top of page

FALL 2019 TV PREVIEW

THE 'MIDSEASON CONTENDERS' LIST

The word "midseason" may have previously carried a negative meaning, but many of today's top hits were purposely held back to give them a better chance to thrive. Of course, some shows are beyond help and this year's midseason projects have a little from both in the mix. Still, if the current fall entries aren't quite your taste, here's what you can expect in 2020.

#1 - "9-1-1: Lone Star" (NBC)

Starring: Rob Lowe

The original 9-1-1 is one of FOX’s biggest hits and there is no doubt the Rob Lowe headlined spin-off will have a following – especially given its getting a prime post NFC Championship launching pad.

#2 - "Tommy" (CBS)

Starring: Edie Falco

Edie Falco stars as Abigail “Tommy” Thomas a former high-ranking NYPD officer who becomes the first female police chief of Los Angeles. Falco is a “get” and an awards-season favorite meaning this will likely be CBS’ big push in midseason guaranteeing maximum exposure (which hopefully offsets its vague title).

#3 - "Katy Keene" (The CW)

Starring: Lucy Hale

Arguably this is one of The CW’s strongest freshman classes in a while with all three of its rookie series potentially set to click with audiences. Here Lucy Hale stars in this Riverdale spin-off as Katy, cousin to Veronica Lodge, who heads to New York to pursue a music career. Simply put, if Girls met Sex and The City and toned it down for the teen sect, this is what it would look like.

#4 - "Filthy Rich" (FOX)

Starring: Kim Catrall & Gerald McRaney

After the head of a Christian television network is seemingly killed in a plane crash, his widow is left to pick up the pieces of his empire, including contending with the three illegitimate kids she didn’t know about - but were included in his will. Created as a companion series to FOX’s Empire the Kim Catrall led-ensemble will get a plum time slot and the addition of Gerald McRaney as her presumed dead husband should add to its appeal.

#5 - "FBI: Most Wanted" (CBS)

Starring: Julian McMahon

After seeing the success of Law & Order and the One Chicago trilogy of series the general rule seems to be – if Dick Wolf offers your network a franchise, you take it. CBS understood that when it took Wolf’s FBI, which he envisioned as the first of a new connected world of shows – this is the second of those shows. With Julian McMahon leading the cast, which was introduced in a back-door pilot last year, it is safe to say the spin-off should get a good reception.

#6 - "Deputy" (FOX)

Starring: Stephen Dorff

True Detective’s Stephen Dorff stars as Bill Hollister, a fifth-generation lawman who is thrust into the role of sheriff because of arcane succession rule. While uniquely skilled to do the job, Hollister is not prepared for the political landscape that comes with the territory. Dorff’s career just a boost following his run on the HBO anthology series and hopefully audiences will follow him into a similar role.

#7 - "Council of Dads" (NBC)

Starring: Clive Standen, Sarah Wayne Callies, Tom Tom Everett Scott

Adapted from Bruce Feiler’s novel, the series revolves around a father who assembles a group of his closest friends to be there as surrogate dad’s to his kids should his recent health scare proves terminal. The series comes across as a mix between NBC’s This Is Us, Parenthood and The Village, which could make for some emotional television, however the question is more if American audiences are ready for another installment of Must-Cry TV.

#8 - "neXt" (FOX)

Starring John Slattery

Mad Men’s John Slattery stars as a tech genius who realizes his AI creation could be responsible for cataclysmic events and sets out with a federal agent to correct the problem before its to late. With uncertainty around real-life AI programs dominating the news, the series is timely and Slattery is a fan-favorite, but will the storyline hit a little close to home?

#9 - "Outmatched" (FOX)

Starring: Maggie Lawson & Jason Biggs

Two parents struggle to raise their three above-average kids with high IQ’s in this new FOX comedy. While Jason Biggs and Maggie Lawson are recognizable and likeable names, FOX has dramatically cut the space available on its schedule, so audiences will have to show up quickly to support the show.

#10 - "Lincoln" (NBC)

Starring: Russell Hornsby & Michael Imperioli

Grimm’s Russell Hornsby returns to NBC in this new thriller based on the best-selling novel The Bone Collector. The series revolves a paralyzed detective who teams with a rookie cop to help track down the serial killer responsible for his injury. Previously adapted in 1999 with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in the lead roles, the drama fits into NBC’s wheelhouse – but will the title confuse audiences who may mistake it for something about our 16th President?

Please reload

bottom of page