Lots of new shows make their debut every year. How can you possibly sort through them all? Fear not, dear reader, I am here to help. For every show that earned a superlative, I have provided a link to that show's trailer. Not every new show will be addressed here, but this column will provide you with some shows you should be excited to watch, and some shows you should avoid like a crying woman. Without further adieu, let's hand out some superlatives.
Most Likely for Me to Watch and Defend...and Then Get Canceled: Awake (midseason, NBC)- I am big fan of premises that feature alternate realities/strange brain function. I knew I was going to give it go regardless because of the people involved (That Guys and Gals galore), and because Jason Isaacs is one of My Guys. Hopefully, he can join Olyphant as one of My Guys who made good, but I don't have high hopes. That being said, I defy anyone to watch the trailer of the show and not be at least moderately intrigued. There's a 70% chance that I watch the show, love it, defend it vociferously, and it runs for 10 episodes and doesn't get renewed because NBC needs to make room for their new reality show about people who are singing contest, but have to lose 100 pounds to be considered for a contract. Somebody copyright that for me.
Most Likely to Damage AMC's Reputation: Hell on Wheels (11/8, AMC)- Contract disputes aside, AMC has made a very nice reputation for themselves as the place for high quality drama. In fact, only Rubicon failed to get renewed for a second season (and lots of people liked that show). But with Hell on Wheels, their luck may have run out. People who have caught some early screenings are less than impressed. The creators are promising violence, gambling, deep characters, and overt racism as they attempt to accurately portray life in 1800s America during the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Can't say I won't watch, but can't say I am banking on enjoying it either.
Most Likely to Not be Watched by The Czar: Pan Am (9/25, ABC) and The Playboy Club (9/19, NBC)- Can you have less than no interest? Can you have negative interest? If so, that's exactly how much I have for these two shows. Pan-Am seems to be trying to sell us on the fact that these attractive women will be having lots of sex, so there's that. As for The Playboy Club, I have two issues: First, I have seen Eddie Cibrian act. (That's right Eddie; you thought I forgot about Tilt didn't you? Well guess what, I didn't.) Secondly, the creators have felt it necessary to go out of their way to point out that their show "is not like Mad Men." Really? You're moronic show starring Cibrian is not like one of the greatest shows of all-time? Thanks for letting me know, I was beginning to wonder.
Worst Use of NYPD Blue Alumni: Man Up! (10/18, ABC)- The show looks terrible. It's about three guys trying to discover how to be manlier in their lives. NYPD Blue alumnus Henry Simmons/Baldwin Jones co-stars as the alpha male stereotype to these losers. I have been waiting for the return of Mr. Simmons to primetime TV for a while now, and this show is what he gives me? Who is your agent, Henry? Do you really need the paycheck that bad? I hope you save well, because there won't be many of them.
Most Likely to be the Worst Show of the Season: Charlie's Angels (9/22, ABC)- If this show gets picked up for a second season, I will buy you all a coke. Blackout dates and some restrictions may apply.
Biggest Difference Between Its Ceiling and Its Floor: Revenge (9/21, ABC)- I have gone on the record as saying that I think this show will be good. Really good. However, there is also a fairly decent chance that this show is very bad. It all hinges on the believability. Do the writers have the character go about getting her revenge in a cold, calculated way that makes sense, or do they make completely ridiculous and incredibly unbelievable. Obviously, it's tough to say at this point. I am pushing my chips into the middle on this one, but I know I don't have two aces.
Biggest Entourage Influence: How to be a Gentleman (9/29, CBS)- I wonder if CBS knows that Johnny Drama is just a TV character. After watching the trailer, I don't think that they do. Either that, or Kevin Dillon has decided to be Johnny Drama for the rest of his life. I will only accept those two possible explanations.
Most Likely to be an Overhyped Flop: Terra Nova (9/26, Fox)- Don't get me wrong: There's a strong possibility that this show is really good. However, the hype has been so strong that my Overrated Radar has been going crazy. I wonder how people will respond if the show can't match the hype. It may be decent, but this show has to be great to not be considered a failure. If I were placing a wager on such things, I would take Canceled ?. Not saying that's what I think will happen, just acknowledging the possibility.
Most Likely to be Given More of a Chance than it Deserves Because of the Absurd Cuteness of its Star: New Girl (9/20, Fox)- Good grief is Zooey Deschanel cute. It has been reported that old ladies "would like to dunk her in their coffee." As a result, show may get more of a chance than it really deserves. No studio executive wants to make Zooey sad.
Most Intriguing New Show: Homeland (10/2, Showtime)- Now that's a trailer. Definitely a good idea to hold the "Is he a terrorist or not" show until October when all of the residual emotion from 9/11 can die down. Nonetheless, this show is certain to drum up some of that. The intrigue that is generated by the show has definitely got me ready to go. I am prepared for an edge of my seat sort of thing where I get to attempt to put together the clues myself. Very, very interested in this one.
Best Chance to be a Transcendent Show: American Horror Story (10/5, FX)- I like creepy shows. I have long thought it was an underused genre by television stars. The main problem with most horror series is that they aren't very horrific (Buffy, Adams Family, etc.) or they stick in really bad actors because they anticipate that the audience is tuning in solely for the Scare Factor. Because of that fact, we may be in slightly uncharted territory here. I know there have been good horror shows, but this show has a chance to transcend the horror genre and be universally recognized as a great show. They've got Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton (both good, name actors), and the previews make you believe that the eerie meter will be set on "Don't watch it right before bed." At the very least, I feel confident in saying that this show will not be bad. However, the show has the chance to be far more than that.
5 Shows I am all in on:
Revenge
Homeland
American Horror Story
Person of Interest
Awake
5 Shows I Will not Watch Under any Circumstances:
2 Broke Girls
The Playboy Club
Pan Am
Grimm
Charlie's Angels