DONNA J. PLESH On Television

Presenting The FALL TV SEASON    The cast of ABC's "Once Upon A Time," one of two new fairy-tale themed fall shows. Our critic likes this one best.

They're all new shows,
but maybe not all so fresh

By DONNA J. PLESH
of TheColumnists.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: Readers should be aware that networks often change premiere dates and time slots as they compete with each other in the opening weeks of the TV season, so double check with your local TV guides.

It’s September and that means the fall TV season is upon us once again. Here’s my take on the new shows ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and The CW are unveiling in coming weeks.

 

ABC

LAST MAN STANDING Premieres 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. What it's about: A comedy about a marketing director for an outdoor sporting goods store who is king of the hill at work, but he's the odd man out in a home that is dominated by women -- his wife and three daughters. His wife’s job promotion means he has to spend more time at home doing hands-on parenting. Who’s in it: Tim Allen and Nancy Travis. Worth Watching? If you liked “Home Improvement,” you’ll like this show.

MAN UP Premieres 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 What it's about: A comedy about three modern men trying to get in touch with their inner tough guys and redefine what it means to be a “real man.” Who’s in it: Christopher Moynihan, Mather Zickel, Dan Fogler, Terry Polo and Amanda Detmer. Worth Watching? Only if you don’t like “NCIS,” “The Biggest Loser,” “Glee” or “90210," plus all the shows airing on all the cable channels, local channels and PBS in the same time period.

SUBURGATORY Premieres 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 What it's about: A biting comedy about a single dad who decides life in the suburbs is better for him and his teenage daughter. She finds the ‘burbs hell. Who’s in it: Jeremy Sisto, Jane Levy, Alan Tudyk and Cheryl Hines. Worth Watching? One of the best comedies of the new season. Levy is terrific as the teen thrown into a new life in suburban “hell.” A perfect series fit tucked between ABC’s “The Middle” and “Modern Family.”

REVENGE Premieres 10 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21 What it's about: A wealthy young woman, new to the Hamptons, is bent on revenge against some of her wealthy neighbors who she believes were responsible for ruining her family and their reputation. Who’s in it: Emily Van Camp, Madeleine Stowe, Henry Czerny, Nick Wechsler, Connor Paolo. Worth Watching? This drama has all the ingredients needed for a very watchable prime time soap opera: wealth, love, lust, greed and secrets, lots of secrets!

CHARLIE'S ANGELS Premieres 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 What it's about: Three attractive women with interesting pasts–a thief, a street racer and a former cop–are hired as detectives to solve cases for their elusive boss, Charlie Townsend. Who’s in it: Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh, Rachael Taylor and Ramon Rodriguez. Worth Watching? If I was giving shows letter grades, this would get C-. But Miami looks very nice.

ONCE UPON A TIME Premieres 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23 What it's about: Fairy tales and the modern-day world collide in this drama about everyone not living happily every after. Who’s in it: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parrilla, Jared Gilmore, Josh Dallas and Raphael Sbarge. Worth Watching? The cast is great, but the back and forth between worlds is a bit disconcerting at times. However, I am intrigued and think it’s definitely one of the more interesting new fall series.

PAN AM Premieres 10 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25 What it's about: Set in the 1960s, this drama follows the lives and loves of high-flying Pan Am stewardesses and pilots. Who’s in it: Christina Ricci, Kelli Garner, Karine Vanasse, Margot Robbie, Mike Vogel and Michael Mosley. Worth Watching? OK, so it’s a bit soap opera-ish, but that’s OK. It’s still a fun look back at a time when air travel was glamorous and Pan Am ruled the skies.

 

CBS

Jim Caviezel, left, and Michael Emerson  in CBS' "Person of Interest."

2 BROKE GIRLS Premieres 9:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19, then moves to its regular time period Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 What it's about: Two twentysomething waitresses from very different backgrounds– one’s from a working-class family, the other born rich but now down on her luck– are waitresses and roommates in a small New York City restaurant. Who’s in it: Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs. Worth Watching? Created by Michael Patrick King and comedienne Whitney Cummings, this is a laugh-out-loud (I did) comedy that has hit written all over it. It’s my favorite comedy of the new season. Don’t miss it.

UNFORGETTABLE Premieres 10 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20 What it's about: A former police detective has a rare condition that gives her a flawless memory--she remembers every place, conversation and moment in her life -- except for the details that would solve her sister’s murder. Who’s in it: Poppy Montgomery and Dylan Walsh. Worth Watching? This show IS so forgettable.

HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN Premieres 8:30 p.m., Thursday Sept 29 What it's about: A comedy about the unlikely friendship between a traditional, refined writer (a gentleman) and an unrefined personal trainer (he’s not a gentleman). Who’s in it: David Hornsby, Kevin Dillon, Dave Foley, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Nancy Lenehan and Rhys Darby. Worth Watching? With Dave Foley in the cast I thought it would be a pretty funny show. It isn’t.

PERSON OF INTEREST Premieres 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 What it's about: A drama about a former CIA agent who joins forces with amysterious billionaire to prevent violent crimes before they happen. Who’s in it: Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson and Taraji P. Henson. Worth Watching? Another series with an interesting premise that’s definitely worth watching. Oh, and it has a very good pedigree – J.J. Abrams (“Lost”) is one of the executive producers.

A GIFTED MAN Premieres 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23 What it's about: A brilliant New York surgeon’s life changes forever when his dead ex-wife begins teaching him the meaning of life from the “hereafter.” Who’s in it: Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Ehle and Margo Martindale. Worth Watching? The cast is great. The show isn’t.

FOX

Time-Travelers get set for adventure in Steven Spielberg's "TERRA NOVA"

TERRA NOVA Premieres 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26 What it's about: It’s 2149 and the world is dying. But scientists uncover a fracture in time that makes it possible to resettle humanity into a primeval Earth. The series focuses on one family that makes the journey back in time to a settlement called Terra Nova. Who’s in it: Jason O’Mara, Shelley Conn, Stephen Lang, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Alana Mansour and Naomi Scott. Worth Watching? Yes. This is the big, expensive series that has Steven Spielberg as one of the executive producers. Even though the CGI dinosaurs and their ilk are a bit hokey (after all this is TV, not a super big budget special effects movie like “Avatar”), it’s still a fun show for the whole family.

NEW GIRL Premieres 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20 What it's about: An offbeat girl discovers her long-term boyfriend is cheating on her so she leaves and moves into an apartment with three male roommates. Who’s in it: Zooey Deschanel, Jake M. Johnson, Max Greenfield, Hanna Simone and Lamorne Morris. Worth Watching? Deschanel is soooooooo appealing and soooooo good. She’s THE reason to watch this show.

THE X-FACTOR Premieres 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21 What it's about: A new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next big solo artist or vocal group. The winner gets a $5 million recording contract. Who’s in it: The judges are Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger. Steve Jones is the host. Worth Watching? If you like musical competition shows and want to see Simon and Paula together again, go for it.

I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER Premieres 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30 What it's about: Two single moms who are best friends are afraid their overly- indulged daughters are turning out to be just like the mean girls who picked on them in high school. Who’s in it: Jaime Pressly, Katie Finneran, Aisha Dee, Kristi Lauren, Kevin Rahm, Eric Sheffer and Chad L. Coleman. Worth Watching? The talented cast is wasted in this lame comedy. Skip it.

ALLEN GREGORY Premieres 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30 What it's about: An animated comedy about a 7-year-old who doesn’t see himself as a child, but as a young man who is intelligent, sophisticated, worldly, artistic and romantic. But his real challenge begins when home-schooling ends and he begins elementary school with kids his own age. Who’s in it: Voices are Jonah Hill, French Stewart, Nat Faxon and Joy Osmanski. Guest voices along the way include Renee Taylor, Leslie Mann and Will Forte. Worth Watching? If you like animated series (and Fox does them so well) you should like this one.

 

NBC

Christina Applegate and Will Arnett are new parents in NBC's "Up All Night."

THE PLAYBOY CLUB Premieres 10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19 What it's about: This drama is set in Chicago in the early 1960s at the legendary Playboy Club, complete with glitz, glamour, music and beautiful bunnies. But all that glitters isn't gold, and in the back rooms and alleys behind the club, life happens - both good and bad. Who’s in it: Eddie Cibrian, Amber Heard and Laura Benanti. Worth Watching?: An OK period piece, but “Pan Am” is so much better and much more interesting. And opposite “Hawaii Five-0” and “Castle” in the same time period, the bunnies will be a distant third.

UP ALL NIGHT Premieres 10 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14; moves to regular time period of 8 p.m. Wednesdays on Sept. 21 What it's about: A couple with a newborn daughter struggle to find a balance between their work lives and home lives. Who’s in it: Christina Applegate, Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph. Worth Watching?: This is a funny comedy that gets a big boost from the always-great Rudolph.

FREE AGENTS Premieres 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14; moves to regular time period of 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on Sept. 21 What it's about: A workplace comedy about two PR executives, one divorced, the other trying to get over her fiancée’s death, who, after having have a drunken one-night stand, discover they really are attracted to each other. Who’s in it: Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn and Anthony Head. Worth Watching? Comedies, even dark ones, are supposed to make you laugh. Or at least chuckle. This one does neither. Skip it.

WHITNEY Premieres 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 What it's about: A comedy about modern love focusing on a happily unmarried couple in no hurry to head to the altar. Who’s in it: Whitney Cummings, Chris D’Elia and Jane Kaczmarek. Worth Watching? Bland and rather boring. Skip it.

PRIME SUSPECT Premieres 10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 What it's about: A drama about a tough woman homicide detective working to solve crimes and deal with colleagues who dislike her. Based on the British series of the same name. Who’s in it: Maria Bello, Aidan Quinn and Brian F. O’Byrne. Worth Watching? If you liked the original you probably won’t like this U.S. reboot. I didn’t.

GRIMM Premieres 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21 What it's about: Another fairy-tale based drama about a modern day police detective who finds out he is descended from hunters called “Grimms.” His job is to save humanity from the nasty storybook characters out there in the real world. Who’s in it: David Giuntoli, Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch and Silas Weir Mitchell. Worth Watching? An OK show, but ABC’s fairy tale drama “Once Upon A Time” is much more interesting.

THE CW

Sarah Michelle Gellar  plays twins in The CW thriller "Ringer"

HART OF DIXIE Premieres 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26 What it's about: A fast-talking New Yorker, a newly-minted doctor, sees her dream fall apart and winds up taking a job at a medical practice in a small southern town. Who’s in it: Rachel Bilson, Scott Porter, Jaime King, Cress Williams, Wilson Bethel, McKaley Miller. Worth Watching? If you liked “Gilmore Girls” and “Everwood,” you will like this show. Bilson is so likeable in the role it’s easy to overlook the fact she seems awfully young to be a doctor.

RINGER Premieres 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13 What it's about: After witnessing a murder, a woman goes on the run, hiding out and taking over the life of her missing, wealthy identical twin. She soon finds out her sister’s life was not as idyllic as she thought. Who’s in it: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kritoffer Polaha, Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell. Worth Watching? Another very different drama that hooks you from the get-go. It’s good to have Gellar back on the small screen in a very watchable show.

H8RS Premieres 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14 What it's about: A reality series in which celebrities face off with people who hate them and try to win the “haters” over. Who’s in it: Mario Lopez hosts. Worth Watching? No, No and No.

THE SECRET CIRCLE Premieres 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15 What it's about: After her mother dies, a teen travels to her mom’s small hometown and moves in with her grandmother. She soon discovers her high school classmates are all descended from powerful witches and they have been waiting for her to complete a new generation of the “secret circle.” Who’s in it: Britt Robertson, Thomas Dekker, Gale Harold and Natasha Henstridge. Worth Watching? Yes, if you are a fan of supernatural-like goings on plus this series follows the network’s successful “The Vampire Diaries.” And Britt Robertson is very, very good in the lead role.

 

©2011 by Donna J. Plesh. The photos are courtesy of their respective networks. This column first posted Sept. 12. 2011.

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