Sure movies are the bread and butter of Your Movie Friend, it’s in the name after all, but when fall comes around I can’t help but get swept back in to the idea that maybe this is the year the next great TV show beams into our living rooms. So with that wide eyed hope it has become an annual tradition to pick the seven new shows that I will give what I call…
The 3 Ep Test.
Basically the theory is that any TV show has 3 episodes to either sink or swim. Pilots can be deceiving, and the second episode can start to give an idea, but if the show hasn’t locked me in by the end of episode 3, I’m not going to waste my time. Speaking of wasting time, don’t expect more than 1 or 2 of these to turn into anything special, if that. Of the 56 TV shows I’ve given the 3 ep test to over the past 7 years (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) only 15 could be considered to have been even moderately successful (Chuck, Fringe, Modern Family, Glee, Shark Tank, Community, Once Upon A Time, Last Man Standing, New Girl, Person of Interest, Elementary, The Mindy Project, The Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine Nine, and Agents of Shield.) Meaning only 1 out of 4 sticks long term. And those are just the ones I choose to try out!
No wonder we’re increasingly wary of network television. If only one out of every four bites tasted good, I’d probably quit going to the restaurant serving up the food. Or as may be the case in some instances, some meals taste amazing and they take them off the menu anyway. (RIP Pushing Daisies).
The point is, here is my annual exercise in futility and the 7 shows I will be sampling this fall. (in reverse order of anticipation)
(Also, if you are looking for a full fall preview I will be starting my 21 hrs. of TV breakdown on Monday!)
7. Scorpion (CBS)
Premieres: Monday, Sept. 22 at 9PM
Nerds uniting to solve the world’s problems? I’m in. Although making a show like this work is tricky. The characters have to be relatable enough that the audience will care for them, but quirky enough that the show maintains it’s life. Do it right and it could be a hit, do it wrong and it could end up like the X-Files spin-off “The Lone Gunmen”. Don’t remember that one? My point exactly.
6. Selfie (ABC)
Premieres: Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 8PM
Doctor Who alum Karen Gillan would be enough to get me interested, but throw in the fact that it’s a fresh take on the Pygmalion tale with the internet standing in for the gutter streets, and I’ll definitely stick around to see if they can pull it off.
5. The Flash (CW)
Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8PM
As all things comic book continue to come to the forefront it’s no surprise that The Flash would get his time in the sun as well, especially considering the surprising success of “Arrow”. For whatever reason super speed is one of those powers that I find supremely fun, and if they can make it fun, I’ll be hooked for sure.
4. Forever (ABC)
Premieres: Monday, Sept. 22 at 10PM
I’m also a sucker for immortality exploration, and that’s really the only reason I’m drawn to this story of man trying to figure out why he can’t die. Part “Edge of Tomorrow” part “Tuck Everlasting” if the mystery is as compelling as the concept it could be a great ride.
3. A to Z (NBC)
Premieres: Thursday, October 2 at 9PM
The only comedy that feels like it might have some traction this year. I love both these actors and the concept seems ripe for some really interesting and compelling story telling. To follow a relationship in a non linear fashion could just be the magic that gives this one some legs.
2. Gracepoint (FOX)
Premieres: Thursday, October 2 at 9PM
Lots of curiosity on this one. The original BBC murder mystery “Broadchurch” was stunning and beautiful, but in this day and age why not just re run that instead of making this direct copy. What’s even more interesting is that “David Tennant” (another Doctor Who alum) is reprising his role as the reluctant detective at the center of the mystery. Two things concern me. David Tennant’s attempt at an American accent, and the fact that they are saying they changed some of the plot. Either way, I loved the original so much, I can’t imagine not checking out this as well.
1. Gotham (FOX)
Premieres: Monday, Sept. 22 at 8PM
I’m sure they just called it Gotham because “Batman Begins” had already been taken. The story of a young Gotham where Bruce Wayne is a child and so many of the players are just discovering who they are is supremely intriguing and will add a new insight to the world of Batman. Commissioner Gordon takes center stage and if they can keep the tone dark enough to honor the source material but light enough as to not depress the audience they may just have a hit on their hands.