FOLIO
by kellie abrahamson
TV fans, rejoice! Fall is finally here and it’s time once again to check out what new shows the networks have cooked up for our viewing pleasure. Here’s a rundown of each network’s brand new series’ and when you can catch them. Set your TiVo accordingly.
abc
ABC won big with top dramas like Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost. This year the Alphabet Net is hoping to score similar numbers with these new dramas:
THE FORGOTTEN
(premiering September 22): A group of amateur sleuths attempt to solve crimes the police cannot, all of which involve unidentified victims. The series stars Christian Slater, Reiko Aylesworth, Michelle Borth, Bob Stephenson, Anthony Carrigan and Rochelle Aytes.
EASTWICK
(September 23): Based on John Updike’s novel The Witches of Eastwick, this supernatural drama stars Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jamie Ray Newman as three women given magical powers by a mysterious man.
FLASHFOWARD
(September 24): The entire world is given a glimpse of their future and must figure out what they want to do with this new knowledge. This supernatural thriller will feature Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Sonya Walger, Courtney B. Vance, Brian O’Byrne, Christine Woods, Zachary Knighton and Peyton List.
V
(November 3): Massive spacecrafts arrive on Earth with beings that seemimgly wish to help mankind. But their presence is just too good to be true for a small group of skeptical humans who make it their mission to keep these aliens from taking over the world. We got a chance to see the pilot episode of V and it’s easily one of the most intriguing series ABC has on its slate. We look forward to seeing what the creators have in store for us. V stars Elizabeth Mitchell, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Lourdes Benedicto, Logan Huffman, Laura Vandervoort, Morena Baccarin and Scott Wolf.
Comedy hasn’t really been ABC’s strong point, but they’ll attempt to grab some laughs with these promising offerings:
COUGAR TOWN
(September 23): Courtney Cox stars as a 40-something mom who finds herself back on the market after her divorce. Along with Cox, Cougar Town is also home to Christa Miller, Busy Philipps, Dan Byrd, Brian Van Holt, Josh Hopkins and Ian Gomez.
MODERN FAMILY
(September 23) An unseen documentary crew follows the hilarious trials and tribulations of an extended family’s efforts to make it in the modern world. EU got a look at the pilot episode for this show and we’re hooked! Modern Family stars Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Sarah Hyland, Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould and Ariel Winter.
HANK
(September 30): This comedy starring Kelsey Grammer is about a formerly successful business man who has to cope with being one of the little people. The show also features Melinda McGraw, David Koechner, Macey Cruthird and Ryan Wynott.
THE MIDDLE
(September 30): Taking a cue from shows like Roseanne and Malcolm in the Middle, this series is about a middle class family just trying to survive the day to day. The Middle stars Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Eden Sher, Atticus Shaffer and Charlie McDermott.
cbs
The Eye will be unveiling three new dramas this fall, including a new version of the NCIS series that’s sure to be a viewer draw:
NCIS: LOS ANGELES
(September 22): The first spin-off from CBS’ hit series NCIS stars Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J and Linda Hunt. In it a group of top-notch naval investigators solve crimes on the West Coast.
THE GOOD WIFE
(September 22): Audiences will get to see political scandals from a new perspective with CBS’ new drama The Good Wife. In this series starring Julianna Margulies, Chris Noth, Christine Baranski and Matt Czuchry, a woman is forced to return to the workforce after her politician husband is sent to jail after very public sex and political corruption scandals.
THREE RIVERS
(October 4): This medical drama focuses on the emotionally complex lives of organ donors, the recipients and the surgeons who perform the procedures. The series features Alex O’Loughlin, Katherine Moennig, Daniel Henney, Justina Machado, Christopher Hanke and Joaquim De Almeida.
CBS is adding just one comedy to its schedule this fall:
ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE
(September 21): The only new comedy on CBS’ slate is also one of the most promising of the year. In it, a San Francisco movie critic finds herself pregnant as a result of an affair with a younger man. The two decide to move in together and soon find that they have a lot less in common than they originally thought. The show features Jenna Elfman, Jon Foster and Grant Show.
the cw
The C-Dub has cancelled its comedies and will be adding at least three new dramas to its schedule this fall:
MELROSE PLACE
(September 8): The success of 90210’s revival is bringing its biggest spinoff back from the dead. Laura Leighton, Thomas Calabro, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Shaun Sipos, Katie Cassidy, Colin Egglesfield, Stephanie Jacobsen, Michael Rady and Jessica Lucas star in this sure fire fan pleaser.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
(September 10): Taking a cue from Twilight and True Blood, this month the C-Dub will unveil The Vampire Diaries, a new drama that is based on the L.J. Smith book series of the same name. In it, a centuries-old vampire is drawn to a teenage girl with a tragic past. The series stars Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder and Steven R. McQueen.
THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: TBL
(September 16): Ashton Kuther’s production company brings us this glimpse into the high stakes and high drama of high fashion. The surprisingly fascinating series follows several teen models that all have the same goal: to make it in the glamorous world of catwalks and couture. The Beautiful Life features Sara Paxton, Mischa Barton, Corbin Bleu and Elle Macpherson.
fox
Fox is lightening the mood this fall with three new comedies. Here’s a look:
GLEE
(September 16): An idealistic teacher takes on the task of turning the school’s lame glee club into a singing and dancing sensation with the help of some talented albeit socially awkward teens. The charming series stars Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig, Lea Michele and Cory Monteith.
BROTHERS
(September 18): Former NFL star Michael Strahan and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell play estranged brothers who are pressured to get along by their parents in this new half-hour sitcom. The series also stars Carl Weathers and CCH Pounder.
THE CLEVELAND SHOW
(September 27): A spin-off of the insanely popular animated series Family Guy, The Cleveland Show centers on the character of Cleveland Brown and his family as he moves from Rhode Island to the fictional town of Stoolbend, Virginia.
nbc
With the addition of The Jay Leno Show, which will take up the 10 pm slot five days a week (more on that later), NBC has little room to add much to the fall schedule. Still, here’s a look at the two dramas that made the cut:
MERCY
(September 23): Three nurses navigate the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world in this new drama from executive producer Gail Berman. Mercy features Taylor Schilling, Jamie Lee Kirchner and Michelle Trachtenberg.
TRAUMA
(September 28): This medical drama is about first responder paramedics and their action-packed days of saving lives. The series stars Derek Luke, Cliff Curtis, Anastasia Griffith, Kevin Rankin, Aimee Garcia, Billy Lush and Jamey Sheridan.
With hits like The Office and 30 Rock on their schedule, comedy is one thing NBC does very well. Here’s a look at the only sitcom the network felt worthy of adding to the slate:
COMMUNITY
(September 17): After his degree is deemed invalid by the State Bar, a fast-talking lawyer must head back to community college to get it back. There, the suspended attorney meets other disgraced individuals, including a man who’s been divorced seven times and a 28-year old drop out with something to prove. The series stars Joel Mchale, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs, Yvette Nicole Brown and Danny Pudi.
As promised, here’s a peek at Jay Leno’s new talk show:
THE JAY LENO SHOW
(September 14): Late night funnyman Jay Leno moves to primetime this fall for a new series that is strikingly similar to the talk show format he left in the spring. The show will have the usual monologue, celebrity interviews and comedy sequences, including Tonight Show favorites “Jay Walking” and “Headlines.” It will also feature new segments like green car races and “Stories Not Good Enough for Nightly News” with NBC News anchor Brian Williams. Jerry Seinfeld will be the celebrity guest on the debut episode with a musical performance from Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West.
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