Well fall TV is upon us again and, for me, it’s an exciting time of year. All my favorite shows are coming back (well
not all of them—I’m looking at you ABC and the cancelation choices you have made recently) and some future favorites are joining the lineup. Honestly, no one particular network is offering a slew of hits. Most of the shows premiering are not going to make it. Some will barely make it a few episodes. I viewed the trailers for the new shows and have picked out the top new show from each network, plus a few honorable mentions. Below, I’ve listed my top new shows to watch out for this fall.
“How to Get Away With Murder”
Okay, if the title doesn’t get your attention immediately then nothing else I’ve listed will either. The show stars Academy Award nominee Viola Davis as an intense, mysterious criminal defense professor who, along with a group of her ambitious law students, becomes entangled in a murder plot that will rock the entire university and change all of their lives. Just hearing Davis mutter the show’s title in the preview sold me on this show. The show is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes and will air after her hits “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.” Time will tell if this series will become a powerhouse like the other two. Thank God it’s Thursday. “How to Get Away With Murder” will air Thursdays at 10/9 central on ABC.
“Scorpion”
With nearly all of their shows returning from last year, CBS really didn’t have much room to add too many new shows. Out of nine new-ordered shows, this seems to be the clear winner. I think CBS believes so too as it seems to get more advertising than others. Nonetheless, the show is about super genius Elyes Gabel who pulls together a team of similar individuals to help stop threats against the United States. Intelligent, humorous and fast-moving are all words to characterize this show. If viewers agree, the network should have another hit on its hands. “Scorpion” is set to air Mondays at 9/8 central on CBS.
“Marry Me”
Finally, a comedy makes the list! Sadly this show is the only one on it. From the creator of “Happy Endings,” still looking you ABC, comes this hilarious comedy starring Casey Wilson and Ken Marino. The duo star as Annie and Jake, a longtime couple who, after many botched engagements, decide to pull themselves together before officially getting engaged. Hilarity ensues, with plenty of moments that help this couple realize that no matter what, they cannot get away from each other. If you were a fan of “Happy Endings” and miss it as much as I do, this looks to take some of the pain away. “Marry Me” will air Tuesdays at 9/8 central on NBC.
“Red Band Society”
Octavia Spencer. That is really all you need to know. The Academy Award winner stars in this provoking, inspiring and, at times, comedic show about a group of teenagers who meet as patients in the pediatric ward of Ocean Park Hospital in Los Angeles. There’s a lot of heart in this show and no doubt will it tug some heartstrings. Spencer plays Nurse Jackson who, along with the other hospital staff, gives these kids the freedom to have life inside the hospital, just within medical safety. I would say this is the underdog of all the new shows premiering this fall, but there’s a fight to this cast and the show’s message. “Red Band Society” will air Wednesdays at 10/9 central on FOX.
Below are two shows that will make some noise, but were not necessarily my favorite. There are only two and one has not even begun filming yet. There is not even a trailer.
“The Flash”
After the success of “Arrow,” the CW clearly knew what it was doing by bringing this series to life. Given, I have never seen “Arrow” or watched anything on the CW since “One Tree Hill” went off the air, but I will say the trailer for this show peaked my interest. Like “Arrow,” and also former CW show “Smallville,” this DC comic-based series looks to be full of action. While DC has had its fair share of flubs in the cinematic universe, their projects on television have fared far better and have told the story of its lead character in a better fashion. “The Flash” will air Tuesdays at 8/7 central on the CW.
Below are two honorable mentions that will make some noise, but were not necessarily my favorite. Only one of the shows has begun filming. There is not even a trailer. Nonetheless, both look to incorporate freshness to television.
“Gotham”
In this new take on “The Caped Crusader,” the story mainly focuses on Commissioner James Gordon and his rise to prominence in Gotham City. If you are expecting to see Batman in all of his glory, then this is not the show for you. Yes, Bruce Wayne is in the show, along with favorite villains and comic characters, but this story is all about the before and how the characters got to where we know them today. “Gotham” will air Mondays at 8/7 central on FOX.
“Agent Carter”
Marvel continues to build its television stock with this new show. It stars Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, who appeared in both “Captain America: The First Avenger” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Set in 1946, Carter must balance the routine office work she does for the Strategic Scientific Reserve while secretly working with Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) on missions. Not much has been released about the show, and it will not be making its way onto the schedule until mid-season when “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” goes on hiatus.
There you have it, the best new show from each of the five major networks and a couple of honorable mentions. I am sure there will be a few more shows I did not mention that will do well, but for now these are the ones that are sure to make must-see TV. Unfortunately, cable networks offered nothing exciting, but I have hope they will offer something exciting for the beginning of next year.
Next week be sure to check out part two of my fall TV preview, as I take a look at some of the exciting returning series this fall and what to expect from them.
