It’s that time of year when we talk about how fast time flies, when we lament the loss of autumn and short sleeves and those days when our kids were so cute and well-behaved. (That was a thing, right? Back then, before time went so fast and we got here?)
It’s also that time of year when we talk about how stressful the holidays are and how this year is going to be different and should we shop early or often or never or what?
But I’m thinking we take a break from all that today and talk about another timely topic. You guessed it: the new TV shows of the fall!
A couple weeks ago at Allume, a friend asked me what I’m watching these days. My real answer was too long for conference lunch small talk – but just right for a blog post. The parameters? I’m only talking shows that debuted this fall, and I’m only talking about shows I watched (or listed in my fall TV preview post).
The Short Answers
- A to Z – cute but cancelled. *sad trombone*
- Gotham – haven’t watched and probably won’t.
- How to Get Away with Murder – ditto.
- Manhattan Love Story – awful and cancelled.
- Mulaney – didn’t watch and won’t bother.
- Red Band Society – and ditto again.
- State of Affairs – hasn’t started yet, but I’m still looking forward to it.
The Longer Answers
- Black-ish – I watched a few episodes but I didn’t love it. Lots of people love it! I know! I wanted to, but so far . . . I don’t.
- NCIS: New Orleans – I watched it but wasn’t impressed enough to keep watching. There’s nothing wrong with it; I just don’t need to add it to my already-overworked DVR.
- Scorpion – I really liked the first episode but haven’t watched any others. I’m hoping to catch up over the holidays.
- Selfie – Well, this is a real bummer. I didn’t like the first episode and wanted to write it off. But Lisa-Jo convinced me to watch it because she loved it so very much. So I gave it another try and watched six episodes in a row. Then? It was cancelled. *VERY SAD TROMBONE*
The Best Answers
- Benched – This new 30-minute sitcom on USA is hilarious. It’s also rated a solid PG-13, so don’t pick this one up if language bothers you. It stars Eliza Coupe from Happy Endings as a high-powered attorney who had a breakdown, lost her job and now works as a public defender. It also has the guy from Better Off Ted, so that’s another plus.
- The Flash – I love this show! (And I’m watching it as I write this!) It’s as good as the Arrow, but a lot lighter. Except for Tom Cavanaugh’s character, which is a bummer because I really only want to see him as Ed (from Ed, one of my favorite shows EVER). But the rest of the show is super fun, and I’m loving it.
- Forever – Okay, so this one really is a basic procedural that’s not that much different from all the others. But I like the main characters, so I’m going to keep watching for a while.
- Jane the Virgin – It’s a ridiculous premise, right? A 23-year-old virgin is accidentally inseminated by her boss. And then there’s a fiance who’s a cop, so there’s a murder mystery, too. And her Lorelai-like mom and a surprise dad she never knew until now, big coincidence, and oh, so much more. (Did I mention that one time a long time ago she kissed her boss, before he was her boss? Yeah, that’s a thing, too.) I KNOW. It sounds crazytown and silly, and being on the CW doesn’t help my sales pitch here. BUT IT IS SO GOOD! It is funny and quirky and melodramatic but in a winking sort of way that’s charming despite the ridiculousness. And all the twisty drama that other shows would draw out for seasons and seasons? They just cut to the chase and deal with it. In soapy, dramatic (and almost always funny) fashion.
- Madam Secretary – I was trying to tell a friend why this is one of my favorite new shows of the season, and her husband interpreted my words to mean I think I could’ve been the Secretary of State. I’m not saying I couldn’t have been (you don’t know, maybe I could’ve been!), but that is not what I was saying. I was SAYING that watching this show reminds me of who I used to be or who I wanted to be or the days when I wore nice clothes and walked down hallways in clicky shoes. I don’t know. It makes me feel feelings, and I have half a whole blog post written about it, if you must know. In my head. So, stay tuned for THAT brilliance and in the meantime, watch this show if you like political things. I’m not sure how realistic it is, but since so far, the good guys keep winning (and the family relationships are realistic and just GOOD), I’m pretending like this is real life. (Not to be confused with thinking it could have been MY real life. I never said that part, okay?)
- Marry Me – Oh, guys. I didn’t think this would be good, but it turns out . . . it is. It’s really funny, and totally worth half an hour of my life. I’m glad this one (as opposed to all the other, similar ones) hasn’t been cancelled yet. It’s pretty much like watching Happy Endings with a few different characters.
I will be honest and say I don’t watch much tv. However, I do enjoy red band society. My family watches abc’s line up on Wednesday night and I’ve seen blackish. So, I’ve caught rbs on demand later in the week.
I do think you’d like it. My high schoolers say it’s must see tv at their school.
I’m so glad you’re in the Jane the Virgin fan club! I’ve also really enjoyed Madam Secretary and plan on trying State of Affairs once it’s on. How to Get Away With Murder totally sucked me in, although it stresses me out every week. So. Much. Tension! I watched the first couple of episodes of Blackish with high hopes but it was mired in stereotypes and then they started making gay jokes and I just couldn’t do it. A few people have told me to persevere and maybe I will but there’s enough to watch that I haven’t come back around. I saw a commercial for The Flash yesterday and saw Tom Cavanaugh and practically yelled “EDDDDD!!!!” at the TV. I would watch almost anything he’s in but I really don’t need another show.
I haven’t been watching a lot of TV recently. I was told that would happen but didn’t believe it. But I did record Manhattan love story to watch later. And I haven’t even heard of most of the shows you mentioned here. But then again we usually don’t get all the shows and when we do it is usually a few episodes (or in some cases almost a season behind)
Is Jane the Virgin on anything streaming? We have Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Amazon, but don’t have a DVR so that severely limits my watching of shows that are actually on. I am depressed about A to Z, because I really do like it a lot. Still loving Modern Family and how it continues to be hilarious this many seasons in.
Jane the Virgin is on Hulu. I think you’ll like it. I love it! But let me know, because my TV-radar could be off. ;)
LOVED reading this! Added a couple shows to the lineup for when I just need something new. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I hope you find something you like!
Selfie is cancelled??? Darn, I was getting into that one too. How to get away with murder is good, if you like Shonda Rimes stuff. Kinda the same rhythm as Scandal but not *quite* as scandalous
Yeah, sorry to be the bearer of bad Selfie news. :( I even just read that the episodes that have been produced but not aired probably won’t ever air. I’m annoyed about that and don’t understand when TV-people make that decision. They’re made! Just show them to us! :)
We have really liked the few episodes of Forever that we watched. Kind of like Sherlock, only not quite as good. :) And I was so hoping you’d mention Marry Me! Every episode I have at least one really loud laugh-out-loud moment. That show is FUNNY!! I hope it sticks around.
Yes, Forever definitely reminds me of Sherlock Holmes! (I can’t say Sherlock, as in the BBC show, because I’m a nerd who still hasn’t watched that yet.)
We tried Red Band Society. It might be OK if it doesn’t turn into Glee or some other ridiculous High School show.
Marry Me. I thought the premiere was decently funny. But kinda downhill from there. You think I should pick it back up? I just couldn’t get into it.
I actually kinda like Blackish if you don’t count the 2nd episode or the oldest boy. (The mom cracks me up.)
Gotham. (Still can’t believe you’ve never seen a Batman movie.) It’s interesting b/c it has a good comic feel to it. BUT the main character seems like he should be on CSI so he doesn’t fit. I don’t know. Les likes it. I can’t love it.
Scorpion. If they can get their chemistry together, it might be good. (Also, weird: one of the characters is reading a Charles Stanley book in one of the episodes.)
Of course, my favorite show is Survivor. And I’m sad you don’t like it.
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I really do want to try Scorpion again. I think it has good potential. Did you like Happy Endings? I can’t remember. If you did, then I think you’ll like Marry Me. It’s nothing special, but funny enough for half an hour, you know?
And I know, I know about Survivor! But I don’t watch any reality shows except SYTYCD (and American Idol last year on maternity leave). So it’s nothing personal to you and your Survivor, I promise. ;)
Madam Secretary, Scorpion, and Flash are our new favs! Stopped watching A to Z because although it was kinda cute, it was boring and not fresh enough – love both the lead actors in it though. Not surprised it was canceled. For one, they tell you at the beginning that they date for 8 months and 2 days. Who wants to watch a show where they tell you up front how long they date? Stupid.
Hubby loves Gotham and though it intrigues me, it’s way too dark for me. I couldn’t handle it so we stopped watching. I tried NCIS:NO and Black-ish but I couldn’t get as into either as I wanted to. You have to pull me in fast or I’m gone these days. Beyond that we just stick to our other favs: The Millers, NCIS: LA, NCIS, New Girl, Shield, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Arrow, Big Bang Theory, Elementary, Blue Bloods, and Amazing Race. We’re still kinda watching Hawaii Five-O and I used to love it, but it’s right at E’s bedtime and we keep falling behind, tired of the lead guys arguing and nagging so much like little girls.
One more I almost forgot — my very favorite new show is CRISTELA!!! Love it so much. Her sense of humor just kills me and is so similar to mine. I’m never bored or not laughing HARD. It also has Gabriel Iglesias, one of my favorite comedians, as a friend of Cristela’s on the show. So fantastic!!! And I heard it was possibly getting canceled – grrr. :(
Oh, you know what, I saw the preview for that and it looked funny but I haven’t watched it or heard anything about it! So I guess it’s not surprising that it could be cancelled. (Not because I’m not watching – I wish I had that power! But since I haven’t heard much, that must mean there’s not much being said about it. Bummer!)
Every time I see a commercial for Blue Bloods, I’m sad I don’t watch it. I’m sure I would love it!
Jane the Virgin is so well written. It is a spoof yet manages to avoid cliches. They have done a great job of creating relateable characters and a total world in just a few episodes. The great characters make the zany plots believable. I cry and laugh uncontrollably during the episodes and I usually find TV to be very unfunny.
Yes! I agree with all your points here! :) Every time the show could go in the direction of soapy cliches, it just doesn’t. No drawing things out or making stupid decisions based on misunderstandings that only happen on TV. I just love it.
Really liking Madame Sectetary and NCIS:NO. Loved Scott Bakula as a kid on Quantum Leap and really like the supporting characters. Watching Forever on demand and really like it too. Also watched one episode of Scorpion and could leave it. I think the mom on Blackish is really funny- it fits in really well for the Wed night line-up on ABC. Randomly saw the first episode of Jane the Virgin and thought it was very funny. Alas, I have to draw the line somewhere and th CW is it. I pretty much only watched CBS since Third Watch was cancelled from NBC-do the math on that. Just started watching ABC with the Middle a couple years ago and now catch a lot of Wed night TV there (dvr’ing Criminal Minds of course). It is always good to know there are others out there overworking their DVRs too!
Well, nobody will ever judge you for drawing the line on this side of the CW, that’s for sure! I wish I had room/time for NCIS:NO. Much as I love the original, it’s been on so long I’m a tad bit tired of it, so a new version would be welcome. Maybe over the summer I’ll catch up!
And yes, I am definitely with you on the overworked DVR – and the love for CBS and procedurals. Clearly we are very cool. ;)
Well. As I write this, my hubby is trying to start yet another series for us to commit to. Ack, my brain cannot handle it. But here’s where we are: We are into Gotham, because I’m married to a comic book geek. And I kinda love the guy who’s playing the penguin. Haven’t had a nightmare yet but as soon as I do it is over.
And I’m so glad to know that Ed is in a new show, because (of course) that was pretty much our favorite show ever.
Now, that’s just mean – you can’t mention a new series possibility and not TELL ME WHAT IT IS! :)