Upfronts Week — Closing Thoughts

This past week was Upfronts week, when the networks unveil their new fall schedules as well as the new shows hoping to catch on. Though we have a few months to ponder all these presentations, below is a recap of my initial thoughts of the week, including my picks for the five most interesting and five least interesting shows, regardless of network.

Trends: Comedy is on its way out. Last year at this time, each of the networks were touting their high-profile comedies, and many had increased the number of comedy hours on the schedule. In 2014-2015, not so much. CBS broke up its long-standing Monday night block of comedies (only two shows and one hour will air in the fall) and it won't have its Thursday block in place until the end of October. NBC finally gave up Must-See TV Thursday, and its two hour block of comedies on that night, and by February it will have a comedy-free Thursday. And FOX has abandoned its two hour comedy block on Tuesday nights, pushing some live-action sitcoms to Sunday nights with its animated stalwarts. In short, there will be fewer comedies in the fall — especially right out of the gate. Through October 30, CBS will air just one hour of comedies, down from four last fall. Instead, the networks all seem to be focused on event television — including limited run series — and forays into superheroes. While the summer at the movies seems heavily tilted toward comedies as people suffer superhero fatigue, the small screen is preparing to move in the opposite direction.

Family Hour Programming Is Disappearing: One of the hot stories this week was ABC moving "Grey's Anatomy," a show know for its steamy and sexy scenes as well as adult themes — to 8 p.m. in the fall. The 8 p.m. timeframe used to be known as the Family Access Hour, with family-friendly programming. It's been a long time since that's been a universally held principle, but it's only getting worse. "Grey's Anatomy" is hardly the only questionable show kicking off a night of prime time on a major network. "NCIS," the highest rated show on TV, is a crime show mostly about murder and its been at 8 p.m. on CBS for years. CBS also offers sitcoms "The Big Bang Theory," "2 Broke Girls," "Mom," and "The Millers" in the 8 p.m. hour on Mondays and Thursdays. FOX has new crime series "Gotham" at 8 p.m. on Mondays and "Bones," a show known for its graphic depiction of dead bodies, at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Aside from reality show competitions — which can be hit or miss in terms of appropriate content — there isn't much on this schedule that would appeal to parents looking for something to watch with their younger children.

Superheroes Are A Thing: Each of the five networks has a superhero show. Some might argue about CBS, but I think "Person of Interest" has always fit that bill. It comes from Jonathan Nolan — co-writer of the "Dark Knight" films — and it's always felt like a superhero story stripped down for the modern world. On NBC, "Constantine" makes its home on Friday nights. ABC has "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" in the fall and "Agent Carter" in the winter. FOX is jumping in with "Gotham," a story focused on Jim Gordon before Batman was there to help him police the streets. Meanwhile the CW is doubling down this year, adding "The Flash" to go along with already popular "Arrow." It will be interesting to see how all this plays out. "SHIELD" was a big land for ABC last year, and though the show increased in quality — and continued to tie in to the profitable films — the ratings declined. How will this new shows fair?

Most Interesting New Shows:
1. Gotham, Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX. This has endless possibilities, a great cast, and a great set up. I loved the moody trailer, and I think there's a lot of possible directions for this show to go. Count me as excited.

2. Gracepoint, Thursdays at 9 p.m. on FOX. I thought "Broadchurch," the British series upon which this is based, was one of the best shows I saw in 2013. "Gracepoint" maintains the structure of the story — and leading man David Tennant — while purportedly changing the ending. We'll have to see how it goes, but I like the idea. The trailer hit the right notes, and I think this is a story that could work well as a limited series.

3. How to Get Away With Murder, Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. I wasn't sold on much of ABC's development slate for fall, but this could be fascinating. It has a good cast and a good pedigree behind the scenes. I liked the full-length trailer that was released, and I think this could have some interesting possibilities.

4. Madam Secretary, Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBS. This is an interesting concept, and the full-length trailer made it look pretty good. I get a strong vibe from this show and it's another pilot that has a lot of different possibilities. It has a strong cast and could pair nicely with "The Good Wife" on Sunday nights.

5. Black-ish, Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on ABC. I wasn't initially sold on ABCs comedies, but after watching the trailer for this a couple of times it's growing on me. I like the cast — particularly Anthony Anderson and Laurence Fishburne — and I think this could work as a family comedy. It fits in well with the other comedies in in the ABC Wednesday lineup, and some sitcom this all has to break out!

Least Interesting New Shows:
1. Manhattan Love Story, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. Ugh. That's all I could think after seeing this show's trailer. It's full of cliches — and not even interesting ones at that. The plot device (hearing the mostly banal thoughts of the leads) won't help either. Comedy is hard, and this looks to be exhibit A.

2. Selfie, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. For me it was a toss up which of these ABC comedies I loathed more. I have read some critics who think "Selfie," despite it's egregiously bad title, will be a decent show. I don't see it. I don't know what they're going for, but I thought the trailer was hideous. I could be wrong, but at this point I'm skeptical.

3. The McCarthys, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS. Another comedy, another disappointment. This is the only new sitcom for CBS this fall, and nothing about it looks appealing to me. I didn't care for the premise, and the trailer was eye-roll worthy. It might fit with its lead-in, "Two and a Half Men," but it doesn't appeal to me.

4. NCIS: New Orleans, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS. I am sure this show will do well, and will probably be on TV for a long time. That being said, do we really need another "NCIS?" I guess I'm not the target demographic since I don't watch the other two, but this really didn't excite me.

5. Stalker, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on CBS. CBS already leads all other networks in murders per week with all its crime shows. Supposedly this show won't feature more murders, just stalking cases. CBS called it the scariest show they've ever put on air. I think it's scary this show is going to air. It is hours like this that leave me scratching my head about the dearth of comedy on networks. CBS will have one hour of comedy on air in September and a dozen hours a week devoted to procedurals, murders, and the ugliness of our world. Maybe that's a true life ratio, but is that what we need in our entertainment?