After a weak summer for movies, a strong slate of new TV shows—among them HBO’s “The Night Of” and Netflix’s “Stranger Things”—strengthens the argument that the best storytelling is happening on the small screen. While the importance of TV’s fall pilot season has diminished with the shift to a year-round premieres, the fall 2016 lineup is filled with intriguing programs. Check out these TV picks and start scheduling your procrastination-filled binge watching now.
“Atlanta” – FX – Sept. 6
Whatever Donald Glover touches turns to gold, or at least some color that’s cool enough to attract the hip, young millennials. After major success in the music industry as Childish Gambino, acting in “Community” and writing on “30 Rock,” Glover applies his talents in all three areas as executive producer for “Atlanta.” The FX comedy focuses on two cousins with different artistic philosophies and their varying successes in the Atlanta rap scene. There is no doubt that Glover’s latest foray will entertain and find its audience.
Skip Bayless & Shannon Sharpe’s sports talk show – FS1 – Sept. 6
Fox Sports 1 made waves back in April when it poached hot take grand sensei Skip Bayless from ESPN for a reported $5-6 million a year. To call Bayless polarizing would be unfair to the likability of truly polarizing figures, and most would instead opt for ‘reviled.’ Despite this, Bayless draws in viewers with his controversial opinions and will make his debut with cohost Shannon Sharpe on Sept. 6. In the meantime, start sharpening those pitchforks.
First Presidential debate – multiple networks – Sept. 26
Yes, it will most likely be ‘yuge.’
Enough time and words have been spent on the 2016 election, but whether you tune in for political discourse or just morbid curiosity, the debate will entertain nonetheless.
“Westworld” – HBO – Oct. 2
Based on the 1973 film from the author of “Jurassic Park,” HBO’s newest contender possesses enough ingredients to captivate the broad pop-culture conscious. Cowboys AND robots? In a theme park? The series will explore all the ways things can go wrong in a manner that HBO hopes will be very right for viewers. Jump on the bandwagon in hopes of becoming an early adopter to potential “Game of Thrones” level popularity.
“Black Mirror” – Netflix – Oct. 21
While “Black Mirror” is not a new series, it is making its debut on Netflix. The serialized tales of dark narratives is the spiritual successor to the classic “Twilight Zone,” albeit if “Black Mirror” and creator Charlie Brooker went through some kind of truly twisted adolescence. The third season premieres on Netflix with a 12-episode run—a total which nearly doubles the 7 episodes of the previous two seasons combined. Be prepared for some mind-melting and thought-provoking fare from “Black Mirror.” In the meantime, catch the first two seasons on Netflix (pro tip: skip the first episode and come back to it later—trust me, you’re not ready for it).
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” – Netflix – Nov. 25
The Netflix miniseries returns nearly a decade after the original series concluded and centers around the lives of Lorelei and Rory Gilmore back in Stars Hollow. Although TV shows returning after a long hiatus has not always been a critical success (see: “Fuller House”), the series should satisfy longtime fans.
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