It’s that wonderful time of year once again; the air is getting crisp, the holiday season is nearly tangible, and most importantly, Olivia Pope returns to our lives. Yes, the fall TV premieres are upon us and they are better than ever. Some are classics still holding their own (we’re looking at you, NCIS) and then of course there’s the wave of eager pilots, hoping to be loved and accepted long enough to garner some kind of cult following (ahem, Grey’s) that will allow them to thrive.
So without further ado, the definitive ranking of Fall TV 2015 (and by the look of it, we’re in for a heck of a ride):
13. The Grinder Fox, Tuesdays at 8:30 pm
Rob Lowe in a lawyer suit? Now that’s something I wouldn’t mind watching. In this comedy, Lowe is a TV actor who becomes a lawyer after playing one on TV for several years. Although it sounds corny, Rob proved himself to be brilliantly funny as Chris Traeger in Parks&Rec, so it has some promise.
12. Limitless CBS, Tuesdays at 10:00 pm
The new CBS prodigy Limitless, based on the 2011 Bradley Cooper movie, is perhaps the most hyped up new show on this list. The producers claim that they are “breaking the standard mold for TV action-thrillers”, and that this series will be like nothing we’ve seen before.
RT all the producers need to do is give us a little more of Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra and we’ll be appeased.
11. The Big Bang Theory CBS, Mondays at 8:00 pm
This, believe it or not, was the most watched TV series of 2014 (!) Part of me understands, since the characters are charming, relatable, and have an irresistible, adorkable quality. But if I’m being honest, if I had to choose between BBT and re-reuns of Friends, I would choose Friends…every single time.
10. The Mindy Project Hulu
*A moment of silence for the demise of TMP on primetime TV*
Why Fox canceled this gem of a show I have no idea, but kudos to Mindy Kaling for persevering and continuing the show on Hulu (I 100% am going to go through all of my emails for a free month of Hulu Plus to watch this show…) If you have any sense of humor at all or just love sassy OBGYNs, this is the show for you.
9. The Voice NBC, Mondays at 8:00 pm
Yes, The Voice is still a thing, and apparently a popular one at that. I didn’t know anyone watched it other than the families of suburbia, but it seems that Adam Levine just keeps the viewers coming. This season’s coaches are Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharell Williams, and Gwen Stefani. So if you’re a fan of vocals, get ready, ‘cause this season’s about to be b-a-n-a-n-a-s .
8. NCIS CBS, Tuesdays at 8:00 pm
NCIS is timeless, as shown by its consistent rankings as one of the most watched shows in America. Mark Harmon is perfect, Michael Weatherly is perfect, and 13 seasons later the whole NCIS crew is still feeling like family.
7. Criminal Minds CBS, Wednesdays at 9:00 pm
Criminal Minds has a solid cult-esque following, and for good reason. It defines itself from other crime TV shows by focusing solely on the minds of serial killers (which, don’t lie, you’re fascinated by). Also if you don’t follow Matthew Gray Gubler on twitter (aka Dr. Spencer Reid) you are missing out (@gublernation).
6. How to Get Away with Murder ABC, Thursdays at 10:00 pm
What used to be “that show that started playing after Grey’s” turned out to be good; like, really good. In fact, it’s so good that main actress Viola Davis became the first African American woman to receive an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (also, it has Dean from Harry Potter, bonus point).
5. Grey’s Anatomy ABC, Thursdays at 8:00 pm
No complaining allowed about this ranking; this is the doing of Shonda Rhimes. Season after season we got slapped in the face by George dying, Lexi dying, Christina leaving, etc. But messing with McDreamy crossed the line, and we’re not happy about it.
4. Grandfathered Fox, Tuesdays at 8:00 pm
John Stamos and Josh Peck back on primetime TV?! This is the day we’ve been waiting for since the dismal end of both Full House and Drake and Josh. Even if the show turns out to be sub par, the hug of nostalgia you’ll get just by looking at those two is worth the watch.
3. The Walking Dead AMC, Sundays at 9:00 pm
The only time I have seen a guy close to tears over television was when an ~anon~ friend had to miss the season 4 finale. Love it or hate it, this show is proof that somehow zombies are still fascinating to the human psyche after age 12.
2. Modern Family ABC, Wednesdays at 9:00 pm
RT, this is the family everyone hopes to be a part of. We’ve watched them all grow and prosper, and even seven seasons later, Phil’s dad jokes have yet to fail us. Not to mention the woman crushes on Sophia Vergara and Sarah Hyland have only grown.
1. Scandal ABC, Thursdays at 9:00 pm
Need I even explain? Shonda Rimes (almost) numbs the pain caused by the loss of McDreamy on Grey’s by continually bestowing upon us the glorious show that is Scandal. Never leave us~
Images courtesy of: ABC, Giphy, Tumblr, AMC, CBS, Fox.