If it weren’t for “True Blood” and “Entourage,” summer T.V.-watching would be unbearable. Well, aside from “Bridezilla.” Did you see the one where the future sister-in-law beat up the bride on her wedding day just hours before she had to walk down the aisle? Crazy! But anyway, now that fall is upon us, we have a few more options and surprisingly quite a few sun-kissed skin tones will be gracing our flat screens. Here are a few shows I plan on watching.
The Event
NBC
Premieres September 20
In this new sci-fi series, Blair Underwood (Heeeeeeey Blair!) plays Cuban American President Elias Martinez who has the unfortunate job of trying to figure out what the heck happened and what is happening. People vanished into thin air some time ago and while some folks in the government seem to know what’s going on, the president is on a need-to-know basis. Strange things are happening. One Joe Schmoe named Sean Walker (Jason Ritter) has stumbled upon the truth and that might not end well for him. Conspiracy theories, sci-fi twists and my soulmate…I mean Blair Underwood? Sounds like a fun weekly escape. Seems like a show that could jump the shark too though. Hopefully, they’ll keep the storylines at least plausible or balance the crazy stuff with funny lines and solid acting.
Detroit 187
ABC
Premieres September 21
Full disclosure, I am totally biased towards anything that is about my hometown. “Detroit 187” explores my beloved and beleaguered city from the perspective of homicide detectives. There’s a lot of bad stories about Detroit in the press and honestly, it’s all basically true, but there is more to Detroit than murder, abandoned houses and corrupt politicians. I’m hoping that “Detroit 187” is able to do for Detroit what “The Wire” did for Baltimore. And that is present Detroit’s shortcomings in a powerful, comprehensive way that not only brings much needed attention and resources to Detroit’s ills, but also starts a national conversation about common issues that plague inner cities. I’ll be watching this show and I will be very critical. They need to get this right. I want to love it, but I know I might not. The show has an impressive cast that includes Michael Imperioli (Chris on “The Sopranos”), Aisha Hinds (the fake voodoo woman from “True Blood”) and James McDaniel (Arthur on “NYPD Blue”). That’s promising. Now I just how hope they have good writers. Also, I better not hear the word “soda” (we say “pop”) and I better see some clean gators.
Undercovers
NBC
Premieres September 22
Boris Kodjoe’s outrageously fine self and the equally stunning Gugu Mbatha-Raw play Steven and Samantha Bloom, a married spy couple who juggle their secret lives, their marriage and a thriving catering business. The previews for the show are flashy with lots of guns, explosions, one-liners and fashion spread-like shots for the camera-ready duo. JJ Abrams, the brain behind “Undercovers,” is perhaps best known for the mind-bending series “Lost.” Looks like lost will be a little easier to follow than “Lost” and how refreshing to see a show that has a black couple with a solid marriage as the lead characters. If Kodjoe and Mbatha-Raw have believable chemistry and if there’s decent writing, this show could be around for a long time.
Law & Order Los Angeles
NBC
Premieres September 29
I was pretty sad when NBC announced that “Law and Order” wasn’t coming back (I still miss you Angie Harmon!) and I gave a big ol’ side-eye to the computer screen when I read about the upcoming “Law and Order Los Angeles.” Sounded like disaster in the making to me, especially considering the hokey story lines Law and Order had in its last season, but this new show might not be hot garbage. The splashy trailer has “California Love” pulsing in the background as Terrence Howard looks all detective-like. Howard is a good actor and Regina Hall (“Ally McBeal” and the “Scary Movies” franchise) tends to hold her own too. It’ll be interesting to see Hall in a serious role. Let’s hope they do the “Law and Order” franchise justice. I mean, it has to be better than “Criminal Intent,” right?
Will you be tuning in to any new shows? Which ones?
