Ridoodlesmack: Fall 2015 TV Watchlist by Chad Freeman

THIRD ANNUAL

FALL TV WATCHLIST

BY THE NUMBERS

119 38 20 14 4

TOO MANY

SHOWS PREMIERING NEW SHOWS DRAMAS COMEDIES REALITY/TALK HOURS I’LL SPEND WATCHING

OH. MY. TV!?! The Fall season is finally here and with it a fresh crop of comedies and dramas attempt to distract from some perennial favorites.

*Sigh* so THIS is happiness. Sure, I should come to expect the rush of emotions by now; to get myself mentally prepared for the onslaught of awesome (and a dose of some not-so-wonderfulbut-nice-try), but it always takes me a little by surprise. And that is really saying something considering I have been reading about most of these shows since April’s pilot season. Enough talk; let’s get into it. I am proud to present the 3rd Annual Ridoodlesmack Fall TV Watchlist.

Let’s start the show!

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABC......................................... 1 Amazon................................... 5 Comedy Central................... 6 CBS......................................... 7 The CW................................. 10 FOX....................................... 11 Starz...................................... 14 PBS........................................ 14 NBC....................................... 15 Calendar.............................. 18 | FALL TV WATCHLIST - i

RETURNING FAVORITES: DANCING WITH THE STARS CASTLE FRESH OFF THE BOAT THE MIDDLE THE GOLDBERGS MODERN FAMILY BLACK-ISH NASHVILLE

| FALL TV WATCHLIST

GREY’S ANATOMY SCANDAL HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER LAST MAN STANDING SHARK TANK ONCE UPON A TIME MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS

the MUPPETS

Photo Credit: Andrea McCallin/ABC

MON | 9/22 @ 8 p.m. | ABC

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PIG. At least that’s what one of the original divas, Miss Piggy, would like us to believe. And we would be a serious fool to face a ham like her. The Muppets takes us on a 30 Rock/The Office-esque journey behind-the-scenes of Piggy’s late night talk show, Up Late with Miss Piggy. All your favorite characters (and some of those you could do without) are back to help out their Porcine-American “friend.” Sure, she can be bossy with her selfishness and karate kicks but after over 40 years together, how could they not lend a hand(or paw)!

Kermit is on site acting as the show’s executive producer and tries his very hardest to keep Miss Piggy happy and the rest of the furry friends on task. Luckily, he has the help of his new girlfriend, Denise, a sweet Marketing Executive who proves the Frog has a thing for ladies of the swine variety. While a semi-fresh take on these seemingly too-real puppets, they are staying very true to the original vision of Jim Henson. The jokes may have some adult undertones, but there is enough family humor to keep everyone enter-

tained. Think of this as The Muppet Show 2.0 a variety show for the 21st century. And with Up Late as the central location, we get a heavy dose of guest stars (including Reese Witherspoon & Liam Hemsworth) & musical guests stopping by to play. While it is too early to know for sure if the tone and heart of the show will hit home with viewers, I am excited for the chance to revisit my childhood and suspend belief for 22-minutes, to laugh with a talking pig, frog, bear, dog, weirdo and more.

DON’T BE CRUDE.

In a soap in the same vein of Dallas, an up-and-comer fights to find his place in a world of experience. Chace Crawford leads the charge as Billy LeFever with his lady love by his side as he faces off, and strives for recognition, against a North Dakota oil tycoon, Hap Briggs ( Don Johnson) and his son (Scott Michael Foster). While there is room for this soapy-drama, I am feeling the loss of all the glorious insanity of Revenge. Here’s hoping this taps into some of that same brand of crazy...

BLOOD & OIL SUN | 9/27 @ 9 p.m. | ABC

WICKED CITY

FRI | 10/2 @ 8:30 p.m. | ABC

TUES | 10/27 @ 10 p.m. | ABC

THE DOCTOR IS IN. You might recognize Ken Jeong

TO DIE FOR. A serial killer is on the loose in 1982 Los An-

from Community of The Hangover series, but this series is hitting closer to home. As a licensed doctor, Jeong is channeling his medical (and family) training for this easy sitcom. Hate to say it...this isn’t quite filling my prescription for humor.

geles. He woos his victims, calls in a request to the radio and well... things don’t end so well for most of these ladies. Now a duo of cops are hot on his tail, but will he stay one step ahead of them? Who knows... but I think this was more compelling as NBC’s Aquarius.

Blood & Oil: Fred Hayes/ABC; Dr. Ken: Danny Feld/ABC; Wicked City: Eric McClandless/ABC

DR. KEN

QUANTICO SUN | 9/27 @ 10 p.m. | ABC

Quantico: Guy D’Alema/ABC & Eric Liebowitz/ABC

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE... What do you get when you put a bunch of wanna be spies together in a training playground? Well, for Alex Parrish (played by Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra) things get messy. Taking a page from the Shondaland playbook, this series brings together a collection of ambitious (and annoyingly attractive) individuals all hoping to serve their country... except, of course, for the one (or more) who helps bring about the biggest terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11. Not only do the fresh recruits have a Grey’s Anatomy-like quality, the show also plays with the How To Get Away With Murder time jump bouncing viewers between moments after the attack to when their training starts. If it sounds like there is a lot of action, there is. But don’t worry it is also tempered by some steamy soapy moments. I mean, what else can you expect when all those pretty people get put together in a sleep-away camp for grown ups?

| FALL TV WATCHLIST - 4

the

MAN in the HIGH CASTLE FRI | 11/20 | STREAMING AMAZON

AXIS OF CRAZY. This high-concept show takes us on a journey asking the question: “What would happen to the US if the Nazis & Axis Powers has built the atomic bomb first and won World War II?” And what if, somehow, there was video footage of them loosing? You don’t know who to trust, you don’t know what is truth and what is propaganda. And that is why this is one of the most interesting shows this Fall!

FRI | 10/9 | STREAMING AMAZON

GAME. SET. LAUGH. Meet David: a college student spending his summer as a tennis pro at his local country club. Life is about to get a lot more interesting. Flashback to the ‘80s in this comedy inspired by a delightful blend of John Hughes & The Graduate.

The Man in the High Castle & Red Oaks: Amazon

RED OAKS

the DAILY SHOW with

TREVOR NOAH MON | 9/28 @ 11 p.m.

COMEDY CENTRAL

SAME CHAIR, NEW BUTT.

Trevor Noah: Byron L. Keulemans/GQ South Africa

If you haven’t heard of Trevor Noah, you aren’t alone. But you will soon enough. Finding his way behind the desk left vacant by Jon Stewart is no small task, but this South African comedian is looking to rise to the occasion. Will he able to bring the beautiful balance of wit and humor to current events? We will just have to tune in to find out.

| FALL TV WATCHLIST - 6

RETURNING FAVORITES: THE BIG BANG THEORY NCIS: LOS ANGELES SCORPION NCIS NCIS: NEW ORLEANS SURVIVOR THE AMAZING RACE BLUE BLOODS

HAWAII FIVE-O CSI (SERIES FINALE) CRIMINAL MINDS CSI: CYBER THE GOOD WIFE MADAM SECRETARY ELEMENTARY MOM

LIMITLESS TUES | 9/22 @ 10 p.m. | CBS

TO THE LIMIT. I know you have been waiting with bated breath wondering what happened after the 2011 movie Limitless starring Bradley Cooper... oh, you weren’t? Oh... yeah, me neither. Here you go anyway. That little pill you take (not the blue one, that would be a very different show) to be the very best version of yourself has found a new user. Brian Finch (played by Jake McDorman of last year’s deserved-to-be-canceled Manhattan Love Story) is a guy who is not living up to his greatest potential. Then he is introduced to NZT, and the sky is the limit. Including getting Bradley Cooper to reprise his role occasionally. Yeah... still not sold.

SUPERGIRL MON | 10/26 @ 8 p.m. | CBS

UP, UP AND AWAY...

Supergirl: Darren Michaels/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.; Limitless: Jeff Neumann/CBS

Probably one of the most talked about shows of the Fall season can be summed up in one word - Super. From the creators behind the CWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superhero revival, Supergirl is the story of Supermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin Kara as she comes into her powers and dons a cape of her own. I would like to have high hopes, and there is a LOT of potential, but it will all come down to balance. Fortunately, there are TV vets like Calista Flackhart who help round out the cast.

LIFE in PIECES

ANGEL from HELL

MON | 9/21 @ 8:30 p.m. | CBS

THUR | 11/5 @ 9:30 p.m. | CBS

THE HEART OF THE FAMILY.

Are you finding yourself missing Parenthood? Yeah... me too. While I don’t think Life in Pieces can take its place, I am excited for a cast that features James Brolin and Dianne Wiest as parents at the head of this eccentric clan.

CODE BLACK WED | 9/30 @ 10 p.m. | CBS

THE DOCTORS ARE IN.

A “Code Black” in a hospital is when all the doctors in the emergency room are busy with patients. At this hospital it happens daily. If I knew Marcia Gay Harden’s character was gonna be the doctor, I can understand the rush. Think of it as ER on amphetamine.

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED.

You didn’t have to wait long for Jane Lynch to return after her reign of terror ended on Glee. In this comedy, she plays a slightly deranged woman who may or may not be Allison’s (Maggie Lawson) guardian angel.

the

RETURNING FAVORITES:

Life in Pieces & Angel from Hell: Darren Michaels/CBS; Code Black: Neil Jacobs/CBS; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Eddy Chen/The CW

THE FLASH iZOMBIE ARROW SUPERNATURAL THE ORIGINALS THE VAMPIRE DIARIES REIGN JANE THE VIRGIN

CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND MON | 10/12 @ 8 p.m. | the CW

HE LOVES HER NOT...

The CW is pushing the envelope and I love them for it. Originally pitched to be a 30 minute series on Showtime, they passed, but that is our gain. Rachel Bloom is featured as a “slightly” obsessive lawyer who quits her high-paying job in New York to follow (also known as stalking) her ex-boyfriend to West Covina, CA. Featuring song and dance numbers, its quirky edge reminds me a bit of the gone-too-soon Pushing Daisies. And that’s a good thing!

| FALL TV WATCHLIST - 10

RETURNING FAVORITES: GOTHAM BOB’S BURGERS BROOKLYN NINE-NINE FAMILY GUY THE LAST MAN ON EARTH

THE SIMPSON BONES SLEEPY HOLLOW MASTERCHEF JUNIOR WORLD’S FUNNIEST Rosewood: Jeff Daly/FOX; Scream Queens: Steve Dietl/FOX

ROSEWOOD WED | 9/23 @ 8 p.m. | FOX

HAVE A HEART...

Morris Chestnut leads this series about a pathologist who leads his life to the fullest, thanks to having a bum ticker. It looks like pretty standard procedural fare to me, but if you’re in the mood for some sultry Miami crime fighting, well this one is for you!

SCREAM QUEENS TUES | 9/22 @ 8 p.m. | FOX

B*TCH HAS BITE...

Talk about a dream team: the creative team behind Glee and American Horror Story meet up with the Queen of Scream herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. Sharp witted and filled to the brim with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerhouse young actresses, this is a comedy/horror mash up of Mean Girl proportions. With multiple mysteries and a seriously vengeful killer on the loose you can expect the unexpected and that the death toll will continue to rise each and every week. Watch your back...

| FALL TV WATCHLIST - 12

THE FUTURE IS NOW...

Who needs Tom Cruise when you have Steven Spielberg in your corner. Picking up a few years after the 2002 action flick left off, the trio of future tellers are no longer connected, but that doesn’t stop their visions. The future is fuzzy on whether this will really connect with audiences, expecially on FOX which has a less than stellar track record for shows with a Sci-Fi twist.

MINORITY REPORT MON | 9/21 @ 9 p.m. | FOX

GRANDFATHERED

TUES | 9/29 @ 8 p.m. | FOX

TUES | 9/29 @ 8:30 p.m. | FOX

OBJECTION! Rob Lowe and Fred Savage

SURPRISE! John Stamos plays a perpet-

as siblings? Objection sustained. Lowe plays an actor who was on a courtroom drama for years, and now he believes he can join the family law office and practice without a license. Time for laughs.

ually single womanizer who gets the shock of a lifetime - he’s not just a father, but a grandfather. Will this Peter Pan learn to grow up? Guess we will have to wait and see. Have mercy!

Minority Report: Bruce MacCauley/FOX; Grandfathered: Eric Parise/FOX; The Grinder: Ray Mickshaw/FOX

the GRINDER

FLESH & BONE SUN | 11/8 @ 8 p.m. | STARZ

Flesh & Bone: Myles Aronowitz/Starz; Indian Summers: BBC Channel 4/PBS

FIRST POSITION: DRAMA! This may be the small screen version of Black Swan without the creepy hallucinatory behavior. The truly impressive part is that the leads are dancing as well as bringing the serious drama. Take that So You Think You Can Dance...

INDIAN SUMMERS SUN | 9/27 @ 9 p.m. | PBS

CHEERS! Need a little something to hold you over until the final season of Downton Abbey starts? Take a look at this tropical oasis of a drama. Based in 1930s colonial India, there will be plenty of intrigue and drama to help you hold out until the Dowager Countess returns in January.

RETURNING FAVORITES: THE VOICE LAW & ORDER: SVU THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA CHICAGO P.D. THE BLACKLIST

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE UNDATEABLE CHICAGO FIRE GRIMM

Blindspot: Virginia Sherwood/NBC

15 -

| FALL TV WATCHLIST

BLINDSPOT MON | 9/21 @ 10 p.m. | NBC

IT’S IN THE BAG. New York’s Time Square has always been a strange place. And it just got a little stranger. A bag is found that says “Call the FBI” and inside it is a naked woman covered with tattoos. Oh, and she has no memory of who she is or how she got there. Talk about a hangover. Jane Doe (played by Jamie Alexander) is basically a kickass female version of Jason Bourne with a LOT more ink. In a “Where’s Waldo” like quest, the FBI and police use the tattoos on her body to figure out where she came from and a larger mystery as to why she was originally taken. Where’s a laser removal specialist when you need one?

THUR | 9/24 @ 8 p.m. | NBC

SAVE THE CHEERLEADER...

A show that started off with such promise ended with quite a sputter. And yet, here we are with a reboot of the twisty-turny series. There are some familiar faces and a whole batch of new heroes with abilities we have yet to discover. Can they recapture the original excitement? Hiro knows.

17 -

| FALL TV WATCHLIST

Heroes Reborn: Christos Kalohoridis/NBC; The Player: Greg Peters/NBC courtesy of Sony Pictures Television; Truth Be Told: Colleen Hays/NBC; Chicago Med: Elizabeth Morris/ NBC

HEROES REBORN

TRUTH be TOLD

CHICAGO MED

FRI | 10/16 @ 8:30 p.m. | NBC

TUES | 11/17 @ 9 p.m. | NBC

TIME OUT! It’s the season for ‘90s TV

stars to have new sitcoms. So this show featuring Mark Paul Gosselaar, is a fresh take on all the things couples “really” talk about. Like grown men wearing tiaras for their daughters.

THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS.

THEY KEEP GOING...

If you are a fan of the other two “Chicago” shows, here you go. More drama. More medicine and more... cross overs. Yay.

Especially when the House is played by Westley Snipes. This is Vegas to the power of people. The rich and powerful make bets on whether “The Player” can solve mysteries and accomplish insane tasks. All bets are off.

the PLAYER THUR | 9/24 @ 10 p.m. | NBC

TUES | 9/1

SEPTEMBER

DRUNK HISTORY

MON | 9/21

WED | 9/23 cont.

SUN | 9/27 cont.

8:00 p.m. // CBS

9:00 p.m. // CBS

8:00 p.m. // FOX

the BIG BANG THEORY

10:30 p.m. // comedy central

LAW & ORDER: SVU

the SIMPSONS

GOTHAM

EMPIRE

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE

HAND of GOD*

the VOICE

BLACK-ISH

BLOOD & OIL*

TUES | 9/8

LIFE in PIECES

NASHVILLE

CSI (SERIES FINALE)

9:00 p.m. // FOX

THUR | 9/24

FAMILY GUY

9:00 p.m. // CBS

8:00 p.m. // ABC

FRI | 9/4

8:00 p.m. // FOX

streaming // AMAZON

8:00 p.m. // NBC

MINORITY REPORT

STEPHEN COLBERT* 11:35 p.m. // CBS

WED | 9/9 the LEAGUE

YOU’RE the WORST

PROJECT GREENLIGHT 10:00 p.m. // HBO

CASTLE

the LAST MAN on EARTH

NCIS: LOS ANGELES

SCANDAL

QUANTICO*

BLINDSPOT

10:00 p.m. // NBC

HOW to GET AWAY with MURDER

MON | 9/28

TUES | 9/22

the PLAYER

8:00 p.m. // ABC

10:40 p.m. // HBO

NCIS

8:00 p.m. // CBS

DANCING with the STARS

9:00 p.m. // FOX

HEROES REBORN*

the MUPPETS*

DOLL & EM

9:00 p.m. // CBS

INDIAN SUMMERS*

SUN | 9/13

9:00 p.m. // ABC

SCORPION

10:00 p.m. // CBS

10:30 p.m. // FXX

10:00 p.m. // ABC

8:30 p.m. // FOX

GREY’S ANATOMY

10:00 p.m. // ABC

10:00 p.m. // FXX

8:00 p.m. // ABC

9:30 p.m. // ABC

8:30 p.m. // CBS

the LATE SHOW with

MON | 9/14

9:00 p.m. // FOX

SCREAM QUEENS* 8:00 p.m. // FOX

8:00 p.m. // NBC 9:00 p.m. // ABC

10:00 p.m. // ABC *

10:00 p.m. // NBC

FASHIONABLY LATE with RACHEL ZOE*

9:00 p.m. // PBS

9:30 p.m. // FOX

10:00 p.m. // ABC

the DAILY SHOW with TREVOR NOAH*

11:00 p.m. // comedy central

TUES | 9/29

10:30 p.m. // LIFETIME

GRANDFATHERED*

FRI | 9/25

the GRINDER*

8:00 p.m. // FOX

FRESH OFF the BOAT

LAST MAN STANDING

the MINDY PROJECT

NCIS: NEW ORLEANS

the AMAZING RACE

MARVEL’S AGENTS of S.H.I.E.L.D.

BEST NIGHT EVER with NEIL PATRICK HARRIS*

LIMITLESS*

SHARK TANK

BEYOND the TANK

HAWAII FIVE-O 9:00 p.m. // CBS

WED | 9/30

10:00 p.m. // CBS

9:00 p.m. // CBS

TUES | 9/15

streaming // HULU 10:00 p.m. // NBC

the BASTARD

EXECUTIONER* 10:00 p.m. // FX

WED | 9/16 SOUTH PARK

10:00 p.m. // comedy central

MOONBEAM CITY*

10:30 p.m. // comedy central

SAT | 9/19

DOCTOR WHO

9:00 p.m. // BBC AMERICA

8:30 p.m. // ABC 9:00 p.m. // CBS

10:00 p.m. // CBS

WED | 9/23 the MIDDLE

8:00 p.m. // ABC

MYSTERIES of LAURA 8:00 p.m. // NBC

ROSEWOOD* 8:00 p.m. // FOX

SURVIVOR CAMBODIA: SECOND CHANCE 8:00 p.m. // CBS

the GOLDBERGS

8:30 p.m. // ABC

MODERN FAMILY 9:00 p.m. // ABC

19 -

| FALL TV WATCHLIST

8:00 p.m. // ABC 8:00 p.m. // CBS

9:00 p.m. // ABC

BLUE BLOODS

SAT | 9/26

MARVEL’S GUARDIANS of the GALAXY* 9:30 p.m. // DISNEY XD

SUN | 9/27

BOB’S BURGERS 7:30 p.m. // FOX

ONCE UPON a TIME 8:00 p.m. // ABC

8:30 p.m. // FOX 9:00 p.m. // ABC

10:00 p.m. // ABC

CRIMINAL MINDS CHICAGO P.D. 10:00 p.m. // NBC

CODE BLACK* 10:00 p.m. // CBS

OCTOBER

THUR | 10/1 BONES

8:00 p.m. // FOX

the BLACKLIST

9:00 p.m. // NBC

SLEEPY HOLLOW 9:00 p.m. // FOX

FRI | 10/2

THUR | 10/8

TRUTH BE TOLD

8:30 p.m. // NBC

8:00 p.m. // the CW

the KNICK

the ORIGINALS

9:00 p.m. // the CW

RED OAKS

9:00 p.m. // CBS

8:00 p.m. // the CW

8:30 p.m. // CBS

FRI | 11/6

11:30 p.m. // NBC

SUN | 10/4

10:00 p.m. // BBC America

FRI | 10/30

SUN | 10/11

9:00 p.m. // NBC

MADAM SECRETARY

9:30 p.m. // CBS

TUES | 10/27 WICKED CITY* 10:00 p.m. // ABC

the LAST KINGDOM

ANGEL FROM HELL* ELEMENTARY

SAT | 10/10

MOM

SUPERGIRL

8:00 p.m. // NBC

10:00 p.m. // TNT

10:00 p.m. // PIVOT

streaming // AMAZON-

UNDATEABLE

LEGENDS

THUR | 11/5

MON | 10/26

SAT | 10/3

MON | 11/2

10:00 p.m. // CINEMAX

PLEASE LIKE ME

FRI | 10/9 REIGN

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

FRI | 10/16

the VAMPIRE DIARIES

DR. KEN*

8:30 p.m. // ABC

NOV

9:00 p.m. // CBS

MASTER of NONE*

streaming // NETFLIX

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR 8:00 p.m. // FOX

GRIMM

WORLD’S FUNNIEST

9:00 p.m. // CBS

AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS

SAT | 10/31

SUN | 11/8

9:00 p.m. // HBO

the WALKING DEAD

9:00 p.m. // STARZ

9:00 p.m. // SHOWTIME

MON | 10/12

8:00 p.m. // CBS

the GOOD WIFE the LEFTOVERS

HOMELAND the AFFAIR

ASH vs. EVIL DEAD*

7:00 p.m. // ABC

10:00 p.m. // AMC

10:00 p.m. // SHOWTIME

CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND

10:00 p.m. // CBS

JANE the VIRGIN

TUES | 10/6

FARGO

CSI: CYBER

the FLASH

8:00 p.m. // the CW

iZOMBIE

10:00 p.m. // FX

TUES | 10/13 9:00 p.m. // WGN AMERICA 10:00 p.m. // NBC

KINGDOM

9:00 p.m. // the CW

THUR | 10/15

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL 10:00 p.m. // FX

10:00 p.m. // E!

CHICAGO MED* 9:00 p.m. // NBC

FRI | 11/20

the MAN in the HIGH CASTLE*

streaming // AMAZON

WED | 10/14

8:00 p.m. // the CW

SUPERNATURAL

10:00 p.m. // AMC

TUES | 11/17

CHICAGO FIRE

ARROW

INTO the BADLANDS

9:00 p.m. // the CW

WED | 10/7 streaming // HULU

SUN | 11/15

8:00 p.m. // the CW

MANHATTAN

CASUAL

FLESH & BONE*

the ROYALS

9:00 p.m. // the CW *

9:00 p.m. // FOX

9:00 p.m. // DIRECTTV

NATHAN for YOU

10:00 p.m. // comedy central

who? moi?

KEY: *

- NEW SHOW