Fall TV Preview 2019: It's What You've Been Waiting For

Sunday

The Simpsons on FOX @ 8pm-- Season 31 premieres on September 29th. This season Maggie gets a best friend. Jason Momoa, Chrissy Tiegen and John Legend guest star as themselves. The Treehouse of Horror Series continues for Halloween. 

Monday is a BIG night!

Dancing with the Stars returns on ABC @ 8pm-- Season 28 premieres on September 16th-- 

Celebrities:

• Lauren Alaina – country music star
• Christie Brinkley – supermodel
• Ally Brooke – pop star
• Hannah Brown – The Bachelorette
• Karamo Brown – TV host
• Kate Flannery – TV star
• Ray Lewis – NFL Hall of Famer
• Kel Mitchell – comedian/actor
• Lamar Odom – two-time NBA champion
• Sean Spicer – former White House press secretary
• James Van Der Beek – TV icon
• Mary Wilson – The Supremes

Professional dancers:

• Brandon Armstrong
• Lindsay Arnold
• Alan Bersten
• Cheryl Burke
• Witney Carson
• Val Chmerkovskiy
• Sasha Farber
• Jenna Johnson
• Daniella Karagach
• Keo Motsepe 
• Peta Murgatroyd
• Pasha Pashkov
• Gleb Savchenko
• Emma Slater

9-1-1 on FOX @ 8pm-- Season 3 premieres on September 23rd-- A tsunami hits the Santa Monica Pier, Ronda Rousey guest stars as a firefighter. This premise will be similar to the earthquake last year which was spread over the course of more than one episode. Rumor has it, Buck will be in the wrong place at the wrong time, hopefully he will make it out alive. 

The Voice on NBC @ 8pm-- Season 17 premieres on September 23rd-- Blake is back without Adam; I'm sad! However, the cowboy returns with John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, and real life love Gwen Stefani. 

All American on The CW @ 8pm-- Season 2 premieres on October 7th-- My fave new series of last year is back! Now a football champion-- Spencer is faced with a big decision, return to Coach Baker and his team in Beverly Hills or be reunited with his family in Crenshaw and play for his father. He has made a lot of ties in Beverly Hills in the past year-- The Bakers, who have been like his second family including Jordan and Olivia, his girlfriend Layla who is continuing to battle her own demons, and Asher once enemy turned ally. The Bakers are struggling to deal with the fallout of Billy's lies and adapt to their new "normal". Spencer is thrown a curveball and it will affect everyone in his life including best friend Coop who is desperate to walk away from gang life and pursue music. 

Bluff City Law on NBC @ 10pm-- NEW Series premieres September 23rd-- Caitlin McGee plays Sydney Strait a lawyer who worked at her father's celebrated law firm until their volatile relationship forced her to walk away. Following many years of not speaking to her father Elijah, played by the incomparable Jimmy Smits, Sydney is forced back into the fold when her mother passes away. Hoping to reconnect with his daughter, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his firm. She does so with the belief that this may be her only chance to truly have a positive effect on the world. 


Tuesday

Mixedish on ABC @ 9pm-- NEW Series premieres September 24th-- I think I have caught maybe a total of 10 minutes or so of Blackish over the years, but Mixedish intrigues me. I like the premise-- the exploration of being mixed and how it ties into 80s headlines. The cast is strong Tika Sumpter and Mark Paul Gosselaar play Bow's mom and dad respectively. Tracee Ellis Ross narrates. 

FBI on CBS @ 9pm-- Season 2 premieres September 24th-- In the premiere, a bomb goes off in a restaurant in Queens. The case becomes personal for Agent Zidan who goes undercover to prevent another attack. Alana de la Garza joins the cast as Agent Isobel Castille. 

Empire on FOX @ 9pm-- Season 6, The Final Season, premieres September 24th-- Jussie Smollett will not return for the final season. His character Jamal's absence is explained by saying he is on his honeymoon with Kai. Katlynn Simone, Meta Golding, Mario, and Wood Harris have all been promoted to series regulars this season. Katlynn Simone plays up and coming star Treasure. Meta Golding is Teri, a woman wrongly incarcerated and Andre's new love. Mario plays Devon, an R&B star at the beginning of his career. Lastly, Wood Harris is Damon Cross, an international money launderer. The biggest news of this season is that it's the last, and the question is-- who will rule The Empire?

This is Us on NBC @ 9pm-- Season 4 premieres September 24th-- I'm just going to leave this video clip right here, it explains it all. 



And .... " If you think you know what's coming next, you don't know us". 


Emergence on ABC @ 10pm-- Series premieres September 24th-- The trailer for this new series drew my interest, it's a thriller and it's described as "character driven". A police chief takes in a young girl who she found near the site of a mysterious accident. The investigation reveals a conspiracy bigger than she ever could have imagined with the girl's identity as the center of it all. 

New Amsterdam on NBC @ 10pm-- Season 2 premieres September 24th-- The end of the first season left us with a major cliffhanger that producers promise will resolve itself at the opening of Season 2 which will fast forward to three months after the accident. In the finale, Dr Max's wife had a baby girl at home, and following the birth, all of them were en route to the hospital with a couple of doctors and their ambulance was involved in a major crash that producers say will have more than one fatality. The other question is, will Max beat throat cancer?

Wednesday

Survivor on CBS @ 8pm-- Season 39 premieres September 25th-- "Boston Rob" Mariano and Sandra Diaz Twine are masters of the game Survivor and have a combined 200 days of play. So for this installment of Survivor-- Island of the Idols both players hold a boot camp of sorts to help the players possibly nab a million dollars. Boston Rob is fairly aggressive whereas Sandra is very calculated despite looking otherwise. 

The Masked Singer on FOX @ 8pm-- Season 2 premieres September 25th-- Last year's break out hit returns. Who's behind the masks this season?

Chicago Med on NBC @ 8pm-- Season 5 premieres September 25th--  Connor Rhodes will appear in the season opener which will be his last episode. Dr. Manning was injured in a car crash at the end of last season with former fiance Dr. Halstead. We'll discover the extent of her injuries early on. Nurse April and on again off again boyfriend Dr. Choi deal with a possible pregnancy. 

Riverdale on The CW @ 8pm-- Season 4 premieres October 9th-- At the end of Season 3, the cast of Riverdale lived a real life tragedy when Luke Perry who plays Archie's endearing dad Fred Andrews passed away. This season, they will pay tribute to him, and every episode until the end of the series will  be dedicated to him. Shannen Doherty will make an appearance as well and was honored that the show wanted to include her. The episode will show just how much Fred Andrews meant to his son. 

Almost Family on FOX @ 9pm-- Series premiere October 2nd-- Brittany Snow (American Dreams, Pitch Perfect series) stars as Julia Bechley, a young woman who's life is turned upside down when her doctor father (Timothy Hutton) reveals that over his prize winning  career as a fertility doctor that he used his sperm to conceive upwards of a hundred children. Julia discovers two sisters-- former best friend Edie and ex-Olympic athlete Roxy. Despite the betrayal from her father, Julia finds that she doesn't have to go through this alone. 


Chicago Fire on NBC @ 9pm-- Season 8 premieres September 25th-- The premiere picks up where last season left off members of 51 were trapped in a factory with a boiler that was about to blow. Chief Boden, Brett, and Foster are all in jeopardy. A new recruit will join 51 and Casey, Severide, and Hermann all want him there. October 16th, there will be a crossover between all three Chicago shows. 

Nancy Drew on The CW @ 9pm-- Series premiere October 9th-- Based on the books, Nancy Drew is an 18 year old "detective" struggling with her mom's death, in a new spin, she becomes a suspect in a murder! Kennedy McMann plays Nancy Drew and Scott Wolf (Party of 5!) plays her dad, Carson Drew. 

S.W.A.T. on CBS @ 10pm-- Season 3 premieres October 2nd-- Hondo (Shemar Moore) continues to grow into his role as Darryl's guardian. Hondo may become reacquainted with his estranged father following a health crisis. Also seems Hondo gets a new girlfriend. The team will track down an assassin in Tokyo this season, face off with a murderous cult, and go undercover to bring down a counterfeit operation. 

Chicago PD on NBC @ 10pm-- Season 7 premieres September 25th-- The question that will be answered by the end of the season premiere is who killed the corrupt police superintendent and mayor elect. Possible suspects include-- Voight, Det. Dawson (not returning this season :-( ), and Katherine Brennan (his deputy). Also two new characters join the show this season. 

Stumptown on ABC @ 10pm-- Series premieres on September 25th-- The series is an adaptation of a comic book. It's about a private investigator from Portland, Dex Parios who is often at odds with local law enforcement. They think someone is guilty and that person hires her to prove their innocence. Dex is a former military intelligence officer who has PTSD and a gambling problem. Her soft spot: she cares for her brother who has down syndrome. 

Thursday

A Million Little Things on ABC @ 9pm-- Season 2 premieres on September 26th-- It's been a couple years since Jon committed suicide. Delilah (Jon's wife) is still in the healing process. Now that Katherine knows the truth, she has to decide if she will forgive and move forward after finding out that Eddie (Jon's best friend) had an affair with Delilah and fathered her child. Rome and Regina are happy than they have ever been following Rome's battle with depression and Regina's discovery that she was sexually abused as a child. Maggie and Gary deal with life post cancer remission. 

Law & Order SVU on NBC @ 10pm-- The Groundbreaking Season 21 premieres on September 26th-- There will be different ADA's over the course of the season. This will frustrate Benson as she wants someone permanent on the job. Benson will have a full plate with some politically charged cases. Ariel Winter (from Modern Family) will guest star this season as a rape survivor. Returning this season will be Peter Gallagher as Chief William Dodds and Mariska Hargitay's real life hubby Peter Hermann as a child advocate lawyer. 

Friday

Blue Bloods on CBS @ 10pm-- Season 10 premieres on September 27th-- This season on Blue Bloods, the show celebrates 200 episodes on the premiere. Frank invites an old friend to family dinner-- his old beat partner, Lenny Ross (Treat Williams). Danny and the medium from a couple years ago meet again, she is helping the police to solve an old murder. Jamie and Eddie search for a new apartment now as newlyweds. Erin moves up in the DA's office. Finally, young Nicky will make a decision on her future which she will announce at Sunday dinner. Will she follow in the family business?
   

Fall Network TV 2018-- Lots to be Excited About

There are only a couple of things that excite me about Fall-- fashion and Fall TV.

There are a lot of returning favorites and there are several new shows that I am eager to watch. 

Sunday

Sept. 30th @ 8pm on CBS-- God Friended Me-- In an age of political correctness, this dramedy is faith based. Athiest Miles Finer has a podcast where he's free to speak his mind, but that all changes one day when he receives a social media friend request from God. Miles believes this is some type of hoax but when the friend request leads him to struggling journalist Cara Bloom, things start to change. The two find themselves investigating people that the God friend request lead them to, and they begin helping those people. Will his new found faith and belief in helping others lead him to change? I loved Brandon Michael Hall from last season's canceled series, The Mayor. I can't wait to see him take on something more serious in the role of Miles. The premise of the show seemed initially confusing but overall intriguing. 

Sept. 30th @ 8pm on FOX-- The Simpsons-- The animated comedy goes where few TV shows have gone before, into season 30! This season, comedian Tracy Morgan will guest star on two episodes. Aslso coming up this season, Gal Gadot and Emily Deschanel guest as themselves. The Treehouse of orror episode features Homer in an oyster eating contest. Homer and Marge also go on popular reality show, The Amazing Race! 

Sept. 9th @ 9:30 on FOX-- REL-- A comedy inspired by the stand up of Lil Rel Howery, the premise is that Rel's wife has an affair with his barber, and he basically has to start over. In crisis, his family is there for him, his dad, recently widowed (played by Sinbad), his best friend Brittany (played by Jessica Moore), and his younger, recently out of jail, brother Nat (played by Jordan L. Jones).  I'm not easy to please when it comes to comedies but I will try this one out. The previews have been funny. I'm a sucker for some Sinbad.

Monday

Sept. 24th @ 8pm on NBC-- The Voice-- Season 15 premieres with Adam and Blake this season accompanied by Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson.

Oct. 1st @ 8pm on CBS-- The Neighborhood-- Again, I am not a big comedy person, but the previews were all funny. Cedric the Entertainer stars as Calvin Butler, an overly opinionated next door neighbor living in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Los Angeles. Dave Johnson is a friendly guy who works as a conflict negotiator and moves next door to The Butlers when his wife Gemma gets a new job. Along with their son Grover, the Johnson's try to make the best first impression possible on their new neighbors.

Sept. 24th @ 9pm on CBS-- Magnum P.I.-- A modern take on the classic series that starred Tom Selleck, now with Jay Hernandez (a longtime favorite of mine) in the title role. Thomas Magnum is a former Navy SEAL who has returned home from Afghanistan and now works as a private investigator. To supplement his P.I. business, Magnum works as a security consultant for Juliet Higgins, a former M:16 agent. When he is on the case, Magnum turns to friends TC a former Marine and chopper pilot who now runs a helicopter tour business, and Rick also a former Marine who works in the nightclub business and is one of the most connected men on the island of Oahu. I can't wait to see how similar and different this is from the original.

Sept. 23rd after the NFL on FOX-- 911-- begins season two! 911 was the biggest surprise of all the new series last year for me. I loved the dynamic between the various characters. This is one the most talented ensemble casts on TV-- Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Connie Britton, Oliver Stark, and Aisha Hinds just to name a few. This season Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Guzman join the cast. Connie Britton is still negotiating a deal to come back as Abby Clark in Season 2. I hope that they can make it happen because she is by far my favorite character.

Sept. 24th @ 10pm on NBC-- Manifest-- well, I am not a fan of The Good Doctor and Bull so this may be my show in the 10 o'clock time slot on Mondays. Manifest is a modern day phenomena. A flight leaves the runway in the year 2013, something goes terribly wrong during the flight, and when the flight lands several hours later, five years have passed! The passengers now have to pick up the pieces and reintegrate themselves into their lives that have changed without them.

Tuesday

Oct. 16th @ 8pm on ABC-- The Connors-- Okay, okay, I'll be honest, I am one of those people who believes this show won't be the same without Roseanne Barr. After all, she did create these characters. These characters and the actors behind them are the reasons I will still tune in-- Dan, Becky, Darlene, DJ, Jackie, and now a new generation of Connors. The series supposedly picks up following the death of matriarch Roseanne. The family will face more challenges --- dating, parenthood, financial tough times, and an unexpected pregnancy. It will be interesting to see how the series picks up and moves on without the original title character who has given up all creative rights to the show.

Sept. 25th @ 9pm on CBS-- FBI-- The new Dick Wolf series is a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the New York office of the FBI. The series is a small look at what this Bureau does to keep our country safe. I am super excited about this series because it stars Missy Peregrym who starred on Rookie Blue which I only watched because of her. She stars as Agent Maggie Bell. Rounding out the cast is Jeremy Sisto as Jubal Valentine, Zeeko Zaki as Omar Adom  "OA" Zidan, and Ebonee Noel as Kristen Chazal.

Sept. 25th @ 9pm on NBC-- This Is Us-- The critically acclaimed darling returns for season three after leaving us hanging in season two at Kate and Toby's wedding. We were also given a glimpse into the past and led to believe that there is turmoil ahead for these characters that we love so much. We'll see Jack in the Vietnam era. We already caught a glimpse of Kevin and new gal Zoe going to Vietnam on a trip to find out more about Jack's past. Randall and Beth will not be killed off, at least not this season. Rebecca and Jack's courtship will be explored. Whoever the "her" is that Tess and Randall are taking about, it's not good and it will be unexpected. Toby's family will be explored, what leads him to depression? What's up with him and the brother who didn't show up to his wedding? Jack's brother will be a part of season three. There will be a Miguel-centric episode. Lastly.... show-runners say that they have already shot the final scenes of the series. They say they always knew where this story would end.

Oct. 16th @ 10pm on ABC-- The Rookie-- Nathan Fillion (Castle) returns to ABC in a drama/comedy series based on true events. This time he's small town guy John Nolan who, following a life altering incident, decides at the age of 40 to pursue his dream of becoming an LAPD officer. He becomes the oldest rookie in the LAPD, and learns how to navigate the world of a "young cop".

Sept. 25th @ 10pm on NBC-- New Amsterdam-- The series is inspired by Bellevue Hospital, the first public hospital in the country. There are a lot of medical dramas on TV, what makes this different is the approach. Creator David Schulner said "the way The West Wing made me feel hopeful about our government is the spirit I wanted to capture here". Ryan Eggold (formerly of 90210 and the Blacklist) plays Dr. Max Goodwin the hospital's new director. I don't think I have ever seen him stronger in a role.

Wednesday

Sept. 26th @ 8pm on CBS-- Survivor: David vs. Goliath-- Season 37 pits those who come from privilege against those who have literally clawed their way through life.

Sept. 26th @ 8pm on NBC-- Chicago Med-- The youngest of the three Chicago series, Med enters season four after ending with some intense cliffhangers. Do Will and Natalie end up getting engaged or ending things for good. Does Connor take the job offer from Mayo Clinic? Sarah observes Dr. Charles stop chest compressions on her father who is a serial killer.

Sept. 26th @ 9pm on NBC-- Chicago Fire-- Season 7 opens with a shocker, Gabby is gone (Monica Raymund)! Matt is not dealing with their long distance marriage well; it obviously affects  him and everyone sees this. Severide confronts him about how it's taking him off his game. Meanwhile, Severide and Kidd's relationship is going strong. Joe Cruz will also begin a relationship. Brett has been rolling through partners since Gabby left, and her most current partner is Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh, Person of Interest) joins the cast. She doesn't get off on the right foot with either Brett or Boden. Producers also promise more cast members.

Oct. 10th @ 9pm on The CW-- All American-- Yes, I am a huge Taye Diggs fan, and that's why when I saw that he was starring on a new CW series, I had to take a peek. I'm intrigued by the premise. Yes it is common for a good kid from the wrong side of the tracks to get a great opportunity based on God given talent, and it's a story that never gets old. The series is inspired by NFL player Spencer Paysinger. Diggs play said football player's coach. The series stars some talented up and comers.

Sept. 26th @ 10pm on ABC-- A Million Little Things-- Perhaps the most talked about new series of the season, A Million Little Things is about a group of friends brought together after getting stuck in an elevator. Time passes, and then one day Jon (one of the friends in this group) kills himself. The group is left to pick up the million shattered pieces of their lives after losing the friend who they believed to be the most stable. Jon's death is a wake up call to the rest of them, a sign that they must continue living.

Oct. 3rd @ 10pm on CBS-- Criminal Minds-- The 14th season picks up where season 13 left off; the premiere is also the 300th episode. When we left the team, Garcia had been kidnapped, and Reid figured out what happened, and had to decide whether or not to take a shot that would potentially hit Garcia. Luke Perry will reprise his role as cult leader Benjamin Cyrus in the season opener. The kidnapping and the serial killer cult will be traumatic for Reid.

Sept. 26th @ 10pm on NBC-- Chicago P.D.-- Tragedy struck the team last season with Voight possibly paying for past sins. Olinsky went to jail for a murder he didn't commit and was left for dead in his prison cell after being stabbed. Voight will be questioned following Olinsky's death. It will torture him that his friend died and it was possibly because of him. He wants to avenge Olinsky's death. It will put him at odds with straight shooter Antonio who is by the book and wanting to do things the right way. Anne Heche joins the series as Dep. Superintendent Katherine Brennan; she's intelligent, self serving, and forward.

Thursday:

Sept. 24th @ 8pm on CBS-- The Big Bang Theory-- Season 12 will be the final season of the series. The complete cast is returning, along with most of the supporting players. Bob Newhart will reprise his role as Professor Proton. Amy and Sheldon will honeymoon in New York City. Penny and Leonard will consider whether or not to have a baby. Bernadette and Howard will settle into being a family of four. The ever single Raj will take a huge risk in his personal life, but will it pay off?

Sept. 27th @ 10pm on CBS-- S.W.A.T.-- I was so excited that S.W.A.T. was well received in Season 1 because I am a huge fan of the show, and a huge fan of Shemar Moore. Season 2 opens with an earthquake in L.A. as the team is trying to rescue a child being updated via helicopter on top of a skyscraper nonetheless. Street will continue trying to get back onto the team. He'll really have to prove himself. We will also meet Hondo's new squeeze, Deputy District Attorney Nia Wells (played by Nikiva Dionne). The season will answer more questions about what makes Hondo who he is.

Sept. 27th @ 10pm (premieres @ 9pm) on NBC-- Law & Order: SVU-- SVU turns 20 this season and it couldn't be happening to a more deserving series. I would best describe SVU as heartfelt, passionate, and impactful. George Newbern joins the cast in the recurring role of Dr. Al Pollack, a love interest for Rollins. The series will take on he #MeToo movement.

Friday

Sept. 28th  @ 8pm on FOX-- Last Man Standing-- The series spent six years on ABC and went our with high ratings, many speculated at the time, because of it's political stance. FOX picked up the show following a one year hiatus. Tim Allen and most of the original cast returns for Season 7 and the season opener is said to be political. Mike's dad has passed. The Baxter's are dealing with empty nest syndrome, all of their daughters have left home, it definitely changes their marriage and brings Mike and Vanessa closer together.

Sept. 28th @ 9pm on FOX-- Hell's Kitchen-- One of my favorite reality series on TV, Hell's Kitchen returns for Season 18 and pits 8 returning contestants against 8 rookies who are hungry to win.

Sept. 28th @ 10pm on CBS-- Blue Bloods-- At the end of last season, Eddie and Jamie got engaged. She will take the seat at the dinner table once occupied by Danny's wife Linda who has since passed. The newly engaged couple won't work together anymore, and will have to handle the ups and downs of being in a committed relationship. One of them is promoted and the other is transferred .Eddie's mom will visit and will not have much in common with the Reagan's. Erin will become regional bureau chief. She and her dad will have some conflicting opinions on police cases. Danny's oldest son Jack will be at college which definitely affects him. He delves into his work and may end up making some decisions he regrets.