Although some networks have already started rolling out new shows, the fall TV season officially begins Sept. 20, when viewers will be introduced to over twenty new series and reintroduced to their old favorites. This year's crop of new shows is not quite as impressive as last year's — there are no standouts like "Modern Family" or "Glee" — but there are definitely some promising (and not-so-promising) prospects, and the Daily has the rundown:
Don't Miss It: FX has been on a roll lately with its original programming and "Terriers" (premiered Sept. 8) is no exception. The private eye drama from "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan and "Ocean's Eleven" (2001) writer Ted Griffin has a unique tone and great chemistry between leads Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James and deserves not to be overlooked in favor of the broadcast networks' flashier offerings.
Another cable series that should not be (and in this case, probably will not be) overlooked is HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" (premiering Sept. 19), which is already being hailed by many critics as the best series of the fall — and possibly the year. Set in the 1920s, "Empire" follows a group of Prohibition-era Atlantic City gangsters and political bosses, led by Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson. With its intriguing premise and a pedigree that includes Martin Scorsese (who directed the reportedly $18 million pilot) and "The Sopranos" (1999-2007) writer Terence Winter, the premium cable network looks to have another giant hit on its hands.
Although cable has two of the most promising new series, the broadcast networks are not completely devoid of exciting freshman shows. Fox's "Lone Star" (premiering Sept. 20) — about a Texan con man leading a double life — is both intriguing and ambitious, and seems to have found a new talent in lead James Wolk. "Friday Night Lights" fans will also be happy to see Adrianne Palicki back on their screens as the con man's wife. Its ambition may be its downfall, though, as the con might not last a whole season, but based on the pilot, "Lone Star" looks like a winner.
Finally, it may be getting a leg up because of J. J. Abrams's credit, but NBC's "Undercovers" (premiering Sept. 22) looks like an entertaining (if inconsequential) addition to the well-worn spy genre — think "Alias" (2001-06) minus the baffling Rambaldi mythology.
If There's Time: With the current saturation of the market with police procedurals, not everyone will have the time or desire to add another to their plate. For those who do, though, there are two solid offerings this season: CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" (premiering Sept. 20) and ABC's "Detroit 1-8-7" (premiering Sept. 21), both of which favor the "Place, Number" title format. Neither adds anything monumental to its genre, but "Five-0" is flashy and fun and "1-8-7" shines a light on a city that lacks representation on the television screens.
ABC's "No Ordinary Family" (premiering Sept. 28) has lost some of its buzz since the network first presented it in May, but the science-fiction drama shouldn't be written off yet. Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz star as the parents in a family that acquires superpowers, and as long as it stays out of "Heroes" (2006-10) territory, "Family" looks like a fun, light take on the superhero genre.
Don't Bother: The most offensive and unfunny "comedy" on any network's schedule this fall is arguably NBC's "Outsourced" (premiering Sept. 23), which focuses on an American novelty company's Indian call center. Off-color jokes about accents and Indian food abound, and most disappointingly, the network chose to give this show a fall timeslot over the amazing "Parks and Recreation." Viewers should not be upset if this one fails quickly.
CBS' new comedy "$#*! My Dad Says" (premiering Sept. 23) — based on the unbleeped Twitter feed of the same name — looks nowhere near as offensive as fellow new comedy "Outsourced," but it just does not look funny. William Shatner stars as the titular dad, but somehow it seems unlikely that the humor from 140-character tweets will translate to a half-hour sitcom.
And, seeming to have learned nothing from the trajectory of last season's short-lived "FlashForward" (2009-10), NBC ordered "The Event" (premiering Sept. 20), a flashy mystery thriller that seems to value plot over character. There is still room for improvement, but without it, this looks like yet another failed attempt to capture the appeal of "Lost" (2004-10).
So, as seems to be the trend nowadays, cable has the most promising fall TV offerings, with "Boardwalk Empire" sure to be a major contender at next year's Primetime Emmy awards. Although none of the shows stand out among the crowd as a guaranteed popular and critical favorite, there seems to be a good enough crop of new shows to keep viewers and advertisers happy. Plus, anything's better than another season of the "Jay Leno Show" (2009-10).
