Fall TV Roundup

Week 1

Matthew Fox
Sep 4, 2018 · 4 min read

We’re past Labor Day, which means summer is over. The NFL is back on Thursday, new shows are back this calendar month on Networks, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes are available. What a time to be alive. And, also, a time to leave summer behind and focus on the new shows of Fall. There haven’t been many premiers, but I got a sneak peak at a couple coming later in the month, so I’ve got them here, too! Happy Fall Y’All! In these weekly posts I look at the pilot and second episode of new series this Fall.

Sunday Nights:
God Friended Me, Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBS (Premieres September 30)
About:
In the proud tradition of releasing stuff early, CBS jumped into the game by making the pilot of its new series, “God Friended Me,” available early. I watched the pilot, which airs on September 30, and am providing an early review. Spoiler alert, I liked it. I was hopeful for this show because, as a Christian, I love the idea of a show that looks at faith in an increasingly secular world. This isn’t a Christian show, and in fact the main character makes a subtle shift from atheist to agnostic in the pilot, but I love that it starts a discussion. And as someone who believes there is a reason for everything, that there is a grand design, I like the idea of that being explored. Now the pilot introduces the characters, including Miles (Brandon Michael Hall) who has a podcast where he shares his belief there is no God. It’s a belief grounded in the fact he lost his mother and he no longer believes someone is out there caring for him and others. This has caused a rift with his father (Joe Morton), a minister for more than 25 years. But when Miles gets a friend request from God, and then suggestions of others who need help, he begins to wonder. That leads him to Cara (Violette Beane), who is also searching for meaning. Clearly the formulaic aspect of this series will be a case-of-the-week trying to help people. And I’m fine with that. But I hope there is still space to dig into Cara, Miles and their parental issues, as well as a discussion of faith that we got in the pilot. For now I’m still excited, and I very much enjoy Hall as a performer.
Pilot Grade: B

Kidding, Sundays at 10 p.m. on Showtime (Premiers September 9)
About:
This is another Sunday series, albeit one that premiers in just five days. But Showtime made the pilot available early. The show centers on a kids show host (Jim Carrey) who is having a sort of crisis. He wants to talk about the bigger issues since his son passed away, and he’s estranged from his wife (Judy Greer) and remaining son. But his producer/father (Frank Langella) blocks him at every turn to retain his family-friendly image. His sister (Catherine Keener) is part of the show and has family problems of her own. The series comes from Michel Gondry, who gave us “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” among others. And there’s some promise here with Carrey, who is a gifted performer, getting to explore something more nuanced and dramatic. His show, which evokes a “Mr. Rogers” feel, is also interesting. So I was torn during the pilot. The exploration of grief and loss, and the fact he’s about ready to burst, is all fascinating. Some of the other characters and issues are less fascinating. And then there’s some storylines that I just didn’t get into at all (like one about the two guys who play the puppet horse). So it was a mixed bag for me. That being said, some of the visuals are great and Carrey really carried the first episode, which ran about 35 minutes. I’m curious to see how it develops and which way it might go.
Pilot Grade: C

Streaming Series:
Jack Ryan, Now Streaming on Amazon Prime (Premiered August 31)
About:
By this time we’ve all seen a number of versions of Tom Clancy’s titular hero, Jack Ryan. He’s been played in movies by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine, and now John Krasinski is taking on the role on the small screen. Or really, the streaming screen. Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland have adapted the tale into an eight-episode first season for Amazon. And it was really the first new show of the fall, making a timely splash for Labor Day Weekend. (Or it would be timely if you had free time during the holiday). I watched the first two episodes, and I really enjoyed what they’re doing. I like Krasinski in the lead role, and really enjoy Wendell Pierce as James Greer. I thought the episodes were put together well and flowed at a good pace. The pilot is just over an hour, while the second clocks in at 44 minutes. The story is interesting and the production looks good. I could see this developing into a solid hit for Amazon, and one that will likely appeal to a different sort of demographic. I’m excited to see how this first season plays out.
Pilot Grade: B+
Second Episode: B

Paradise P.D., Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered August 31)
About:
This is the latest animated series from Netflix, but it’s not for kids. It comes from the makers of “Brickleberry,” a show I never really watched. But supposedly if you liked that one, this will be up your alley. It wasn’t up my alley. I watched the first two and that was more than enough for me. I am not a huge adult cartoon guy, I just don’t get it as an art form I guess. And there was nothing in this story that really appealed to me. But if you like the format, this might be for you. It was certainly edgy.
Pilot Grade: F
Second Episode: F

Midday Musings

A place to share passion and opinions on the world of sports and entertainment.

Matthew Fox

Written by

@knighthawk7734 on the FL App and on Twitter. Broncos fan, film and TV fan and reviewer. Writer and Editor for the Fantasy Life App Blog.

Midday Musings

A place to share passion and opinions on the world of sports and entertainment.

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