloyd (Wings, Frasier, Out of Practice, Back to You)

Why I watch: A well done family sitcom however aging

Coming up: Luke’s in a gap year while Manny is at university

DESIGNATED SURVIVOR [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 27 @ 10:00pm

Genre: Drama Thriller

Starring: Kiefer Sutherland (24, Touch, The Lost Boys)

Kal Penn (House, How I Met Your Mother, Battle Creek)

Creator: David Guggenheim (Safe House)

Why I watch: Fun what-if scenario and some interesting politics

Coming up: More West Wing, less 24

RIVERDALE [CW]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Oct 11 @ 8pm

Genre: Teen Drama

Starring: KJ Apa (A Dog’s Purpose)

Cole Sprouse (Big Daddy, Friends, Suite Life of Zack and Cody)

Creator: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Glee, Supergirl)

Why I watch: Fun teen angst with comic characters in Langley

Coming up: Aftermath of diner shooting and darker

THE GOOD PLACE [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 20 @ 8:30pm (usually on Thursdays)

Genre: Divine Comedy

Starring: Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall)

Ted Danson (Cheers, Becker, CSI:, Fargo)

Creator: Michael Shur (Parks & Recreation, Brooklyn Nine Nine)

Premise: A terrible person somehow makes it to heaven to start anew

Why I watch: Very funny characters and interesting twists

Coming up: Eleanor tries to find Chidi after the big twist last season

GOTHAM [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Sept 21 @ 8pm

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Starring: Ben McKenzie (Southland, The OC)

Donal Logue (Vikings, Terriers, Zodiac)

Creator: Bruno Heller (Rome, The Mentalist)

Why I watch: It’s goofy but fun to see some of the backstories

Coming up: Ra’s al Ghul and new love interest for Gordon

SCANDAL [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 7

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Oct 5 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama Thriller

Starring: Kerry Washington (Confirmation, Django Unchained)

Katie Lowes (Super 8, Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6)

Creator: Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder)

Why I watch: The twisty political show is entertaining

Coming up: The ending of the show

[NEW!] MARVEL’S INHUMANS [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Sept 29 @ 9pm

Genre: Marvel Action

Starring: Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels, Line of Fire, Conviction)

Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones)

Creator: Scott Buck (Dexter, Six Feet Under, Iron Fist)

Premise: Isolated superhumans fight to protect themselves

Why I’ll give it a chance: It’s Marvel & liked Buck’s work on Dexter

What could hurt it: Iwan Rheon is just Ramsay Bolton again, hate Mount

STRANGER THINGS [NETFLIX]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Oct 27 @ 12:01am

Genre: Drama Fantasy Horror

Starring: Winona Ryder (Beetlejuice, Reality Bites, Little Women)

David Harbour (The Newsroom, Black Mass, Suicide Squad)

Creator: Matt & Ross Duffer (Wayward Pines)

Why I watch: Binge-able fun with eighties references and great kid actors

Coming up: The return of Eleven and more from the Upside Down

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 43

Premiere Date/Time: Sat, Sept 30 @ 11:30pm

Genre: Sketch Comedy

Starring: Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters)

Cecily Strong (The Awesomes)

Creator: Lorne Michaels (30 Rock, Portlandia)

Why I watch: It’s an institution. Always something to talk about.

Coming up: More of Alec Baldwin as Trump.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 5

Premiere Date/Time: ongoing @ 11:30pm

Genre: Talk Show

Starring: Jimmy Fallon (SNL, Fever Pitch, Whip It)

Creator: Lorne Michaels & NBC

Why I watch: It’s always filled with fun moments and games

LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 5

Premiere Date/Time: ongoing @ 12:30pm

Genre: Talk Show

Starring: Seth Meyers (SNL, The Awesomes, New Year’s Eve)

Creator: Lorne Michaels & NBC

Why I watch: Mostly just his Closer Looks into the Trump presidency

What new shows are you going try this year?

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Emmy Predictions