Scream Queens (FOX): From Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck, comes a horror comedy that stars original “scream queen”, Jamie Lee Curtis, as the dean of a university rocked by a series of brutal murders. 20 years after a sorority pledge gone horribly wrong, someone is out seeking vengeance.
Well, revenge is a dish best served cold, and this is a festering meal that has been sitting up for two decades. Pitched as a throwback to the slasher films of old with a dash of Mean Girls, it would be nothing without an entitled and bratty lead.
Emma Roberts, who worked with Murphy previously, plays Kappa Kappa Tau sorority president, Chanel Oberlin, who is just self-centered and lazy enough to refer to her fellow sisters by her name (Chanel #2, Chanel #3).
It also stars Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Niecy Nash, Keke Palmer, Abigail Breslin and Diego Boneta. While you have horror on the brain, check out American Horror Story: Hotel which premieres on FX October 7. Although it is not a new TV show, it is a new premise for the anthology series.
Supergirl (CBS): From the creative team (Greg Berlanti) working on CW’s Arrow and The Flash comes the story of Kara Zor-el, the cousin of the legendary Superman. Melissa Benoist plays the young heroine who at age 24 is trying to navigate her career, social and love life.
And on top of that, she’s out to save the world. Like her famous cousin, she was sent away from her home planet Krypton before its destruction and at the age of twelve she arrived on Earth, taken in by the Danvers who taught her to control and hide her powers.
That is, until one day she is forced to reveal herself in order to save a plane from crashing. 1990’s Lois & Clark’s Superman, Dean Cain, also makes a cameo as Kara’s adoptive Earth Father. Benoist is the second Glee alum to don a DC superhero guise after The Flash’s Grant Gustin.
There must be something in the water. If this show doesn’t scratch your itch, check out Legends of Tomorrow.
Quantico (ABC): A group of young, driven FBI recruits struggle with their training at the Quantico base in Virginia. Suddenly, a 9/11 scale attack on the government agency has everyone wondering who among them is the sleeper terrorist responsible for the devastating attack.
The show’s use of flashbacks, and flash forwards, as well as its general premise echoes that of Shonda Rimes’ successful crime drama How to Get Away with Murder. A bunch of diverse students vying for the same position until some tragedy rips their world apart, sucking them into an engaging whodunit plot.
Yep, sounds familiar. But we’re sure there is enough room for two attractive crime solving casts on one network.
Grandfathered (ABC): Starring John Stamos as a perpetual bachelor, the comedy kicks off with good news and bad news for the silver fox when a single dad (Josh Peck) shows up on his doorstep. The good news is that (surprise!) he’s both a father and a grandfather. The bad news is that it means the end of Stamos’ free flowing single lifestyle.
Minority Report (FOX): One of many movie adaptations coming to television this year, this TV show is a direct made for TV sequel of the Tom Cruise futuristic sci-fi action movie of the same name.
Set 10 years after the events of the movie, which saw the end of a pre-crime program in Washington, DC, Dash, one of three clairvoyant crime solvers called PreCogs, finds himself still suffering from visions.
At the agency, he would have used these visions to solve crimes before they happened, but in the real world they are just endless nightmares. Unable to help himself, he becomes consumed with the need to stop them, teaming up with local cop Lara Vegan (Meagan Good).
Limitless (CBS):This show is based off the 2011 Bradley Cooper sci-fi thriller that centered around the use of a brain boosting pill called NZT that gives you access to 100 percent of your brain cells.
In fact, Cooper is present in the pilot to spout off some exposition and tell the new lead what a special little flower he will become. However, instead of using it to make rich or run for public office, the main character Brian Finch, an ordinary joe, uses the mind enhancing drug to solve weekly cases for the FBI. Why not?
The formula works for other crime series all the time. Of course audiences would rather see characters with extraordinary powers doing mundane things and reopening cold cases and not, I don’t know, doing something more creative. Picture a low budget Tom Cruise as Sherlock Holmes. That’s a very interesting picture isn’t? Does it disappoint you? It should.
Heroes Reborn (NBC): Heroes returns in the form of a second generation of allies with superhuman abilities. The event miniseries, thirteen episodes long, takes place a year after a terrorist attack that shook Odessa, Texas. Now the gifted are on the run and in hiding as they were blamed for the tragedy.
The Muppets (ABC): The beloved Muppets make a comeback in this prime time television mockumentary style sitcom. Like any reality show, a camera follows them around, documenting their day to day lives, relationships and struggles–or as many struggles as a puppet could have.
And there are apparently quite a few as we see that iconic couple Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are no longer an item, the parents of Fozzie the Bear’s human girlfriend don’t approve of their cross species relationship, and now American Family Associations’ One Million Moms are banding together to boycott the show’s adult humor.
In all seriousness, the last one should be a non-issue as the show premieres at 8 p.m. Perhaps your kids should be asleep at that time? Turn the channel, rerun Sesame Street. What kind of parent are you anyway?
Rush Hour (CBS):If you were waiting for a big screen continuation of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker’s comedy caper franchise you will just have to settle for this TV land reboot. Straight and narrow Hong Kong detective Lee is assigned to a case in Los Angeles where he is forced into a partnership with arrogant and reckless LAPD officer who only works alone.
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC): Already in the swing of things, just four episodes in, this The Walking Dead spin off series now four episodes in follows a number of interconnected characters on the cusp of a major zombie apocalypse. While viewers of the original series already know the what and how of the fallout, this show promises a deeper look into those questions as well as the why.
Blindspot (NBC): Jaimie Alexander (Thor) stars as a mysterious woman who wakes up to find herself covered in strange tattoos, naked in the middle of Times Square. She gains the immediate attention of the FBI as they try to uncover the meaning behind her tattoos, the crime it leads them to, and the truth about her identity.
The Daily Show (Comedy Central): Call it a reboot if you will, this satire news report vehicle is getting a new driver as anchor John Stewart exited stage left. New host Trevor Noah is primed to take over Stewart’s mantle.
As to whether he felt the South African comedian was ready, Stewart joked, “He’s got the best team in the business…[T]he last thing they need is the old Pope peering around the corner to the new Pope going, ‘Is that how you’re gonna bless the wafer?’”
Unveiled (NBC):Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, producers of The Bible and Son of God, now bring to you Unveiled, the story of flawed guardian angels who intervene in the lives of those in crisis, hoping to renew their faith.
However, it is stated that the script for the show is being reworked, however, NBC executives are still keen to the concept of the spiritual/ supernatural drama. So, for the time being, the show is still stuck in development purgatory.
Shades of Blue (NBC)—No, this is not a Fifty Shades of Grey TV spin off. You may either sigh in relief or groan in disappointment depending on how you feel about it. Surprisingly, it sees Jennifer Lopez as Detective Harlee Santos, one of many in a tight knit group of potentially corrupt law officers.
Of course, there’s always a catch isn’t there? If you guessed that she is still, remarkably Jenny from the block, you guessed wrong. Show yourself out. If you guessed Lopez becomes a professional snitch, aka a federal informant, you guessed right. Lopez’s character has to decide between the safety of her family and her loyalty to her brothers in blue.
Also check out Sam Raimi’s 10 episode horror comedy Ash vs. Evil Dead.
Zhana Johnson
Senior Features Editor