Fall TV Roundup, Week Eight

We're into November, and the flood of new shows has settled to a trickle. Don't worry, it will be back to a flood in January. But there are some new shows debuting, with some anticipated ones coming later this month. In these weekly posts I review the pilot and second episode of new shows. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesday Nights:
Wicked City, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC (Premiered October 27)
About: This isn't a good show, and it is likely a dead show airing. The ratings have been awful because, as it turns out, we're not all that interested in a show set in the 1980s about a serial killing couple. Though, to be fair, it's just a serial killer and his girlfriend at the end of the second episode. But in case you were worried about false advertising, it looks like a match made somewhere other than heaven that will become a tag team effort soon. The problem is, who are we supposed to care about? I don't care for any of the characters or the story. This show is pretty much awful, and not long for the airwaves.
Pilot Grade: D
Second Episode: D

Sunday Nights:
Agent X, Sundays at 9 p.m. on TNT (Premiered November 8)
About: Our first Vice President, John Adams, said of the job that it's, "...the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." Yet the new TNT drama, "Agent X," seeks to change the narrative on the job. Instead, it suggests that the Vice President — in this case played by Sharon Stone — wields a secret agent who does jobs that the government can't admit to, all in an effort to protect the President. That's a nice idea, in theory, and certainly gives the position more heft. But, still, it's wildly implausible. As is the rest of this show. It has a nice cast, and the first two episodes, which aired back-to-back Sunday night, were mildly entertaining. I enjoyed the pilot more than the second episode, but this show feels like little more than popcorn entertainment in the midst of a packed fall Sunday night. Why would someone chose this over other options? I'm not sure. The show is fine, but hardly impressive or compelling.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C

Flesh and Bone, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Starz (Premiered November 8)
About: This new prestige drama is set in the world of competitive ballet. But it's not exactly "Black Swan." Still, since it's Starz, it feels like it's ramped up the sex more than even other pay cable shows. The pilot was made available for free on line, then debuted on Sunday. I wasn't impressed with the pilot, which I thought was dry and a bit of a chore to watch. Plus, there was a lot of sex and nudity, and I wasn't sure why it was all in there. If you're a fan of ballet and back-stabbing, then maybe you'd be interested in this. Otherwise, this wouldn't be enough to get me to subscribe.
Pilot Grade: C-

Streaming Series:
Master of None, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered November 6)
About: Aziz Ansari is a funny guy, and I was mildly curious about what kind of original comedy he would make for Netflix. I think Netflix is having a banner year in original series. "Daredevil" and "Narcos" have been among the year's best new series, and I was curious to see what this comedy would yield. Then I saw the pilot. It's got a dark, snarky world view. I didn't care for the plot or the characters and I can't see watching this show every week. To me this was a disappointment, and yet another series that takes a dump on the idea of a traditional family — marriage and kids — depicting it like a prison from which you can never emerge. This makes me weep for the future.
Pilot Grade: D