New Shows Preview 2013: Losing all hope in network TV?

Basq · 21-08-2013 09:55AM #1

So I've been a bit behind on what's coming up on what new TV is coming up in the coming months in the US...

.. so instead of looking at the barrage of junk and obvious no-hopers, decided to try ScreenRant's Fall TV 2013: The 10 Best New Shows - and couldn't help but be very disappointed!

The Blacklist: James Spader in what appears to be, a clone of 'The Following' mixed with 'Silence Of The Lambs'. Not good... not good at all!

Almost Human: a JJ Abrams produced series from the creators of 'Fringe' starring Karl Urban.. which feels very like a poor man's 'Fringe' (and let's face it, without John Noble.. don't even bother!).

Marvel's Agents Of Shield: the jury is out on this one. While I was a big fan of the movie and all things Joss Whedon, I've a feeling Whedon's involvement will be minimal after the pilot (though hope I'm wrong). I'm predicting a solid pilot and very scatty thereafter.

Hostages: has a great cast - but one of those shows with a very limited lifespan before they start tacking on silly conspiracies and twists. Could have been a solid 90 minute popcorn movie.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: nope.. didn't watch. Not interested in the slightest.

The Michael J Fox Show: am a big MJF fan and it is superb to see him back on TV doing what he did so well in 'Curb' - poking fun at himself and his condition. Am hoping this could be promising but there was a healthy mix of hit and miss in the trailer that it could go either way.

Trophy Wife: oh Bradley Whitford... what happened? Tired, clichéd, unfunny trash (though Malin Akerman is stunning)!

Welcome to the Family: basically a white Tyler Perry movie.. full of misunderstandings, awkward moments and a scatter of heartfelt moments. Hasn't the whole "2 very different families being brought together by a unplanned pregnancy" been done to death already?

Back in the Game: basically, "Bad News Bears: The TV Show"? Or "Little Giants: The TV Show"? Underdog team vs better teams? "Hilarity" and hijinks ensue!

The Crazy Ones: after 30 years of the same schtick from Robin Williams, is anyone else still entertained by it? Bring back the dark Robin Williams of 'Insomnia' and 'One Hour Photo'.

If this is the "Top 10", consider me very worried!

** goes looking for a Fall 2013: Top 5 Cable TV article **

humanji · 21-08-2013 10:12AM

You should have done what I did and not bothered with TV for the last few years. It's left me with quite a back catalog to get through.

Now, if you don't mind, I've to decide between watching The Sopranos, The Wire or Breaking Bad for the first time. :P

Basq · 21-08-2013 10:18AM

humanji wrote: »

Now, if you don't mind, I've to decide between watching The Sopranos, The Wire or Breaking Bad for the first time. :P

Cable productions always take preference tbh..

.. but there has been "a few diamonds in the rough" shows in recent years on network TV including including Community, Elementary, Person Of Interest, New Girl, Happy Endings (RIP) to name just 5.

But each passing year just seems to be worse and worse for network TV.

humanji · 21-08-2013 10:23AM

It's sadly to be expected. Studios just think it's safer to stick with what works than to risk a flop. Yet ironically don't realise that churning out the same thing over and over again stops people watching. It's almost like the studios are run by people who simply don't watch tv.

r3nu4l · 21-08-2013 10:30AM

Timely thread! Nicholas Lyndhurst is complaining about the same thing at the moment.

He basically says that because 'Talent' shows and Reality TV make it easy for a station to pick up 7 million viewers from Day 1 the station bosses are afraid to commission shows that will take time to develop and perhaps only start out with 1 million viewers.

FloatingVoter · 21-08-2013 12:09PM

r3nu4l wrote: »

Timely thread! Nicholas Lyndhurst is complaining about the same thing at the moment.

He basically says that because 'Talent' shows and Reality TV make it easy for a station to pick up 7 million viewers from Day 1 the station bosses are afraid to commission shows that will take time to develop and perhaps only start out with 1 million viewers.

Lyndhurst is right. Sad to say that the show he's joining is one of the better offerings on UK TV at the moment. Sad because New Tricks is a ten year old retirement home for actors and scripts.
Its not just Simon Cowell and his reality bunnies at fault. I saw Martin Clunes driving a pony and trap around his farm on Sunday night. This was apparently a documentary. Truthfully, more like a vanity payment to make another series of Doc Martin.

_Kaiser_ · 21-08-2013 12:12PM

humanji wrote: »

You should have done what I did and not bothered with TV for the last few years. It's left me with quite a back catalog to get through.

Now, if you don't mind, I've to decide between watching The Sopranos, The Wire or Breaking Bad for the first time. :P

I only recently finished the Sopranos for the first time myself

Definitely got better as it went on (season 4 onwards) but the first few were a struggle for me.

But I agree.. truth be told I rarely watch "live TV" at all nowadays and very little "new" stuff besides Boardwalk Empire, Dallas, Homeland and .. that's about it really
Only thing out of that list about would be the MJF show I think.. the rest will be new seasons of the above,

Robbo · 21-08-2013 03:15PM

r3nu4l wrote: »

Timely thread! Nicholas Lyndhurst is complaining about the same thing at the moment.

He basically says that because 'Talent' shows and Reality TV make it easy for a station to pick up 7 million viewers from Day 1 the station bosses are afraid to commission shows that will take time to develop and perhaps only start out with 1 million viewers.

Time for a gritty reboot of time travelling adultery romp Goodnight Sweetheart, where the main character can travel back to Saigon during the Tet Offensive?

25-08-2013 02:17AM

Is it just me or does anyone else find it ironic that Robin Williams, one of comedies most infamous joke thieves is returning to TV with a project that looks like it's stolen every single aspect from s dozen superior shows.

Richard Dower · 25-08-2013 12:22PM

I'm gonna pass on almost all new shows, save for The Tomorrow People and SHIELD....i'll watch Arrow, TBBT and 2.5 Men.......thats about it.

I've lost 99% of my zest for tv, as in watching it.....dont even post as much here now. I do it more as a service and a community thing now then as a tv addict.

I'm almost cured!

_Whimsical_ · 25-08-2013 03:55PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Is it just me or does anyone else find it ironic that Robin Williams, one of comedies most infamous joke thieves is returning to TV with a project that looks like it's stolen every single aspect from s dozen superior shows.

Robin Williams delivered in weekly doses is almost too much to bear. Once every couple of years in a film is already bordering on too much Robin exposure. Reports seem to say he's been given carte blanche to squeeze as many of his favourite impressions and "funny" voices in as he likes too. Just the thought of it creates a reaction akin to the one I'd get from the sound of nails on a chalk board.
*shudder*

don ramo · 25-08-2013 07:14PM

im probably looking forward to Bad Teacher more than most shows really, maybe SHIELD is the only one above it at the moment in anticipation, it from Hilary Winstone who made happy ending and community, and Ari Graynor is in the lead, never got around to watching either show but Graynor is a draw for me, massively untapped comedic talent, and also David Alan Grier (In Living Color), Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars), Sara Gilbert (Roseanne) and Kristin Davis (Sex and the City)

only thing is i have no idea when its starting,

:D:D

JP Liz V1 · 25-08-2013 10:42PM

Midseason new shows seems better to me for network tv

IvaBigWun · 10-09-2013 10:16PM

This list is worth a look too

http://www.empireonline.com/features/us-tv-preview-2013

There's some overlap with the ten already mentioned in the OP

New Shows Preview 2013: Losing all hope in network TV?

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