Winter TV Roundup, Week 5

February is coming, and that means we have a lot of new shows rolling out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted shows this winter. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Monday Nights:
9-1-1: Lone Star, Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 19)
About: This spin-off of "9-1-1" takes the action to Austin, Texas, and follows a New York fire captain (Rob Lowe) who is tasked with re-building a firehouse decimated by an accident. The pilot I thought was too scattered, trying to introduce too many characters and plot threads in one episode. The second episode was similarly uneven, airing the next night. But I've now seen three, as the third aired Monday night, and I think it's finding its groove a bit. There is still seemingly too much cliche Texas and too many political points being made, but with more cases to work and more focus (the theme of episode three was clearly pride), I think it's growing into more of a weekly series. And with a big tornado episode coming next week, I might be back on the train here.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Tuesday Nights:
Miracle Workers: Dark Ages, Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. on TBS (Premiered January 28)
About: This anthology comedy features Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi, among others. The first season saw the ensemble working in Heaven. This one brings the action to the Dark Ages, as the name suggests. It's all about the comedy from dialogue, situations and the reactions of these great actors. And the pilot of season two worked well. The first season was a short commitment, and a fun one. And I think this will be, too. I like Radcliffe, and this seems like a fun role. I also think Buscemi was great in episode one as was Geraldine Viswanathan, the MVP of the first season of the series.
Pilot Grade: C+

Wednesday Nights:
68 Whiskey, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on the Paramount Network (Premiered January 15)
About: This latest series is about medics at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. There was talk that this would be like a modern day "M.A.S.H.," but I never really saw that show for a base of comparison. What I will say is that through two episodes this felt painfully dull, and slow to develop characters. There wasn't much to like, and it felt like the show went for a bit of shock factor as a default setting. Paramount is still trying to find its identity as a network, and doubtless there was some hope of getting another hit for the brand, but this doesn't meet that standard for me.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Nora From Queens, Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central (Premiered January 22)
About: Awkwafina has had a big year, rightly earning praise for her work in "The Farewell." And now she's taking the lead in a new comedy she created based on her life. The pilot aired Wednesday and it has some promise. Awkwafina is a gifted performer, but the plot was uneven and dragged at times. I think there's still some potential here, but I hope that the episodes get stronger going forward.
Pilot Grade: C

Thursday Nights:
Outmatched, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on FOX (Premiered January 23)
About: Maggie Lawson and Jason Biggs take the lead here in a new comedy about an Atlantic City couple with four children, three of which are certified geniuses. This creates its own challenges trying to figure out how to parent. This seems like solid fodder for a comedy, and paired with "Last Man Standing" this seems like a decent slot to get started. But the pilot was slow, awkward and dull at times. I like the leads, and I hope they can settle into a groove here, but the pilot didn't feel promising.
Pilot Grade: C-

Sunday Nights:
Avenue 5, Sundays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered January 12)
About: This latest comedy from the creator of "VEEP" is set about a space cruise where things go terribly off track. Hugh Laurie leads as the captain, and the cast includes funny people like Zach Woods and Josh Gad. The pilot introduces a problem that will set the premise for the rest of the action. The second episode built on that and tried to build on the world and characters. This isn't a bad show, but it doesn't reach the lofty heights of "VEEP," despite a strong cast. Comedies can take some time to grow into what they need to be, and that may be the case for this series, too. The first two episodes were OK, but I feel like the series hasn't hit its stride yet.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Streaming Series:
Diary of a Future President, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered January 17)
About: This series focuses on a President (Gina Rodriguez) looking back on her journey to that point by reading her diary. That means the series really focuses on a young teen Elena (Tess Romero), who is dealing with school and family drama. The short episodes, about 22 minutes each, play more like a family series you might have seen on the Disney Channel itself. There hasn't been a lot of original series on Disney+ yet, and this likely doesn't have incredibly broad appeal. It works as a family series and the first two episodes (airing each Friday) work for what they are. But for those hoping to see something more like "The Mandalorian," this likely won't hit the spot.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

October Faction, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered October 24)
About: This new series on Netflix is about a family where the parents are secret agents who fight, you guessed it, vampires. Netflix has produced plenty of original content of late, but it feels like at least a solid quarter of it is about vampires or zombies. That is a big saturation of the market, and probably a reason none of these have seemingly distinguished themselves or built a big audience. "October Faction" is the same. The first two episodes rolled out the characters, world and premise. And it portends something bigger coming, but it just wasn't interesting enough to want to continue.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-