There are still a couple of new shows that haven't premiered yet, including two I'm really looking forward to, ABC's new version of V and FOX's new version of The Human Target (I know, I'm actually looking forward to two remakes). But they're not going to premiere until November and January, respectively, so here are my picks for the three new shows that I'm truly enjoying so far this new season. And somehow, they're all on ABC.
FlashForward. I bet a lot of people are going to pick this as the best new show, but I was kinda worried about it. I thought it would be too Lost-ish, but would suffer in comparison because it didn't have the strong cast and "gravitas" that Lost has. But it's a great show beyond any comparisons (and Dominic Monaghan hasn't even shown up yet!).
I wish the pilot was two hours instead of one. I wanted to see how the world is affected by the blackout, news reports and all that; seemed the FBI was on top of it rather quickly. But I'm in all the way with this mystery, and every episode has ended with a cool "whoa" moment that has me waiting until the next episode. And I love that they actually have a date for when this is supposed to happen, April 29, 2010, which nicely fits in timing-wise with the season finale.
The Middle. Sure, you can say this is just Malcolm in the Middle with the focus on the mom (they both have "middle" in the title too!), but so what? It's engaging, every single member of the cast is great, and it's genuinely funny, unlike a lot of sitcoms (for example, Hank). And I like the fact that it isn't just all jokes and one-liners. There's a real family story going on here too, which is something that's in common with a lot of the good comedies on TV.
Shark Tank. OK, technically this show started in the summer. Well, not technically, it did start in the summer, but I'm including it here because it is a new show and it started late enough to call it a fall show. I'm not sure why I like this so much since I wasn't too big a fan of American Inventor, a show Shark Tank resembles closely (both have inventors/entrepreneurs pitching ideas to experts, and even the lighting and long hallway are similar).
But I like Shark Tank more. I think it's the experts/investors they have. I'm sure a lot of the tension/arguing/disagreements are for show only, but I sense a lot of real disagreement and battling going on too, and I find it rather engrossing. I'm probably the right audience for this, since I'm into the world of business and advertising and entrepreneurship, and I love seeing the brilliant ideas receive interest from the investors and the bad ideas get shot down (really, a guy who wants to sell three socks in a package?). This is a fun show, and 90x more fun than I thought it could be.
Which new shows are your favorites?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-10-2009 @ 3:13PM
Basketcase456 said...
I don't think you can ignore Modern Family and Cougar Town in this best new shows category. They are both incredibly funny single camera comedies. This just adds to the great ABC offerings this year.
Every other network did not put out anything different this year. All their new offerings are just the same as their old offerings. We don't need more doctor dramas, lawyer dramas or police dramas.
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10-10-2009 @ 3:14PM
sid said...
If you like Shark Tank, see if you can get Dragon's Den from Canada on CBC. It's exactly the same show, even two of the same hosts.
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10-10-2009 @ 4:23PM
Xyz said...
The show started on BBC, and there are several international versions. Even Afghanistan has its own version according to Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon%27s_Den Shark Tank -is- Dragon's Den. It was licensed and renamed for the American version.
10-11-2009 @ 10:23AM
RobynM said...
Xyz covered the technical issues, so I'll just mention that the BBC version is currently running on BBCA on Tuesdays.
10-10-2009 @ 3:20PM
MacGuffin said...
This has been kind of a disappointing new season for me. Nothing has really caught on, which I think is a real problem for broadcast TV. I find myself watching the few good remaining shows and gasp! even catching an episode or two of Leno when he has an interesting guest.
FlashForward was the one show I had hoped would really draw me in. But so far, it just hasn't done it for me.
Although it has a great cast, I'm not into any of the characters and the story just plods along. Which is my criticism of Lost, too. But at least the characters on Lost are based on classic archetypes, so you can see yourself in at least one of them and get into the show at a deeper level.
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10-10-2009 @ 3:23PM
Cray said...
I am confused, when did original The human Target series air? I'm under the impression this is based on the comic book series by the same name. Was the original series also based on the comic?
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10-10-2009 @ 5:18PM
Aston said...
1992 - Staring Rick Springfield...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103447/
10-10-2009 @ 4:03PM
ac said...
So far I like FlashForward and Community.
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10-10-2009 @ 3:59PM
thepassenger said...
You mixed up those premiere months: V is November, Human Target is January.
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10-10-2009 @ 8:49PM
starky22 said...
...which is exactly what he said.
I'm liking FlashForward as well, along with Glee and The Good Wife.
10-10-2009 @ 5:04PM
unc69dmo said...
I don't and won't watch any of those shows mentioned...but i did pick up on Good Wife........and locked and loaded.......
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10-10-2009 @ 5:16PM
Frantic Monkey said...
Archer is hands down the best new show even though all we've had so far is the pilot. Community is probably my 2nd favourite. So far I'm not a fan of Flashforward at all.
http://hollywoodhubbub.com
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10-10-2009 @ 6:01PM
chris said...
Saying Cougar town should be in the best new shows category is like saying Brothers with Michael Strahan is a quality show.
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10-10-2009 @ 6:45PM
bruce said...
One of the worst must be "The Cleveland Show" - it's just so horribly not funny. They took the most unfunny, uninteresting character from Family Guy and gave him his own show - all with the same formula as FG and AD. They should dump it quick, but FG fans will worship it no matter how bad it is. Fan of one, fan of all - that's how american culture works. Someone you like can do no wrong, and anyone who dares say something Seth McFarlane does is a 'hater' and should shut up. Way it goes.
I don't like any of the new shows. Flashforward is just trying to be Lost and it's not very interesting (Fringe is 1000 times more interesting in every possible way). "Bored to Death" on HBO is amusing and worthy of a half hour's entertainment but I don't see it getting a second season.
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10-10-2009 @ 11:34PM
Frantic Monkey said...
Bored to Death was picked up for a second season a couple of days ago. Great news. I really enjoy that show.
10-11-2009 @ 10:30AM
kevin said...
Do you even watch Family Guy and American Dad! to make such a statement? The "formula" of The Cleveland Show is nothing like American Dad!, maybe Family Guy...wait it is just like Family Guy! But American Dad! is nothing like FG or TCS.
10-11-2009 @ 11:27AM
bruce said...
Kevin: I've seen every episode of Family Guy and American Dad and have long been a fan of both shows, though FG has turned to shit the past few seasons and quite frankly was never the same since it's return from cancellation - but I still watch it and it is entertaining and each ep has at least a few good laughs, usually. American Dad, on the other hand, is by far the best cartoon comedy on the air right now - it's great and just keeps getting better and better.
But the "Cleveland Show" is just horrible. I've seen the first few eps and have not laughed even once. It's just not funny, and it's SO derivative of FG and AD that I don't see the point other than to make Seth MacFarlane even more money and to take up another half-hour on Fox's sunday night animation stretch.
The cleveland show sucks. Accept it.
10-11-2009 @ 6:46PM
kevin said...
I'm glad you said American Dad! is a great show...I agree with you on that big time! I usually end up watching American Dad! first (thanks to DVR and later viewing) out of the animation domination shows.
10-10-2009 @ 6:51PM
Owloo said...
GLEEEEEEE !
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10-10-2009 @ 10:15PM
Josh Emerson said...
My #1 is Modern Family. It is hilarious yet heartwarming. I love it. #2 is definitely Glee. This show makes me happy.
#3 would have to be Cougar Town. I didn't expect it to be this good, but it really is a great show. Just so funny with a great cast.
I'd give honorable mentions to FlashForward and The Middle, both quality shows that I will continue to watch. Wow, ABC really has had a great year for new shows.
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