Entertainment Weekly TV critics Kristen Baldwin and Darren Franich discuss the best new shows of fall 2018.
Entertainment Weekly TV critics Kristen Baldwin and Darren Franich discuss the best new shows of fall 2018.
A caveat before we begin: Were highlighting shows that premiere on or after Sept. 15.
Tony Rivetti/ABC
(They are!)
Well, Danzas Tony is an ex-cop, having gone to the slammer for a corruption scandal.
(The Good Copcomes from Andy Breckman, the creator ofMonk.)
Tony Rivetti/ABC
Did any fall shows catch you off guard?
I like Fillion, and figured this procedural was aiming to be a new star vehicle for theCastlevet.
So its a pleasant surprise to discover thatThe Rookieis actually building a rock-solid cop ensemble.
Christopher Saunders/SHOWTIME
There one soapy plot element that cheapens the pilot for me.
)The Rookies casual humanity works on me.
I realize that were both leading with cop shows, Kristen.
Netflix
Are there any definablyun-procedural-ish new dramas that grabbed your interest?
Bonus points if its a limited series with a trendy lack of obvious plot!
The creeping ennui of middle age!
Jesse Giddings/The CW
Sounds promising, right Darren?
DARREN:Im with you onDannemora,Kristen.
Its a real kick to see the actors sink their teeth into such meaty parts.
Dean Buscher/The CW
Arquettes giving a performance radiating raw humanity; considerCSI: Cyberofficially out of the system!
But enough with the cops and criminals!
Is there another new drama that intrigues you?
So far weve only talked about dramas, Darren did any new comedies catch your eye?
DARREN:I worry sometimes about the online grid sitcom.
The expansion of comedy across cable and streaming keeps moving the goalposts for what audiences expect from TV humor.
Netflixs choice to simultaneously release a (great!)
new season ofBojackand a (very good!)
season ofAmerican Vandalon Sept. 14 feels like a fusillade fired at straight at the new wave of funny series.
Will any newbies survive?
Im low-key hopeful forSingle Parents(Sept. 26, ABC), executive produced byNew Girls Elizabeth Meriwether.
But the ensemble feels like it could really click.
Were still waiting for a newCougar Town!
So far youve mentioned a streaming series and a premium cable drama, Kristen.
Are you liking any new shows with old-fashioned commercial breaks?
(Next page: Taye Diggs, more witches, and a hitman)
KRISTEN:Yes!
See what I did there?
Ugh, sorry Id better punt it over to you, Darren.
Whats the next show on your list?
This multicam comedy set in a retirement community isnt reinventing the form.
To that I say, Lighten up, Francis.
DARREN: Im loving this new witch trend, Kristen.
(Come back,Salem!)
Up until this summer, 2018s hottest TV fad was a renewed fascination with assassins.
Professional killers were at the center of HBOs wondrousBarryand BBC Americas delightfully twistedKilling Eve.
(Id throw in the final season ofThe Americans, too, which turned into a Keri Russell killfest.
Ryan radiates a casual toughness, like hes cheerfully counting your most breakable bones.Mr.
And did I mention the seasons only six half-hour episodes long?
We live in the era of infinite content, Kristen, so thank heaven for modest runtimes!
