I don't know about you, but I've been slightly underwhelmed by the first batch of shows that premiered during this TV season. The Blacklist is fine—James Spader is more or less watchable in anything—but for me, it's not must-see TV, Sleepy Hollow is a surprise hit, but only time will tell if it has what it takes to go the distance, Dads is horrible at depicting women. The point is that even the shows that are doing well don't quite have me jumping up and down out of my set. Thankfully, winter is just around the corner—which means there's a new crop of A-list talent dipping their toes in the TV pool. Let's take a look at a few trailers for these upcoming series, and I'll give you my take.
Show: Being Mary Jane
Synopsis: Follows the life of a 30-something career woman as she juggles dating, her hectic life as a TV show host, and her dysfunctional family.
Premiere Date: January 7 on BET
Snap Judgment: Let's be honest here: BET is super questionable when it comes the quality of their programming. For every funny series like Real Husbands of Hollywood, there's something craptastic like Don't Sleep! Hosted by TJ Holmes, which was supposed to be the urban version of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, except it was just awkward. But I will say that based on the movie premiere that aired last year, the show has a lot of promise. Gabrielle Union plays the title character with much aplomb, and there is enough comedy in it to not make this show seem like another story about a successful woman who can't find a man. Women will like the show because they can identify with her, and guys will like the show because...hello, bathtub! Union is stunning.
Show: Ground Floor
Synopsis: A workplace comedy with a dash of romance as a banker falls for a woman who works in the maintenance department of his office.
Premiere Date: November 14 on TBS
Snap Judgment: Hmm, I'm kind of on the fence. I've reached my limit with will they/won't they story lines; however, executive producer Bill Lawrence has a streak of creating hilarious workplace comedies such as Spin City, Scrubs, and Cougar Town. I would be shocked if all of a sudden he made a show that wasn't highly entertaining, so I'm willing to give this one a chance.
Show: Rake
Synopsis: A lawyer who is brilliant (of course), yet, he's not smart enough to keep his personal life from being a hot mess.
Premiere Date: January 19 on Fox
Snap Judgment: TV is really OD'ing on the whole white guy who is brilliant and charms the pants off everyone, even though he's a complete jerk, so that turns me off to this show. However, Rake is a remake of an Australian show, and American remakes tend to do very well over here. Plus, Greg Kinnear portrays the lead character, Keegan Deane, and I like Kinnear in just about everything he does. So I'm going to see what the critical buzz is on this before diving in.
Show: Surviving Jack
Synopsis: Set in the 1990s: Jack decides to become a stay-at-home dad so his wife can go to law school. Hilarity ensues as he learns how to be a father to his two teenage children.
Premiere Date: TBD on Fox
Snap Judgment: I love me some Christopher Meloni, y'all, so I'm intrigued by this show even though it seems to be a standard-issue sitcom. The fact that I laughed a couple of times during the trailer is promising, and because it is scheduled after the American Idol results show, I'm more inclined to stick around to at least check out a couple of episodes.
Show: The Spoils of Babylon
Synopsis: A parody of sweeping TV mini-series starring Tobey Maguire, Kristen Wiig, Haley Joel Osmont, Tim Robbins, and Val Kilmer.
Premiere Date: January 9 on IFC
Snap Judgment: I'm in. Completely. This looks awesome.
Show: True Detective
Synopsis: Hot piece Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play two detectives whose lives are taken over by a 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana.
Premiere Date: January 12 on HBO
Snap Judgment: It looks like your standard-issue moody police drama, but HBO rarely makes a misstep and always seems to find a way to make tried-and-true story lines interesting. I'm definitely checking out this one out.
Show: Enlisted
Synopsis: Sgt. Pete Hill returns back to a military base in Florida to lead his brothers' dysfunctional crew.
Premiere Date: January 10 on Fox
Snap Judgment: I generally enjoy loveable losers, and it seems like even though this is a comedy, it's still going to be respectful toward the military.
Show: Getting On
Synopsis: Set in a geriatric wing of a rundown hospital, this show follows around the nurses, doctors, and administrators who struggle to get through the day.
Premiere Date: November 24 on HBO
Synopsis: It's a dark comedy, features funny women, and seems to have heart as well. So excited for this one.
