We don’t want you don’t waste your precious time in the upcoming early-semester days (you know, the ones that should be spent studying and getting ahead on coursework), so we’ve created a guide to all the new shows hitting prime time this fall. The question is, which ones look like the next PLL… and which ones are sure to be total duds?
Be sure to catch the good ones starting with their pilot episodes—who knows when they’ll make their way to Netflix for you to catch up!
1. Angel from Hell
Channel: CBS
Premieres: Thursday, November 5 at 9:30 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Glee’s Jane Lynch will star in this series, so you know this is a show you won’t want to miss. Maggie Lawson plays Allison, of whom Amy (Jane Lynch) claims to be the guardian angel. Allison is left to figure out whether Amy really has been put in her life for a reason or if she is completely insane. If you loved Lynch’s performance in Glee as the ruthless yet lovable Sue Sylvester, you will absolutely adore this show (as far as we can tell, both characters sound hilariously crazy!).
2. Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
Channel: NBC
Premieres: Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: We’ll See
As much as we wish NPH was coming back to us in a sitcom setting like HIMYM, we are still excited to see him back on the screen with his new one-hour, 10-episode variety series coming this fall. This series promises stunts, giveaways and audience interaction, and based on his Oscars-hosting performance, we’re thinking musical numbers and a whole lot of magic tricks. If you’re not a fan of variety shows or you thought NPH’s gig at the Oscars was just a little too much, sit this one out.
3. Blindspot
Channel: NBC
Premieres: Monday, September 21 at 10:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Total Dud
Blindspot seems like a solid show that could soon gain a pretty devoted fan base, but we just aren’t sure. The plot: a naked, completely tattooed woman is found in Times Square with no recollection of the past. She gets involved with the FBI and soon uncovers a crime conspiracy. The show stars Jaimie Alexander alongside Sullivan Stapleton and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. The plot line hasn’t exactly wowed us yet, and we might just wait until this one hits Netflix to start watching.
4. The Catch
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Two words: Shonda Rhimes. Yes, the genius who brought you Scandal is back with more drama than ever before. It doesn’t look like anyone will be sleeping with POTUS in this soon-to-be hit. Instead, Alice Martin, played by Mirielle Enos, is a fraud investigator. She soon becomes a victim of fraud and must save her career before her ex-fiancé destroys it. This show stars Alimi Ballard and Damon Dayoub among others, and it’s destined to be a favorite among Shondaland fans.
5. Chicago Med
Channel: NBC
Premieres: Tuesday, November 10 at 10:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Total Dud
Chicago Med, starring Yaya Dacosta, Oliver Platt, S. Epatha Merkersonis and more, is a spin-off of Chicago Fire and takes a look at the city’s chaotic hospital and team of doctors. While we love Sophia Bush (star of Chicago Fire as well as One Tree Hill), we question whether Chicago Med is going to be that substantial of a spin-off. Will it be able to distinguish itself from the long list of overdone medical and crime thrillers currently on the air?
6. Coach
Channel: NBC
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: We’ll See
Coach looks like a show a lot of people could get into. It doesn’t seem to have the good-hearted hilarity of Modern Family (although it definitely seems to have the same lovable family tension!), but this NBC sequel of the 1990s sitcom of the same name, starring Craig T. Nelson as Coach Hayden Fox, seems to have a similar family-centered feel. The plot: Fox comes out of retirement to become an assistant coach at an Ivy League school. The head coach? Fox’s son. This show sets out to explore the interesting father-son dynamic and, who knows, might be as good as its prequel.
7. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Channel: CW
Premieres: Monday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
The name alone makes this show sound downright hilarious! The lead star Rachel Bloom looks promising and the plot seems like one that will keep viewers coming back season after season. The storyline: Rebecca Bunch gives up everything—and we mean everything—to find love. She ditches her partnership at a law firm and her fancy Manhattan apartment to meet a man in California. Definitely give this one a shot!
8. Crowded
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Crowded could definitely be the next Modern Family. This show stars Patrick Warburton, Carrie Preston and Miranda Cosgrove. Parents Mike and Martina are set to find adventure after raising two grown daughters—that is, until the daughters move back in with them and Mike’s parents decide not to move to Florida. Needless to say, things are looking pretty crowded. This could be a great weekly show to watch with your roomie!
9. Game of Silence
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Total Dud
Game of Silence seems like your generic drama centered on a successful attorney and his life’s sudden twists and turns when “secrets are revealed” by old childhood friends. Yawn. The show stars David Lyons, Larenz Tate and Michael Raymond-James. Check this one out only if you’ve got the time.
10. Grandfathered
Premieres: Tuesday, September 29 at 8:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
With a killer cast including John Stamos, Josh Peck and Christina Millian, this show is an absolute must-see. John Stamos plays a cute bachelor (shocker) who comes to learn that he is a father. Oh, and a grandfather. Needless to say, Grandfathered will be one of our favorites in no time.
11. The Grinder
Premieres: Tuesday, September 29 at 8:30 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Rob Lowe is back, people! He plays a lawyer who moves back to his hometown and takes over his family’s law practice. This single-camera legal comedy is sure to show a completely different (but just as lovable) side to the Parks and Rec star. The show also stars Fred Savage, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, William Devane and Hana Hayes. If either law or Lowe is your thing, put The Grinder on your To Watch list.
12. The Guide to Surviving Life
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
This new show seems like a must-see for all twenty-something collegiettes. Starring Jack Cutmore-Scott, Meaghan Rath and James Earl this show is told from the viewpoint of 26-year-old Cooper Barrett who, with stories from his own experience, guides the American youth through their 20s. Because let’s face it, we could all use the help.
13. Hot & Bothered
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: We’ll See
Eva Longoria is back in this steamy new show. She stars as Ana Maria, a Latin American pop diva and star of a telenovela. She endures drama both on- and off-screen and tries to keep up with her crazy life. This show might take some time to get into, but it looks promising.
14. Life in Pieces
Premieres: Monday, September 21 at 8:30 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Total Dud
This upcoming sitcom stars Dianne Wiest, James Brolin and Zoe Lister Jones among others. It dives into the life, relationships and craziness of a single family, as told through the different family member’s unique stories. We aren’t so sure this show has captured our interest, as its description sounds a little bland and the cast isn’t really doing it for us. We say pass.
15. The Muppets
Premieres: Tuesday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
By now you’ve probably heard the heartbreaking news about the breakup between Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. This publicity stunt was put in place to promote the hilarious-looking “mockumentary” that will follow the lives of our iconic puppet pals. This is a show you definitely don’t want to miss! The highly anticipated newcomer to primetime promises guest appearances like Reese Witherspoon, and brings top executive producers and writers from shows like The Big Bang Theory, who will be sure to have you in laughing fits by the end of the pilot alone.
16. The Real O’Neals
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
This single-camera comedy definitely looks like something we could get into. It explores what seems to be a perfect Chicago-based Catholic family—until their lives get totally shaken up when they are forced to come clean to each other about their secrets. The suspense is killing us—we want more!
17. Rosewood
Premieres: Wednesday, September 23 at 8:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: We’ll See
Disclaimer: this new show has NOTHING to do with PLL! Sorry to disappoint all those mega-fans out there (although we aren’t too sad there won’t be another spinoff like Ravenswood anytime soon). Rosewood is an investigative series starring Morris Chestnut as Dr. Beaumont Rosewood. Dr. Rosewood is a private pathologist in Miami, Florida; his physician skills are often in demand by law enforcement, suggesting that this show is going to be a crime and murderous thriller. Give it a shot, but don’t hold your breath.
18. Shades of Blue
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Shades of Blue (hint: nothing to do with any shades of grey) is yet another crime show, but this one seems a bit more promising. First of all, it stars Jennifer Lopez. Secondly, it’s being described as “steamy” (probably because it’s starring J Lo, let’s be honest). Thirdly, it involves bribes, dirty cops, FBI investigations and a mother-daughter love that anyone can appreciate. This might be the next crime drama to make it big.
19. Supergirl
Premieres: Monday, October 26 at 8:30 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
As much as the whole superhero thing may seem a bit overdone in Hollywood these days, this show is centered on a non-male superhero, so we hope that it pulls through and doesn’t end up a total bust. Starring Melissa Benoist (you may know her as Rachel’s mini-me on Glee) as well as Calista Flockhart, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh and David Harewood, we are anxiously awaiting a strong, heroic kick-butt Supergirl. Please don’t disappoint!
20. Superstore
Premieres: Midseason
HC’s Rating: Must-See
If you were a sucker for The Office, you may just fall in love with this new workplace comedy set in a gigantic megastore. Starring America Ferrera and Ben Feldman, this series will show you a different—and downright hilarious—side to grocery shopping. If they could make a paper supply office one of the most beloved workplaces in comedy viewers’ hearts, what could be in store for Superstore?
21. Truth Be Told
Premieres: Friday, October 16 at 8:30 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Must-See
Truth Be Told looks like a promising comedy (it comes from the director of HIMYM, if that tells you anything). This half-hour show is centered around the friendship between two couples who are also neighbors, and the wild, hilarious and sometimes weird things they go through in their daily lives. This show had us at “the director of HIMYM,” so we’ll definitely be tuning in.
22. Wrecked
Premieres: Fall 2015 (TBD!)
HC’s Rating: We’ll See
Wrecked brings some newbie writers as well as a couple of pros, promising a fresh new feel and sound. This single-camera comedy follows the lives of a group of people who live through a plane crash, are stranded on a deserted island and must learn to navigate their new lives. We’re thinking this sounds a lot like Lost, but it’s a comedy, so we’re excited to see where this could go.
23. Wicked City
Premieres: Tuesday, October 27 at 10:00 p.m.
HC’s Rating: Total Dud
Wicked City seems like a typical crime show (none of which can live up to Law and Order: SVU), but it has an interesting spin. Each season brings with it a focus on a different Los Angeles real criminal case. The show has already had some negative feedback from women and feminists due to its depiction of violence against women, so this might be one you pass on… even though it stars Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick!
Looks like it’s time to pencil in a couple TV date nights with your roomie, sisters or SO and give a couple of these pilots a try. Happy watching, collegiettes!