This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Sept. 25, 2015.
And fall TV is rocking and rolling.
So many shows are premiering, so if you can’t watch them all, here are my quick takes on new shows.
For the record, these are my thoughts after watching only the first episode.
‘BEST TIME EVER WITH NEIL PATRICK HARRIS’
8 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC
“How I Met Your Mother” star Neil Patrick Harris has hosted the Tonys, Emmys and Oscars. Now he takes on the variety show, though it plays out more like a staged game show.
The show has stunts, prizes, quizzes and pranks. Some bits were a bit boring, while others were fun.
Overall it feels a little promotional (Harris pranked another NBC show, “The Voice”) and overly filled with celebrities (Reese Witherspoon, Gloria Gaynor, Nicole Scherzinger and Matt Iseman (“American Ninja Warrior”) all made appearances.)
Grade: B
8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS
This family comedy, with many actors viewers may recognize, told its first story in four parts. Moments were cliche, exaggerated and hilarious. So far my favorite couple is the one who just had a baby.
I hope not every episode is told in four parts. The show could be overly cliche, but it also might have heartfelt moments to come.
Grade: B
9 p.m. Mondays on Fox
What if you could see a murder before it happened?
Based on a Steven Spielberg movie, this futuristic crime show tries to look at that question.
The technology they use is interesting, but the characters aren’t ones you necessarily want to root for.
Plus all the tension between the male and female characters made my eyes roll.
Grade: B-
10 p.m. Mondays on NBC
Who is Jane Doe? How did she end up in a duffel bag in Times Square? What does her whole body tattoo mean?
Hopefully this drama will answer these questions by the end of the season. With all the high stakes in the premiere, I’m guessing it will. And it seems from the first episode that some people do know …
Doe (Jaimie Alexander) is a character I want to root for. Alexander balances the fear and strength she has to portray well.
Grade: A-
8 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC
If you need a laugh, check out this show.
Under the premise of running a late-night talk show, with Miss Piggy as host, of course, this comedy will give you a feel of nostalgia in the best way.
It finds humor that works for adults, but not in a crude way. Plus, they poke fun at celebrities such as Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars.”
It’s tough to watch Kermit and Miss Piggy now that they’re broken up, but we’ll see how long that lasts.
Grade: A
9 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox
The latest Ryan Murphy/Brad Falchuk/Ian Brennan creation starts with a teen pregnancy gone wrong.
Which could be a turnoff, but these three know how to keep people captivated, even if this show has a campy feel.
It’s silly, overdramatized and uses a lot of pop culture and stereotypical sorority references. But that’s what makes it work.
Grade: A-
10 p.m. Tuesdays on CBS
Based on the Bradley Cooper movie, this drama stars Jake McDorman (“Greek,” “Manhattan Love Story”) in a modified version of Cooper’s role.
McDorman brings a boyish arrogance to all his roles, which makes him less enjoyable to watch.
Cooper makes a cameo in the pilot, which I’m guessing is to help connect the movie and show (I’ve never seen the 2011 movie.)
McDorman narrates a good portion of the episode, which felt heavy-handed. And the motivation of Brian Finch (McDorman) and FBI agent Rebecca (Jennifer Carpenter) of family seems hokey and unnecessary.
Grade: C+
I’ll continue these quick takes as I watch the shows, so keep an eye out this TV season.
What TV shows are you enjoying this season?
