Rueben's Ramblings
Taking a Look at the Fall TV Line-Up
Now that the major (and most, if not all, of the cable) networks have made their upfront presentations to the advertisers in New York City, it is time to dissect each of the major networks plans for new programming (dramas only mind you, as that is my preferred viewing) for the fall as well as mid-season.
First, I hope our readers have taken the opportunity to check out our coverage of the upfront schedules and details for each of the major networks at the following links:
With that information in mind, I would like to focus on the new shows that I think will have the best chance at succeeding or at least I sure hope they succeed.
Let’s, first, take a look at the new dramas at NBC. The peacock network has eight (8) new shows planned; three set to debut in the fall and the remainder set to air sometime during mid-season, which could be anywhere between January and March of 2014. Out of the three new dramas that will debut this coming fall, I think that Dracula and Ironside will have the best chances at building a solid audience.
Dracula
Now that being said, Dracula is going to have an uphill fight simply because it has landed a dreaded Friday night timeslot at 10 PM after returning series Grimm; but, given the amazing trailer for Dracula that debuted on Monday after NBC made its upfront presentation, which can be seen here, the fact that Irish hunk/The Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers is playing the lead and money was obviously put into the production of the pilot, the show just might beat the odds.
Ironside
As for Ironside, this is a remake of the classic 1960’s/1970’s series of the same name this time with Blair Underwood in the lead role. The series will take over the Wednesday night at 10 PM timeslot held by last season’s somewhat successful new drama Chicago Fire; and will feature a rather interesting supporting cast that includes Spencer Grammer (daughter of Kelsey and former star of ABC Family’s Greek), Pablo Schreiber (from Weeds, Lights Out and A Gifted Man), Kenneth Choi (from Sons of Anarchy), Brent Sexton (from The Killing) and Neal Bledsoe (from Smash). You can judge for yourself by watching the Ironside trailer here.
Over on ABC, the network has seven (7) new dramas on tab for the fall and mid-season; four that are on the schedule for this fall and the remainder to be rolled out during mid-season. Out of the four set for the fall, I believe that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland will win over the viewers.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Do I really need to give an explanation as to why SHIELD will succeed even if it is set for Tuesday nights at 8 PM against the powerhouse that is NCIS? Okay, here goes in one sentence: It’s the Marvel Universe at the hands of director/writer Joss Whedon and it includes Clark Gregg and Ming-Na as part of its cast. Should I say more?! Wait, let’s allow the trailer to do all the heavy lifting. Nuff said, right?!
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
As for Wonderland, this new show already has the cultural status of its predecessor Once Upon a Time on which to lean as well as the vision of series creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz to anchor it. The only deterrent for the show’s success would be its timeslot: the horrible Thursday night at 8 PM (which has chewed up and spit out a number of other programs over the years). But maybe this time the network will have a winner. The show will be filled with fresh new faces Sophie Lowe and Peter Gadiot; but will be populated with all the wonders of wonderland (yes, I just went there – wink!). Here is a trailer for Wonderland for you to decide its fate.
Honorable Mention: The mid-season ABC drama Resurrection seemed to spark interest in a number of the better-known TV critics out there and will probably remind TV viewers of the USA Network series The 4400. Here is the trailer for Resurrection.
Intelligence
Moving over to CBS, they have the fewest number of new drams – only three – set to debut in the fall and mid-season with only one real stand-out (at least for me): Intelligence. This show will star former Lost hunk Josh Holloway, CSI star Marg Helgenberger and Once Upon a Time alum Meghan Ory in a story that people will equate to Chuck, The Six Million Dollar Man and Mission Impossible all wrapped up into one. The show won’t debut until mid-season on Monday nights at 10 PM (c’mon it’s up against Castle, really??!!!), but it sure LOOKS good. Check out the trailer for Intelligence and decide for yourself.
Almost Human
FOX, on the other hand, has four (4) new dramas planned; three that will debut this fall and one that is being held until mid-season. Out of those choices, I found Almost Human and Sleepy Hollow to be the ones to watch. Almost Human, which will air in the late fall on Monday nights at 8 PM, is set 35 years in the future where robots are a natural part of our society (much like I, Robot) and will feature box office star Karl Urban (Judge Dredd and Star Trek) in his first TV role. Watch the trailer for Almost Human and see what you think.
Sleepy Hollow
As for Sleepy Hollow, this modern day take on the classic story of Icabod Crane will include time travel and a dense mystery that will, assuredly, boggle (and hopefully captivate) TV viewers. It will also air on Monday nights at 9 PM with Bones as its lead-in. You can see the Sleepy Hollow trailer here.
Reign
Lastly, The CW will introduce five new dramas between this fall and mid-season with TV critics putting their sights, clearly, on The Originals, the spin-off to The Vampire Diaries. But I’m siding with the period piece Reign and the remake of the classic UK series The Tomorrow People. Where Reign is concerned, this series will focus on teenage Mary, Queen of Scots in a lavish production (that will probably take liberties with accuracy), but will definitely pull in the Romeo & Juliet fans out there. The series will feature plenty of newcomers (which is very apropos for the network) who will, undoubtedly, quickly become household names in the homes of anyone with someone under the age of 20 underfoot. The series has also been given the cushy timeslot of Thursdays at 9 PM after The Vampire Diaries, drawing in all those female viewers. Watch the trailer for Reign and judge for yourself.
The Tomorrow People
The Tomorrow People will feature more fresh new faces, including Arrow star Stephen Amell’s younger cousin Robbie Amell in the lead role, and will remind TV viewers of the first season of Heroes (when that show was actually good) and might even remind some astute viewers of the short-lived Courteney Cox series Misfits of Science that aired way back in 1985. This new drama will actually air on Wednesday nights at 9 PM after Arrow (which will make The CW “the Amell channel” for the night since the Amell cousins will have their shows as companion pieces for the night). You can check out The Tomorrow People’s preview trailer here.
Honorable mention: While I can’t say whether the new CW shows The 100 and Star-Crossed – that are both set for a mid-season debut – will make it or not, I did want to share that The 100 will feel like watching a mixture of After Earth, Avatar and Terra Nova all rolled up into one while Star-Crossed will have the feel of the Sci-Fi Channel mini-series Taken and certain aspect of the network’s other teen-alien series Roswell.
So, there you have it my predictions (good, bad or otherwise) for the crop of new shows that will debut from September 2013 to March 2014 on the major networks. Let’s see which ones work out and which ones fade away. What are your thoughts? Please share in our comments section below.
PS: Happy Memorial Day weekend a little early!!
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