The Return of TV!

Summer is undoubtedly the highlight of every student’s year.

It’s a time of waking up late, going to the beach, hanging out with the people you love, or doing nothing at all. The only complaint I have about summer is that there are no new TV shows. We all know the feeling of turning on the TV, scrolling through channels, and realizing that there are only reruns. But have no fear! Now that summer is over, we have an entire new fall season of TV to look forward to. Here is a list of that can help you decide what to watch this season.

Red Band Society

[one_half][/one_half] [one_half_last]This new series is produced by Steven Spielberg (Star Wars, War Horse, Schindler’s List, etc.) Based off Catalan TV drama called Polseres Vermelles, the American adaptation looks very promising. The much anticipated show is also starring academy award winning actress Octavia Spencer (The Help). The show focuses on a group of young teens that all have one thing in common: they live in a hospital. The Red Band society is a club the children create as a way to support one another through their difficult circumstances. Red Band Society appears to be more of a teenage drama than a medical drama, but it does entirely take place in a hospital. If you enjoy Fault in our Stars or Grey’s Anatomy, I highly recommend this show.

Image from Red Band Society Official Trailer, Fox Broadcasting.[/one_half_last]

Constantine

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With so many film adaptations of Marvel Comics, such as Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, The Avengers franchise, and even upcoming show Agent Carter, it is only fair DC comics have three new adaptations of their comics this fall. Constantine is based off the DC comic Hellblazer, and focuses on character John Constantine, played by Welsh actor Matt Ryan. Some background information on John Constantine is that he is an “Exorcist, Demonologist, and Master of the Dark Arts” who is conflicted by his dark past. The series follows John, better known as Constantine, as he must save humanity from an insidious supernatural threat. I’m not a big fan of TV adaptations of comic series like Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D, but I would say this does look more promising than Gotham or the Flash, mainly because it doesn’t involve any men running around in tight silly costumes. If you are a Supernatural or Sleepy Hollow enthusiast, this show will be something to look forward to this fall.

Image from Constantine Official Trailer, NBC.

Scorpion

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[/one_half] [one_half_last]This thriller is actually inspired by the true story of Walter O’Brian. O’Brian has an IQ of 197 and started his own company Scorpion Computer Services at the young age of thirteen. The United States government currently relies on Scorpion Computer Services to protect troops in Afghanistan. The exciting drama follows O’Brian as he recruits other unlikely experts to join his new task force. O’Brian is played by British actor Elyes Gable. For those of you who are not familiar with Gable’s works, he played the bright British Epidemiologist in World War Z, you know the guy who accidentally shot himself in the head. I believe Gabel is perfect for this role, and so far, based on his performance in the trailer, he looks pretty amazing. If you’re a Sherlockian or love the series Numbers, I would highly recommend this series.

Image from Scorpion First Look Trailer, CBS.

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Gracepoint

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There are so many crime thrillers to choose from this season! But being such an avid Doctor Who fan, I must choose the series starring David Tennant (Doctor Who). Gracepoint is based off the successful UK crime drama miniseries Broadchurch. What makes this the U.S. adaptation so unique is that David Tennant not only plays the lead in the US adaptation, but also plays the lead in the UK original. In the US adaptation, Tennant plays Detective Emmett Carter, an experienced detective who has recently arrived in the small quiet town of Gracepoint. The town is shaken by the recent homicide of a young boy. The series circulates around Tennant’s character, Carter, and the local police force as they scour the small and secretive town of Gracepoint for a murderer. After watching the trailer about 10 times, I can tell you Scottish actor Tennant does a very convincing American accent, and is a perfect fit for the lead role, (obviously). Those who like the FX show The Bridge might enjoy this crime thriller, as well as those who enjoy the original series Broadchurch.

Image from Gracepoint Official Trailer, Fox Broadcasting.

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Selfie

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[/one_half] [one_half_last]Honestly, I’m quite disappointed in this fall’s Rom Com TV selection. But being the hopeless romantic that I am, I relentlessly scoured through countless trailers, and Selfie stood out the most. This show is a modern day adaptation of the iconic musical My Fair Lady, and stars former Doctor Who companion Karen Gillian, and Star Trek’s John Cho. The show retells the story with a young lady named Eliza Dooley (Gillian) who is a shallow, self obsessed, instafamous “it girl” who sadly has no true friends. She hires Henry Higenbottam (Cho), a self-marketing genius, to help her create a new modest and meaningful self-image. Selfie touches on the sad reality of how social media is distancing people from true relationships. Quite frankly, I don’t think the trailer does the show justice. It’s a very interesting concept and I really enjoyed the original musical. I also believe both Gillian and Cho are perfect modern fits for the role. And I also do not detect Gillian’s true Scottish accent in the trailer. If you enjoy classic rom coms like The Proposal or TV series New Girl, give Selfie a try!

Image from Selfie Trailer, ABC.

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FOB 

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[/one_half] [one_half_last]Finally, an American TV show about a FOB Asian family! FOB—which stands for “fresh of the boat”—is inspired by Asian American chef Eddie Huang’s humorous memoir Fresh off the Boat; a memoir. The show follows a Taiwanese American family, the Huangs, as they venture from Washington D.C. to Orlando Florida, to achieve their “American Dream”. FOB takes place in the 90’s and focuses on the Huang’s experiences as they try to assimilate to American culture. So far based on the trailer, FOB looks very funny, enjoyable, and relatable, even for those not familiar with Asian culture. It’s a good mix of Modern Family and Everybody Hates Chris, because while it is a show about family, it largely focuses on the main character, Eddie. Because I come from a “FOB” family I am personally looking forward to the pilot episode, and am hoping to get a few good laughs out of the series. If you enjoy shows like Modern Family or Boy meets World, I definitely recommend you check this out!

Image from Fresh of the Boat Trailer, ABC.

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The Whispers 

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[/one_half] [one_half_last]This new ABC series is based off of writer Ray Bradbury’s short story Zero Hour. The Whispers follow the actions of a mysterious alien race that is quietly taking over the earth with the help of small children. The show starts off with a chain of haunting supernatural occurrences involving young children. These children have no idea of what they are involved in, and are often “playing a game” with an invisible entity. If you enjoy American Horror Story’s Asylum or Falling Skies, I highly recommend you watch the pilot episode. The series even stars American Horror Story’s Lily Rabe as the lead role of Claire Bennigan. These selected children play a “game” where they must complete tasks commanded to them from the alien forces. The aliens appear to be invisible to adults and the audience, and I do not know if the children can see them, but they can definitely hear them. If you’re looking for something fresh and new in the Sci Fi genre, I would give The Whispers a go.

Image from The Whispers Trailer, ABC.

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Madam Secretary

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[one_half_last]Madam Secretary is a new political drama airing this fall season. The show follows ex CIA operative Elizabeth Faulkner McCord, played by Tea Leoni (Spanglish, Family Man) as she enjoys a quiet, peaceful family life, until her world is turned upside down. The president is incapacitated, and she is offered the high position as Madam Secretary. The political drama focuses on McCord’s struggle to balance her new job as Madam Secretary and her family life. Madam Secretary looks very promising, and I am very much looking forward to seeing Leoni take on such an inspiring role. Madam Secretary features current U.S. and world issues. If you enjoy shows like The Newsroom or The West Wing, you should definitely give the pilot episode a try.

Image from Madame Secretary First Look Trailer, CBS.

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