The fall 2012 TV season is upon us, that yearly crap-shoot where we find out what shows will be the next big water-cooler conversation starters, and what shows will be over in the blink of an eye. Back in 2010, Lone Star was, hands down, the most critically-lauded pilot from any network. It lasted two episodes before being yanked off the air. And yet, Whitney is getting a second season... Mind-boggling. This year, instead of grumbling on Twitter which shows I can't wait for, and which shows I can't wait to be off the air, I'm putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak: I will be predicting what new fall shows will survive, and what shows won't make it to Season 2.
For my first installment, I'm starting off with NBC, a network which not only has the most new fall shows with six, but is also rolling out their new additions earlier than any other network, starting with Go On August 8 and Animal Practice August 12, capitalizing on the millions of extra eyeballs watching the network due to their coverage of the London Olympics. I have not seen any of the pilot episodes for any of these shows. I'm just basing these predictions on the video clips and plot synopses that are already available, and my gut instinct, as it were. I'll also compare it to other shows it will be competing against. Follow me? OK, ready... break!
Go On
Wednesday, August 8
(following Olympic Games coverage; time period premiere - Tuesday, September 11 at 9 PM ET)
Starring
Matthew Perry, Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Khary Payton, and Allison Miller
The Rundown
Friends alum Matthew Perry is making another attempt at a "comeback" with this new therapy-driven show, after his two post-Friends failures Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and last year's Mr. Sunshine. I sincerely hope that his third time is not the charm, though, because this seems like a rip-off of the wonderful USA Network series Common Law. That show follows two bickering police detectives who are sent to couples counseling by their zen captain, to work out their issues. This series centers on Matthew Perry's Ryan King, a sportscaster who lost his wife in a car accident and is forced to attend therapy sessions before he can get back on the air. Aside from the fact that the clips just aren't funny at all, it seems Matthew Perry is channeling his inner Christian Slater for this snarky new role. Maybe you should be channeling someone whose shows last for more than one or two seasons, eh Matt?
The Competition
Go On is going up against a rock-solid lineup of comedies and dramas, which certainly doesn't help, even if this did look entertaining. The show is going up against Happy Endings on ABC, New Girl on Fox, NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS, and the new series Emily Owens M.D. on The CW. Aside from Emily Owens M.D., which hasn't debuted yet, all of these shows put up solid numbers, so it might be an uphill battle for the former Chandler Bing.
My Prediction
Canceled after 13 episodes, or earlier.
Animal Practice
Sunday, August 12 (after Olympic Closing Ceremony; time period premiere - Wednesday, September 26 at 8 PM ET)
Starring
Justin Kirk, Tyler Labine, Bobby Lee, and Betsy Sodaro
The Rundown
This one definitely has a lot of potential, with a great lineup both in front of and behind the cameras. The Sitter screenwriters Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka created this series, with Community's Anthony Russo and Joe Russo serving as executive producers and directors of the pilot episode. The show centers on Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk), a veterinarian who runs a highly-unorthodox animal hospital. The fun may be over, though, when George's ex Dorothy takes over her family business, and demands that it be run like a proper veterinary clinic. The clips are rather hilarious, with an Ace Ventura: Pet Detective-like rapport between the doctor and his furry patients... and, of course, a hilarious monkey. I didn't think much of this show when I first heard about it, but I'm on board now.
The Competition
They might be in pretty good shape here, since they're only going up against one other comedy on Wednesday at 8 PM ET (ABC's The Middle), two reality shows (Fox's The X Factor and CBS' Survivor), and another new series (CW's Arrow). The time frame has enough diversity, and there just may be room for a new Wednesday night comedy after all.
My Prediction
Full Season 1 order and Season 2 renewal.
The New Normal
Tuesday, September 11 at 9:30 PM ET
Starring
Andy Rannells, Justin Bartha, Georgia King, Ellen Barkin
The Rundown
Glee and American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy may be entering into J.J. Abrams or Seth MacFarlane territory here if this show is a big hit, although this seems like some kind of attempt at a Modern Family spin-off with different characters. Andy Rannells and Justin Bartha star as Bryan and David, a successful gay couple living in Beverly Hills, who want to take their relationship to the next level by having a child. Georgia King plays Goldie, the couple's surrogate mother, with the fantastic Ellen Barkin playing Goldie's insensitive mother. The clips lead me to believe they're trying to be equally dramatic and funny, without excelling in either department. As much as I love Ellen Barkin, this is Ryan Murphy's first crack at a straight-up comedy, and I just don't see this working.
The Competition
There are several interesting factors at play here, which makes it difficult to tell whether or not Tuesday's at 9:30 is the right fit. It is going up against ABC's Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23, Fox's new show The Mindy Project, and the back ends of NCIS: Los Angeles and Emily Owens M.D.. Last year, Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 had the enormous benefit of having Modern Family as its lead in, so the show may suffer a significant ratings drop after being yanked out of Wednesday night. The Mindy Project could be hit or miss as well, so who knows how this will fare against a comedy-heavy lineup.
MyPrediction
Full Season 1 order, cancelled before Season 2.
Guys with Kids
Wednesday, September 12 at 10 PM ET (sneak peek, time period premiere - Wednesday, September 26 at 8:30 PM ET)
Starring
Jesse Bradford, Zach Cregger, Anthony Anderson, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tempestt Bledsoe
The Rundown
It seems like NBC is trying to lock up every possible kind of family show there is, with Parenthood, The New Normal, and this new series, which looks like a show that TBS possibly passed on. Despite the solid cast and the return of The Cosby Show alum Tempestt Bledsoe, there just doesn't look like there's much here from the clips I watched. The show centers around three dads, the single, recently divorced father (Jesse Bradford), the traditional working dad (Zach Cregger), and the stay-at-home patriarch (Anthony Anderson), all trying to not let their roles as fathers completely define them. Good luck with that... I'm sure NBC sees this as a safe bet, laugh tracks and all, after putting on critically-acclaimed and innovative comedies like Community and Parks and Recreation, that continue to suffer in the ratings department. If they think comedy fans will flock to a more traditional sitcom, they may be sorely mistaken.
The Competition
If anything, the network may get very lucky here with a breezy time slot. They're going up against ABC's slightly-controversial new comedy The Neighbors, and the tail ends of CBS' Survivor, Fox's The X Factor, and CW's new superhero drama Arrow. Comedy fans looking for a new show on Wednesday nights before Modern Family may indeed discover this show, although people like me will probably be more inclined to give The Neighbors, since its shoehorned between The Middle and Modern Family.
My Prediction
Full Season 1 order, canceled before Season 2.
Revolution
Monday, September 17 at 10 PM ET
Starring
Billy Burke, Tracy Spiridakos, Anna Lise Phillips, Zak Orth, Graham Rogers, J.D. Pardo, Giancarlo Esposito, David Lyons, Maria Howell, Tim Guinee, and Andrea Roth
The Rundown
Last year, there were probably 10 or 11 new fall shows that I was really looking forward to. This year, there are two, and Revolution is one of them. Amazingly, this show's behind-the-scenes talent may have more name recognition then the cast. The show was created by Lost's J.J. Abrams and Supernatural's Eric Kripke, with the pilot episode directed by Jon Favreau and The Twilight Saga's Billy Burke leading the cast. The series has one of the most intriguing premises of all the new fall shows this year, set 15 years after all of the world's electricity just shuts off without warning. Tracy Spiridakos stars as Charlie, a young woman whose father was murdered by a militia group (lead by the awesome Giancarlo Esposito). She heads to Chicago to meet up with the uncle she never met, Miles Matheson (Billy Burke), and together they go on a daring journey to find out why her father was killed, and why the lights went out for good all those years ago. The clips indicate this show has the same kind of communal vibe as The Walking Dead and Falling Skies, with a fantastic premise lying at the heart of this show. Consider me sold.
The Competition
This show is in great shape in a few different ways. For one, they get a lead in from the reality powerhouse The Voice, and the show is also going up against the sagging dramas Castle and Hawaii Five-0. It will be interesting to see if NBC keeps this on at Monday nights at 10 PM in midseason, or if it will move to a new night to make way for Smash. Either way, I think they are in great shape.
My Prediction
Full Season 1 order, Season 2 renewal.
Chicago Fire
Wednesday, October 10 at 10 PM ET
Starring
Jesse Spencer, Eamonn Walker, Charlie Barnett, David Eigenberg, Monica Raymund, Lauren German, Teri Reeves and Merle Dandridge
The Rundown
You'd think NBC would learn its lesson after failing to capture the ER magic with Trauma and Mercy. While this is not a medical procedural, it's a procedural nonetheless. On the other hand, the show comes from Dick Wolf, creator of Law & Order and all of its spin-offs, so I imagine the network is very glad to be back in business with him. Still, this looks like a show that would be greenlit back in 1999, as a companion piece to Third Watch. This looks like another supposed "safe bet" for the network, a gripping drama about American heroes and their lives outside the fire station. It just doesn't look like there is anything new or unique about this show, although it very well may be compelling.
The Competition
Wednesday's at 10 looks like a solid fit here, going up against CBS' aging franchise CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and ABC's new drama Nashville. It is also interesting that both Nashville and Chicago Fire are premiering on the exact same night, October 10. We'll have to wait and see which one comes out on top, I suppose.
My Prediction
Full Season 1 order, Season 2 renewal.
That about wraps it up for my TV predictions for all of NBC's new shows. Check back next week when I dissect the five new shows on ABC. If you agree or disagree with my picks, let your voice be heard by dropping me a line on Twitter @GallagherMW.