Every year I complain that Entertainment Weekly gets their Fall TV Preview issue out later and later, usually after many of the shows have already premiered. And here I am leaving it to the second week of September to get mine out. Ah well... most haven't premiered yet, so here we go! This is what I'll be watching this fall:
The Event: This is the one that had all of the buzz at Comic-Con. The trailer is slick, it's intriguing, but then again, so was the trailer and the buzz for Flashforward. I have the same feeling about this trailer: I'm looking forward to seeing the show, but I also worried that the show already seems pretty full of itself based on the bombastic preview. That said, I'm tuning in on September 20 for the premiere. Here's the trailer to see for yourself:
No Ordinary Family: The Incredibles meets Lost meets Heroes. An ordinary family crashes onto an island and realizes, after rescue, that the island had mysterious properties (electromagnetism, perhaps??) and it's given them all superpowers. The cast is stellar -- Julie Benz and Michael Chiklis are the parents -- and while at first I scoffed at the premise, after seeing the trailer I'm totally there. It premieres September 28.
Hawaii Five-0: Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park. Need I say more? Unlike Nikita, which is attempting a remake only about 10 years after the original TV series went off the air (I blogged about the premiere here), this one is old enough that a remake isn't off-the-wall. And by the looks of the trailer, it's pretty different from the original. OK, fine. I'm totally watching to spot Hawaiian locations from Lost. And Daniel Dae Kim. It premieres September 20 at 10pm.
Boardwalk Empire: Frankly, I've been pretty disappointed with network TV lately... while I'm about to list a LOT of shows that I'll be tuning into this fall, very few of them will become must-see viewing on my PVR. But HBO and Showtime are the ones that have me the most excited. And the trailer for Boardwalk Empire makes me drool. I cannot WAIT for this show. It premieres next Sunday, September 19 at 9pm.
Raising Hope: While flipping through trailers for all of the fall shows, I stumbled upon this one. Martha Plimpton stars (love her...) and this trailer made me laugh so hard at one point I couldn't breathe (while our family didn't have a hole in the bottom of the car, we had one back door that wouldn't stay shut and my parents looped a seatbelt through it; one day we were driving and Mom turned a corner and my brother literally flew out the car and into a snowbank. I remember laughing so hard it hurt, although now I look back on it and think how HORRIBLY that could have ended up! But it didn't, so... it's still hilarious.) This trailer is awesome, and it premieres September 21 at 9pm.
I think that's it for new shows. And what else will I be tuning in to see?
Nikita: I'm skeptical still, but like I mentioned in my blog post, I'll watch for a few more episodes and see if it can hold my interest.
Being Human S2: I'm currently OBSESSED with series 1 of Being Human, which aired on Space in August. I'm almost finished the season, and series 2 will begin October 28 on Space. I cannot wait.
Fringe: Love love love this show, probably the one I'm most excited about returning on September 23 at 9pm.
Dexter: OK, no, it's tied with Dexter, one of my all-time favourite shows, which returns September 26 at 10pm on The Movie Network in Canada. Apparently it picks up immediately where S4 left off. I won't say anything more to avoid spoiling people currently catching up.
Friday Night Lights: No wait, there are THREE shows that are tied (this is turning into the Spanish Inquisition sketch). Friday Night Lights' fourth season was stellar, and the fifth will, officially, be the last. It airs on DirecTV starting October 27 (which is when I'll be watching) and then on NBC at some point in 2011, probably in June again, which totally sucks for the majority of viewers who are watching it that way. I'll be tuning in in October, and will unfortunately have to keep my mouth shut about it. Argh.
The Big Bang Theory: I got completely caught up on this show last year, and I'm truly in love. (Yes, you're right; it's now a four-way tie.) I hope this show stays on the air eternally. It premieres September 23 at 8pm.
30 Rock and The Office: Both of these slipped last year... to be honest, I've yet to watch the last two episodes of the Office! And now that Steve Carell is leaving the show at the end of this season, I'm losing interest in it already. But I'll stick it out for another season on both. They premiere on September 23.
Glee: I'm a total gleek, but the second half of the show's first season -- i.e. the part they filmed after they knew the world adored them -- was overblown and somewhat boring. They now seem to choose the songs and then build an episode around them, rather than the other way around. Here's hoping Glee doesn't get so full of itself that it's unbearable in S2. Because I love Kurt and Sue Sylvester and don't want their show to suck. It premieres September 21 (and I've already talked about this on Facebook, but the ultimate guide to Glee -- a book I signed up and worked on -- is hitting stores right about now, and you need to pick it up! Order a copy here or pick up a signed copy direct from the publisher here).
Modern Family: Another show that I adore. Can't wait for the return of this wacky family, especially Cameron and Gloria. Returns September 22 at 9pm.
OK, what else! Well, everyone's been telling me since, like, FOREVER, that I should be watching How I Met Your Mother. And Omni, this odd network in Canada, is putting it in syndication starting tomorrow, so I've already set the PVR and will be watching it. You guys had better be right!
The Vampire Diaries: I've still got about 14 episodes on my PVR from season 1... for me, it was a tough go to get into it (I originally watched it as it premiered and then gave up after 3 eps) because it just seemed like Buffy-lite to me. Oh look, there's a broody vampire who's in love with the main chick who's independent but not as tough or vulnerable or likable as Buffy. He's trying to be good, almost like he has a soul or something. But oh look, there's a badass vampire who's all evil and won't give it up and such... kind of like this peroxided vampire on Buffy... or Angelus himself. But then again, that could be said for most vampire shows, and it's not like... oh. Her best friend is a witch. Um... will she be dating a werewolf any time soon? But then a friend of mine convinced me I HAD to give it a chance and she swears it's the second coming of Buffy, and so I'm giving it another chance. I'm about 8 or 9 episodes in and I'm enjoying it, but still skeptical. But I trust her opinion... in fact, I'm not the only one who trusts it! She's written a brilliant companion guide to the show called Love You to Death (which I would LOVE to link to but the html code that Amazon keeps giving me is super-wonky and I can't get it to work) and if you are a TVD fan, you MUST HAVE THIS BOOK. So wish me luck as I continue to try to catch up! (Season 2 premiered last week on September 9.)
Supernatural: Watched some of season 1, loved it so much and wondered where it had been all my life (when I saw it, it was the first show I'd seen since 2003 that reminded me of Buffy in a really good way, as in this could help fill the Buffy-less void in my life) but then the Finding Lost series got in the way and I stopped. I'm determined to get through all of the seasons before the end of the year. (Which means I'll probably be dropping many of the shows previously listed!) The new season premieres September 24.
Doctor Who: I posted on the first two episodes, and am still watching it and enjoying it. This is another show I'm catching up on through the magic of DVD, and frankly starting to wonder if watching anything live as it happens is worth it anymore.
And... I think that's it? Oh, and I'm also reading non-Lost books for the first time in a long time, and loving it. Which, at times, makes me think I'll just sell my TV and go back to reading full-time. But then... this blog would become a book club, and that's not really what it's about. So I watch TV for all of you. Not for myself AT ALL. *cough*
So what are all of you watching? Will you be tuning in to some of the same shows I am?
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Can't wait for new Fringe, Supernatural, Dexter and the Office. But the one I'm really looking forward to is Boardwalk Empire. Soprano's writers and directors, Steve Buscemi, Kelly MacDonald, Stephen Graham, and best of all Scorcese, exploring his favourite subject, the dark side of the American dream. *Droooooool*
Well, at the moment it's all about Mad Men, of course. As much as I have enjoyed prior seasons, this third season may be shaping up to be the best yet. Last week's episode featured dueling Emmy-worthy performances by Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss and last night's installment showed us a side of Don Draper that we have been yearning to see: a man tentatively seeking self-awareness and trying to integrate what he recognizes as very disparate elements of his nature. Must see TV, indeed.
I've also gotten into AMC's other series, Rubicon. It began v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y but has picked up considerably in recent weeks, fleshing out the characters nicely as it unwinds it's central mysteries. James Badge Dale (excellent in HBO's The Pacific) is terrific and the always-enjoyable Arliss Howard is creating one of the more iconic and inscrutable characters in recent memory. Last week's episode featuring an FBI lockdown of the central offices was brilliant.
We also watch The Closer, almost as a guilty pleasure. Kyra Sedgwick is excellent and the supporting cast plays very well as an ensemble. You can be guaranteed at least once every episode to find yourself saying out loud "Oh, for Pete's sake - that's COMPLETELY unrealistic". But, like the man says, if you find yourself talking back to your TV screen and still watching, they've got something good going for them.
I am pumped and jacked for the debut of Boardwalk Empire. I've been on board since I first heard of it and just get more excited with each new glimpse or article on the cast, showrunners, etc. Steve Buscemi rocks the hizz-ouse.
Can't wait for the return of Nurse Jackie, where the multi-talented Edie Falco (I first discovered her in Season 1 of HBO's Oz long before The Sopranos made her a household name) has fashioned a complex and compelling character alongside the fabulous Merritt Wever, just to name one of this superb cast.
Also looking forward to The Event- out of curiosity as much as anything else. The trailers do look good but I'm also afraid it may be overhyped. Can't wait for Community to return, either. Great cast, snappy writing and the show really seemed to find its footing in the second half of its maiden season. And, if you aren't watching Parks and Recreation, you are missing the most consistently funny show on TV, Modern Family or no Modern Family. The addition of Adam Scott (from the late, lamented Party Down on STARZ - another show you need to catch up on, Nik!) and the funny and clueless Rob Lowe has ratcheted this show up another notch.
Well, that's all for now! More to follow, I'm sure
Peep Show Season 7 starts in November!!!!! I wonder if you can guess who I am. :)
I'm also going to check out The Event (heck, they're clearing aiming it at Lost fans, and well...I'm just hoping it's more like Lost in getting closer to doing one of these overarching serial stories right than Flashforward or Heroes), No Ordinary Family (I'm a comic book geek, and I thoroughly enjoyed Berlanti's Eli Stone) and Hawaii 5-0 (it just looks like tons of fun).
I'm also thinking of checking out Lonestar (I've heard good things about the pilot) and Blue Bloods (I'm not a huge cop show fan, but I like Tom Selleck, and Donnie Wahlberg, and the whole multi-generational angle appeals to me).
And even though they had to reshoot the pilot because it was bad, I'll at least give Running Wilde a shot thanks to the cred of the Arrested Development alums involved with it.
I wish I got HBO so I could watch Boardwalk Empire. Have to wait for the DVDs I suppose.
I'm also looking forward to the return of Parenthood (one of last season's biggest surprises for me), How I Met Your Mother (which, trust me, you'll love; it's the comedy version of Lost), Big Bang, Community, 30 Rock, Human Target (its totally over-the-top, but tons of fun, like a mini-action movie every episode) and of course, Glee and Modern Family.
@humanebean: My wife and I watch the Closer as well (much more of a guilty pleasure for me, as I usually can't stand procedural, but the cast is tons of fun).
And Nikki, I'll heartily second humanebean's Parks and Recreations recommendation.
I thoroughly enjoy Big Bang Theory and 30 Rock, adore How I Met Your Mother, Community and Modern Family, but Parks and Rec is probably my favorite sitcom on the air right now.
Oh, yeah and Castle, love Castle. Purely on the strength of Nathan Fillion's character.
How could I forget Castle?
I watch way too much TV...
SO excited for Fringe to come back! Last season just ended so perfectly. House is on my list to watch along with the Office, which I agree totally slipped last season but I'm hoping gets better this year. And a new series called My Generation is starting on the 23rd that looks pretty good.
It's weird that Lost isn't on anyone's list :(
The Event does look intriguing but after Lost, I seem to find that trailers for new shows never live up to my expectations! Lost was just too good! *sigh*
Raising Hope looks awesome too but after the faliure of Heroes i'm a little skeptical of No Ordinary Family.
I am very excited about Smallville's final season, as well as the final season of Supernatural! Why are all my favourite shows ending??
Being Human S3 should be out soon too but the BBC hasn't given a date yet, can't wait though, it just gets better and better!
And for any one living in England, Merlin started this weekend. It can be the cheesy, campy and stupid but that makes it hiarious and a definite guilty pleasure of mine!
No Ordinary Family looks fun, and since Boardwalk Empire has the HBO seal of approval, I will put aside my doubts about Scorcese's lack of television experience.
The new show I'm most looking forward to, though, won't premiere until spring next year. A Song of Ice and Fire is one of my favourite series of fantasy novels, and it's being adapted (by HBO!) into a television series called Game of Thrones. I compared this story to Rome and Deadwood long before I knew there would be an HBO show because it's a similarly "grim'n'gritty" take on a reputedly stodgy genre with realistic motives given for what the "bad guys" do. The cast is terrific too: Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Charles Dance, Lena Headey, Michelle Fairley, etc.
thanks for the shout-out, Nikki! i don't know if I would call Vampire Diaries the second coming of Buffy since they are wildly different shows, but it is genius and if the second season premiere is any indication, we're in for a good year. :)
I'm sorta interested with The Event, with all the hype NBC has been putting into it. Then again, like you said, it's only based on the trailer. So we'll see how that goes.
No Ordinary Family looks interesting too. What I'm kinda hoping for is the show giving little nods to Superhero/comic book culture (memorable comic book plotlines, superhero philosophies, etc.), but not the whole, "Hurr hurr, there's someone reading a comic book on the show" or "It's the No-Ordinary-Family-mobile!" shtick.
VERY VERY excited about Supernatural and Castle coming back this fall. Jensen Ackles and Nathan Fillion are just entertaining in their entire respective hours.
Not a rabid Big Bang Theory viewer, but whenever I do catch it, I'm in stitches the whole half hour.
...I wouldn't say I'm a gleek, but I see where you're coming from Nikki. Would be a shame if the show deviated from those very captivating first couple of episodes. Though, saying this with a little bias, I am a little curious to see that Charice Pempengco on the show (yep, I'm Filipino; though born in NYC... who'da thunk?).
Lastly, I did catch Nikita the other week, but it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. It was action packed, yes, and muchos sexy. But sadly didn't do much for me. Maybe it's my little annoyance with the CW constantly playing the promo for it ALL. SUMMER. LONG. EVERY. COMMERCIAL. BREAK. Not saying it's a bad show or anything, but I'd be lying if I said the show kept me from seeing what else was on.
I have watched so many show get cancelled in their first season over the past few years that I find it hard to get excited about the new offerings. I'm close to the point of not bothering and just catching up with stuff on DVD.
My new shows (until they disappoint or get axed): "Nikita", H50, "The Event", "The Cape" (I go where River Tam goes), "No Ordinary Family", and how could I pass up the opportunity to watch JJ's spy show cred unravel before my very eyes with "Undercovers"?
My current and/or returning shows: "Fringe", "Burn Notice", "Caprica", SGU, "Rubicon", "Chuck", "Doctor Who", "Warehouse 13", "The Gates", "V", "Human Target", and the disappointing "Covert Affairs".
No appetite (or time) for: sitcoms, reality shows, game shows
I can't get into "Castle". As much as I love Captain Mal (I Aim to Misbehave) Reynolds, I just look at "Castle" and flash back to that meddling Jessica Fletcher woman.
@Batcabbage:
Kelly Macdonald? Oh, you bet! "No, I forgive you". Wow, like it was yesterday.
Castle, Chuck, Bones, Big Bang, Smallville, Being Erica, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Glee. I so want Kurt to end up with Finn.
I'll watch the 50 episodes that James Marsters is in, but I didn't like the show the first time and this doesn't grab me either. Sort of like only watching Criminal Minds for Nick Brendon.
Tried How I Met Your Mother. Can't stand it. I find most TV comedies very not funny, but I'll give S**T My Dad Says a try for the Shat.
Love the Big Bang theory - we have just had a rerun of all 3 seasons on every day (in UK) - brilliant !!!
Nikki -if you are progressing through Dr Who please tell us a bit more. What episode are you on?
What are your favourites so far - and what really scared you ?!
Also love Glee.
I used to love Ugly Betty - but this last series is getting a little silly !
Also love the Desperate Housewives - can't wait for them to come back .
Tried Mad Men - coming in at the end of the last season is hard, and so far the chauvinist attitudes of the men are annoying me. But I'll stick with it a little longer.
Thanks for the trailers. They all seem quite interesting, but that's pretty much the whole point of trailers, right? Ah, that glimpse of James Marsters in the Hawai 5-0 one...
As far as Supernatural is concerned, I loved the first two seasons and really hated the fourth one. Thankfully, season 5 got fun again, and I've read that Sera Gamble, who'll be holding the reins from now on, is planning to return to the first seasons' form, so I'm hopeful.
@Efthymia:
I VERY much agree with you on Supernatural. The way the first season episodes were formatted is great.
As much as I enjoy a giant story told over a season, there are times when I just want to enjoy a opened-closed story type episode plot, a la Law & Order. Which is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy Season 5 of Angel (season 4 was like an EXTREMELY unedited 15 hour movie) and Castle.
I happen to be in midtown NYC and decided to walk through Rock center on my way to the hotel and most of it was blocked because there was a party for something called Boardwalk Empire, and a lot of people were hanging around who look like they belong in Hollywood, hair and shoe wise. I would have taken a closer look had I realized what it was!
My show list is:
Mad Men
Supernatural (I'm watching s5 on blu ray as I type)
The Closer
Burn Notice
Dexter
Fringe
Breaking Bad
True Blooder
Sherlock (modern take on S. Holmes)
Human Target
Being Human
Vampire Diaries
Bones
Castle
New Shows I'll try:
Hawaii 5-O
The Event
Boardwalk Empire
Of the new shows I think Hawaii Five O and No Ordinary Family look good. I agree the trailer for The Event looks like its trying to bite off more than it can chew. So looking forward to Modern Family and Glee. Nothing will replace my Lost though...sigh...
I'm looking forward to The Event, Undercovers and the return of V. Other than that I want more of Psych.
Have you seen the new promos on Space for their show Todd and the Book of Pure Evil? i just saw the trailer and some clips on youtube, it looks like pretty crazy fun.
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