It’s that time of year again – the ‘upfronts’. It’s when all the US networks reveal to advertisers the new shows that are going to be hitting the TV screens some time from September 2018 through to nowish 2019. However, this isn’t the same as the international screenings, where buyers from TV networks around the world turn up to see what they’d like to acquire, so we won’t know what will be heading our way for quite some time.
Anyway, in case you missed this morning’s news of the weekend’s slaughter, US TV networks have killed off a whole bunch of existing shows (prompting howls of protest from their fans) and is about to commission a whole bunch of new shows (prompting howls of ‘you cancelled x for this rubbish?’ from said-same fans).
Although the USA Network is normally the first out of gates, this year it’s NBC is delivering us plot summaries and trailers of all the new shows that it thinks are fit to consume. That’s a mere three shows this year – Manifest, New Amsterdam and I Feel Bad. Gosh, feels like CBS back in the day.
Still, want to know more and exactly when these (and the surviving old shows) will be airing? And do you want to get TMINE’s hottest of hot first takes? Follow me after the jump if at least one of those things interests you…
Manifest
Short version
Remake of an old Department S (Ed: not really, but…) in which a plane goes missing but returns five years later with all its crew and passengers thinking not a day has gone by. And science proves them right! But what happened to them, why and what’s going to happen next?
Long version
When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. But in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years – and their friends, families and colleagues, after mourning their loss, had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they’re all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds and some of the returned passengers soon realise they may be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible. From Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke comes an emotionally rich, unexpected journey into a world grounded in hope, heart and destiny.
TMINE’s hottest of hot first takes
Attempt to do a Lost/FlashForward 10 years after those shows were popular and with a derivative heart-warming central journey that will put me off in a single episode and get it cancelled within a season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhKmfJrnrw0&t=9s
New Amsterdam
Short version
Remake of an old Fox TV show (Ed: not really, but…) about a maverick doctor who doesn’t play by the rules but has his patients’ interests at heart.
Long version
Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this unique medical drama follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin, the institution’s newest medical director, who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. How can he help? Well, the doctors and staff have heard this before. Not taking “no” for an answer, Dr. Goodwin must disrupt the status quo and prove he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into this understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated hospital – the only one in the world capable of treating Ebola patients, prisoners from Rikers and the president of the United States under one roof – and return it to the glory that put it on the map.
TMINE’s hottest of hot first takes
Absolute, manipulative, brain-dead nonsense about a new doctor (Tom from Blindspot) who decides that the US healthcare system would be better if everyone stopped caring about money and started caring about people. Nice idea, but it’ll probably all end with his hospital going bankrupt within the year, plus The Resident has already done a show pointing out all the problems and why they’re hard to get round already. Still, if you want to see if Freema Agyeman from Doctor Who has learnt to act yet, now’s your chance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nFaAQTQNBY
I Feel Bad
Short version
Woman feels bad. No one else cares.
Long version
Emet is the perfect mom, boss, wife, friend and daughter. Okay, she’s not perfect. In fact, she’s just figuring it out like the rest of us. Sure, she feels bad when she has a sexy dream about someone other than her husband, or when she pretends not to know her kids when they misbehave in public, or when she uses her staff to help solve personal problems. But that’s okay, right? Nobody can have it all and do it perfectly. From Executive Producer Amy Poehler comes a modern comedy about being perfectly okay with being imperfect.
TMINE’s hottest of hot first takes
Probably more interesting for having an Indian woman and her family as the core of the show, rather than because of any of the actual content. Still, if you want to see both Aisling Bea and James Buckley trying to hit the big time in the US, this is the show for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0Vg5dpyno8
Fall schedule
New programmes in UPPER CASE
MONDAY
8-10 PM — The Voice
10-11 PM — MANIFEST
TUESDAY
8-9 PM — The Voice
9-10 PM — This Is Us
10-11 PM — NEW AMSTERDAM
WEDNESDAY
8-9 PM — Chicago Med
9-10 PM — Chicago Fire
10-11 PM — Chicago PD
THURSDAY
8-8:30 PM — Superstore
8:30-9 PM — The Good Place
9-9:30 PM — Will & Grace
9:30-10 PM — I FEEL BAD
10-11 PM — Law & Order: SVU
FRIDAY
8-9 PM – Blindspot
9-10 PM — Midnight, Texas
10-11 PM — Dateline NBC
SATURDAY
8-10 PM – Dateline Saturday Night Mystery
10-11 PM – Saturday Night Live (encores)
SUNDAY
7-8:20 PM – Football Night in America
8:20-11 PM – NBC Sunday Night Football
