Fall TV Roundup, Week 5

Most of the new shows have debuted. Still not as many diamonds as there is rough, and we've already seen two shows cancelled. That won't be the end of the cancellations. Many of the traditional four networks are struggling. ABC's Tuesday night experiment is tanking, as are their new dramas. NBC's new Thursday night lineup is also cratering, as it the FOX Tuesday comedy block. This was supposed to be the fall for new comedy, but most have been so-so at best.

I review, and grade, the first two episodes of new shows. If you don't see one in this post, check previous weeks. They will be there...

Monday Nights:
We Are Men, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS (Premiered September 30)
It was two episodes and out for this series. CBS will actually run re-runs for three weeks until "Mike and Molly" returns just so they don't have to air this show. That's bad. This was one of the worst sitcoms of the season. I predicted before the season it would be the first new show cancelled. It was second, and only because it was a week late in debuting. The second episode was awful, so it's no surprise this show was cut. I like Kal Penn. I like Tony Shalhoub. But there just wasn't much to like about this show. I think what's more surprising is that FOX wants more episodes of "Dads," an equally as awful sitcom.
Pilot Grade: D
Second Episode: D-

Wednesday Nights:
The Tomorrow People, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on the CW (Premiered October 9)
This is the latest teen drama for the CW. It's adapted from a British show of the same name in the 1970s. It was OK. It feels a bit like a superhero type show. It has some teen romance and elements. It was decently well acted. But there just isn't a ton compelling here. Granted, I'm not the target demographic for the CW, but I wasn't all in on this show.
Pilot Grade: C

Super Fun Night, Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC (Premiered October 2)
I like Rebel Wilson, and I think she's funny and talented. This sitcom, which she created for herself, doesn't work. I want to like it, but I find it odd and disjointed. There were mildly amusing moments in the pilot, and more in the second episode, but there is nothing compelling about this as a week-to-week show. I don't see this lasting, even behind the big lead-in from "Modern Family." This has been one of the biggest disappointments for me this season.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Ironside, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC (Premiered October 2)
I wasn't sold on this show's pilot — which was released early by NBC. Episode two sort of confirmed what I thought. The story was mildly more interesting, and the acting was mildly more interesting, but this show is what it is — a procedural without a lot of character development and growth. The hook for this show is that the central character — a brilliant detective with no people skills — is that he's in a wheel chair. That isn't enough for me. This pairs well with "Law & Order: SVU," but that's about all to say here.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

American Horror Story: Coven, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on F/X (Premiered October 9)
Technically "American Horror Story" is in its third season. However, since each season is its own self-contained narrative, this is really a new show. The pilot set up the ongoing story for the season — which surrounds witches in New Orleans — both past and present. This show is always shocking, and it depends on how you feel about the subject matter if you stick. This season has a great cast — Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett are doing the heavy lifting. The pilot featured some gruesome human experimentation and mutilation, dower characters, and a gang rape. It was a harsh episode, and the previews for the rest of the season looks equally as grim. But if you're a fan of this style of storytelling, "Coven" will be the show of the season. I'm not totally sold.
Pilot Grade: C

Thursday Nights:
Once Upon A Time in Wonderland, Thursdays at 8 p.m. on ABC (Premiered October 10
When it premiered, I liked "Once Upon A Time." Now in its third season, I haven't been as fond of the show. I also struggled to understand why ABC wanted a spin-off. Apparently I'm not the only one. "Once Upon A Time in Wonderland" debuted to paltry ratings, even for ratings-starved ABC. And the pilot was weird, but it wasn't engaging. I don't see how this works as a series. There was nothing compelling about the pilot. I think this is one of the biggest whiffs of the new fall season, which is saying something.
Pilot Grade: C-

The Millers, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS (Premiered October 3)
This comedy has a talented cast — including Will Arnett, Beau Bridges, and Margo Martindale — and had one of the better pilots. I thought this might, despite my initial impressions, be an interesting show. The second episode played into my fears. I think few shows this season have had as big a fall off in interest and quality between it's first two episodes. There are still the bones here for something that might be interesting, but the second episode was a big step in the wrong direction.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C-

Welcome to the Family, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC (Premiered October 3)
This comedy isn't long for NBC, even with its tough ratings elsewhere. The second episode cratered in the ratings, and I predict it could be among the next round of new shows to be cancelled. The show has a decent cast, but it feels like it has little to offer. There isn't much in the way of jokes here, and I don't see how it works as a series. I like some of the players, but I'm not sold on the show. And with "Community," a show that has a strong cult following, waiting in the wings, I don't think this show will last long.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C-

Sean Saves The World, Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC (Premiered October 3)
While I don't love "Welcome to the Family," it's fair to say "Sean Saves The World" is the worst of the NBC comedies on Thursday nights. It did terribly in the ratings during episode two, but I think NBC will demonstrate patience with this show because Sean Hayes has had success in the past. He isn't the problem here. The problem is the construct of the show and the complete lack of jokes here. The second episode was almost unwatchable at times. They are trying hard, you can tell, it just isn't working.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: D

Sunday Nights:
Witches of East End, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime (Premiered October 6)
This show is more like "Charmed" than "American Horror Story: Coven," and it works. The show has a light premise — based on the novel by Melissa de la Cruz — and a good cast. There isn't anything deep here, but the show isn't as grim as many of the new dramas out there. It's clearly aimed at a female audience, and those efforts work. Sundays are a crowded night for shows, but at least this one is a little more light-hearted.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+