TV News Roundup: Upcoming New Shows

For entertainment fans this week was a plethora of upcoming television shows. The Fall lineup has been picked, the dates have been set and trailers released. Here are the ones I think we should keep an eye on-no matter how hokey some of the trailers may seem.

How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)

Starring Viola Davis by the creator of the hugely popular Scandal the show is described as a “sexy, suspense driven legal thriller”. Focusing on youthful and ambitious minds as they follow the lead of their mysterious criminal defense professor the show promises for a wild ride. Murder, intrigue and Davis-can you wrong? Only thing to worry about is the apparent archetypes the students will fall under. The show will air Thursdays at 10:00 pm.

Selfie (ABC) 

A retelling of My Fair Lady the show’s premise could easily go off the deep end and the trailer doesn’t offer up a lot of gems. However coming from someone who helped create shows such as Suburgatory and As Told By Ginger I can’t help but have a little hope. Also Karen Gillan and John Cho are charming and deserve a good outlet. If it can last more than five episodes I’ll be interested to see where this show goes. Selfie will air Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.

Galavant (ABC)

This trailer won me over pretty quick and once they broke into song they won at least one dedicated viewer. Promising a tone that meshes Men in Tights and good old fairy tales the show looks like nothing else premiering this year. Developed by Broadway composer Alan Menken is enough to generate excitement due to his work on Little Shop of Horrors , Beauty and the Beast, Enchanted and Tangled. Add in a entertaining cast that includes Vinnie Jones and Timoty Omundson and you have what could be the surprise hit of next years lineup. Galavant will air between Once Upon a Time‘s fall finale and winter premiere.

Constantine (NBC)

The first of the new DC shows and the one that seems to have caught the attention of most would be fans. Despite a poorly edited trailer it’s easy to take in the tone which offers up some macabre humor and a wonderfully unhinged lead in Matt Ryan. Looking to be dark, campy and stylish this could presumably generate a similar fan-following as Sleepy Hollow did last year. Constantine will join Grimm on the Friday night line-up.

Gracepoint (FOX)

As someone who adored Broadchurch  I wasn’t particularly thrilled when I heard about the U.S. remake. After seeing the trailer I can’t say I’ve had a radical change of mind. Everything looks a little but duller, a little less gripping than the original and barring Anna Gunn (who’s reprising Olivia Coleman who was phenomenal) and David Tennant (taking on the role again) the cast looks to be falling on the wooden side of things. Regardless of my reservations the premise is still one bathed in intrigue and it’s a story more viewers should be watching. Maybe people who haven’t seen the original will be more hopeful. Gracepoint will air on Thursdays this fall at 9:00 pm.

Gotham (FOX) 

Another DC output and it’s another example of a show seemingly embracing the world their characters live in. Gotham doesn’t look like Chicago or New York-it looks like it was taken from the comics. Something appreciated nowadays where so many comic book adaptions seem to be striving for realism. With Ben McKenzie as the star (an actor I’ve always wanted to see more of) as Gordon and an arsenal of supporting characters filling up the ensemble  Gotham appears to be sure fire hit unless the storylines begin to drag. Gotham will air Monday nights at 8:00 pm right before Sleepy Hollow.

Fresh Off the Boat (ABC) 

Reminiscent of the tone of I Everybody Hates Chris this new comedy seems like it could go either the way of being a genuinely funny addition to TV comedy/commentary or it could play into the hands of broad stroke humor. The trailer made me laugh thought and I’m always game for new comedies.

Mulaney (FOX) 

He has indie cred as well as love from the general public so it’s no wonder John Mulaney is setting his sights on television. As a fan of his I’m excited to see him getting some deserved recognition however the multi-cam style of the show has me a little concerned due to the recent examples of what shows of that style deliver. Clearly going for a Seinfeld type of show as he stars as an up and coming stand up comedian and with Lorne Michaels producing there’s a chance that Mulaney’s talents won’t go to waste. Given a ten episode order Mulaney will air on the Sunday comedy block at 9:30 pm.

The Flash (CW) 

I may have saved the best for last…or at the very least I saved the one I’m the most unabashedly excited for for last. Shot by the Arrow team and starring a charismatic Grant Gustin as Barry Allen aka The Flash there’s a lot of promise in this upcoming superhero output. Having been a longtime fan of the Flash I’ve been anticipating for this show for a while and the trailer is immensely promising. Bringing some lighthearted energy and some humor gives it a winning tone as well as a budget that allows for some scope in the world is adding to the excitement. I can’t wait until the fastest man alive runs to our screens this fall. The Flash airs this fall on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.

I’ve missed quite a bit I know-so tell us what shows you’re most looking forward to!