Itās September, and the new fall TV schedule is just around the corner. A vast number of new shows, unfortunately, doesnāt guarantee a lot of good new shows. After combing through early reports, I started making a list of shows that might be worth watching. As I watch previews, shows tend to drop off the list quickly, so itās getting shorter by the day. Of course, my first-place pick last year was āAwake,ā which was quickly canceled, so what do I know? Here are a few fall shows that might have potential:
A reboot of the Green Arrow story, Oliver Queen goes missing after a shipwreck. Years later he is found, changed; he has a secret vigilante identity. Word on the street is, even though The CW runs toward teen television, this darker version of the Green Arrow is directed at an older audience. Likely to be violent, but appears to be aiming at a strong good versus evil theme. Itās getting some good buzz. October 10, The CW.
This new version of Sherlock Holmes includes a (gasp!) female Dr. Watson played by Lucy Liu. Jonny Lee Miller plays Sherlock, and if youāre not up in arms on behalf of Benedict Cumberbatch and the BBC āSherlockā series, you might just like it. Holmes is a recovering addict; Dr. Watson has been appointed his āsober companion.ā September 27, CBS.
Matthew Perry (āFriendsā) is a sports radio personality who recently lost his wife. He must participate in group therapy to satisfy his employers that heās ready to go back on the air. Anyone remember Bob Newhartās group therapy? If this show bears any resemblance to that, count me in. Of course, it seems a given that the show will push the envelope, alternating between silliness, crudeness, and painfully honest grief. Weāll just have to see how it goes. September 11, NBC.
Andrew Bragher (āHomicideā) is an excellent actor leading a well-received show that could very well run aground. A U.S. nuclear submarine is ordered to fire on Pakistan; Bragherās character refuses, and the sub is fired upon. Very Tom Clancy, yet hereās where it gets diceyāthe sub conveniently goes to an āexotic islandā where the crew can regroup and attempt to clear their names. āLost,ā meet Jack Ryan. September 27, ABC.
A female country star of a certain age is seeing her star power fade, while a hot young star is burning up the charts. Guess what? They have to work together. This could be soapy and catty. But it also stars two beloved actressesāConnie Britton, who won hearts as Tami Taylor on āFriday Night Lights,ā and Hayden Panettierre, the cheerleader superhero from āHeroes.ā It will be popular, no doubt. Will it be good television? Time will tell. October 10, ABC.
Those are the shows I have some hope for. There are quite a few others I have no hope for. Iāll name some names:
±·µž°äās āĮ豚±¹“Ē±ō³Ü³Ł¾±“Ē²Ōā looks like a desperate attempt to cash in on the popularity of The Hunger Games. Coming midseason to the same network, Anne Heche stars as a modern prophet, Desperate Housewives-style, in āSave Me.ā Spare me.
“”µž°äās āZero Hourā stars Anthony Edwards as a skeptic going on a hunt to find his abducted wife, but it involves symbols and ancient societies a la The DaVinci Code. ā666 Park Avenueā appears to involve a possessed apartment building that will give its residents all they desire as soon as they make a pact with the devil. Did we learn nothing from Adam and Eve? That never works out well.
And then thereās the one that really made me sad. A couple of years ago, my local bookstore had a display of Candace Bushnellās The Carrie Diaries, a young-adult prequel to her book-to-TV blockbuster Sex and the City. Because, apparently, teens need to know how Carrie got to be Carrie. Now it too is a TV show, also called āThe Carrie Diaries,ā on The CW. But hereās the worst of it: young 1980s high school senior Carrie is played by AnnaSophia Robb, from the movie versions of Because of Winn Dixie, Bridge to Terabithia, and Soul Surfer. One can only hope the show rises above its history.
What television shows will you be watching or avoiding this fall?
About the Author
Kristy Quist is Tuned In editor for The Banner and a member of Neland Ave. CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.