As we mentioned on this week’s Water Cooler Podcast, the Fall TV season feels like it’s going to be a huge letdown when all is said and done. When compared to last year’s rich and robust programming (The Affair, The Knick, Outlander, Black-ish, or Transparent), this year’s offerings offer nothing remotely buzz-worthy or notable – on paper at least. Maybe, though, there will be a diamond in the rough. We won’t know for sure until the credits start rolling.
Until then, here’s a listing of the more notable new shows heading to the small screen in the coming months, starting with ADTV’s most anticipated new series of the 2015 Fall TV Season.
Most Anticipated:
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – 11:35 p.m. – Weeknights – Starts September 8th
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – 11 p.m. – 9/28
Scream Queens – Fox – 9 p.m. Starts 9/22
American Horror Story: Hotel – FX – 10 p.m. – 10/7
The Man in the High Castle – Amazon
Blood & Oil – ABC – 9 p.m. – 9/27
The Muppets – ABC – 8 p.m. 9/22
Monday
Life in Pieces – CBS – 8:30 p.m. 9/21
It follows the life of a family with events from each family member’s point of view. So think like a comedic TV version of Vantage Point or The Slap (or maybe just The Slap). Stars Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, Colin Hanks, and Betsy Brandt of Breaking Bad.
Minority Report – Fox – 9 p.m. – 9/21
Based on the 2002 film, this tv show is set 11 years after the events of the movie, in 2065. A precog named Dash (Stark Sands) has the ability to predict crimes, even though the program was dismantled in 2054. Dash has a twin brother (Nick Zano) and foster sister (Laura Regan) who both developed unique gifts before the program was eliminated. Now, they’re using these gifts to help Detective Lara Vega (Meagan Good) solve crimes. Also stars Wilmer Valderrama (yes, really).
Blindspot – NBC – 10 p.m. – 9/21
It’s the tattooed lady show. A woman (Jaimie Alexander) is found naked and covered in tattoos in Time Square. Each tattoo contains a clue about a crime that the FBI has to solve.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – 11 p.m. – 9/28
Noah has some big shoes to fill (even if it might be a shorter desk).
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – CW – 8 p.m. – 10/12
Just call this one “Felicity: The Musical.” It’s described as a musical comedy about a woman who moves to California to be with her high school boyfriend who dumped her. Created by and stars Rachel Bloom, who’s had videos on Funny or Die. This show was originally produced for Showtime before being picked up by the CW.
Fargo – FX – 10 p.m. – 10/12
It feels weird calling this show a new series, but in the second season, we’ll meet new characters including Ted Danson, Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, and Jean Smart.
Supergirl – CBS – 8:30 p.m. – 10/26
It stars the most forgettable part of Whiplash and also includes Ally McBeal. Melissa Benoist and Calista Flockhart.
Todrick – MTV – 10 p.m. – 8/31
The man behind the Beauty and the Beast/Gay Pride video is getting his own show.
Tuesday
Bastard Executioner – FX – 10 p.m. Starts 9/9
From Kurt Sutter, Sons of Anarchy creator. This show is historical fiction set in the early 14th century about a knight who vows to lay down his weapon only to be forced to pick up the executioner’s sword. Stars Lee Jones (Aussie actor known for Slut: The Musical), Kurt Sutter, and Katey Sagal.
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris – NBC – 10 p.m. Starts 9/9
An hour-long variety series created by Neil Patrick Harris.
Scream Queens – Fox – 9 p.m. Starts 9/22
From AHS’ Ryan Murphy comes a horror comedy about murders surrounding a sorority. Stars Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Jamie Lee Curtis, and other big name TV stars.
The Muppets – ABC – 8 p.m. 9/22
The Muppets host a late-night show without Jason Segel, and hopefully, Walter.
Limitless – CBS – 10 p.m. 9/22
Based on the 2011 movie starring Bradley Cooper (who reprises his film role briefly in the show), this show follows Brian Finch who takes a pill and is able to increase his IQ up to 4 digits and is able to recall everything he’s ever read, heard, or seen. Stars Jake McDornan of Greek and Manhattan Love Story. Also: Jennifer Carpenter and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
Grandfathered – Fox – 8 p.m. 9/29
Originally called the Untitled John Stamos Project, this show now has a name and a premise. John Stamos’ character finds out he has a son from a one-night stand and that his son has a daughter ALSO from a one-night stand (should have been called The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far). Stars: Paget Brewster, Josh Peck, and Christina Milian.
The Grinder – Fox 8:30 p.m. 9/29
Rob Lowe stars as a former TV star who was on a lawyer show called The Grinder. When his show is canceled, he moves home and lives with his real-life lawyer family and starts to pretend to be a lawyer in court, using what he learned from his TV show days. Also stars: Fred Savage, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, William Devane.
Wicked City – ABC – 10 p.m. 10/27
Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) has his own show now. Set in 1982, it’s about two LA detectives trying to track down two romantically linked serial killers. Also stars Erika Christensen, Taissa Farmiga, and Jeremy Sisto. Anthology series.
Wednesday
Moonbeam City – Comedy Central – 10:30 p.m. – 9/17
Think Archer meets Miami Vice, with voices including Elizabeth Banks, Rob Lowe, Will Forte, and Kate Mara.
Rosewood – Fox – 8 p.m. – 9/23
Stars Morris Chestnut as a private pathologist who also has a heart condition where he will probably die before he hits 40. Also stars Jaina Lee Ortiz.
Code Black – CBS – 10 p.m. – 9/30
This medical drama follows an understaffed and overcrowded emergency room in Los Angeles. Stars Marcia Gay Harden. Also stars Luis Guzman.
American Horror Story: Hotel – FX – 10 p.m. – 10/7
All of the usual suspects are checking in, like Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett, but there is also Lady Gaga. But will audiences check out after last season?
Thursday
Heroes Reborn – NBC – 8 p.m. – 9/24
It’s Maybe-See Thursday, with the return of Heroes, a show that should have ended when it ended. Most of the original cast is back, except for the Cheerleader (Hayden Panettierre). I guess she didn’t need to be saved after all.
The Player – NBC – 10 p.m. – 9/24
A group of rich people gamble on whether a team can stop crime. Stars Wesley Snipes.
Benders – IFC – 10 p.m. 10/1
Denis Leary produced this show about an amateur hockey team.
Friday
Hand of God – Amazon – 9/4
A corrupt judge has a breakdown and believes that God wants him to be a vigilante. Stars Ron Perlman.
Dr. Ken – ABC- 8:30 p.m. – 10/2
Based on Ken Jeong’s previous career as a doctor, this sitcom stars and is created by the actor/comedian.
Red Oaks – Amazon – 10/9
A young tennis player works at a country club during the summer between college years in the 1980s. Executive produced by David Gordon Green, of Eastbound & Down. Stars Craig Roberts of Neighbors and 22 Jump Street.
Truth Be Told – NBC – 8:30 p.m. – 10/9
Follows the lives of diverse couples and their feelings on everything from sex to race relations. Some people might just scroll through their Facebook feed instead. Stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tone Bell, Bresha Webb, and Vanessa Lachey.
Saturday
Ash Vs. Evil Dead – Starz
A horror comedy created by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Set in the Evil Dead franchise and serves as a sequel to the movies.
Sunday
Blood & Oil – ABC – 9 p.m. – 9/27
It’s a soap opera in Williston, N.D., and stars Don Johnson as an oil tycoon. Also stars Chace Crawford and Rebecca Rittenhouse as the young couple who moves to the town after a huge oil discovery.
Quantico – ABC – 10 p.m. – 9/27
This show has been called “How to Get Away with a Terrorist Attack,” because it uses a similar format to Shonda Rhimes’ hit from last season. We are introduced to a bunch of FBI recruits through flashbacks with a flashforward at the end to reveal one of them masterminded one of the biggest terrorist attacks since 9/11. Stars Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda Shaw, the FBI director at the academy, and Josh Hopkins from Cougartown.
November
Angel from Hell – CBS – 11/5
Stars Jane Lynch as a guardian angel who’s been watching over a woman all her life (Psych’s Maggie Lawson).
Chicago Med – NBC
Spin-off of Chicago Fire. Stars Oliver Platt.
The Man in the High Castle – Amazon
An alternate history of the world if the Axis powers would have won World War II. The pilot which aired in January was Amazon’s most watched episode since their original programming began.
Master of None – Netflix – 11/6
Aziz Ansari’s new show about a 30-something in New York City. Also stars H. John Benjamin.
Flesh and Bone – Starz – 11/8
From Breaking Bad writer Moira Walley-Beckett comes this show about the world of professional ballet.
Into the Badlands – AMC – 11/15
Martial arts drama starring Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.
The Art of More – Crackle – 11/19
First scripted series for Crackle, about world of high-end auction houses. Stars Dennis Quaid, Cary Elwes, Christian Cooke, and Kate Bosworth.
Special Events
Ferrell Takes the Field – HBO – 10 p.m. September 10
A documentary that follows Will Ferrell as he takes the field in five Major League Baseball training games, playing all nine positions for ten different teams in a single day.
Keith Richards: Under the Influence – Netflix Movie – September 18
Beasts of No Nation – Netflix Movie – Friday October 16
High-profile drama about an African soldier starring Idris Elba and directed by Cary Fukunaga.
Live from Lincoln Center – Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton (Working title) – PBS – 10/30
The special will feature Elfman’s iconic scores from Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Wiz! Live! – NBC – 12/1
Queen Latifah, David Allen Grier, Uzo Aduba, Common, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, and Shanice Williams as Dorothy.
