With the onset of fall comes a slew of new and returning TV shows, and this year is no exception. Here’s a look at some of the most promising new series.
Monday
Thanks to its cryptic marketing, NBC’s The Event (premieres Sept. 20, 9 p.m.) has quickly become one of the more talked-about new shows of the season. Described as a “conspiracy thriller”, the show stars Jason Ritter as a man trying to uncover the secrets behind his fiancée’s disappearance.
Over on CBS, they’re making an addition to their Monday night comedy line-up with Mike and Molly (Sept. 20, 9:30 p.m.), a sitcom revolving around a couple that meets at an overeating seminar. The network will also get somewhat more serious with Hawaii Five-O (Sept. 20, 10 p.m.), a remake of the popular 1970s series, which stars Lost’s Daniel Dae-Kim.
Other debuts include NBC’s U.S. Marshal drama, Chase (Sept. 20, 10 p.m.), and FOX’s Lone Star (Sept. 20, 9 p.m.), which revolves around a conman (played by James Wolk) who must choose between his two separate lives.
Tuesday
Though FOX’s output of new programming this season may be relatively modest, they seem to have enough faith in two of their rookie sitcoms to put them directly behind last season’s ratings magnet, Glee. Raising Hope (Sept. 21,
9 p.m.) is a dark comedy about a hapless young man who must raise his baby daughter after her mother is given the death sentence for murder.
Its stars include Garrett Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men) and Martha Plimpton (The Goonies).
Meanwhile, Running Wilde, a comedy from Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz, stars Will Arnett as a wealthy jerk who tries to woo his high school crush (played by Keri Russell). As well, ABC’s superhero family drama, No Ordinary Family (Sept. 28, 8 p.m.), and ABC’s detective drama, Detroit 1-8-7 (Sept. 21, 10 p.m.), will find their home on Tuesday nights.
Wednesday
Making its premiere on NBC, Undercovers (Sept. 22, 8 p.m.) follows the lives of a married couple who return to their former careers as spies.
Though it may have a familiar plot, the involvement of creator J.J. Abrams (Lost, Fringe, Alias) will likely help to pique viewers’ interest.
We’ll also see a slew of new legal dramas joining the line-up Wednesdays, including NBC’s Law & Order: Los Angeles (Sept. 29, 10 p.m.) starring Skeet Ulrich and Alfred Molina, ABC’s The Whole Truth (Sept. 22,
10 p.m.) starring Maura Tierney, and NBC’s The Defenders (Sept. 22, 10 p.m.) starring Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi.
Those looking for something lighter may enjoy ABC’s relationship comedy Better With You (Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m.), or the CW’s new cheerleading drama, Hellcats (Sept. 8, 9 p.m.), which stars former Disney Channel favourites Ashley Tisdale and Alyson Michalka.
Thursday
One might not expect a gleefully foul-mouthed Twitter meme to translate well to network television, but someone high up thought otherwise: CBS’ new comedy $#*! My Dad Says (Sept. 23, 8:30 p.m.) stars William Shatner as the quotable, curmudgeonly father of an
exasperated son.
Other new Thursday shows include NBC’s Bollywood-inspired Outsourced (Sept. 23, 9:30 p.m.), ABC’s faux-
documentary drama My Generation (Sept. 23, 8 p.m.), and CW’s part spy, part revenge thriller, Nikita (Sept. 9, 9 p.m.).
Friday
Friday nights will offer two
feel-good reality shows in a season heavily focussed on scripted dramas.
NBC’s School Pride (Oct. 15, 8 p.m.) sees a team renovating needy schools, while Secret Millionaire (TBA, 8 p.m.) places some of America’s wealthiest business-
people in impoverished communities to lend a hand. Other new shows include ABC’s medical drama, Body of Proof (Sept. 24, 9 p.m.), NBC’s courtroom drama, Outlaw (Sept. 24, 10 p.m.), and CBS’ Blue Bloods (Sept. 24, 10 p.m.), which stars Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg as members of a law-enforcing family.
Other notable debuts: Conan O’Brien’s new late-night talk show, simply titled Conan, will debut on November 8 at 11 p.m. and air every weeknight on CTV (TBS in America). And though it may be difficult for those with basic cable to find, AMC’s The Walking Dead, a zombie thriller series, will appropriately debut on Halloween at 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, Boardwalk Empire is a prestigious drama that focuses on a New Jersey seaside resort in prohibition-era 1920s. The pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese, and the cast includes Steve Buscemi (Fargo), Kelly McDonald (No Country for Old Men), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man), and Michael Pitt (Funny Games). It will debut on September 19 at 9 p.m. on HBO Canada.
