Fall TV 2016: What You Should Watch ~ TV TALK WITH BILL CUSHING

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By: Bill Cushing – Sept. 2016

Another new TV season is upon us and although the fall season isn’t the only time TV shows will premiere these days, the majority of them still do. So I’d like to go over a few of the new shows that will be premiering this fall that I am recommending. Hopefully I can give the TV fanatics something new to check out and for those casual viewers who only get to watch a few shows a year, then this will help you choose what to watch.

Designated Survivor (ABC) – This series follows Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Tom Kirkman, who is vaulted into the presidency after everyone above him is blown up in an attack on Congress during the president’s State of the Union address. Kirkman will have to contend with hostile advisors, mysterious attackers and his own troublesome teens. Kiefer Sutherland returns to TV as Kirkman. Maggie Q and Kal Penn also star. Jack Bauer for President? Not quite, but this still looks intriguing. Premieres September 21.

This Is Us (NBC) – If you were a fan of Parenthood, then This Is Us is for you. This sentimental dramedy follows a handful of people born on the same day, whose paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways. Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia star. More than 50 million people viewed the trailer on YouTube, so this show figures to be a big hit. Premieres September 20.

Timeless (NBC) – This show will interest sci-fi fans as well as fans of historical dramas. Timeless follows an unlikely trio who travel through time chasing a criminal, intent on altering the fabric of human history by changing historical events, causing catastrophic results. Among the events the series will visit are the Hindenburg disaster, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, 1962 Las Vegas, the Alamo, Watergate, Germany during WWII, and the space race when the United States landed on the moon. Abigail Spencer (Rectify) stars. Timeless is created by Eric Kripke (Supernatural) and Shawn Ryan (The Shield). Lots of good talent behind this one. Premieres October 3.

Falling Water (USA) – This series, from The Walking Dead producer Gale Anne Hurd, follows three unrelated characters who slowly realize themselves to be dreaming separate parts of a single common dream that will have vast implications for the fate of the world. Real interesting premise. Lizzie Brocheré of American Horror Story and The Strain stars. Premieres October 13.
The Exorcist (FOX) – Oscar winner Geena Davis returns to TV in this reboot of the classic horror franchise. Davis plays Angela Rance. She deals with a myriad of issues including a dad losing his mind, a daughter refusing to leave the house, and an evil spirit terrorizing them. Two priests with extremely different approaches try to help the family by attempting to cast out the evil spirit. Horror fans and fans of the original films will want to check this serialized psychological thriller out. Premieres September 23.

The Good Place (NBC) – The only comedy on the fall slate that even remotely interests me is The Good Place. It follows Eleanor, a woman who dies and goes to heaven, only she was a terrible person when she was alive and was supposed to go to the other place. So she has to try and keep the mistake a secret from Michael , the architect of her neighborhood in the Good Place, so she can stay. She also wants to turn over a new leaf by trying to make up for her past bad behavior. Kristen Bell and Ted Danson star. This comes from Mike Schur, the creator of Parks and Recreation, so this one should be worth checking out.

That’s it until next month. Happy Watching!

If you have any questions about TV you can email me at BillsTVTalk@gmail.com. I will answer all of your questions and will feature some of the questions I receive in a future Mailbag column. Follow Bill on Twitter @BillsTVTalk and on Facebook at Bills TV Talk for daily up-to-the-minute TV news and discussion.