It has been way too many months since I have had a decent weekly line-up of shows, but I suppose that’s always how summer is. Starting in September, my TV watching skills will come into play as I juggle 23 ongoing TV shows and try out 7 new series (all new shows are given a 3 episode test-this is the rule I’ve developed over time that ensures you will know after 3 episodes whether or not you want to commit to watching a show regularly). Unfortunately, NINE of these shows air on Thursdays. My DVR skills will definitely be put to the test on this insane night of competing television, but I’m confident I can handle it (thank god Project Runway will almost be done by the time the other shows start- and it airs reruns!).
Below you will find my finalized TV spreadsheet (sorry it’s a bit blurry in JPEG form). Shows in the same color conflict with each other, and bold shows represent new series I plan on trying out. For all the new shows, I’ve included a brief description and a trailer below in case you are interested in watching them, too.
Fall 2012 TV Spreadsheet
Partners– Mondays at 7:30 on CBS
Two guys, one gay and one straight, have been friends since they were kids. As adults they try to balance their friendship with their romantic relationships, but sometimes run into trouble. I’m really excited about this show because I love Michael Urie (Marc from Ugly Betty), and I also love that his boyfriend will be played by Brandon Routh (he played Superman!). Plus, I appreciate that the show takes an unconventional approach by showing how guys can be best friends despite having opposite sexual orientations : )
Emily Owens, M.D.– Tuesdays at 8:00 pm on The CW
Mamie Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep, plays the lead in this Grey’s Anatomy-like show. The only difference? The main character is a recovering nerd who is trying to put the past (unsuccessfully) behind her to have a shot at being a calm, cool adult. I find her much more relatable than a lot of the characters on Grey’s Anatomy, and as that show is being dragged out too long, this show is just starting and brings a fresh perspective.
Go On– Tuesdays at 8:00 pm on NBC
Since Friends, I will pretty much try most of those actors’ new shows. This is why I watched Mr. Sunshine, Cougar Town, Dirt, and (only the pilot of) Episodes. Go On is Matthew Perry’s new sitcom about a guy who finds friends and support in a dysfunctional grief group. I love the bit in the trailer about “March Sadness,” and appreciate that the show seems to balance humor with some real drama about Perry’s character recovering from the death of his wife. Be sure to catch the initial sneak peek preview on August 8th after the Olympics.
Arrow– Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on The CW
I think I’m only giving this a shot because I watched Smallville for so long. Smallville incorporated the Green Arrow as a regular character in the series, but Arrow is devoting a whole show to the superhero. The Green Arrow story is about a rich guy who survives a plane crash his parents perish in. He ends up on a deserted island for awhile and when he returns to his city life, he becomes a vigilante. I was planning on passing after watching the trailer, but apparently the footage shown at Comic Con really impressed the crowd. Now I’m curious about watching it…
Animal Practice-Wednesdays at 7:30 pm on NBC
My feelings for this show are kind of hot and cold. I think it could be pretty funny, especially since the main character reminds me of Jeff on Community, but it might also be too over the top. The premise is a smart-ass vet balances saving the lives of animals with goofing around with his co-workers and hitting on girls. It has potential, but like Go On, it needs to balance the humor with drama to create long term appeal.
Beauty and the Beast– Thursdays at 8:00 pm on The CW
This show has A LOT of competition on Thursday night. Kristin Kreuk plays a police officer who keeps getting saved by a mysterious “beast.” This beast turns out to be a genetically enhanced soldier that was supposed to have been killed off because he was a failed government experiment. He escaped, but has to stay hidden to ensure his survival. Kreuk’s character feels the need to protect him because of the many times he saved her. I feel that between the hot young actors and the classic storyline, this will probably do well.
Made in Jersey– Fridays at 8:00 pm on CBS
I really try to avoid court room dramas like the plague, but this one just may reel me in. It has an Erin Brockovich feel to it because its about a Jersey girl trying to succeed as a lawyer in the competitive New York arena. She uses her street smarts to close some tough cases (think Elle Woods and hair care knowledge), but will take some time to really prove herself. If the show remains character driven over case driven, I’ll probably love it. Otherwise it will get dropped (by me) after three episodes for sure.
There are three new shows that aren’t on my schedule because they won’t air until midseason (likely January). I wanted to include them here in case you still can’t find a show that fits your particular niche.
The Carrie Diaries– The CW
This show follows the story of Carrie Bradshaw (the main character of the Sex and the City series) as she navigates the tough reality of being a teenager. I absolutely love Sex and the City, and I hope this show maintains the character of Carrie well. They will have the show set in the 80’s to keep up an accurate timeline, so that’s probably a good sign.
Mistresses– ABC
Despite big TV promos, I really wasn’t feeling any of the new ABC shows this Fall. Last Resort seems to political, Nashville seems to country, and The Neighbors is actually about aliens…PASS. Mistresses, however, is planning on taking a shot at that Desperate Housewives vibe. GCB failed at this last year, but perhaps this one will make it. I have a feeling it might be a little too sexy for my taste (when every single character is sleeping around with everyone else I get bored- let’s put some real stories and dialogue in there please), but we’ll see.
The Goodwin Games– Fox
How did I miss hearing about this show until now? It has a great cast that includes Becki Newton (from Ugly Betty and How I Met Your Mother) and Scott Foley (from Felicity and recently, Grey’s Anatomy), a reconnecting family plot line, and a good mix of humor and drama. These things all make for a Kelly show. The premise is that three siblings are reunited by their father’s death, and end up competing for their inheritance in games their father really created to bring them closer. The trailer for it looks really cute, and I can’t wait to check this one out next year.
What new shows are you looking forward to in the Fall? And what favorites are you anxiously waiting to return? For me, I’m definitely looking forward to the return of The Vampire Diaries-what a cliffhanger!
kellyschrumpf 