First Posted: 9/25/2013
Falling for television
Feel that cool breeze? See those leaves changing? That means fall is in the air, a season of new beginnings – or, you know, the time to snuggle up under a blanket and lay in front of the TV for hours.
There are plenty of shows both coming out anew and returning this fall, and we’ve got the low-down on them.
Whether you like horror, sci-fi, or good old-fashioned comedy or drama, there’s certainly a show to keep you warm on a cold autumn night.
STAFF PICKS
Netflix
It’s not fall season-specific, but Netflix has recently unloaded some original series that are certainly worth a look. The Kevin Spacey-led, Emmy-nominated “House of Cards” is perfect for those who like a political twist; “Orange is the New Black” couples laughs and drama perfectly, following a woman as she spends a year in an all-female prison; “Lilyhammer” follows a New York gangster trying to start a new life in far away Lillehammer, Norway; and “Hemlock Grove” is a horror/thriller show that sheds light on a fictional Pennsylvania town.
Dr. Who 50th Anniversary Special, “The Day of the Doctor”
Premiere date: Nov. 23 on BBC
What is it about? “Dr. Who” is a show that’s actually been around since the 1970s, and was rebooted in 2005. This British sci-fi show that follows the journey of a time-traveling humanoid alien known as the Doctor, who makes his way through time and space in a big blue police box known as the TARDIS.
Why should you watch? An old doctor (and possibly others) will return, and some plot lines fans have been itching to get at may be revealed. Honestly, the whole plot of the thing is a huge mystery, making a viewing of it a must.
How I Met Your Mother
Premiere date: Sept. 23, 8 p.m., CBS
Season: 9, the final season
What is it about? A man searches for the woman of his dreams while enjoying the company of his four best friends, navigating through the confusing and hilarious time of his late twenties.
Why you should watch? It’s rare for a TV series to make it to its ninth year and it’s even more rare to have the entire final season to tie up loose end. This season will truly be an homage that features characters from the past season returning to celebrate.
Sons of Anarchy
Premiered Sept. 10, runs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on FX
Season: 6
What is it about?: “Sons of Anarchy” follows a young man, Jax Teller, and his motorcycle club through a variety of adverse/illegal scenarios. Jax’s character is constantly battling the difficulty of balancing his responsibilities of raising his children and protecting his family, with keeping the club’s interests a top priority.
Why should you watch? This show has such a phenomenal dynamic in characters and plot. It provides you with a kind of entertainment that is not matched by any other show on television.
Show: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Season: One
Premiere date: Sept. 24 on ABC
What is it about? In the last several Marvel superhero films, from “Iron Man” all the way through “The Avengers,” a secret agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. has been keeping tabs on both the heroes and villains and the escalation of these superhuman cases. Now Agent Phil Coulson leads this spinoff show about an elite team of these agents, all brand new characters created by “Avengers” writer/director Joss Whedon and his team.
Why should you watch? If you love superhero comics or movies or even just science fiction television, this show is going to be a must-watch on Tuesdays. Even though the agents may not have powers, with a big budget and ties to the Marvel Universe, expect to see some super storylines and possibly even cameos from some well-known or fan-favorite characters. How is Coulson even alive after his battle with Loki in “The Avengers?” All will be revealed soon enough.
Show: The Walking Dead
Season: Four
Premiere date: Oct. 13 on AMC
What is it about? Survivors of the zombie apocalypse continue to struggle to find safe haven from the living dead as well as other groups of survivors, the latter often proving more dangerous than the former. Sheriff Rick Grimes and his group have recently joined up with a town of survivors who once viewed them as enemies, so expect more drama and death as they share an abandoned prison.
Why should you watch? With most of the original cast dead and last season’s villain, the Governor, still on the loose after his murderous rampage, the show remains unpredictable even to comic book fans who read the source material. As ratings continue to climb with the budget, more gory action and suspense is on the way along with new characters and creative zombie kills. Will your favorite survivors last through this season? There’s only one way to find out.
Show: American Horror Story: Coven
Season: Three
Premiere date: Oct. 9 on FX
What is it about? This season is taking place in New Orleans in both modern-day and the 19th century and will focus on the war between the Salem witches and local voodoo witches. Zoe, played by Taissa Farmiga from Season One, is a young girl that discovers she has a “strange genetic affliction tracing back to the dark days in Salem” and is taken to Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies in New Orleans, a school devoted to protect those who are part of the ancient bloodline.
Why should you watch? Two words: Kathy Bates. Actually, the promo clips for this season already give you an eerie feeling as well as the desire to watch more. If you haven’t had a chance to catch any of the videos, the cast might be more convincing – returning to the show are Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, and Jessica Lange, as well as newcomers Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, and Emma Roberts.
Ten New Shows to Look out for this Season
The Blacklist
Airs on NBC
This drama stars James Spader and Diego Klattenhoff, and tells the story of the world’s most wanted criminal, who has suddenly decided to not only turn himself in to authorities, but also give up everyone he’s every worked with.
Almost Human
Airs on FOX
This police drama stars Karl Urban and Michael Elay, and is set 35 years in the future, a time when police officers are partnered up with highly evolved human-like droids. Throw in a cop with a distaste for robots and watch the drama unfold as cases are investigated in this strange new world.
The Michael J. Fox Show
Airs on NBC
Throw Betsy Brandt and Kate Finneran in with the show’s namesake and you have a show that’s inspired by Fox’s life, starring as a husband and father in New York City who deals with life’s challenges as he goes back to work as a news anchor.
Trophy Wife
Airs on ABC
Malin Ackerman takes on the role of a reformed party girl who falls in love with Bradley Whitford’s character, a man with three manipulative children and two judgmental ex-wives.
The Crazy Ones
Airs on CBS
Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar team up in this comedy that revolves around the life of an advertising genius who employs oddball methods in his work, with just as strange a personality to match.
Super Fun Night
Airs on ABC
Up-and-coming female comedian Rebel Wilson navigates the single life alongside her best friends in a big city.
Dracula
Airs on NBC
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is playing Dracula. Do you need to know much more than that?
The Goldbergs
Airs on ABC
It’s always fun to glance into the past, and viewers will get the chance to do just that in this show where a camera-obsessed son documents his family’s unconventional life in the 80’s, starring Wendi McLendon-Covey and Sean Giambrone.
Back in the Game
Airs on ABC, Wednesdays at 8 p.m., premieres Sept. 25.
Maggie Lawson stars as a divorced single mother and former all-star softball player who moves in with her estranged baseball player father. The two join forces to coach a Little League team together.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Airs on Fox, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Premiered Sept. 17.
Andy Samberg plays a detective, the opposite of his tough, by-the-book captain, played by Andre Braugher.
