Upfronts Week continues today with ABC. You can check out my thoughts on Fox and NBC as well. Okay, let’s check out what ABC has in store!
Thoughts On Cancelled Series:
Forever was good but predictable and mundane so it’s no surprise there weren’t enough viewers carrying this. If I had more time in the day, I’d have watched but something had to give and unfortunately, this was an easy show for me and many others to kick off the watch list.
I stopped watching Resurrection a few episodes before its most recent season finale which, as it turns out, was it series finale. This show had an amazing start but lost its footing and had a sophomore slump in the new season so I can’t say that I’m surprised but it’s still sad to see a show that started off so well and had so much potential get the boot.
I stopped watching Revenge in season 3. I wasn’t a fan of Amanda Clarke and from there, other little issues started sprouting so I took this off my watch list. Still, it’s sad to see the show come to an end. I thought it would at least get five seasons.
And can we talk about Selfie for a minute? I loved and hated the Pilot and chose not to watch anymore but shows are so much more than their Pilots. And if there’s even a hint of potential, you can bet I’ll watch more episodes at some point. So, I caught the rest of the episodes on On Demand one day I was thrilled to find that the show really found its footing and the best parts of it really shined. Too bad this got cancelled. But really, if there were one half hour comedy for ABC to bring back, it would be Super Fun Night (remember that?!) not Selfie, just so you know where I stand.
Thoughts On New Series:
Dramas…QUANTICO is my most anticipated new drama from ABC and after viewing the trailer below, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree. Enough said. Now, initially, I wasn’t compelled by WICKED CITY but then I realized that in additon to Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Erika Christensen (Parenthood) and Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) are also in this and there’s murder, deception, and all of the right elements that make this the perfect drama for ABC. So, I’m very excited for this! As for THE CATCH, can we take a second to fangirl over how Bethany Joy Lenz who I loved, loved, loved on my favorite show ever, One Tree Hill, is now on a Shondaland show?! How freaking awesome is that?! Also, Mireille Enos as the lead? Yes! I cannot wait for this!
I’m also excited about THE FAMILY even though it seems like I’ve seen it all before. ABC sure knows how to captivate me with the dramas. OIL seems like a pleasant surprise. But still a show I’m sure will be great but I personally won’t fall in love with it. I must say, I do love the cast attached to this. Every single person involved I love. OF KINGS AND PROPHETS doesn’t really seem like it’s based on the bible but is just using that as the groundwork for its own fantasy world and storytelling, so it’s a definite pass for me but I’ll check out the Pilot since I watch all of the Pilots.
Comedies… DR. KEN looks very entertaining. I can’t promise that I’ll carve out time to watch it each week but it does look great and worth watching. Shout out to Albert Tsai, that kid is killing it! THE MUPPETS is not for me, never has been for me. So. Immediate pass. UNCLE BUCK looks hilarious. I hope the viewers come out for this one. Finally, I’ve missed Martha Plimpton on the small screen ever since the cancellation of Raising Hope so I’m excited to see her on THE REAL O’NEALS
Now for the Fall 2015 Schedule…
New series are in CAPS.
Sunday
7-8pm America’s Funniest Home Videos
8-9pm Once Upon A Time
9-10pm OIL
10-11pm OF KINGS AND PROPHETS
Monday
8-10pm Dancing With the Stars
10-11pm Castle
Tuesday
8-8:30pm THE MUPPETS
8:30-9pm Fresh Off the Boat
9-10pm Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD
10-11pm QUANTICO
Wednesday
8-8:30pm The Middle
8:30-9pm The Goldbergs
9-9:30pm Modern Family
9:30-10pm Black-ish
10-11pm Nashville
Thursday
8-9pm Grey’s Anatomy
9-10pm Scandal
10-11pm How to Get Away With Murder
Friday
8-8:30pm Last Man Standing
8:30-9pm DR. KEN
9-10pm Shark Tank
10-11pm 20/20
Returning: American Crime, Black-ish, Castle, Fresh Off the Boat, Galavant, The Goldbergs, Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away With Murder, Last Man Standing, Marvel’s Agent Carter, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Middle, Modern Family, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Scandal, Secrets and Lies, America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, Dancing With the Stars, Shark Tank
New Dramas: OIL, OF KINGS AND PROPHETS, QUANTICO
New Comedies: THE MUPPETS, DR. KEN
Midseason: THE FAMILY, THE CATCH, THE REAL O’NEALS, UNCLE BUCK, WICKED CITY
NEW COMEDIES
DR. KEN: Doctor-turned-actor/comedian Ken Jeong (“Community,” “The Hangover”), plays Dr. Ken, a brilliant physician with no bedside manner. He is always trying to be a good doctor as well as a good husband and dad to his two kids. However, these good intentions have a way of driving everyone crazy at work and at home. Luckily, his therapist wife, Allison, is just the right partner to keep things sane. “Dr. Ken” stars Ken Jeong as Dr. Ken, Suzy Nakamura as Allison, Tisha Campbell-Martin as Damona, Dave Foley as Pat, Jonathan Slavin as Clark, Albert Tsai as Dave and Krista Marie Yu as Molly. “Dr. Ken was written by Jared Stern, Ken Jeong, and Mike O’Connell. Executive producers are Jared Stern, Ken Jeong, John Davis, John Fox and Mike Sikowitz, with Mike O’Connell as co-executive producer. “Dr. Ken” is produced by Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.
THE MUPPETS: The Muppets return to primetime with a contemporary, documentary-style show. For the first time ever, a series will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, breakups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires. This is a more adult Muppet show, for “kids” of all ages. Bill Prady (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Bob Kushell (“Anger Management”) are co-writers and executive producers. Randall Einhorn (“Wilfred”), Bill Barretta, Debbie McClellan and Kyle Laughlin are also executive producers. “The Muppets” is produced by ABC Studios and The Muppets Studio.
THE REAL O’NEALS: The Real O’Neals (ABC) A fresh take on a seemingly perfect Catholic family whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new, messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real. “The Real O’Neals” stars Martha Plimpton as Eileen, Jay R. Ferguson as Pat, Noah Galvin as Kenny, Matthew Shively as Jimmy, Bebe Wood as Shannon and Mary Hollis Inboden as Jodi. “The Real O’Neals” was written by David Windsor and Casey Johnson. Executive producers are David Windsor, Casey Johnson, Brian Pines, Dan McDermott, Stacy Traub and Dan Savage. “The Real O’Neals” is produced by ABC Studios.
UNCLE BUCK: Based on the hit movie of the same name, Uncle Buck (Mike Epps) is a fun-loving but irresponsible guy who needs a job and a place to stay. By happy coincidence, his nieces’ and nephew’s nanny has just quit and his brother and sister-in-law need his help. His unconventional personality may just make him the right fit for the family and they may be the answer to his problems, too. “Uncle Buck” stars Mike Epps as Buck, Nia Long as Alexis, James Lesure as Will, Iman Benson as Tia, Sayeed Shahidi as Miles and Aalyrah Caldwell as Maizy. “Uncle Buck” was written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley. Executive producers are Steven Cragg, Brian Bradley and Will Packer. Co-executive producers are Korin Huggins and Phil Traill. “Uncle Buck” is produced by Universal Television and ABC Studios.
NEW DRAMAS
THE CATCH: From Shondaland’s Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, “The Catch” is a new thriller centered on the strong, successful Alice Martin (Mireille Enos). She’s a fraud investigator who’s about to be the victim of fraud herself by her fiancé. Between her cases, she is determined to find him before it ruins her career. “The Catch” stars Mireille Enos as Alice, Alimi Ballard as Evan, Damon Dayoub as Kieran, Jay Hayden as James, Jacky Ido as Emil, Bethany Joy Lenz as Zoe, Rose Rollins as Andie and Elvy Yost as Maria. “The Catch” was written by Jennifer Schuur. Executive producers are Jennifer Schuur, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Julie Anne Robinson. “The Catch” is produced by ABC Studios.
THE FAMILY: This thriller follows the return of a politician’s young son who was presumed dead after disappearing over a decade earlier. As the mysterious young man is welcomed back into his family, suspicions emerge — is he really who he says he is? “The Family” stars Joan Allen as Claire, Alison Pill as Willa, Margot Bingham as Sergeant Nina Meyer, Zach Gilford as Danny, Liam James as Adam, Floriana Lima as Bridey, Madeleine Arthur as Young Willa, Rarmian Newton as Young Danny, Rupert Graves as John and Andrew McCarthy as Hank. “The Family” was written by Jenna Bans. Executive producers are Jenna Bans and Mandeville Television’s Todd Lieberman, David Hoberman and Laurie Zaks. “The Family” is produced by ABC Studios.
OF KINGS AND PROPHETS: An epic Biblical saga of faith, ambition and betrayal as told through the eyes of a battle-weary king, a powerful and resentful prophet and a resourceful young shepherd on a collision course with destiny. “Of Kings and Prophets” stars Ray Winstone as King Saul, Haaz Sleiman as Jonathan, Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Michal, Oliver Rix as David, Simone Kessell as Ahinoam, James Floyd as Ish-Boseth, Mohammad Bakri as Samuel and Tomer Kapon as Joab. “Of Kings and Prophets” was written by Adam Cooper & Bill Collage. Executive producers are Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Jason Reed, Reza Aslan and Mahyad Tousi. “Of Kings and Prophets” is produced by ABC Studios.
OIL: Billy and Cody Lefever dream of a new life beyond their working class roots and move to “The Bakken” in North Dakota, booming after the biggest oil discovery in American history. They’re soon pitted against a ruthless tycoon who forces them to bet big and put everything on the line, including their marriage. “OIL” stars Don Johnson as Hap, Chace Crawford as Billy, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Cody, Delroy Lindo as Tip, Amber Valletta as Carla, Scott Michael Foster as Wick, India de Beaufort as Jules, Yani Gellman as AJ and Caitlin Carver as Lacey. “OIL” was written by Josh Pate and Rodes Fishburne. Executive producers are Tony Krantz, Josh Pate, Rodes Fishburne, Drew Comins and Don Johnson. “OIL” is produced by ABC Signature.
QUANTICO: A diverse group of recruits has arrived at the FBI Quantico Base for training. They are the best, the brightest and the most vetted, so it seems impossible that one of them is suspected of masterminding the biggest attack on New York City since 9/11. “Quantico” stars Priyanka Chopra as Alex, Dougray Scott as Liam, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan, Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda, Yasmine Al Massri as Nimah, Johanna Braddy as Shelby, Tate Ellington as Simon and Graham Rogers as Caleb. “Quantico” was written by Josh Safran. Executive producers are Josh Safran, Mark Gordon and Nick Pepper. “Quantico” is produced by ABC Studios.
WICKED CITY: “Wicked City” follows a unique case set in a noteworthy era of L.A. history, starting with a murder case from 1982 centered on the rock ’n’ roll, cocaine-infused revelry of the Sunset Strip. Alliances are formed between detectives, reporters, drug dealers and club-goers to solve a serial murder case. “Wicked City” stars Ed Westwick as Kent, Erika Christensen as Betty, Adam Rothenberg as Jack, Taissa Farmiga as Karen, Gabriel Luna as Paco, Karolina Wydra as Dianne, Holley Fain as Trish, Darrell Britt-Gibson as Diver and Anne Winters as Vicki. “Wicked City” was written by Steven Baigelman. Executive producers are Steven Baigelman and Mandeville Television’s Todd Lieberman, David Hoberman and Laurie Zaks. “Wicked City” is produced by ABC Studios.