Fall TV Roundup, Week 1

 

We’re past Labor Day and the days are getting shorter. You can also add some Pumpkin Spice to your life. In short, the Fall season is upon us. Things are starting to heat up on the small screen, too, as we careen toward Fall TV premiers. In this weekly post I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted, and select unscripted, series. Let’s dive in.

Thursdays:
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Thursdays on Peacock (Premiered September 5)
About: A top-notch cast take the stage in this 1970s-set drama that is inspired by true events. In it, Chicken Man (Kevin Hart) is hoping to use the upcoming fight for Muhammed Ali (Dexter Darden) as a way to make his fortune. He teams with a few others to throw a big party for Frank Moten (Samuel L. Jackson) that connects all the big bosses from around the country. But not everything goes as planned. This series is eight episodes, each about an hour. The first three released on Thursday with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. The set up and the story are interesting, and the true-life element adds a layer of intrigue. That works well. This series also has a strong cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, and Don Cheadle, among others. I enjoyed the pilot presentation, and I enjoyed the second episode and the way it expanded the story. This is a big swing for Peacock, but one that might bring in a solid audience. There’s certainly potential here and getting a boost through advertising thanks to the NFL is sure to help that.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Sundays:
Universal Basic Guys, Sundays at 8:30 p.m. on FOX (Premiered September 8)
About: This is the newest entry to FOX’s Animation Domination lineup on Sundays. It was originally ordered in 2022 and now makes its debut. Adam Malamut voices a pair of brothers who, after being laid off from their factory job, are eligible for a government-provided $3,000/month income. That leaves them with plenty of free time. The voice cast includes Fred Armisen and Ally Maki, with a premise that seems to fit well with the rest of the Sunday night lineup. I actually thought this show fit the vibe of the lineup well, and I was amused by the pilot. It's kind of a shlub hang out show in the best way. There were some laughs and it moved at a decent pace. I could see this catching on.
Pilot Grade: B-

Streaming Series:
Bricktoons, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered September 4)
About: This new series of shorts is a mix of Legos and Pixar films. We get some shorts that build upon and expand the Pixar cinematic universe. Those films that are used include the Cars and Incredibles franchise, along with some interesting additions like Finding Nemo, Coco, and Brave. There are five episodes, all under 10 minutes. The episodes feature the familiar characters and voice actors and are a bit of fun, especially for Pixar fans.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C

The Perfect Couple, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 5)
About: The latest Netflix series is a high-profile limited series based on the book of the same name from Erin Hilderbrand. The series follows a wealthy family that gather on Nantucket for a Fourth of July weekend that includes the wedding of son Benji (Billy Howle). His bride-to-be (Eve Hewson) doesn’t come from that world, and when her Maid of Honor turns up dead on their wedding day, an investigation ensues. This is a crisp six episodes, ranging from 42 minutes to an hour. It’s a quick binge with an interesting concept and a good cast—including Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber as the parents of the groom, Michael Beach as the Chief of Police, and Jack Reynor as the groom’s brother, with Dakota Fanning as his sister-in-law. The first two episodes move at a good pace, laying out the world, building the characters, and heightening the mystery. This is a fun binge with the right kind of story and hook to pull you in.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+