Fall 2011: Watch, DVR, or Skip?

Now that I've finally, finally, finally posted previews of the new shows coming to network TV this fall, here's the handy-dandy, considerably shorter guide to which new shows are worth watching and which aren't. Bear in mind that these are based on my tastes and preferences, so if you're a hardcore procedural fan, take these recommendations with a grain of salt.

My determinations also had a lot to do with buzz about certain shows. I have yet to see the full pilots, but a number of people in the biz have. Depending on how much I trust their opinions, some shows were moved around a bit. Long story short, my perceptions of the trailer aren't the only factor here. This is a list of what I think is worthy of an audience and what isn't. I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again, fair warning.

I've been told on numerous occasions that my blogposts are entirely too long, so for those of you who don't care much for readin', I'm including a measure for my level of stoked-edness. The Stokeometer, if you will, ranging from "Not Even Kind of Excited" at 0 to "Can Hardly Contain Myself!" at 10.

-----WATCH---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are in no particular order, but I tried to keep the midseason offerings at the bottom. I may have missed on though. Networks seem hell-bent on keeping some of the best options till the dead of winter which is weird, and inexplicable, and hard to keep track of.

• Once Upon a Time
  Of the shows premiering in the fall, this one probably tops my list. From the trailer alone, it looks like it could go either way, but chatter online promises that it may just be the best new show of the fall. Count me in!
  * Stokeometer Level: 9
  
  
• Person of Interest
  If this is even half the show the creative team behind it would suggest it will be, I'm completely stoked. It looks to be a slick thriller with a hell of a cast. Assuming it shies away from being too procedural, this should be pretty amazing.
  * Stokeometer Level: 7.8
  
  
• Ringer
  It's hard to say how excited I'd be if Buffy weren't at the helm, but thankfully, she is, so I can't help but be excited for this one. I may be setting myself up for disappointment here, but when it comes to the Whedonverse, I'm a perrennial optimist (even if not at any other time).
  * Stokeometer Level: 8.5
  
  
• The Secret Circle
  Well, I was skeptical of The Vampire Diaries at first, and look where that ended up (i.e. Awesomeville). I'm more than a little dubious about the cast, and I'm a bit worried that Kevin Williamson will be spreading himself too thin, but I can't help but be excited for any and all projects that are even tangentially associated with Ian Somerhalder.
  * Stokeometer Level: 8
  
  
• Terra Nova
  This is one that, based only on what I've seen (i.e. the trailer and various articles), I probably would have put in the DVR category. What can I say? When I hear that a show will appeal to everyone, ages 9 to 90, I become a bit leery. That said, critics in the biz are singing its praises. It looks to be one of the biggest premieres of the fall and I'll certainly be there to see if it lives up to the hype.
  * Stokeometer Level: 7
  
  
• Pan Am
  On paper, I wasn't all that excited at all. But, based on the trailer and a run down of the creative team, I'm surprisingly intrigued by this one. I'll be starting Mad Men (which is finally on Instant Play) in the coming months, so Pan Am should make for a nice companion piece.
  * Stokeometer Level: 7.3
  
  
• New Girl
  Okay, wow, of all the shows that were influenced by critical reaction online, this one has to be the top of the heap. I'm no fan of Zooey's, but everyone seems to think this show is amazing and that it could be the next big thing. I have my doubts, but I'm actually really hoping to eat my words (which isn't to say that I'm chomping at the bit either).
  * Stokeometer Level: 6.2
  
  
• Suburgatory
  This one isn't so much a "Can't wait!" as a, "This could be something really special". I wouldn't say I'm on pins and needles, but it looks like it has a hell of a lot of potential. I have to admit, I hate the title, but if that's the worst thing I can say at this point, they m
  * Stokeometer Level: 6.9
  
  
• Revenge
  Ooooh, I'm actually very intrigued by this on, even with Emily van Camp at the helm. It looks like the kind of concept that will fall apart after the first season, but that's okay. I'm still looking forward to it, even if not for the long-haul.
  * Stokeometer Level: 7.5
  
  
• Scandal (midseason)
  This was a tough one. The pessimist deep within (and, let's face it, without) is sure that this will be a disaster on par with Shonda's other recent shows, but I can't help but be intrigued. It looks like a step out of the box for her (even if just a toe) and I have to remind myself that, back in the day, I actually really enjoyed Grey's Anatomy. In hopes that she captures that again, I'm excited. Plus, Desmond!!!
  * Stokeometer Level: 6.7
  
  
• Smash (midseason)
  Oh, midseason. Why must you be so far away? This is far and away the show I'm most excited about, but it's hard to maintain that kind of enthusiasm through the next 6 or 7 months. Still, my love of musical theatre combined with my love of TV? Yes, please!
  * Stokeometer Level: 9.5
  
  
• Apartment 23 (midseason)
  This one looks just quirky and snarky enough to be awesome. It combines actors from all sorts of shows that I've adored in the past, so I couldn't really ask for more. Here's hoping they don't blow it, because they really do have a ton of things going for them.
  * Stokeometer Level: 7.4
  
  
• Good Christina Bitches (midseason)
  Or GCB, for short. Or lame. Title notwithstanding, this looks completely awesome and stars our good friend Olive Snook. I hate that it's held till midseason, but hopefully that will give them time to figure out a different title. GCB is not going to work, people.
  * Stokeometer Level: 9
  
  
• Alcatraz (midseason)
  This one is the most perplexing in the "why the hell are they waiting till midseason" category. It's high concept, but it looks to be fairly procedural, stars Hurley, and is produced by JJ Abrams. I'm excited and so is everyone else. Here's hoping that excitement lasts for a very long time because this one is going to be a very long wait.
  * Stokeometer Level: 8.8
  
  
• Awake (midseason)
  With procedurals taking over the airwaves, it's very nice to see a high concept, cerebral show coming down the pike. I'm sure they'll try to throw in a fair bit of weekly one-off storylines as well, but this one is inherently serial, whether viewers like it or not. Me? I like it. A lot.
  * Stokeometer Level: 8

-----DVR---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I put these shows into this category, it mainly points to some conflicted feelings. I think they look good enough to give them a chance, but they could also get kicked to the curb after the pilot. Appointment TV? Perhaps not. But they all seem to be worth giving a shot.

• Prime Suspect
  I want to be excited about this one, but it's a remake of a British show (which are almost invariably superior) and the concept just seems dated. It's also a cop show, and more than likely, 80% procedural. That said, the trailer was intriguing and Maria Bello seems to do a lovely job. With reservations, I'll be watching.
  * Stokeometer Level: 5.5
  
  
• The Playboy Club
  I was on the fence about this one after the trailer, but it looks like it could turn into a fun, sudsy, night-time soap drama, which could make for a nice guilty pleasure. That said, if the religious right and the conservative nutjobs of the world have their way, it could get very difficult to actually see this show on the air. This might be a "watch online" venture whether it's awesome or not. Dear Religious Nutballs, In what universe is Law & Order: SVU totally inoffensive, but a show like The Playboy Club isn't? Apparently, in whatever universe that may be, it's just good family fun to see countless women get brutally raped, tortured to death, and dismembered, but seeing them dressed in 1960's bunny girl outfits is simply going to far. Wouldn't want to see people actually enjoying sex, now would we? Bastards.
  * Stokeometer Level: 6
  
  
• Up All Night
  I'm honestly not all that excited for this one, but it has a stellar cast and the trailer had some charm to it. That said, I hate children, so this could easily be a good show that just isn't my cup of tea. At the very least, it should be a quality production with some decent bones to build upon.
  * Stokeometer Level: 4.8
  
  
• The River (midseason)
  This looks like it could be an excellent show, but it just doesn't really strike me as the kind of show I'd really get hooked into. I think this one will get lost in the midseason shuffle and will have a hard time finding a consistent audience. In short, I don't think it's going to set the world on fire or anything.
  * Stokeometer Level: 4
  
  
• Grimm
  Sigh. In theory, I should be uber-excited for this one. Between the creative team, the Whedonverse connections, and the base concept, this sounds like it should be well within my wheelhouse. But, and it's a big but, the trailer was pretty abominable and I have serious reservations about them pulling this off. In the fairy tale royal rumble, my money's on Once Upon a Time.
  * Stokeometer Level: 5.2
  
  
• Free Agents
  Speaking of my Whedonverse allegiances, it's Giles! In short, if the lead couple can create some real chemistry between them, this could be a fun little time killer. If not, it's dead in the water, with or without Giles on board. In many ways, I'm more afraid of this one than not. I hate seeing actors I love in sub-par shows... here's hoping it's better than it looks.
  * Stokeometer Level: 4
  
  
• Hart of Dixie
  I've heard online that this one is actually quite charming. I don't think I'll ever believe Rachel Bilson is a doctor, but if I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for shows like True Blood, surely I can force myself to stretch it even farther and believe that Bilson is anything but Summer Roberts. The creative team has a number of credits that I've adored in the past, so with any luck, they'll make this one work.
  * Stokeometer Level: 5
  
  
• Man Up
  Well, it looks better than some of the comedies coming this fall, so I'll give it a chance. It might be that I watched the trailer for this one right after watching the trailer for Last Man Standing, but this looks pretty decent. I can't say I'm excited, per se, but it looks less awful than some of the others? Low bar...
  * Stokeometer Level: 3.9
  

-----SKIP---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ugh. These are the shows that I might not even screen the pilot. Knowing me, I will, but that's only for the sake of saying I've given it a chance. I can't imagine any of these will defy my expectations and become a show worth watching.

• I Hate My Teenage Daughter
  This looks like one of the many comedies that I don't find comedic at all. If the base concept weren't enough to turn me off, the execution is.
  * Stokeometer Level: 1.1
  
  
• Finder
  Unlike most of the shows on this list, I actually kinda sorta have seen the pilot for this one (the backdoor pilot in Bones), and I was not impressed. Bones is mediocre enough, but this goes one step further. I've heard they're overhauling it in a number of ways though, so maybe they'll be able to make it watchable.
  * Stokeometer Level: 2.2
  
  
• Last Man Standing
  This looks to be the most painfully unfunny, loathsome new show of the fall. Why oh why is anyone giving Tim Allen his own show? And why are they allowing him to play the same unfunny character he played in Home Improvement? Ugh.
  * Stokeometer Level: 0
  
  
• Work It
  Painful. Just painful. If you're one of those people who thought it was hi-larious for the football players to dress up as cheerleaders, however, sign yourself up.
  * Stokeometer Level: 0.8
  
  
• Unforgettable
  Yet another crime procedural. Stupid bent. No, thanks. If I were more of a procedural fan in general, I could be okay with this, but I can only take procedurals in small doses.
  * Stokeometer Level: 2
  
  
• A Gifted Man
  This is a well-made show with a fine cast, but it looks absolutely awful. Sappy, cheesy, melodramatic, and lame, I don't think I'll be signing up for this one.
  * Stokeometer Level: 1.6
  
  
• Charlie's Angels
  This looks pretty awful. From what I've read, it's pretty sub-par, even for people who love this kind of thing. Hell, even the websites that I frequent that are always nice have some negative things to say. Odds are I'll have way more than that. I think this one will open big, then fall off sharply week-to-week.
  * Stokeometer Level: 2
  
  
• Whitney
  I've heard that Whitney Cummings is actually pretty funny, but when watered down to network levels, any and all bite from her comedy routine gets lost.
  * Stokeometer Level: 1.5

Watch, DVR, Skip

Having soldiered on and on and on through the valley of new pilots for this fall, I think it's time to sum things up and give a brass tacks assessment of what worth your time and what isn't. I toyed long and hard with how best to do this. Just evaluate the pilots? Stack pilots up against returning shows? Give an hour-by-hour guide to what to watch? Network by network? Well, all those options seemed pretty daunting, but just looking at the pilots seemed the most useful and least taxing..

For a handy-dandy grid of shows day-by-day, go here.

For clarity's sake, here is how I'm breaking things down. I toyed with the idea of assessing what you should do with a show based on what its timeslot competition had to offer, but everyone watches different shows, so that seemed pretty useless. As such, my determinations of Watch, DVR, or Skip are based solely on my level of excitement about each show and the perceived merits of said show.

WATCH

• The Event
  While I've heard that the pilot does very little to tell you what "the event" actually is, it looks to be pretty intriguing and could definitely be spoiled by watercooler chatter the next day. It's a good option to watch live.
  


• Lone Star
  I can't even quite decide why I'm excited for this one, but all the promotions I've seem have my interests piqued. I'm not sure how sustainable it is over the long-run, but I'm eager to see how it goes.
  
  
• Hawaii Five-0
  This looks like a slick production and a solid addition to a regular line-up. From what I'm hearing, it's one of the few reboots that doesn't have you pining for the original, so it's at least worth giving it a shot.
  
  
• No Ordinary Family
  I'm a little on the fence about this one, what with the disappointing casting decisions, but I've heard good things and see some definite potential for the series.
  
  
• Undercovers
  I was intrigued by the trailer, but not blown away. Honestly though, a spy thriller from JJ Abrams? Yeah, I'll be tuning in, don't you worry.
  
  
• Happy Endings
  I'm not saying this looks spectacular or anything, but as far as new comedies are concerned, this one looks a lot more promising than most. I at least smiled during the trailer and that's more than I can say for most.
  
  
• Nikita
  Because you can't have too many spy thrillers on your plate, right?
  
  
• Friends with Benefits
  It's hard to know what this show will actually look like now that half the regulars are being recast, but Ryan Hansen is always a treat, so I'm hopeful the show works.
  
  
• The Cape
  This is definitely one of the riskier concepts out there, but if they pull it off, I think they could win big. I'm going to give this one a lot of leash because I'm really hoping it succeeds.
  
  
• Terra Nova
  Well, if this show ever actually sees the light of day, it looks to be pretty spectacular...
  
  
• Ride-Along
  Based more on what I hear about the show and its creative team than on the actual trailer, I'm giving this show a tentative "watch" designation. The lead actor may not pull off an American accent very well, but he sure is pretty to look at.
  
  

DVR (at least at first, then cut 'em loose or keep 'em)

• Raising Hope
  As with most comedies, I doubt this will ever fall into "appointment TV" territory, but this looks like it could. At the very least, it would make for a nice "there's nothing on" option.
  
  
• Running Wilde
  Given the creative team alone, I wanted to put this on the MUST WATCH AT ALL COSTS list, but until I see the revamped pilot, I'm relegating this one to DVR status. I'm hopeful they can make this one work, but based on the original trailer, I'm still cringing a little bit...
  
  
• Detroit 1-8-7
  This strikes me as the kind of show that could turn into something I can really sink my teeth into, but it looks equally likely that it could be just another cop show. Till the chips have fallen where they may, I'll be DVRing this sucker.
  
  
• The Defenders
  I'm guessing this one will eventually dip into "skip" territory, but it's a tough call based solely on the trailer. I'll give it a shot, but doubt it will stick.
  
  
• The Whole Truth
  It's a slightly different take on the same old routine, so I guess that's enough reason to give it a shot. I'm less enthused now that Maura Tierney has been confirmed as the lead, though... I enjoyed her well enough on ER, but after Sally Field showed up, I thinjk we all lost a little faith...
  
  
• Off the Map
  I lost most of my faith in Shondaland a long time ago, so the best this show can hope for on my schedule is a tentative spot on my DVR.
  
  
• My Generation
  I teetered between "DVR" and "Skip" for this one, but I'm willing to at least give it a shot. It's a different approach and I hear it's better than it looks, so... DVR it is!
  
  
• Mr. Sunshine
  Based on the people involved, I'm hopeful for this one, but it doesn't strike me as the kind of show that you absolutely have to watch the minute its on.
  
  
• Perfect Couples
  This is another one that I could take or leave. It doesn't look awful or anything, but I'm just not all that excited about this. I suspect it will move from DVR to Skip pretty quickly, but here's hoping for better.
  
  
• Harry's Law
  This is another one that's undergoing some serious changes, so it's hard to make a definitive call. Not only are they recasting some roles, but they're changing the dynamics too. Apparently one of the main guys is now going to be Kathy Bates' son or something... We'll see. I'm still hopeful, but less enthused.
  
  
• Blue Bloods
  I've heard it's quite good, but at the end of the day, it's yet another cop show. I can see where this could turn into more, but at this point, second tier DVR spot is the best I can muster.
  
  
• Mixed Signals
  There's a reason this one is at the bottom of this section and just before "Skip"... I'm really on the fence, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
  

SKIP

• Mike & Molly
  I've heard Mike & Molly is likable enough, but I'm not convinced. At its very best, it won't be appointment TV or anything. From what I've seen, it's not worth my time.


• Chase
  This looks to be a woefully derivative mess. For as much as the cast thinks that they're doing something completely new, I'm afraid I've seen this show before. Only better. One of the regulars (Jesse Metcalf?) actually said that what they're doing is original because no other show has ever focused on US Marshals... Apparently he doesn't watch much TV. If you're hankering for a show about marshals, you'd be doing yourself a favor to skip this mess and get a hold of Justified or In Plain Sight instead. On a side note, who the hell keeps casting Kelli Giddish in shows? Was Past Life not enough for you? Really? I'm guessing she must have the same agent as Robin Tunney and Navi Rawat and that said agent is in actuality some sort of sorcerer.
  
  
• Better with You (formerly Better Together)
  "Skip" just isn't as strong a word as one needs when telling people to avoid this show. "Schedule a Root Canal Instead" seems more apt. And would have a lot more laughs.
  
  
• Hellcats
  See previous rant, mentally copy and paste. (Although I suspect that show probably has its fair share of unintentionally funny moments, the dentist will still be more fun.)
  
  
• Law & Order: Los Angeles
  I think this franchise ran its course about 11 spin-offs ago.
  
  
• Outsourced
  From the trailer alone, I was pretty sure they wouldn't be able to pull off this concept, but now, having heard from people who've seen the full pilot, we can remove all doubt. From what I hear, it's offensive and unfunny and embarrassing from beginning to end. Here's hoping to hell it doesn't catch on...
  
  
• $#*! My Dad Says
  Don't be tempted by this one because of Shatner (I know we're all a little morbidly curious). This looks awful. Skip it. Skip it good.
  
  
• Body of Proof
  I enjoy Dana Delany as much as the next person, but this show looks completely generic and overdone. If you've seen one crime procedural, you've seen them all, basically.
  
  
• Love Bites
  I'm honestly not even sure this show is still going to be produced... The show has been recast, showrunners have exited, scripts have changed... it's a mess. But, I'm pretty sure there's nothing that could happen that would make it any better or that could make it any worse, so whatever it ends up being, it probably isn't worth watching.
  
  
• Outlaw
  I toyed with putting this in the DVR list, but when all is said and done, I'm just not into it. Absurd premise, Jimmie Smits, law show... Nah.