September21

Fall Season Means New TV Shows

NOTICE: Looking for my preview of the 2006 Fall Season? Look no furthur.

ABC Screwed us.

That’s my initial thought when considering this fall’s new television show offerings. When Lost and Desperate Housewives burst onto the scenes last year, we finally experienced some fresh writting that wasn’t another canned verson of CSI or Law & Order. Even House, a show which I still haven’t watched, garnered some attention for Fox. Last season was the year that jump-started networks into thinking outside the box for new shows... but will it pay off?

Maybe. As a co-worker noted, the networks are becoming creative in the way they market their new, and existing, shows. It’s not about trying to lure large masses to watch your show – okay, it really still is about that. But, networks now have their sights set on what’s called the “super fan” – people who are obsessive about certain shows and are seen as peer-influencers. I’m a super fan for many shows (not so much for 24 anymore *wink*) and you’ve read all about them on this site. Did you watch any of the shows I rave about because of what I said?

Does it matter? It does to the networks, that’s for sure, word of mouth is a very powerful form of advertising... and it’s free! Because of super fans, ABC really shook things up last year with their different shows, especially in the Nielsen Ratings. Big ratings = advertising dollars. That’s big money, folks.

And when it comes to getting better ratings, you’ve got to follow what worked last year. So now, ABC is the leader of the pack and there is a slew of new and different shows for this fall.

Seth’s Fall TV Season Preview (of shows that I want to talk about):

Commander in Chief – ABC, Tuesdays at 9 Eastern
This show is so over-hyped it’s ridiculous. You can’t tell people that it’s a very dramatic show, you have to make them feel it. Also, Genna Davis makes me want to barf. This will NOT be another West Wing and my predicition. No, far from it and it’ll be one of the first shows cancelled.

Invasion – ABC, Wednesdays at 10 Eastern
Hailed as this year’s best new drama, this one might have a shot. It feels along the same vein as Lost, which is a very good thing, especially since it’s getting a Lost lead-in the hour before. Looks just a little silly, but also serious enough to be fun.

Nightstalker – ABC, Thursday at 9 Eastern
Thursday used to be the hot bed of prime time activity, just as NBC. So this is a re-make of an older series, but I still don’t know much about it. I do, however, know that Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, anyone?) is the Executive Producer for the show. That’s a good thing.

E-Ring – NBC, Wednesdays at 9 Eastern
Ha! Dennis Hopper with a ‘stache! Might as well call this bo-ring.

My Name Is Earl – NBC, Tuesdays at 9 Eastern
I love Jason Lee. I’m scared because sitcoms are so hit or miss (with many more misses these days) and I don’t want him to fail. It’s getting good press and it’s paired with The Office, not too shabby. Definitely checking this one out.

Surface – NBC, Mondays at 8 Eastern
I had high hopes for this one, but apparently it’s hard to make a good underwater flick and/or tv show (see “Sphere,” “Deep Star Six,” “Below,” SeaQuest DSV, etc.). If Commander in Chief gets yanked soon, I suspect this will beat it to the punch.

Criminal Minds – CBS, Thursdays at 10 Eastern
Is crime drama the ONLY thing CBS can do? Switch it up some!

Ghost Whisperer – CBS, Fridays at 8 Eastern
Wait, I spoke too soon. Hang on... okay, done laughing.

Threshold – CBS, Fridays at 9 Eastern
Aliens. Data from Star Trek. A midget. Sounds like gold. Gold covered crap, that is.

How I Met Your Mother – CBS, Mondays at 8:30 Eastern
This might be the only show I check out on CBS, besides football. And it might be only because I have a crush on Alyson Hannigan.

Prison Break – Fox, Mondays at 9 Eastern
I’ve already watched four episodes of this and I’m hooked. Very inventive and very well thought-out. Fun show.

Bones – Fox, Tuesdays at 8 Eastern
The X-Files + Angel + CSI = blah.

Killer Instinct – Fox, Fridays at 9 Eastern
You got the Friday slot... see ya. Oh yeah, one more thing, “Basic Instinct” called, they want their logo back you cheap hacks.

Everybody Hates Chris – UPN, Thursdays at 8 Eastern
The Wonder Years meets Bernie Mac. Genius. Critics are raving and I’m DVRing. Can’t wait.

Not a bad effort, from most, in my opinion. We’ll see who stick and who doesn’t, but at least we’re getting some new options and not just more reality shows shoved down our throats.

+ original post date: September 21, 2005 12:38 PM
+ categories: Television