Nikki hit us with the inevitable cancellation list for Fall TV last week. Today Carrie Jo brings us her picks for what is going to LIVE and what might die…
There are many fantastic things about being Bekah’s long-lost “Plane Friend” [real quick catch up: we met on a plane flying back to college after a break]: LTT, TN, and (of course) reconnecting with a friend who GETS stuff my other friends don’t. Like driving four hours (and then waiting out in the cold for many more hours) to meet Stephenie Meyer. And, you know, actual important real-life events that no one wants to read about on an entertainment blog.One of the things I was most excited about in regards to this blog, however, was when I found out that I was going to get to watch NBC’s premieres before they aired. I’ve seen the first episode of their new scripted shows airing by October 3 (a month before anyone else!). Here are my thoughts about the NBC fall lineup:
Shows I Wouldn’t Recommend to Anyone and Assume Will Face Quick Cancellation:
Surprisingly, none. I think the producers/writers/developers took their time created a good batch of fall shows this year.
Shows That Weren’t For Me, But Other People Might Like:
Ironside
This is a police procedural about a detective who was shot two years before the show’s current day and is a paraplegic. Instead of ending his career, the tragedy strengthened his resolve to pursue justice, and he doesn’t let the wheelchair slow him down.
Premieres Wednesday Oct. 2, 10pm EST
Why it wasn’t for me: Because it’s a police procedural. If that doesn’t deter you, nothing else I watched deterred me.
Sean Saves the World
Sean Hayes (yes, the one from Will and Grace) plays a single, divorced, gay dad. He’s only had his daughter on weekends in the past, but she’s about to move in full time…just as his company is sold and he discovers his new boss is going to be VERY demanding.
Premieres Thursday, October 3, 9pm EST
Why it wasn’t for me: This just wasn’t the type of sitcom I find funny. I was supposed to laugh at their family dysfunction (particularly Sean’s with his mother), and I just wanted to send all these (admittedly fake) people to therapy. If you separate fantasy and reality better than I do and don’t feel the need to hire pretend people a therapist, you might enjoy this one.
The Show I Was on the Fence About:
The Michael J Fox Show
Five years ago, Mike quit his job as a news anchor to spend more time with his family when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. For five years, his family and his boss have been begging him to go back to work. He finally gives in, and everyone is hoping their lives will get back to normal…only better.
Premieres Thursday, September 26 9pm EST (but will usually air at 9:30pm)
Why I was on the fence: The premiere was funny. But it wasn’t hilarious. Since I’m not a Michael J. Fox fan (I’m indifferent to him at best), I don’t know whether the show will be able to sustain my interest if the writing isn’t fantastic. I’m going to watch another episode, and we’ll see how it goes.
The Show I’m Sure Most People Will Love (I just liked it a lot):
The Blacklist
James Spader plays a ex-FBI agent who was put on the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List when he went rogue, brokering deals around the globe for criminals. One morning, he mysteriously turns himself in, promising to help the FBI catch a terrorist–on the condition that he speaks only to Liz Keen…and it’s her first day on the job.
Premieres Monday, September 23, 10pm EST
Why you should watch: I’m not a crime show girl, and I thought this one was brilliant. From script to pacing to acting to cinematography, there wasn’t one aspect I would have changed. (Ok, one line about how Megan Boone’s character Liz described herself. But it was only one line.) Trust me when I tell you people will be talking about this show and a lot of people will be watching it. I’m going to.
My Favorite NBC Premier of the Fall Line-Up:
Welcome to the Family
Molly barely graduated from high school and got accepted to college. Her parents are thrilled that they’re about to be empty-nesters. Across town, Molly’s secret boyfriend Junior is a Stanford-bound valedictorian. His parents are just as proud as they would be if they’d gotten in to Stanford. And then Molly finds out she’s pregnant, throwing the two very different families together and their college plans up in the air.
Premieres Thursday, October 3, 8:30pm EST
Why you should watch: I haven’t laughed this hard over a sitcom since Friends/The Big Bang Theory. (For the record, it’s nothing like either of those two shows.) I’m bummed I have to wait another month to see a second episode. And I might watch this show again tonight just to laugh over it a second time.
So what do you think? Anything sound interesting to you? Think any of those shows sound good enough that I should have bumped them up a level? What are looking forward to watching this fall?
