2009 Fall TV Preview

As the leaves begin to change color and the temperature starts to chill, we have one important question on our minds… what new fall shows to watch? Well never fear, the fine folks here at CPT have compiled a list of the hottest new shows this season as well as some strong series’ you may have been sleeping on, its our 2009 Fall TV Preview!

Monday’s:

The Jay Leno Show (Premieres September 14 @ 10 pm NBC)

Maybe the most talked about new show to debut this fall, Jay Leno moves to primetime 5 days a week for an hour long show that will include comedy, politics, interviews, and the wacky bits we’ve grown accustomed to on the Tonight Show. It’s really 50/50 on if this show is going to survive past its first year or so, but NBC has a LOT riding on it.

The Big Bang Theory (Premiere September 21 @ 9:30 pm CBS)

With the new time change I am praying that the Big Bang Theory doesn’t see a ratings dip. It’s hands down my favorite show/comedy on TV as the last 2 year’s have been solid and it’s hard to find a show with such an endearing cast. I urge you to check this one out if you haven’t already done so, the most witty well written show on television.

House (Premieres September 21 @ 8 pm on FOX)

House is a staple for Fox and one of its few successful drama’s. Hugh Laurie embodies the character of Greg House and the supporting cast is very well rounded. Although I do miss Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar) being with the show.

Tuesday:

Sons of Anarchy (Premieres September 8 at 10 on FX)

One of the hottest new shows on cable. Chronicling the adventures of a biker gang, Sons of Anarchy is one of the manliest shows on TV, something our readers will certainly relate to.

So You Think You Can Dance (September September 29 at 9 pm on FOX)

The hot dance show was such a hit this summer that Fox is quickly turning it around for another season in the fall.

The Biggest Loser (September 15 at 8 pm on NBC)

Watching fat people lose weight for 2 hours has never been so fun. This weight loss challenge show has historically done well on NBC and this will most likely be another season of success.

Wednesday:

Glee (September 9 at 9 pm on FOX)

If strong numbers (10 million), good reviews and early fan coalitions have anything to say about it, “Glee” might be next season’s first hit. FOX debuted the pilot last May after American Idol and the reception has been hot for this show based on a High School Glee Club in a suburban American town.

Cougar Town (Premieres September 23 at 10 pm on ABC)

Courtney Cox Arquette has generally done a good job of choosing shows since Friends. Unfortunately they never seem to last very long and she’s on to the next one. Maybe Cougar Town will break this cycle as everybody loves a good milf story.

Thursday:

FlashForward (Premieres Thursday September 24 on ABC)

This show is maybe my most anticipated for the season. The show follows what happens to a group of characters after the entire world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, and everyone presumably gets a glimpse at what their lives look like in six months’ time. It’s natural disaster theme will be sure to please action fans and drama fans alike.

Community (Thursday September 17 on NBC)

The new show featuring Joel McHale and Chevy Chase about a lawyer who goes to teach at a community college. Part of NBC’s Thursday comedy night.

Also premiering September 17 on NBC is The Office, Parks and Recreation, and SNL Weekend Update

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Premieres September 17 at 10 pm on FX)

This show has been an underground hit for 4 seasons. Starting its 5th on FX next week, It’s Always Sunny has a vibe of a younger Curb Your Enthusiasm to it.

Friday:

Southland (September 25 at 9 pm on NBC)

NBC’s cop drama enters its second season. The reviews were very good on the short season last year and it should hopefully develop into a stronger show with a full season of episode’s behind it.

Dollhouse (September 25 at 9 pm on FOX)

Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse is also entering its second season. As a mid season replacement last year the critics were quite skeptical on how this show would fare. Eliza Dushku holds it together well with Whedon’s writing. The friday timeslot is usually a death sentence, but this should prob stick around for the full year.

Plans for the new Jay Leno Show

Jay Leno was “on” right off the bat, responding to some summer news he’d missed during his little hiatus at today’s NBC Television Critics Association press day for his new primetime show, The Jay Leno Show.

Michael Jackson’s death and Sarah Palin’s resignation were addressed, to which he quipped, “Those two go hand-in-hand.” He continued, “I felt bad obviously, but then again, the Palin thing cheered me up.” Alright, he definitely hasn’t lost his touch during the past few months.

And, there’s more…

So what will The Jay Leno Show bring to NBC? The “x-factor” is more comedy and tons of recognizable correspondents on board like D.L. Hughley, who will report on politics. “D.L. in D.C., no less,” teased Jay. Mikey Day, of Kath & Kim fame, and Rachael Harris, from this spring’s movie giant, The Hangover, will be around, too, as will comedian Jim Norton and The Dan Band.

NBC Nightly News host Brian Williams, who showcased his comedic talent as host of Saturday Night Live this season, has also signed on to host a small segment (which sounds brills!) tentatively titled, “Stories That Weren’t Good Enough for Nightly News.”

Other changes? Jay’s svelte new physique, for one. “I’ve been running four miles everyday—lost 12 pounds, thank you very much,” bragged Leno. There’ll be no desk and each show will have one, maybe two guests, where they’ll be “out of their chairs” so to speak. Classic Jay still exists though, including Jaywalking and Headlines.

The Jay Leno Show debuts Sept. 14 on NBC at 10 p.m.

The Tonight Show w/ Conan O’ Brien Review

After a five year wait and months of hype and anticipation, the reigns to the 50+ year old Tonight Show franchise has been handed off to Conan O’ Brien. The biggest question of the night was how Conan would approach a more mainstream audience with his humor. From what was seen tonight, I think Conan fans should rest easy knowing that the same old loveable red head from 12:35 is very much the same an hour early. The bits involving Conan as a tour guide for Universal Studios or going around Los Angeles in his ’92 Ford Taurus were classic Conan.

His back and forth banter with first guest Will Ferrell (Land of the Lost) was great as well and he showed his interviewing skills haven’t missed a beat. The weakest part of the show was the monologue, but that aspect of the show is what Leno had perfected the most and will be the hardest to take over. Conan’s nerve’s showed a bit but he did seem to loosen up as the show progressed. I am not at all sold on Andy Richter as an announcer, his voice is nowhere in the same league as Joel Goddard and his jokes all fell flat. Hopefully he can show his comedic promise as time goes on. I just don’t quite know what the big deal with him is, every show he’s been on has failed and even Conan’s show picked up after his departure.

Overall, The Tonight Show w/ Conan O’ Brien is off to a great start. The ratings will be the true test of time, but judging by early reactions, NBC shouldn’t have anything to worry about. CBS on the other hand might have some troubled waters ahead. Putting Bill Cosby against Will Ferrell may sound ok on paper. But in reality Cosby is an aging comedian while Ferrell is a late night talk show king with a big movie opening this weekend. Watching Cosby and Letterman banter felt more like a senior citizen hour than a fun and fresh late night show. Also putting a nobody singer against Pearl Jam is not very smart. In this world of Twitter/Facebook/iPhones the Letterman/Craig Ferguson brand of humor just seems outdated and stale. It’s hard to imagine either show will be able stand much of a chance against the new NBC late night line up.

8.5/10

NBC Announces Fall Lineup

NBC have announced six new series for next season, while officially picking up several series for renewals, including Heroes.

For those missing ER, it seems NBC is too, as they have picked up two new medial series – Trauma and Mercy. Other new drams include Parenthood, a new TV version of the Ron Howard film, boasting an impressive cast (including Peter Krause, Maura Tierney and Craig T. Nelson) and a solid executive producer in Friday Night Lights’s Jason Katims.

Also picked up by NBC is Day One, seen as their attempt to cultivate the next Heroes type hit – we’re assuming that’s Heroes: Season 1, not this past year. Jericho fans will no doubt raise their eyebrows at the post-apocalyptic scenario of this show.

On the comedy front, NBC has picked up Community, a community college-centric series, starring Joel McHale (The Soup) and Chevy Chase. NBC also has ordered 100 Questions, about a woman seeking love via online dating.

As expected, NBC has now officially picked up Heroes for a fourth season, following previous pickups for The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order: SVU, Friday Night Lights, Celebrity Apprentice and The Biggest Loser. Also picked up were Parks and Recreation and Southland. That leaves Medium, Law & Order and Chuck not mentioned as far as NBC’s on the bubble series – though we keep hearing Medium has been picked up, and the network is simply deciding how many episodes they are ordering and when it will return.

Apparently NBC will make their official decisions (and announcements) on Chuck and Law & Order in the next week – it seems likely both will get pickups, but Chuck fans are of course nervous until that announcement is made. There also hasn’t been an official annoucement made for My Name is Earl – though FOX is said to be strongly considering picking it up, should NBC cancel it.

Besides the fact that The Jay Leno Show will air Monday through Fridays at 10:00pm, NBC has not yet announced any specifics on their fall lineup and what shows will air when – Obviously the schedule will be shaken up, with Leno’s series taking over the 10pm slot every weeknight. Also not mentioned is how many episodes each series will get – NBC is likely giving Heroes a shorter season, said to be around 18 episodes.

Also set for next season on NBC are three previously announced reality (or “Alternative”) projects, including Breakthrough the with Tony Robbins, The Marriage Ref and Who Do You Think You Are?

NBC also plans to do more episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday this fall. Last year, the network had a lot of success with those specials, but that was in the midst of the presidential election so it remains to be seen if the format can work without something so notable fueling it.

source: IGN.com

Breaking News: Jay Leno Hospitalized

“The Tonight Show” host Jay Leno has been hospitalized, according to Los Angeles TV station KTLA.

The station quoted the show’s spokeswoman Tracy St. Pierre, who said Leno had checked himself in to the hospital because he wasn’t feeling well and confirmed that tonight’s show taping has been canceled.

She would not elaborate on the comedian’s condition.

Ryan Reynolds, Jules Sylvester and swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy were scheduled to appear on tonight’s show, which will be replaced with a repeat.

Leno Stays At NBC w/ 10pm Nightly Slot

The NBC camp has confirmed that Jay Leno will be staying with the network after Conan O’ Brien takes over the 11:35 pm slot.  Leno will be moving up to 10 pm and doing his hourly talk show every day.  That means that NBC is doing away with regular programming for 10 pm which they have been doing for quite some time anyways.  10 pm is generally regarded as being a time for hour long drama’s on most networks, but ER is going off the air midseason, and shows like Lipstick Jungle and My Own Worst Enemy have been cancelled. 

Production teams at NBC should be shaking in their boots as with this advertising and economic climate NO show is safe.  Heroes, 30 Rock, and Chuck are all in danger of being axed if ratings don’t pick up and the only show that is even coming close to performing on the network is The Office.  It will be interesting to see if this Leno change will payoff in the long run.  I think talk show fatigue will be a major problem for the network with Leno, Conan, Fallon, and Carson all having shows back to back with only a brief interruption for local news.  This will surely give other networks like ABC and CBS the edge to pick up 10 pm shows to sway away viewers when Leno has a boring guest as well.