Fall TV Preview: 12 New Shows

1. Dads - Probably the show that will be canceled the quickest this season. However, the two reasons that I want to watch it are: Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi.  Both of these guys crack me up.  I can't imagine not laughing at this show. I've read it's supposed to be offensive (like, too offensive), but there are a lot of offensive shows that are still really funny and smart (Archer comes to mind).  I'm going to ignore the critics on this one and watch it with an open mind (like I always do).

2. The Blacklist - James Spader, as a wanted fugitive, who surrenders to the FBI and then begins helping them capture other criminals.  That sounds amazing, right? (It's also an Alias plot, but whatever...). It sound especially amazing, since the article in Entertainment Weekly references both The Usual Suspects and Silence of the Lambs in describing it.

3. Hostages - I haven't heard much about this show, which isn't surprising since I don't watch much CBS. The fact that it is on CBS is probably the worst thing about it, for me.  It's so rare that I like one of their shows (Elementary is the only one that I really like and I've tried many).  Apparently, this series is supposed to be much different than the usual procedural shows that CBS is known for.  It also has a heck of a cast -  Dylan McDermott, Tate Donovan and Toni Collette. I will watch anything with Toni Collette. She is superb.

4. Mom - Another CBS show (I think there might even be a few more on this list. What is happening to me?!).  I love, love, love Anna Faris. Love. I always thought she deserved to headline a comedy series.  I'm not sure this is the right one, but hey, it's a step in the right direction.  She plays a single mom who is struggling to stay sober (and that's supposed to be funny, I guess) and Allison Janney plays her mom - which is perfect casting.  Did I mention that I love Anna Faris?

5. Lucky 7 - I think this will be another quickly canceled show, but I really like the idea - the employees of a gas station win the lottery and their lives are turned upside down.  I feel like it's been done before, but I can't remember the show.  It's interesting to see the "money doesn't solve everything" theory (but come on, it totally does...) and also interesting to see how money changes people.

6. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - I almost don't want to watch it, just because of the ridiculous title. I'm actually not that impressed by the commercials I've seen, but it's an Avengers spin-off and it's Joss Whedon.  The problem is that it's probably the most "anticipated" show of the fall, which puts a lot of pressure on it.  I think it's going to be held to a higher standard than most shows. I have a feeling it might disappoint.

7. Betrayal - The commercials for this show must be on repeat, because I rarely watch commercials (I DVR everything), and I've seen the commercial at least a dozen times. At first, I was like "Eh...no thanks", then I was like "hmmm...ok...maybe", then after the 10th time, I was like "OK FINE I WILL WATCH IT, STOP WITH THE COMMERCIALS!".  It's being compared to other scandalous shows like Revenge and Scandal,  and I love both of those shows, so who knows, maybe I will love it.

8. The Originals - The Vampire Diaries spin-off! Yes, please!! The Vampire Diaries is one of my favorite shows currently on the air.  Yes, the last season was its weakest, but it's still damn good vampire drama.  I'm not really a big fan of all the "original vampire" story line, but I think it was because it was taking up too much of the plot on TVD, so I'm happy that they are separating the stories.  It was too distracting for TVD, but now that I can focus my energy on them as a separate entity, I think I will love it.  Also, I already love the characters - especially Rebeka.

9. The Millers - Another CBS show, and yet again, what attracts my attention is the cast.  Will Arnett, Margo Martindale(!!!) and Beau Bridges.  That has to be funny.  I'm still not over the canceling of Arnett's last show, Up All Night (which is the second, Christina Applegate show that I've loved and got canceled - the other is Samantha Who?, which was incredibly hilarious).I feel like it's a comedy that will appeal to the lowest common denominator, but with that cast, I have to give it a shot.

10. Ravenswood - Another spin-off series! This one is from Pretty Little Liars.  Yes, I am too old to be watching this show and yes, I consider it my "guilty pleasure".  It's damn entertaining and the cast of young girls are all fantastic.  No, if you look at the series as a whole, it doesn't make a bit of sense and the revelation of who "A" is, has to be the most ridiculous plot point ever.  I. Don't. Care.  I love it.  I don't know if I really care that much about Ravenswood, but I am nervous that there will be stuff revealed that is essential to Pretty Little Liars, so I have to watch it.

11. Dracula - Jonathon Rhys Meyers as DRACULA!! I am there! However, it seems like NBC doesn't have much faith in the show to put it on Fridays. I love vampire stories, and I think that is sort of frowned upon since the popularity of crap like Twilight, and the ridiculous show, True Blood (and by "frowned upon", I mean that I won't tell people I like vampire stuff because then they automatically think I watch that garbage).  Maybe, Dracula will bring back a little bit of respect to the genre (although I think The Vampire Diaries is also a respectable show.  It's smart, thrilling, dramatic and fun).

12. Almost Human - The show that I am most excited for!!  It's J.J. Abrams (as executive producer) and J.H. Wyman (the showrunner of Fringe - one of my favorite sci-fi shows, ever).  While Abrams has disappointed me in the past (*Cough*....Revolution), I will always look forward to his new stuff.  Almost Human has a great futuristic plot, with a great lead actor (Karl Urban) and well, that's actually all I need to know.