The Obsessive Viewer

Well, summer is winding to a close and television fans are starting to look toward the fall TV season. Here I’ve made a list of the shows I am looking forward to the most and a few new series that have piqued my interest. Obviously I can’t cover them all, so let me know what shows you’re most looking forward to this fall. 

Returning Series

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 9)

Network: FXX

Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 10:00pm

It’s hard to believe Sunny is going into its 9^th season. My interest in the show has gone back and forth over the last few years. But It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was once (and is now on occasion) the premium when it comes to absurdly dark television comedy. This show is somewhat of a comfort to me. It’s simply fun to watch these people and their hijinks.

The League (Season 5)

Network: FXX

Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 10:30pm

The League can be easily dismissed as a pseudo It’s Always Sunny clone. But that would be a disservice to the series. The show, about a group of friends with a fantasy football obsession, strikes a perfect balance between sports references and more accessible comedy. The case is spectacular but it’s really Jon Lajoie who’s the stand out.

Boardwalk Empire (Season 4)

Network: HBO

Premiere Date: Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 9:00pm

“No reign goes unchallenged.” It has been a long wait for the new season of HBO’s prohibition gangster drama, Boardwalk Empire. I’ve made it no secret that this is one of my favorite shows airing right now. It’s packed with an intricate plot that utilizes several great characters. This season looks to be amazing. The addition of Jeffrey Wright to the cast (as well as Ron Livingston) is going to be really great to watch. Not to mention, it looks like Michael Kenneth Williams’ Chalky White is going to get more screen time. I’m very excited.

Sons of Anarchy (Season 6)

Network: FX

Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 10:00pm

I’ve said a lot about how disenfranchised I’ve become toward Sons of Anarchy. I feel like it’s an antihero soap opera that is drowning under the multitude of better produced and better written antihero dramas on TV now. Having said that, learning that this season is the penultimate season and that it starts with something “big” and “controversial” has me reluctantly curious.

The Mindy Project (Season 2)

Network: FOX

Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 9:30pm

I watched season one of The Mindy Project on a whim. I’m a fan of Mindy Kaling and was curious enough to violate my usual “wait to see if it gets cancelled before you watch it” rule. I was very pleasantly surprised by the pilot episode. The rest of the season carried that momentum and won me over as a fan of the series. The show managed to get even better with the addition of Ike Barinholtz to the cast. He steals every scene as Morgan. I’m excited for season two.

How I Met Your Mother (Season 9; The Final Season)

Network: CBS

Premiere Date: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 8:00pm

Back in the early days of the blog, I wrote about How I Met Your Mother and how I feel season 8 would end and where the series would head in its final season. I was wrong, but nonetheless I’m very much excited for the end of the series. I adore HIMYM and am optimistic it will end on a high note.

The clip below was shown at Comic Con. It’s hilarious. Enjoy.

Parks and Recreation (Season 6)

Network: NBC

Premiere Date: Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 8:00pm

I have my concerns about Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe exiting the series. But the truth is, I’m confident this show will endure it well. Parks & Rec was once supposed to be a spin off of The Office and it has never once lived in its once potential predecessor’s shadow. It’s also worth mentioning that the show is going into its 6^th season and still has the stamina that The Office had in its peak seasons.

I couldn’t find a promo for the new season, but I did come across this clip from the season 4 blooper real. It’s hilarious.

The Walking Dead (Season 4)

Network: AMC

Premiere Date: Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 9:00pm

The Walking Dead’s season 4 trailer that was shown at Comic Con (and can be watched below) is phenomenal. Seriously. I have an interesting relationship with the series. In the latter part of season three, I was fully on board with the show, only to be letdown by the season finale. I had my reservations about losing Glen Mazzara as showrunner, but those reservations have been washed away by the amazing trailer below. I’m looking forward to seeing what Scott Gimple and company have in store.

New Shows 

As far as new series are concerned, I said earlier that I’m usually very hesitant to jump into a new series unless I’m confident it won’t be cancelled after a few weeks. You can hear more about my feelings on TV cancellation on the podcast, but suffice it to say I am a jaded TV viewer when it comes to most new series.

Having said that, here are a few shows that I’m curious about. 

Sleepy Hollow

Network: FOX

Premiere Date: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 9:00pm

I will be completely honest, I found a list of fall premiere dates and picked from it the ones that I watch and the ones that interest me. I hadn’t heard much about Sleepy Hollow. I saw a tweet saying they were modernizing it, but I didn’t think too much of it.

I just watched the trailer below and I can’t stop laughing. What the hell did I just watch? I really can’t think of a reason for the story of the headless horseman to be adapted to modern times. Furthermore, why give Ichabod Crane the Captain America treatment? Throwing in an obvious National Treasure influence is just icing on the cake.

I might actually check it out. Just to watch the train wreck as it unfolds.

Dads

Network: FOX

Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 8:00pm

Eh, this show looks interesting enough. Family Guy can be great when it wants to be. So knowing Seth MacFarlane and people from his cavalcade of comedy writers are behind this series has me intrigued. It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve had a massive crush on Brenda Song ever since I watched The Social Network. So she may or may not be a contributing factor.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Network: ABC

Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 8:00pm

I’m a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I’m hopeful that Marvel and Disney will utilize the television format to give screen time to lesser-known characters from the universe and, in the process, expand upon the cinematic universe as well. Not to mention, it’s never a bad thing to have Clark Gregg on your screen.

The Michael J. Fox Show

Network: NBC

Premiere Date: Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 9:00pm

Who doesn’t love Michael J. Fox? Seriously. I love the guy and I’m glad to see him in something that’s clearly very personal to him. It’s great to see him embracing his disease. The show looks great.

Well that about covers it for my Fall TV Preview. Obviously I can’t cover every new and returning show. I need you to help fill the gaps. What fall show are you looking forward to? Leave me a comment below.

You can also follow me on Twitter @ObsessiveViewer and contact the blog on Facebook at The Obsessive Viewer. Check out The Obsessive Viewer Podcast for more thoughts on movies and TV.