Sep 14

Sep 14 Time for Fall TV: 2015 Edition

One thing that September has always signified for me is new TV to watch. My TV watching habits have changed; I'm more selective now having I purposely culled my 'must-watch' list, dropping shows like hotcakes. The bounty of Summer TV and the burgeoning online video and show offerings also mean that I'm not as desperate for new things to watch in the Fall. Despite all that Premiere season is still really exciting to me and I take choosing my new TV shows very seriously because who has time to watch bad TV, so you can be assured I will not steer you wrong. My goal is to have 3 posts. This one that previews what new shows look the most promising, as well as the returning shows that I'm going to continue to watch. I'll then commence with watching the premieres as they come (including those I don't think sound good). The second (in early Oct.) and third (in early Nov.) post will discuss which I will continue to give a shot and those that will be purged from my Hulu favorites list and DVR scheduler post-haste. That's going to be split into two posts just because premiere season is soooo long and I want to make sure the information I'm sharing staying relevant.

Let's start with the shows I'll continue to watch:

Agents of SHIELD - Marvel. Enough said.
Agent Carter - See above.
iZombie - Very funny zombies are a counterpoint to the next item.
The Walking Dead - Tense and thrilling show. Also constantly hope that everyone finds a working shower.
Modern Family - easy-to-watch moderately funny show that has a good heart.
New Girl - Because I loved Zooey Deschanel (yes, I'm one of those twee people) and now I love I love the other cast even more (and their apartment).
The Mindy Project - it started out a lil' bit mediocre and has matured into a great ensemble piece. How Dare You, Fox for canceling it! Thanks for righting that wrong, Hulu!
Grey's Anatomy - Shhh! It's my guilty pleasure.
Pretty Little Liars - Shhh! It's my other guilty pleasure.
American Horror Story - it has waxed and waned, but it's just so creepy I can't not watch.
The Leftovers - a shaky first season, but the premise is so intriguing that I'll be back for more.
Doctor Who - Of course. (Despite the disappointment that was Season 8. They better turn it around. <cough> Steven Moffat <cough>.

Can you believe that's my parred down list? I stopped watching a bunch of shows last season. They were new shows that had never hooked me or shows that I had been watching for seasons and they had just run their course with me. I had so many episodes just sitting and waiting for me. Deleting them was kind of liberating in a strange way. These included: Once Upon a Time, Sleepy Hollow, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Gotham, Jane the Virgin , and How to Get Away With Murder.

The New Stuff:

Overall thoughts about the new offerings

Every fall season I see patterns about the types of shows that come out. The season after Lost premiered was dripping with series that were mysterious and tinged with supernatural happenings. In 2006 we saw 30 Rock and Studio 60 on the Sunset strip, both about the world behind an SNL-esque late night series. Very different series, but weirdly about the same subject. This year's theme seems to be spin-offs. We've got spin-offs from movies (Minority Report, Limitless, Ash vs. The Evil Dead), spin-offs from popular series (Chicago Med, Heroes Reborn, Fear the Walking Dead), spin-offs of show format (Scream Queens, Code Black, Chicago Med-- again). It's not the most exciting line-up, but I think there will be plenty to keep me busy.

Shows I Think I'll Like:

The Bastard Executioner (FX - Tues, Sept 15 - 10pm) - I love a good period piece, especially when it seems to have a really good production value. I don't know too much about it besides the fact that it looks really beautiful. But that's got me excited.
Blindspot (NBC - Mon, Sept 21 - 10pm) - Probably the one I'm most interested in. A thriller-mystery series with a fair bit of ass-kicking and Lady Sif and Ashley Johnson thrown in there, who could ask for more.
Crazy Ex-GF (CW - Mon, Oct 19 - 8 pm) - This could be amazing or a trainwreck and I'm interested in seeing which it is. I just hope it gets beyond its gimmicky songs the way that Galavant (ABC) did.
Fear The Walking Dead (AMC - Sun, Aug 23 - 9pm) - Yup, already watching and liking this one. MOAR ZAAAMBIESSS plez.
The Grinder (Fox - Tues, Sept 29 - 8:30pm) - I did not think I was going to like this, but Rob Lowe's intense charm and Fred Savage's likability just won me over. Is it me or is it weird that Ben and Fred Savage both have current TV shows again?
Heroes Reborn (NBC - Thurs, Sept 24 - 8pm) - I loved the original series despite its efforts to stop me. I'll always give this show another chance. I know I'm biased, but the trailer looked objectively epic. Please tell me I have a reason to hope for a return to form.
Into the Badlands (AMC - Sun, Nov 15 - 10pm) - WHAT IS THIS SHOW?!?!?! The trailer enthralled me. The story sounds pretty cool, but it's the action that really blew me away. I can't wait for the premiere and I seriously hadn't heard of this show until like an hour ago.
Life in Pieces (CBS - Mon, Sept 21 - 8:30pm) - This one looks like it's trying to be a funnier Parenthood or a more serious Modern Family. I like both of those shows, so in theory I will like this one. Let's see in practice.
Minority Report (Fox - Mon, Sept 21 - 9pm) - I didn't love the movie, but something about the trailer caught my attention. Like there's some weird conspiracy going on and a hidden backstory. And I do like a conspiracy and hidden back story.
Quantico (ABC - Sun, Sept 27 - 10pm) - If Minority Report had a the gentle tug of conspiracy and hidden backstory, Quantico throws it in you face then picks it up again slaps you with it several times. 24 without the format and perhaps a strong female lead. I'm hopeful!
Supergirl (CBS - Mon, Oct 26 - 8:30pm) - Talk about strong female lead! I've been looking forward to this since the trailer came out months ago. It plays into all the things I like in a show. Superheroes, ladies been awesome, but perhaps vulnerable, possible humor and hijinks. I'm just worried that it could get stodgy because it's on CBS. But as always I remain the optimist.

All these opinions are just my own subjective thoughts about brief trailers that probably only contain footage from the pilot. I'll be sure to let you know what I really think once I get a few episodes deep. And I only mentioned the most promising series. I'll be trying my best to watch at least the pilot of everything I can stomach. (I'm looking at you there, Truth Be Told. You are looking a little barf-inducing. Sorry!) It's a good thing I culled my TV Show list...

Come back on Wednesday for a post all about the magic of Cinerama and a story about one of my new favorite movies. Until then follow me on the twitter and instagram and all those social things to keep up-to-date on my content.