Fall Preview - Wednesday Night

I've looked at both Monday and Tuesday and it's time to look at Wednesday.

New Shows:

Up All Night: 8:00 - NBC - September 14th

A modern take on parenthood that shows the challenges of balancing a career, marriage and a new baby. Christina Applegate ("Samantha Who?") stars as Reagan, a successful public relations executive, and Will Arnett ("Arrested Development") plays Chris, Reagan's supportive, stay-at-home husband. The two have just become parents - a surprise that has set their lives on a new path as responsible adults -- for the most part. Maya Rudolph ("Saturday Night Live," "Bridesmaids") stars as Ava, Reagan's outlandish boss and best friend, whose whirlwind social escapades serve as constant reminders of Reagan's former carefree life. James Pumphrey ("High Road") portrays Brian, Reagan's socially awkward hipster assistant.

I've watched a few different promos for this one and while they aren't bringing anything new to the table, I can't help myself laughing uncontrolably. If they can keep that laughter going for a full season the show should be very successful. The cast looks great with SNL alum all over the place and people love Christina Applegate and Will Arnett (Which I don't understand) for that matter. I'll check out the pilot for this one for sure and go from there. I just hope that all the funny parts aren't in the promos.




The X-Factor: 8:00 - FOX - September 21st

THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over - both solo artists and vocal groups - who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music. Hosted by Steve Jones, the two-night series premiere of THE X FACTOR will showcase the live auditions which took place in front of audiences of thousands, around the country Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Auditions from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark and Seattle, as well as from YouTube and the nationwide MyStudio audition booths, will continue the following week on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

How can't you love Simon and really that's all I've got to say about this one. Paula is back as well. I'll be watching for sure, the first few weeks of shows like this are always entertaining. The only downside to shows like this is the commitment involved to keep up with it. But Simon, you'll always have me as a viewer, sure he's harsh, but he's truthful and that can't be denied.




H8R: 8:00 - The CW - September 14th

Celebrities go head-to-head with civilians who hate them to win their "haters" over. Hosted by Mario Lopez.

I first learnt about this show while watching The CW fall preview and this looks like the worst show of the season, plus it's hosted by Lopez. You can just tell every segment will end the same way, I hate the celebrity version of the "celebrity", but I don't mind the actually person. PASS all around.




Suburgatory: 8:30 - ABC - September 28th

Single father George only wants the best for his 16-year-old daughter, Tessa. So when he finds a box of condoms on her nightstand, he moves them out of their apartment in New York City to a house in the suburbs. But all Tessa sees is the horror of over-manicured lawns and plastic Franken-moms. Being in the 'burbs can be hell, but it also may just bring Tessa and George closer than they've ever been. Tessa (Jane Levy) and George (Jeremy Sisto) have been on their own ever since Tessa's mom pulled a "Kramer vs. Kramer" before she was even potty trained. So far, George has done a pretty good job of raising Tessa without a maternal figure in their lives, but suddenly he's feeling a little out of his league. So it's goodbye New York City and hello suburbs. At first Tessa is horrified by the big-haired, fake-boobed mothers and their sugar-free Red Bull-chugging kids. But little by little she and her dad begin finding a way to survive on the clean streets of the 'burbs. Sure, the neighbors might smother you with love while their kids stare daggers at your back, but underneath all that plastic and caffeine, they're really not half bad. And they do make a tasty pot roast. The show stars Jeremy Sisto ("Law & Order") as George Altman, Jane Levy ("Shameless") as Tessa Altman, Carly Chaikin ("The Last Song") as Dalia Royce, Allie Grant ("Weeds") as Lisa, Alan Tudyk ("V") as Noah Lerner and Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") as Dallas Royce. Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live") guest stars.

I give this one a month, oh Rex Lee how far you've fallen since Entourage. How did so many good people get sucked into this one?




Free Agents: 8:30 - NBC - September 14th

"Free Agents" is a crooked workplace/romantic new comedy from creator John Enbom ("Party Down") and Emmy Award-winning director Todd Holland ("Malcolm in the Middle") based on the cult U.K. series of the same name that explores the trials and tribulations of two public relations executives on the rebound. Alex (Hank Azaria, "The Simpsons," "Huff") is newly divorced and can barely keep himself together while his co-worker Helen (Kathryn Hahn, "Hung") thinks she has it together but is obsessed with her deceased fiancé and actually is falling apart. Then a drunken Alex and Helen end up in bed together, and in the resulting sober confusion, Helen decides that they should only be friends. Meanwhile Alex's co-workers, Dan (Mo Mandel, "Love Bites," "Modern Family") and Gregg (Al Madrigal, "Wizards of Waverly Place," "Gary, Unmarried"), and Stephen (Anthony Head, "Merlin," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") fail in their attempts to help him get back out on the dating scene. When Alex finally agrees to a date, Helen gets a little jealous, and he gets cold feet, so they end up back where they started -- in a casual, intimate and beautifully awkward relationship. Also starring is Joe Lo Truglio ("Backwash," "Mad Love") and Natasha Leggero ("Ugly Americans," "'Til Death").

I've watched the first 15 minutes of the British version of this show and I turned it off. I didn't find it that funny, while I do normally enjoy British humor, I just couldn't get into this one. For some reason I think that Hank Azaria will turn off a lot of people. Going to pass here.




Revenge: 10:00 - ABC - September 21st

Wealth, beauty and status define the people in this town, but one woman is willing to destroy everyone for the sake of revenge. Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is new to the Hamptons. She's met some of her wealthy neighbors, has made a few new friends and seemingly blends into the town. But something is a little odd about a young girl living in a wealthy town all on her own, and the truth is that Emily isn't exactly new to the neighborhood. In fact, this was once her old neighborhood, until something bad happened that ruined her family and their reputation. Now Emily is back, and she's returned to right some of those wrongs in the best way she knows how - with a vengeance. "Revenge" stars Madeleine Stowe ("We Were Soldiers," "The Last of the Mohicans") as Victoria Grayson, Emily Van Camp ("Brothers & Sisters," "Everwood") as Emily Thorne, Gabriel Mann ("The Bourne Identity") as Nolan Ross, Henry Czerny ("Mission: Impossible," "Clear and Present Danger") as Conrad Grayson, Ashley Madekwe ("Secret Diary of a Call Girl") as Ashley Davenport, Nick Wechsler ("Roswell") as Jack Porter, Josh Bowman ("Prowl") as Daniel Grayson, Christa B. Allen ("13 Going on 30") as Charlotte Grayson and Connor Paolo ("Gossip Girl") as Declan Porter.

When I first went through everything and I was putting my schedule together I initially left this one off my must watch list. But the hype I'm seeing on twitter over this one has been quite high the last week. To the point where my interest has certainly been built up. I'm going to check out atleast the pilot for this one although I'm not a huge fan Emily Van Camp.




Returning Shows:

The Middle: 8:00 - ABC - September 21st One Hour Premiere

Where we left off:
With only three days left until summer vacation, Frankie is ecstatic that she's made it through another school year with the family. But her happiness turns to panic when she and Mike learn that Brick needs to write a daily journal and turn it in to Ms. Rinsky or risk not moving up to the fourth grade; that Axl hasn't fulfilled his required 30 hours of community service; and that, because of an error, Sue must prove that she never took a sick day from school in order to receive a perfect attendance award at her middle school graduation ceremony. Guest Star: Doris Roberts as Ms. Rinsky.


Survivor: 8:00 - CBS - September 14th

What you need to know:
Survivor: South Pacific is the twenty-third season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor, which will premiere on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. The season was filmed in the vicinity of Upolu, Samoa, which is the same filming location as season 19 and season 20, and it will also serve as the location for season 24. Redemption Island, first introduced in the prior season, will return. The season will premiere on September 14, 2011 at 8:00pm eastern time and will be a ninety minute debut. This season will feature 16 new players to Survivor, as well as two returning players: Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth from Cook Islands and Micronesia, and Benjamin "Coach" Wade from Tocantins and Heroes vs. Villains.


Modern Family: 9:00 - ABC - September 21st One Hour Premiere

Where we left off:
Jay wants to go fishing on his birthday, but the family insists he have a big party, leading Claire and Mitchell to get trapped in their childhood yard, Phil to encounter his college nemesis at the mall and Cameron to have trouble at the bakery.

Keep your eye out for a new baby Lily this season.


Criminal Minds: 9:00 - CBS - September 21st

Where we left off:
The team tries to close the most challenging case involving two bodies and a human trafficking organization. In addition, Hotchner warns the team of possible changes in the team while a surprise team member returns.

More changes on this seasons cast.


Harry's Law: 9:00 - NBC - September 21st

Where we left off:
Harry assists Josh "Puck" Peyton after he suffers another nervous breakdown. Meanwhile, Adam and Rachael defend a death-row inmate. Jenna and Malcolm have an argument when Malcolm won't show any affection for her in public, especially in front of Harry. Josh (Paul McCrane) sings "Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?", the same song McCrane wrote and performed in Fame.

Say what you will about this one and I've read it all. Each week the show really did get better.


America's Next Top Model: 9:00 - The CW - September 14th

What you need to know:
It's a "super-smized" edition of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL this fall, as Cycle 17 returns with its first-ever All-Star cast, featuring fan favorites and outrageous personalities from different cycles as they square off and compete for the grand prize. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, hosted by Tyra Banks, premieres Wednesday, September 14 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) on The CW. This cycle will feature a variety of women who will go head to head as personalities clash and the competition gets intense as they vie for attention and the grand prize. The women of the all-star cast include: Shannon Stewart (Cycle 1), Camille McDonald (Cycle 2), Brittany Brower (Cycle 4), Lisa D'Amato (Cycle 5), Bre Scullark (Cycle 5), Bianca Golden (Cycle 9), Dominique Reighard (Cycle 10), Isis King (Cycle 11), Sheena Sakai (Cycle 11), Allison Harvard (Cycle 12), Laura Kirkpatrick (Cycle 13), Angelea Preston (Cycle 14), Kayla Ferrel (Cycle 15) and Alexandria Everett (Cycle 16).


Happy Endings: 9:30 - ABC - September 28th

Where we left off:
Alex and Jane's sibling rivalry heats up; Dave makes a sex tape with a Lacrosse coach; Penny gets a new assistant at work; Max and Brad find a new obsession.

Funniest new show last season? I think so.


CSI: 10:00 - CBS - September 21st

Where we left off:
Ray has tracked Haskell back to his childhood house and now squares off against the notorious "Dick & Jane" Killer. Desperate to save his ex-wife (guest star Tracee Ellis Ross) before it is too late, Ray prepares to settle his score with Haskell once-and-for-all.

I have to say that I'm intrigued to see Ted Danson on this one. I grew tiresome of Fishburne last season to the point it turned me off the entire show.


Law & Order: SVU: 10:00 - NBC

Where we left off:
Detectives Benson and Stabler investigate a case where a woman scheduled to testify in a high-profile rape case is murdered.

Big changes to the cast on this one this year.


What will my schedule look like on Wednesday nights:
8:00 - Survivor, Up All Night, The X Factor
9:00 - Modern Family, Criminal Minds, Harry's Law
9:30 - Happy Endings
10:00 - Revenge, CSI