Had some downtime this weekend and watched the first episodes of all the new TV shows that came out this fall season. There are still a couple of shows coming out next week, and I’ll update this list if necessary. Here’s the cream of the crop so far:
The Crazy ones. CBS
The formidable Robin Williams returns to series television in THE CRAZY ONES, a workplace comedy about a larger-than-life advertising genius whose unorthodox methods and unpredictable behavior would get him fired… if he weren’t the boss. Simon Roberts (Williams) is the head of a powerful agency, with the biggest clients and brands in the world, but even more important to him is having his daughter Sydney by his side. As his partner, Sydney is Simon’s exact opposite – focused, organized and eager to make a name for herself, but also too busy parenting her father, which she’d resent if he wasn’t so brilliant at what he does. The series created by David E. Kelley while billed as a “comedy” is one with soul and has a cast that works incredibly well together. Expect the comedy to be situational and purely driven by Robin Williams at his best.
The Goldbergs. ABC
“Wonder Years” meets the 1980’s. This show is set in the Philadelphia area in 1984 and follows the Goldberg family. Geeky 11-year old Adam is armed with a video camera to capture his formative years (and his family) in all their glory. The series is based on creator Adam F. Goldberg’s real-life family, in which he actually video-taped events when he was growing up, and many of those events are re-enacted throughout the series. Fueled by nostalgia and a great cast this show is a must watch for anyone that grew up in the 80’s (lots of laughs and flashback moments.)
The Michael J. Fox Show. NBC
Look who’s making a comeback! The show follows Mike Henry (Michael J. Fox) a TV anchor who put his career on hold 5 years ago to spend more time with his family and focus on his health after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. But now with the kids busy growing up and Mike growing restless, it turns out to be the perfect time for him to get back to work (as long as his family can convince him the idea is his.) As a life-long fan of Fox, I’m overjoyed to see him back on the small screen. It’s hard not to view the show as a mirror of Fox’s real life, but the series manages to stand on it’s own. Filled with witty comedy and a sharp cast it’s probably the show I’ve enjoyed most this fall.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. ABC
Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s feature films, as he assembles a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D to investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Superhero/villian fun, simple as that, driven by a decent cast and some exceptional production.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is Marvel’s first television series, and is from executive producers Joss Whedon (Marvel’s The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen, who co-wrote the pilot (Dollhouse, Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.)
MasterChef Junior. Fox
Move over grown-ups…. the kids are taking over the kitchen! MasterChef Junior is a new culinary competition series for talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who love to cook. Based on the hugely successful U.K. show, the series extends the MasterChef brand in the U.S. to include a younger group of aspiring chefs. Simply put these kids’ culinary skills will BLOW YOUR MIND, and that alone is reason enough to watch the show.
Sleepy Hollow. Fox
A new mystery-adventure drama from co-creators/executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (“Star Trek” and “Transformers” franchises, “Fringe”.)
In this modern-day twist on Washington Irving’s classic, Ichabod Crane is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers. Revived alongside Ichabod is the infamous Headless Horseman who is on a murderous rampage in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod quickly realizes that stopping Headless is just the beginning, as the resurrected rider is but the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and only one of the many formidable foes that Ichabod must face to protect not only Sleepy Hollow, but the world.