Fall 2011 TV Preview: What to Watch

Ready for some more, Freaks?

Let's do it.

All shows premiere the week of September 19-25 unless otherwise indicated.

Tuesdays

Last Man Standing (8:00/7:00, ABC, premieres 10/11) 

I've already covered this Tim Allen comedy in the worst shows of the fall post, so I won't rehash the whole thing here, but basically, Tim Allen is a man. Surrounded by women. It's hard for him.

That's what she said.

Man Up! (8:30/7:30, ABC, premieres 10/18) 

The companion piece to Last Man Standing, this show is more men having a hard time with women. Groundbreaking and original programming, no doubt.

Teri Polo? For shame!

New Girl (9:00/8:00, FOX) 

Apparently this post is going to be a lot of rehash for those of you who read regularly, because New Girl was featured on my top five shows of the fall post. I've already seen the pilot, and the adorable Zooey Deschanel does not disappoint. It's funny and well-written, and I'm looking forward to seeing the characters grow in interesting ways. Plus, more random singing!

To mimic the show's best running gag, I will be making one of these for my friends.
You know who you are.

Ringer (9:00/8:00, CW, premieres 9/13) 

Sarah Michelle Gellar is back in this twisty mystery, also one of my top five shows of the fall. With co-stars Nestor Carbonell and Ioan Guffudd, SMG stars as twins Bridgett and Siobhan and promises lots of fraught glances and deep dark secrets. Just like we like it.

Deep dark secrets and side boob.

Unforgettable (10:00/9:00, CBS) 

Poppy Montgomery (Without a Trace) stars in this CBS procedural, about a detective with perfect recall. If the show treats her ability to remember everything in an interesting way (that has to be a problem in a personal life sometimes, right?) then it could be one of the "good" procedurals, but otherwise it will be case-of-the-week standard CBS fare.

She's a redhead! It's different!

So what should you watch?

Sons of Anarchy (10/9, FX) started a new season September 6th, and you should really, really be watching this show. It's incredibly well written, well acted, and always a hell of a ride. Also:

Oh, my god, I want to be that cigarette. 

Otherwise, there's nothing new worth watching at the 8/7 hour, so continue with Glee or NCIS as is your preference. In the 9/8 hour, you should watch New Girl and the fantastic Raising Hope on FOX, and DVR Ringer- it's always helpful to be able to rewind those mysteries. I'll be watching Parenthood at 10/9 on NBC (and hoping that it will feel less inconsistent than last year) but there are procedural offerings over on CBS and ABC (Body of Proof) if you don't want to get down with the family drama.



Stay tuned all week for the TV Freak's What to Watch guide, and if you haven't already, like me on Facebook (TV Freak) and follow me on Twitter (@theTVFreak)!