There are two prevailing themes with this year’s new network TV shows: time travel and TV based on feature films. In the time travel arena, we have NBC’s Timeless and The CW’s Frequency, with ABC’s Time After Time and Fox’s Making History debuting midseason. Big screen to small screen ports include Fox’s Lethal Weapon and The Exorcist, The CW’s Frequency, and midseason’s Taken on NBC and Training Day on CBS. But we are months away from midseason.
I have to admit, the glut of “copycat” programming is a little surprising to me. We are in the midst of the “golden age of television” with estimates suggesting that by next season, there will be 500 scripted TV series on broadcast, cable and streaming sites. You would think that with so much competition, the networks would try a little harder to have more diverse offerings. Does anyone need four new time travel shows? Does CBS really need two sitcoms about stay-at-home dads who realize they are in over their heads when their wives go back to work?
I am most looking forward to The Exorcist (purely because more horror on television is always exciting to me; I just hope it doesn’t follow the footsteps of Damien); Son of Zorn (the commercials alone make me laugh); and Luke Cage (because so far, all the Netflix Marvel shows have been really fun).
Check out our guide to some of the new shows premiering this fall, on network, cable and streaming services. Mark your calendars and set your DVRs!
Fall 2016 Television
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Atlanta
Atlanta (FX)
September 6th
Donald Glover (Community) created this comedy, in which he also stars. Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families.
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Atlanta
Atlanta (FX)
September 6th
Donald Glover (Community) created this comedy, in which he also stars. Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families.
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Better Things
Better Things (FX)
September 8th
Better Things stars Pamela Adlon (Californication) as a working actress who is raising three daughters and caring for her mother in Los Angeles. It sounds like Louis on the West Coast, from a female perspective, which makes sense: Louis C.K. co-created the show with Adlon.
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Better Things
Better Things (FX)
September 8th
Better Things stars Pamela Adlon (Californication) as a working actress who is raising three daughters and caring for her mother in Los Angeles. It sounds like Louis on the West Coast, from a female perspective, which makes sense: Louis C.K. co-created the show with Adlon.
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Quarry
Quarry (Cinemax)
September 9th
Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus) stars as Mac Conway, a Marine who has returned home from Vietnam in 1972, only to be ostracized and demonized by family and strangers alike. While dealing with PTSD, Conway is drawn into "a network of killing and corruption that spans the length of the Mississippi River."
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Quarry
Quarry (Cinemax)
September 9th
Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus) stars as Mac Conway, a Marine who has returned home from Vietnam in 1972, only to be ostracized and demonized by family and strangers alike. While dealing with PTSD, Conway is drawn into "a network of killing and corruption that spans the length of the Mississippi River."
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Kevin Can Wait
Kevin Can Wait (CBS)
September 19th
October 24th (Time slot premiere)
Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) returns to network television in Kevin Can Wait, playing a newly-retired police officer who finds that spending "relaxing" time with his wife and kids can be more stressful than he ever imagined.
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Kevin Can Wait
Kevin Can Wait (CBS)
September 19th
October 24th (Time slot premiere)
Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) returns to network television in Kevin Can Wait, playing a newly-retired police officer who finds that spending "relaxing" time with his wife and kids can be more stressful than he ever imagined.
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Bull
Bull (CBS)
September 20th
Inspired by the "early career" of Dr. Phil (not the judgmental, post-Oprah TV whore Dr. Phil became), Bull stars Michael Weatherly (NCIS) as the "brilliant, brash and charming" Dr. Jason Bull, creator of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. He is the "ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick."
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Bull
Bull (CBS)
September 20th
Inspired by the "early career" of Dr. Phil (not the judgmental, post-Oprah TV whore Dr. Phil became), Bull stars Michael Weatherly (NCIS) as the "brilliant, brash and charming" Dr. Jason Bull, creator of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. He is the "ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick."
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Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon (Fox)
September 21st
Clayne Crawford (A Walk to Remember) plays Riggs and Damon Wayans (In Living Color) plays Murtaugh in this small-screen adaptation of the classic buddy-action film. Riggs is reckless; Murtaugh is "too old for this sh*t," and action and comedy ensue.
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Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon (Fox)
September 21st
Clayne Crawford (A Walk to Remember) plays Riggs and Damon Wayans (In Living Color) plays Murtaugh in this small-screen adaptation of the classic buddy-action film. Riggs is reckless; Murtaugh is "too old for this sh*t," and action and comedy ensue.
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Speechless
Speechless (ABC)
September 21st
Speechless is a family sitcom that follows Maya (Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting) as she cares for her husband and three kids, fighting injustices "both real and imagined." Those injustices are aimed her eldest son, J.J., who has cerebral palsy. J.J. is played by Micah Fowler, a young actor who really does have cerebral palsy.
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Speechless
Speechless (ABC)
September 21st
Speechless is a family sitcom that follows Maya (Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting) as she cares for her husband and three kids, fighting injustices "both real and imagined." Those injustices are aimed her eldest son, J.J., who has cerebral palsy. J.J. is played by Micah Fowler, a young actor who really does have cerebral palsy.
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Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor (ABC)
September 21
Kiefer Sutherland is not Jack Bauer in Designated Survivor. He plays Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member who is suddenly vaulted to the position of President of the United States of America after a sudden and horrific attack wipes out the upper echelons of government.
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Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor (ABC)
September 21
Kiefer Sutherland is not Jack Bauer in Designated Survivor. He plays Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member who is suddenly vaulted to the position of President of the United States of America after a sudden and horrific attack wipes out the upper echelons of government.
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Notorious
Notorious (ABC)
September 22nd
Based on the real-life relationship between a criminal defense attorney and a cable news producer, Notorious focuses on the pair as they attempt to "control the media, the justice system and ultimately each other." Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me) and Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs) star.
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Notorious
Notorious (ABC)
September 22nd
Based on the real-life relationship between a criminal defense attorney and a cable news producer, Notorious focuses on the pair as they attempt to "control the media, the justice system and ultimately each other." Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me) and Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs) star.
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Pitch
Pitch (Fox)
September 22nd
Kylie Bunbury (Under the Dome) plays Ginny Baker, the first woman to ever play Major League Baseball. Obviously not based on a true story, Ginny must navigate love, friendship, and detractors while pitching for the San Diego Padres. Pitch also stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell) and Ali Larter (Heroes).
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Pitch
Pitch (Fox)
September 22nd
Kylie Bunbury (Under the Dome) plays Ginny Baker, the first woman to ever play Major League Baseball. Obviously not based on a true story, Ginny must navigate love, friendship, and detractors while pitching for the San Diego Padres. Pitch also stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell) and Ali Larter (Heroes).
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MacGyver
MacGyver (CBS)
September 23rd
You are probably most familiar with MacGyver through Patty and Selma on The Simpsons. This "reimagining of the classic series" stars Lucas Till (X-Men: Apocalypse) as MacGyver who creates a "clandestine organization within the U.S. government where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem solving and vast scientific knowledge to save lives." In other words, he saves the world with bubble gum and a paper clip.
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MacGyver
MacGyver (CBS)
September 23rd
You are probably most familiar with MacGyver through Patty and Selma on The Simpsons. This "reimagining of the classic series" stars Lucas Till (X-Men: Apocalypse) as MacGyver who creates a "clandestine organization within the U.S. government where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem solving and vast scientific knowledge to save lives." In other words, he saves the world with bubble gum and a paper clip.
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The Exorcist
The Exorcist (Fox)
September 23rd
One of the greatest horror films of all time, The Exorcist, comes to the small screen. The series follows a different family and different priests, but it all comes down to a demonic presence that needs to be exorcised. The Exorcist stars Geena Davis (The Fly), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ben Daniels (House of Cards), and Alfonso Herrera (Sense8). The Exorcist joins Outcast in the exorcism TV sub-sub-genre.
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The Exorcist
The Exorcist (Fox)
September 23rd
One of the greatest horror films of all time, The Exorcist, comes to the small screen. The series follows a different family and different priests, but it all comes down to a demonic presence that needs to be exorcised. The Exorcist stars Geena Davis (The Fly), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Ben Daniels (House of Cards), and Alfonso Herrera (Sense8). The Exorcist joins Outcast in the exorcism TV sub-sub-genre.
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Son of Zorn
Son of Zorn (Fox)
September 25th
Son of Zorn is a live action/animation hybrid "fish out of water" tale. Zorn, a He-Man-like warrior from an animated land returns to Orange County to reconnect with his live-action ex-wife and son. Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live) gives voice to Zorn, while Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) plays his ex-wife Edie.
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Son of Zorn
Son of Zorn (Fox)
September 25th
Son of Zorn is a live action/animation hybrid "fish out of water" tale. Zorn, a He-Man-like warrior from an animated land returns to Orange County to reconnect with his live-action ex-wife and son. Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live) gives voice to Zorn, while Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) plays his ex-wife Edie.
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Luke Cage
Luke Cage (Netflix)
September 30th
The next chapter in Netflix's Marvel series is Luke Cage, who we met in Jessica Jones. With super-strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter, Zero Dark Thirty) is now living as a fugitive in Harlem. He is "pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury."
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Luke Cage
Luke Cage (Netflix)
September 30th
The next chapter in Netflix's Marvel series is Luke Cage, who we met in Jessica Jones. With super-strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter, Zero Dark Thirty) is now living as a fugitive in Harlem. He is "pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury."
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Conviction
Conviction (ABC)
October 3rd
Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) plays attorney Hayes Morrison, daughter of a former President, facing jail time for a drug offense. In order to protect her mother's senate campaign, Hayes agrees to work for her "arch-nemesis," the New York District Attorney.
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Conviction
Conviction (ABC)
October 3rd
Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) plays attorney Hayes Morrison, daughter of a former President, facing jail time for a drug offense. In order to protect her mother's senate campaign, Hayes agrees to work for her "arch-nemesis," the New York District Attorney.
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Timeless
Timeless (NBC)
October 3rd
Every network has their own time-travel show this season, and Timeless is NBC's. Timeless focuses on that old time-travel standby, where you must not change anything in the past because you don't know how it will effect the future. A criminal aims to destroy America by changing the past, and a team made up of a scientist, a soldier, and a history professor must stay one step ahead of him to prevent his diabolical plan. Abigail Spencer (Suits) and Goran Visnjic (ER) star.
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Timeless
Timeless (NBC)
October 3rd
Every network has their own time-travel show this season, and Timeless is NBC's. Timeless focuses on that old time-travel standby, where you must not change anything in the past because you don't know how it will effect the future. A criminal aims to destroy America by changing the past, and a team made up of a scientist, a soldier, and a history professor must stay one step ahead of him to prevent his diabolical plan. Abigail Spencer (Suits) and Goran Visnjic (ER) star.
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No Tomorrow
No Tomorrow (CW)
October 4th
Straight-laced, "risk-averse" Evie (Tori Anderson, Killjoys) goes against her nature when she meets Xavier (Joshua Sasse, Galavant), a free-spirit who convinces Evie to join him in completing his Apocalyst, which is like a bucket list. Xavier believes the world is going to end in eight months. Evie must "decide whether Xavier is certifiable and whether that even matters, if being with him means living her life more fully."
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No Tomorrow
No Tomorrow (CW)
October 4th
Straight-laced, "risk-averse" Evie (Tori Anderson, Killjoys) goes against her nature when she meets Xavier (Joshua Sasse, Galavant), a free-spirit who convinces Evie to join him in completing his Apocalyst, which is like a bucket list. Xavier believes the world is going to end in eight months. Evie must "decide whether Xavier is certifiable and whether that even matters, if being with him means living her life more fully."
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Frequency
Frequency (CW)
October 5th
Another TV adaptation of a major motion picture, Frequency tells the story of Raimy Sullivan (Peyton List, The Tomorrow People), a young woman who followed in her father's footsteps and became a detective. Twenty years ago, her father Frank was killed in an undercover operation. Now he is communicating with Raimy from 1996 through his old ham radio. Raimy warns him about his fate, and he survives, but changing the past changes the present.
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Frequency
Frequency (CW)
October 5th
Another TV adaptation of a major motion picture, Frequency tells the story of Raimy Sullivan (Peyton List, The Tomorrow People), a young woman who followed in her father's footsteps and became a detective. Twenty years ago, her father Frank was killed in an undercover operation. Now he is communicating with Raimy from 1996 through his old ham radio. Raimy warns him about his fate, and he survives, but changing the past changes the present.
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Man With a Plan
Man with a Plan (CBS)
October 24th
Matt LeBlanc (Friends) stars as a contractor who takes on more responsibilities at home when his wife returns to work full-time. Naturally, things don't go well when he realizes that taking care of three kids is harder than it sounds. Paired with Kevin Can Wait, it sounds like an hour block of the same show.
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Man With a Plan
Man with a Plan (CBS)
October 24th
Matt LeBlanc (Friends) stars as a contractor who takes on more responsibilities at home when his wife returns to work full-time. Naturally, things don't go well when he realizes that taking care of three kids is harder than it sounds. Paired with Kevin Can Wait, it sounds like an hour block of the same show.
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Pure Genius
Pure Genius (CBS)
October 27th
House meets Silicon Valley in this new medical drama. Billionaire genius James Bell (Augustus Prew, Kick-Ass 2) builds a super-modern hospital that uses technology to cure the rarest diseases. He persuades Dr. Wallace (Dermot Mulroney, My Best Friend's Wedding) to be chief of staff, who doesn't believe in all of this technological mumbo-jumbo, until "a eureka moment at the hospital convinced him otherwise."
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Pure Genius
Pure Genius (CBS)
October 27th
House meets Silicon Valley in this new medical drama. Billionaire genius James Bell (Augustus Prew, Kick-Ass 2) builds a super-modern hospital that uses technology to cure the rarest diseases. He persuades Dr. Wallace (Dermot Mulroney, My Best Friend's Wedding) to be chief of staff, who doesn't believe in all of this technological mumbo-jumbo, until "a eureka moment at the hospital convinced him otherwise."
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The Great Indoors
The Great Indoors (CBS)
October 27th
It's Gen X versus Millennials when Jack, a renowned adventure reporter for an outdoor travel magazine goes digital-only. Jack (Joel McHale, Community) is not out of a job, but he becomes boss to a group of twentysomethings who have never actually been outdoors.
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The Great Indoors
The Great Indoors (CBS)
October 27th
It's Gen X versus Millennials when Jack, a renowned adventure reporter for an outdoor travel magazine goes digital-only. Jack (Joel McHale, Community) is not out of a job, but he becomes boss to a group of twentysomethings who have never actually been outdoors.
