The fall season unofficially kicks off on Sept. 11 with NBC's The New Normal, a sitcom about a gay couple (Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells) who hire a surrogate to have their baby. The series has drawn attention for its politics, but its quality may be what sets it apart. "We haven't been this desperate to join a family since Modern Family premiered," crows E! Online.
Revolution
The latest in a string of attempts to create the next Lost, NBC's Revolution takes place in a world in which a mysterious blackout renders all electrical objects obsolete, spawning a new dark age and giving rise to a number of warlords. According to Entertainment Weekly, a Comic-Con screening of the pilot was generally well-received, which may not be saying much, given the geek factor of Comic-Con audiences. (September 17)
Vegas
The 1960s-set CBS drama Vegas features Dennis Quaid as real-life sheriff Ralph Lamb, who takes on a mob boss (Michael Chiklis) trying to break into the city's criminal trade. The series, originally intended as a feature film written by Goodfellas scribe Nicolas Pileggi, is comparable to the critically-acclaimed The Good Wife, declares James Poniewozik of Time, who says he'll "roll the dice" on future episodes. (September 25)
Ben and Kate
"An instant candidate for most charming sitcom on the air," says the AP's Frazier Moore, Fox's Ben and Kate centers on a chronically irresponsible man (Nate Faxon) who moves in with his sister (Dakota Johnson) to help raise her infant daughter. Though the premise is boilerplate for a sitcom, the strong lead performances make Ben and Kate stand out from similar genre fare. (September 25)
The Mindy Project
Fox's The Mindy Project offers Office staple Mindy Kaling her first starring role, and many critics have given the series — which chronicles the misadventures of an unlucky OB/GYN — a vigorous thumbs-up. A guest appearance by fellow Office cast member Ed Helms doesn't hurt, either. As far as style and pacing goes, says Matt Mitovich at TV Line, The Mindy Project is "fast, fresh, and fun." (September 25)
Debbie's Note: Also, check out her book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" Very funny read!
Last Resort
In the new ABC drama by The Shield creator Shawn Ryan, a submarine crew that's been targeted by the U.S. government (after refusing an attack order) escapes to a NATO island and declares themselves a nuclear nation. Though the complex premise may initially make the show seem inaccessible, "there's something for everyone" in this "ambitious new thriller," says The Hollywood Reporter's Philiana Ng. (September 27)
666 Park Avenue
When a couple takes over as caretakers of a historic apartment building in New York City, they quickly discover that the evil residents are mired in the supernatural. Buzzsugar's Maggie Pehanick calls 666 Park Avenue "one of ABC's most riveting freshman series," distinguished by a relentlessly "creepy" pilot — "secret rooms! murderous elevators! petty thieves!" Think American Horror Story, but less graphic. (September 30)
Nashville
An aging country-and-western star finds herself threatened by a young new talent in ABC's Nashville, the latest nighttime soap from the increasingly soapy network (Revenge). Though the cast includes several recognizable TV actors, including Heroes' Hayden Panettiere, Showbuzz Daily credits headliner Connie Britton ("funny, sexy, and real in everything she does") as the series' lynchpin. (October 10)
Chicago Fire
This new NBC series from Law & Order creator Dick Wolf chronicles the power struggle between two men (Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney) at a Chicago firehouse after the death of one of their most esteemed firefighters. Addressing the Television Critics Association, Wolf described the show's unique setting as "a canvas for good writing — and writing that you haven't seen for a while on television." (October 10)
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