A look at the Fall 2011 shows lineup. First up, Cable TV
RETURNING SHOWS
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
September 25
Trailer
SEASON RECAP
After an impressive showing at the Emmys, nominated for 18 and winning in 8 categories including best show and best actor, Boardwalk empire returns for a second season. Guest stars include Sopranos vet Dominic Chianese and possibly Molly Parker from Deadwood.
HUNG
October 2
Trailer
Season three of the gigolo comedy jumps forward eight months, when Thomas Jane's Ray Drecker will face new competition from rival gigolo Stephen Amell (The Vampire Diaries). Drecker will also cross paths with a former student (Kaitlin Doubleday), and take on a transgender client (Jamie Clayton).
BORED TO DEATH
October 10
Trailer
An oft overlooked show (surprising considering the heavy duty cast), the noirotic comedy returns for another season. Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis all return despite their increasingly busy schedules, there must be something to that right?
NEW SHOW(S)
ENLIGHTENED
October 10
Trailer
While HBO's most promising new shows won't arrive until midseason (see below), one fall newcomer has top talent behind and in front of the camera. Completing the network's new Monday comedy block, Enlightened stars Laura Dern as a business executive who undergoes a spiritual awakening after experiencing a very public meltdown at work. Luke Wilson and Dern's real-life mother Diane Ladd also star, and the series comes from writer-director Mike White (Chuck & Buck, School of Rock).
Hype : lukewarm
The show doesn't seem all that interesting but hey it's HBO, they could work their magic on it and make something worthwhile. I wouldn't be willing to bet money on that though.
RETURNING SHOWS
SONS OF ANARCHY
September 6
Trailer
Last year Sons of Anarchy became the highest rated show at FX and for good reason, it's easily the best show they have. Though the show has been acclaimed by critics over the years, it's always neglected inexplicably come award season.
Expect another strong showing this time around.
ARCHER
September 15
Moving from FX's best drama to their best comedy, Archer's wacky brand of humor is back. Sure it's just three episodes for now (bulk of the season will be in 2012) but atleast we don't get to wait as long.
You better call Kenny Loggins because you're about to enter the danger zone!
THE LEAGUE
October 6
Seth Rogen will guest (as the often mentioned but never before seen Dirty Randy) on the third season of FX's fantasy football comedy, which would have featured a non-football storyline this year in the event of a longer NFL lockout. That uncertainty, however, delayed the season premiere to October. SNL's Will Forte will also guest.
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
September 15
Trailer
The politically incorrect cult hit is back and bigger than ever—well, at least Mac is, since star Rob McElhenney gained 50 pounds in real life to fuel one of season 7's upcoming storylines. You can also expect to see the gang's high school reunion, a baby funeral, a trip to the Jersey shore, and a children's beauty pageant (though not all in the same episode). FX has already picked up the show for an eighth season to air in 2012.
NEW SHOW(S)
AMERICAN HORROR STORY
October 5
Trailer
Ryan Murphy returns to FX with Glee co-creator Brad Falchuk for this psychosexual horror mystery series. Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton star as Ben and Vivien Sherman, a couple who moves to Los Angeles to make a fresh start only to find that their new home is not exactly warm and cozy. Instead, there's a creepy creature in the basement and at least one character who may or may not be dead. Jessica Lange and Denis O'Hare co-star.
Hype : Could be decent
The idea's been done to death in movies but I'd like to see how it plays out in a series.
RETURNING SHOWS
DEXTER
October 2
I'm pretty sure all of you know about this show, if somehow you've been living under a rock the past six years head on over to the official thread to fill yourself in.
NEW SHOW(S)
HOMELAND
October 2
Trailer
A bit different from Showtime's typical programming in recent years, the psychological thriller Homeland stars Claire Danes as a recently demoted CIA counterterrorism operative who suspects that an American POW (Band of Brothers's Damian Lewis) welcomed home as a hero after a nine-year absence is actually part of a planned al-Qaeda attack on U.S. soil. Morena Baccarin (V, Firefly) and Mandy Patinkin also star.
Hype : Mixed feelings
That's what I felt after watching the pilot. On one hand, the acting is very, very strong. Probably some of the best I've seen on television (It's friggin Claire Danes and Damian Lewis after all!). On the other hand the subject material is quite touchy and will easily turn a lot of people off from the show.
RETURNING SHOWS
THE WALKING DEAD
October 16
Trailer
A hit for AMC during its brief debut season last fall, zombie apocalypse tale The Walking Dead returns for a longer (13-episode) second season, but will do so without Frank Darabont, who was fired as showrunner in a much-publicized dispute with the network over the show's budget. Replacing him will be Glen Mazzara, who has worked on shows such as Hawthorne and The Shield and wrote Dead's fifth episode last season, but he'll have to deal with a budget that is reportedly $650,000 less per episode.
NEW SHOW(S)
HELL ON WHEELS
November 6
Trailer
AMC's newest original series is a western that focuses on the rise of the railroad industry in the period immediately following the Civil War. Anson Mount (City by the Sea, Cook County) stars as a former Confederate soldier who seeks revenge against the Union soldiers who murdered his wife; the cast also includes Common, Ben Esler (The Pacific), and Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and the series comes from Joe and Tony Gayton (Faster).
Hype : Has potential
Deadwood 2.0 this ain't. I'm just glad there's going to be another western on TV again. If only AMC could get their act together, I believe they could be the new HBO.
BOSS
October 21
Trailer
After his first two post-Frasier comedies — Back to You and Hank — bombed, Kelsey Grammer is turning to drama for his third go-round. He plays Tom Kane, the mayor of Chicago who was recently diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. He keeps it hush-hush between only himself and his doctor to preserve his political career, but his estranged daughter soon suspects something is wrong with her father. Connie Nielsen, Kathleen Robertson and Jeff Hephner (who was originally cast in Eddie Cibrian's Playboy Club role) co-star.
Hype : High
This could be great. I believe Kelsey Grammer isn't just a one-trick pony and possesses the acting chops for a role like this one. Also Gus Van Sant is directing the pilot, he must have some faith in the show to be doing that.
BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD
October 27
Trailer
For the first time since 1997, new episodes of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head will air on MTV this fall. Much like the original, the new series will be half animated sketches, half mocking commentary over MTV programming. But since MTV doesn't actually show many music videos these days, Beavis and Butt-Head will expand their viewing (and commentary) to also include reality programs like Jersey Shore and YouTube videos, while mixing in a few movie reviews. And, yes, Cornholio will return.
That's about it for the cable shows, Part 2 will feature previews for Prime-time shows from all the commercial networks.
Sources used : Metacritic, TVguide
RETURNING SHOWS
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
September 25
Trailer
SEASON RECAP
Spoiler: show
After an impressive showing at the Emmys, nominated for 18 and winning in 8 categories including best show and best actor, Boardwalk empire returns for a second season. Guest stars include Sopranos vet Dominic Chianese and possibly Molly Parker from Deadwood.
HUNG
October 2
Trailer
Season three of the gigolo comedy jumps forward eight months, when Thomas Jane's Ray Drecker will face new competition from rival gigolo Stephen Amell (The Vampire Diaries). Drecker will also cross paths with a former student (Kaitlin Doubleday), and take on a transgender client (Jamie Clayton).
BORED TO DEATH
October 10
Trailer
An oft overlooked show (surprising considering the heavy duty cast), the noirotic comedy returns for another season. Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis all return despite their increasingly busy schedules, there must be something to that right?
NEW SHOW(S)
ENLIGHTENED
October 10
Trailer
While HBO's most promising new shows won't arrive until midseason (see below), one fall newcomer has top talent behind and in front of the camera. Completing the network's new Monday comedy block, Enlightened stars Laura Dern as a business executive who undergoes a spiritual awakening after experiencing a very public meltdown at work. Luke Wilson and Dern's real-life mother Diane Ladd also star, and the series comes from writer-director Mike White (Chuck & Buck, School of Rock).
Hype : lukewarm
The show doesn't seem all that interesting but hey it's HBO, they could work their magic on it and make something worthwhile. I wouldn't be willing to bet money on that though.
RETURNING SHOWS
SONS OF ANARCHY
September 6
Trailer
Last year Sons of Anarchy became the highest rated show at FX and for good reason, it's easily the best show they have. Though the show has been acclaimed by critics over the years, it's always neglected inexplicably come award season.
Expect another strong showing this time around.
ARCHER
September 15
Moving from FX's best drama to their best comedy, Archer's wacky brand of humor is back. Sure it's just three episodes for now (bulk of the season will be in 2012) but atleast we don't get to wait as long.
You better call Kenny Loggins because you're about to enter the danger zone!
THE LEAGUE
October 6
Seth Rogen will guest (as the often mentioned but never before seen Dirty Randy) on the third season of FX's fantasy football comedy, which would have featured a non-football storyline this year in the event of a longer NFL lockout. That uncertainty, however, delayed the season premiere to October. SNL's Will Forte will also guest.
IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA
September 15
Trailer
The politically incorrect cult hit is back and bigger than ever—well, at least Mac is, since star Rob McElhenney gained 50 pounds in real life to fuel one of season 7's upcoming storylines. You can also expect to see the gang's high school reunion, a baby funeral, a trip to the Jersey shore, and a children's beauty pageant (though not all in the same episode). FX has already picked up the show for an eighth season to air in 2012.
NEW SHOW(S)
AMERICAN HORROR STORY
October 5
Trailer
Ryan Murphy returns to FX with Glee co-creator Brad Falchuk for this psychosexual horror mystery series. Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton star as Ben and Vivien Sherman, a couple who moves to Los Angeles to make a fresh start only to find that their new home is not exactly warm and cozy. Instead, there's a creepy creature in the basement and at least one character who may or may not be dead. Jessica Lange and Denis O'Hare co-star.
Hype : Could be decent
The idea's been done to death in movies but I'd like to see how it plays out in a series.
RETURNING SHOWS
DEXTER
October 2
I'm pretty sure all of you know about this show, if somehow you've been living under a rock the past six years head on over to the official thread to fill yourself in.
NEW SHOW(S)
HOMELAND
October 2
Trailer
A bit different from Showtime's typical programming in recent years, the psychological thriller Homeland stars Claire Danes as a recently demoted CIA counterterrorism operative who suspects that an American POW (Band of Brothers's Damian Lewis) welcomed home as a hero after a nine-year absence is actually part of a planned al-Qaeda attack on U.S. soil. Morena Baccarin (V, Firefly) and Mandy Patinkin also star.
Hype : Mixed feelings
That's what I felt after watching the pilot. On one hand, the acting is very, very strong. Probably some of the best I've seen on television (It's friggin Claire Danes and Damian Lewis after all!). On the other hand the subject material is quite touchy and will easily turn a lot of people off from the show.
RETURNING SHOWS
THE WALKING DEAD
October 16
Trailer
A hit for AMC during its brief debut season last fall, zombie apocalypse tale The Walking Dead returns for a longer (13-episode) second season, but will do so without Frank Darabont, who was fired as showrunner in a much-publicized dispute with the network over the show's budget. Replacing him will be Glen Mazzara, who has worked on shows such as Hawthorne and The Shield and wrote Dead's fifth episode last season, but he'll have to deal with a budget that is reportedly $650,000 less per episode.
NEW SHOW(S)
HELL ON WHEELS
November 6
Trailer
AMC's newest original series is a western that focuses on the rise of the railroad industry in the period immediately following the Civil War. Anson Mount (City by the Sea, Cook County) stars as a former Confederate soldier who seeks revenge against the Union soldiers who murdered his wife; the cast also includes Common, Ben Esler (The Pacific), and Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and the series comes from Joe and Tony Gayton (Faster).
Hype : Has potential
Deadwood 2.0 this ain't. I'm just glad there's going to be another western on TV again. If only AMC could get their act together, I believe they could be the new HBO.
BOSS
October 21
Trailer
After his first two post-Frasier comedies — Back to You and Hank — bombed, Kelsey Grammer is turning to drama for his third go-round. He plays Tom Kane, the mayor of Chicago who was recently diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. He keeps it hush-hush between only himself and his doctor to preserve his political career, but his estranged daughter soon suspects something is wrong with her father. Connie Nielsen, Kathleen Robertson and Jeff Hephner (who was originally cast in Eddie Cibrian's Playboy Club role) co-star.
Hype : High
This could be great. I believe Kelsey Grammer isn't just a one-trick pony and possesses the acting chops for a role like this one. Also Gus Van Sant is directing the pilot, he must have some faith in the show to be doing that.
BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD
October 27
Trailer
For the first time since 1997, new episodes of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head will air on MTV this fall. Much like the original, the new series will be half animated sketches, half mocking commentary over MTV programming. But since MTV doesn't actually show many music videos these days, Beavis and Butt-Head will expand their viewing (and commentary) to also include reality programs like Jersey Shore and YouTube videos, while mixing in a few movie reviews. And, yes, Cornholio will return.
That's about it for the cable shows, Part 2 will feature previews for Prime-time shows from all the commercial networks.
Sources used : Metacritic, TVguide
