Last week, we predicted the 10 New Shows that will not be back next season (You’re welcome!). This week, we take a look at 10 new network shows that you can invest your time in. I typically do not watch a show until it gets into its second season- I have been burned too many times in the past with shows that I was an early adopter of that got cancelled either during the first season, or it just never returns for season two. I do feel confident that these shows will get the call for a second season.
*Same rules apply from last week- I have no access to screeners, just good old-fashioned gut reactions to trailers, casting, time slots, and plot synopses. Recaps (in italics) provided by TVGuide.com:
Scream Queens (Tuesday, 9pm, FOX)
This first installment in a new anthology series from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan tells the story of a college campus that’s rocked by a series of murders. Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Oliver Hudson, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Keke Palmer, Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande, Billie Lourd, Skyler Samuels, Lucien Laviscount, Niecy Nash, Diego Boneta, Glen Powell, and Nasim Pedrad star.
This should be a no brainer. Murphy has carte blanche with Fox due to the success of Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story. Whether you like his work or not, he is a forward thinker when it comes to producing television. By creating these anthologies series, he can get top tier talent to commit to a 15 episode schedule without the worry of being locked into a typical 5 season network contract. That also opens the door for the actor/actress to come back for future seasons playing different characters. Its something he has mastered with American Horror Story and I see that success bleeding over to this project.
Super Girl (Monday, 8pm, CBS)
Melissa Benoist stars as Kara Zor-El, who escaped her home planet Krypton during its destruction. After hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin Superman, she finally decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be a hero. Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash) is executive-producing, and Calista Flockhart, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh and David Harewood also star.
This would be a slam dunk to return for at least 5 more seasons if it was on the CW. CBS might not be as generous if the ratings are not CBS-like. The main reason I have this on the returning list is because of something fellow USF contributor Chris Tanski said upon seeing the trailer. He was excited about being able to watch a superhero show with a strong female lead with his daughter. That really resonated with me. With all due respect to Agent Carter (which I adore), that was a “mini series” that they are bringing back for another run. Super Girl could be an anchor show on TV’s most watched network and, along with Netflix’s upcoming series Jessica Jones, could usher in the next wave of superhero shows with ladies in the lead.
Crazy Ex Girlfriend (Monday, 8pm, CW)
Rachel Bloom stars as Rebecca Bunch, a successful, driven, and possibly crazy young woman who impulsively gives up everything – her partnership at a prestigious law firm and her upscale apartment in Manhattan – in a desperate attempt to find love and happiness in that exotic hotbed of romance and adventure: West Covina, Calif.
Lets file this under “Shows I Hope Get Renewed”. Yes, I have it on the season two list, but its really because the trailer is ambitious and fun and Rachel Bloom looks like the real deal. Can this show sustain more than one season? Maybe. Will it? I don’t know, but I am rooting for it!
Grandfathered (Tuesday, 8pm, FOX)
John Stamos stars as a longtime bachelor who has his life turned upside down when he discovers he’s a father and a grandfather. Josh Peck, Paget Brewster, Christina Millian, Kelly Jenrette, and Ravi Patel also star.
Outside of a successful four year stint on ER, Stamos hasn’t had a ton of luck on television since Full House went off the air in 1996. “Thieves” got cancelled after 10 episodes in 2001, and “Jake in Progress” (which I liked a lot) got the boot after just one season in 2006. Since then, he has bounced around doing guest spots, which is fine and dandy and pays the bills. But Stamos is a charming lead actor that is meant to carry a show. This might be it. Early buzz is very positive, and FOX is happy. That combo should give it some breathing room if the ratings aren’t there right out of the gate.
The Grinder (Tuesday, 830, FOX)
Rob Lowe stars as a beloved TV lawyer, who returns to his hometown to take over his family’s law practice. Fred Savage plays Lowe’s brother and Mary Elizabeth Ellis, William Devane and Hana Hayes also star.
Wait, a half hour comedy with Rob Lowe playing a fake lawyer and Fred Savage playing a terrible real lawyer? Where do I sign up? Check out the trailer and try and convince me that this wont work.
I look at Fox’s Tuesday night lineup and think these three rookie shows (Grandfathered, The Grinder, Scream Queens) could be their Must See TV Night for years to come….then again we might be talking about three brand new shows looking to fill the night, this time next year. Time will tell, but I am betting on this block of television to be around for many seasons to come.
The Muppets, (Tuesday, 8pm, ABC)
This time, it’s for grownups! The mockumentary will take a look at the personal lives — both at home and at work — of Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang. The Big Bang Theory’s Bill Prady and Bob Kushell are co-writers and executive producers.
If you listen to the USF podcast, you know that when this show was first announced, I proclaimed it would fail without any good reason. I justified these claims because the last Muppet movie, Muppets Most Wanted was not as financially successful as its predecessor, The Muppet Movie. I felt that the bloom was off the rose. Then I started thinking about it, saw the trailer, and figured out that a mockumentary styled sitcom is the perfect way to get FAMILIES to watch together. You have the Muppets, that will draw in the kiddos, and you have this “The Office” style show with just enough smart comedy to have moms and dads watching too. Its a busy time slot with The Voice, NCIS, and The Flash competing for viewers, but it should carve out its own audience and be successful.
Blindspot, (Monday, 10pm, NBC)
After a woman (Jaimie Alexander) with no memories of her past is found naked in Times Square with her body covered in tattoos, she gains the attention of the FBI, who follow the road map on her body to reveal a large crime conspiracy and discover the truth about her identity. Sullivan Stapleton, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ashley Johnson, Rob Brown, Audrey Esparza, Ukweli Roach also star.
Hey! It only took 15 years to turn the movie Memento into a TV series! Its a great concept with a pretty good cast. Jaimie Alexander has what it takes to lead an ensemble drama and is poised to be this seasons break out star. The only downside is the premise, presuming they put the clues together and solve the mystery by seasons end. Then what?
Chicago Med (Tuesday, 9pm, NBC)
The latest spin-off of Dick Wolf’s Chicago Firefranchise is an emotional thrill ride that explores the day-to-day chaos of the city’s most explosive hospital and the team of doctors who hold it together. They will tackle cases inspired by topical events, while inevitably crossing paths with the Chicago police and fire departments will intertwine as this third team of Chicago heroes hits the ground running. Yaya Dacosta, Oliver Platt, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurie Holden and Nick Gehlfuss star.
When ER and Chicago Hope debuted in 1994, you kind new when the dust settled, there would only be room for one hospital drama. A few episodes into both shows, I knew ER was here to stay (George Clooney, sigh) and Chicago Hope was on life support. Okay, Hope did stick around for 6 (!) seasons, but it was no match for the 15 season, 331 episode giant that was ER.
We have another two medical drama horse race in 2015, and again, there is only room for one. I called time of death on Code Black last week. Dick Wolf has had a pretty good track record (sans Law & Order: Los Angeles) and with it being a spin off of Chicago Fire, it should have a built in audience.
The Player (Thursday, 10pm, NBC)
Set in the high-stakes world of Las Vegas, this drama stars Philip Winchester as a sniper-turned-security expert who has to perform “a series of heroic challenges” in order to save innocent lives. Wesley Snipes also stars as the “pit boss” of the game Winchester’s character must play.
Wesley Snipes as a mysterious pit boss + those sideburns = ratings gold.
Rosewood (Wednesday, 8pm, FOX)
This investigative series stars Morris Chestnut as Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, the top private pathologist in all of Miami. He uses his sophisticated, state-of-the-art lab to find the secrets in bodies that others usually miss and help the cynical female detective (Jaina Lee Ortiz) he often works with.Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Anna Konkle and Gabrielle Dennis also star.
Rosewood is like CSI: Miami’s cool kid brother. He has looked up to you his entire life, watched you learn from your mistakes, rooted for you when times were tough, taking notes along the way. There is no Rosewood without the David Caruso lead juggernaut blazing a trail for Dade County based crime procedurals. As much as we made fun of Horatio Cane and crew, that show last 10 seasons, pumping out 232 episodes! If little brother can be half as cool, this will be a hit.
