Each fall, we’re given a slew of new shows to watch, but many of them don’t even last through the end of the year.
While there are always a few quality shows that are canceled before their time, many more have you wondering what the network execs were thinking when they gave them a green light in the first place.
To save you some time, here’s a look at what new broadcast shows are worth keeping and which ones aren’t worth tuning in to and should be canceled.
ABC (Drama)
Keep:
“Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD
When you launch a show with a cast full of relatively unknown actors, you need to make sure you have a solid story to reel in an audience. “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD” has exactly that. The long legacy of Marvel comics, as well as the franchise’s success in film, gives it a good chance at finding success on the small screen, too.
Cancel:
“Lucky 7”
“Lucky 7” is a series that follows what happens after a group of gas station employees pool their money together and win a $45 million lottery.
This might work better as a TV movie than a TV series.
ABC (Comedy)
Keep:
“The Goldbergs”
“The Goldbergs,” set in the 1980’s, follows a family of six through the camera lens of the youngest child. This series fits in perfectly with ABC’s niche: the single-camera family comedy.
The show features comedy veterans Wendy McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”) and Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”).
Cancel:
“Super Fun Night”
Rebel Wilson has scored many laughs in films like “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids,” but “Super Fun Night” will not deliver.
The promo alone is hard to get through because 1) the premise itself is confusing 2) I can’t stop wondering if I’m watching a movie trailer or a trailer for a television show.
With this show, it may not be the lack of talent onscreen, but an unusual delivery by those working behind the scenes, that leads to its cancellation.
CBS
Keep:
“The Crazy Ones”
“The Crazy Ones” is a promising new series starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Geller. The show will be set in a Chicago-based ad agency, so if you’re looking for a modern and light-hearted version of “Mad Men,” this is the show for you.
CBS has struck comedy gold in the past with shows with “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Big Bang Theory,” so “The Crazy Ones” is definitely one to watch.
Cancel:
“We Are Men”
“We Are Men” follows a group of four guys who live in the same apartment complex and bond over the fact that their love lives are nonexistent. Ironically, they all try to be each other’s wing-man.
This show may have a few famous names (Tony Shalhoub, Kal Penn, Jerry O’Connell), but they’re just not funny enough to carry the the show.
The CW
Keep:
“The Originals”
“The Originals” is definitely a good show to look out for because it’s a spinoff of the CW hit, “The Vampire Diaries.”
“The Originals” will follow Klaus Mikaelson, who we first met on “The Vampire Diaries,” as he attempts to reclaim New Orleans, the city that his family helped to build years before.
Pretty people, vampires and werewolves, NOLA; what more could you ask for?
Cancel:
“Reign”
“Reign” is a period drama based on the true story of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Since The CW is known for winning big with their contemporary (“Gossip Girl,” “9O21O”) and supernatural (“Supernatural,” “The Vampire Diaries”) dramas, “Reign” is quite a gamble for the network.
From the looks of the promo, “Reign” looks more like a knockoff of “The Tudors” or “The Borgias.” Period dramas are much better suited on cable networks where they have larger budgets and more artistic freedom.
FOX (Drama)
Keep:
None. Among the dramas, FOX is only giving us “Almost Human” and “Sleepy Hollow,” which both look like they will be fairly disappointing.
If I must choose one, it would be “Sleepy Hollow.” But only because seeing the headless horseman shooting machine guns looks pretty badass.
FOX (Comedy)
Keep:
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” starring Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live”), could be a comedy hit for FOX if they give it a chance to develop.
From the promo, this series is very reminiscent to NBC shows like “The Office,” “30 Rock,” and “Parks and Recreation” in the way that it’s a single-camera workplace comedy.
With NBC focusing more on family-driven comedies, this could be a chance for FOX to steal their pride and joy.
Cancel:
“Dads”
“Dads” is a show about dads. The end.
Yes, it’s that boring.
On top of not being very funny, the show is already under hot water for refusing to reshoot its pilot due to anger over its racist content. That shouldn’t surprise you once you learn that “Family Guy” creator and failed Oscars host, Seth MacFarlane, is the executive producer.
Don’t get me wrong, dads are awesome, but this show isn’t.
NBC (Drama)
Keep:
“Ironside”
“Ironside” seems like just another cop/crime show, but it deserves a chance to prove itself.
From the trailer, it looks like Blair Underwood was a great casting choice and will be able to easily lead the show.
Cancel:
“Dracula”
While it could be much worse, NBC should just leave the vampire shows to The CW.
NBC (Comedy)
Keep:
“The Michael J. Fox Show”
The show is pretty much art imitating life as it follows a man named Michael who suffers from Parkinson’s and is making his long-awaited return to television.
Despite the fact that this show looks super cheesy, it has a great cast including Betsy Brandt (“Breaking Bad”) and Juliette Goglia (“Easy A”), which will make it much more bearable.
Also, how can you not love Michael J. Fox?
Cancel:
“Welcome to the Family”
This was hard because NBC picked a great group of comedies, however “Welcome to the Family” will probably be heading to the chopping block.
The main reason I see this show getting cancelled is simply because of its main competition on ABC: “Modern Family.”
“Welcome to the Family” just doesn’t seem to have the kind of staying power that “Modern Family has had.
For more on TV news (or if you just want to yell at me about how much you disagree or agree with this post), tweet me at @AggiAshagre.
Keep or Cancel: Fall 2013 TV Preview
By Aggi Ashagre
September 5, 2013