September 1, 2013: The New Fall Line-up!

I try.  Believe me, I do try.  At the beginning of every fall season, I try to catch as many of the new shows as possible, dropping those that fail to capture my interest and sticking with those that hold my attention. Slowly but surely, as the weeks pass, various of these new shows fall out of my DVR rotation until, inevitably, I’m watching my “regularly scheduled programming”: Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, Louie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Downton Abbey, and The Walking Dead.  Notice something interesting?  That’s right – overwhelmingly cable with a lone big network show.  And the shows I’m in the process of checking out – Orange is the New Black and Ray Donovan aren’t big network either.

No, don’t bother recommended a series from last season.  I can assure you I watched it and lost interest at some point.

But will this year be different?

Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to try!

Some of this fall’s more intriguing candidates…

Hello Ladies

Premieres Sunday, September 29th at 10:30 p.m.

On HBO

An Englishman searches for love in hard-luck L.A.

Leading the pack is yet another cable series.  Stephen Merchant is a very funny guy.  Finally, following behind-the-scenes contributions and onscreen supporting stints on shows like The Office and Extras, he is the lead of his own series.

Trailer makes me wants to see it: About the same.

The Blacklist

Premieres Sunday September 23rd at 10:00 p.m.

On NBC

One of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives turns himself in and offers to help the feds capture fellow super criminals on the condition he is teamed with a rookie agent.

Shades of Silence of the Lambs!  James Spader is brilliant and the prospect of watching him play a villain is just too good to miss.

Trailer wants to make me see it: A little more.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Premieres Tuesday, September 17th at 8:00 p.m.

On FOX

An immature young detective teams with a seasoned, by-the-book commanding officer.

Another show I’m looking forward to on the strength of its casting, specifically Andre Braugher.  Also, this is a comedy and Andy Samberg is a pretty funny guy.

Trailer makes me want to see it: Less.

The Crazy Ones

Premieres Thursday September 26th at 9:00 p.m.

On CBS

An eccentric but brilliant advertising executive runs his agency alongside his more level-headed daughter.

No, the casting is the draw here.  It’s the pedigree of show creator David E. Kelley.  I miss Boston Legal.

Trailer makes me want to see it: A lot less.

The Goldbergs

Premieres Tuesday September 24th at 9:00 p.m.

On ABC

A family comedy set in the 80′s.

Based on the home movies that the show’s creator shot of his family while he was growing up.  A successor to The Wonder Years?

Trailer makes me want to see it: A lot less.

Hostages

Premieres Monday September 23rd at 10:0 p.m.

On CBS

A rogue FBI agent kidnaps a surgeons family and threatens to kill them unless the President of the United States dies on the operating table.

Based on an unproduced Israeli series, it feels like a cable show…on network television.  The premise, however, feels a little thin to sustain a 15 episode first season, much less an ongoing.

Trailer makes me want to see it: About the same.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Premieres Tuesday September 24th at 8:00 p.m.

On ABC

A secret government agency investigates “strange” cases.

Superheroes and Ming-Na.  What more could you ask for?

Trailer makes me want to see it: About the same.

Super Fun Night

Premieres Wednesday October 2nd at 9:00 p.m.

On ABC

Three best friends have their traditional Friday night get-togethers threatened by the lure of a life outside the  little world they’ve created for themselves.

Created by Rebel Wilson and Conan O’Brien.  That means it should be pretty funny, no?

Trailer makes me want to see it: About the same.

Tagged: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Hello Ladies, Hostages, Super Fun Night, The Blacklist, The Crazy Ones, The Goldbergs