Fall 2016 Preview: Westworld, Black Mirror, and Luke Cage are Some of the Shows Worth Checking Out This Fall

With over forty shows on the Fall 2016 schedule, that’s a full-time job if you want to keep up with all of them. I don’t believe too many of us have that much extra time for TV watching, so I will point out what I believe are some of the best bets from the upcoming crop of shows. I will be checking in on the ones below and a few others here and there as the season progresses. Note that this is just covering the shows that will be debuting in the Fall months and I will cover the mid-season entries at a later time.  And feel free to chime in with your own suggestions in the comments section.

(Links are to the show pages on our partner site CancelledSciFi.com where you can get more information as well as season to date ratings results and status updates once they are airing.)

Westworld (HBO) – Imagine this: a reboot that actually makes sense and that will work well on its network because it will have the freedom to explore its adult themes. Plus, it has a killer cast. Everything I have been hearing about this one is good so far and I’m definitely pumped for its debut.

The Man in the High Castle (Amazon) – This was an excellently crafted alternate history tale in its first season that emphasized all of the strengths of the Phillip K. Dick book and threw out most of the weaknesses. I’m a little concerned that Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files) stepped back as the showrunner because I credit him for the high quality in the show’s first year. But he is still onboard as executive producer, so hopefully his influence will continue to be a strong guiding force. If you haven’t seen the first season yet, you should binge that one now before the second year gets started.

Black Mirror (Netflix) – Finally, a true anthology series is back on television! This show killed it over in Britain with its first two seasons and the same creative team has carried over to the Netflix version. This one is near the top of my must-watch list for the Fall.

Luke Cage (Netflix) – Netflix has done a hell of a job with the first two entries in its Defenders series (Daredevil and Jessica Jones) and the early previews of Luke Cage look quite promising. Expect another Marvel hit for the streaming service with this series.

Channel Zero (Syfy) – While this show veers away from Syfy’s return to science fiction, it looks truly creepy and could turn into a decent series if it doesn’t lose itself in the weirdness-overload that has made American Horror Story such a mess. It’s definitely worth a look.

Timeless (NBC) – I have no idea why time travel became the trendy theme for new genre shows this year, but this one at least sounds interesting. And the early previews for it look pretty good. Eric Kripke’s last sci fi show for NBC (Revolution) failed to live up its promise, but maybe he will get it right the second time around.

Agents of SHIELD (ABC) – The quality of this show has been wildly uneven through its three season run, but it is going through yet another reboot of sorts and looks to be bringing in more characters from the Marvel stable starting with Ghost Rider. It should be worth a look to see if it finally gets things right in its fourth year.

The Flash (CW) – The CW superhero shows have been frustratingly rife with soap opera side-stories as well as copy-and-paste dialog and scenes. But The Flash was the most fun of the lot last season (even if it has delivered some downright bad episodes from time to time). Plus, it is bringing in the “Flashpoint” storyline from the comics that will shake things up a bit in the Arrow-verse, so it should be worth seeing what they do with that.

The Librarians (TNT) – I’m not going to tell you this is a great series, but it has been a ton of fun through its first two seasons. With all the dark and grim sci fi we have these days, it’s nice when a show doesn’t take itself too seriously and just sets out to give us a fun adventure with sci fi & fantasy elements. Consider this a good guilty pleasure show (and I want Bruce Campbell back as Santa).

Ash vs. Evil Dead (Starz) – And speaking of Mr. Campbell, he was definitely having plenty of scenery chewing fun with AvED in its first season and expect that to continue into its second year. If you were not a fan of the Evil Dead movies, this may not be your thing. But if you like some good cheesy blood and guts and plenty of one-liners, be sure to tune in.

The Walking Dead (AMC) – Yeah, we will get to see the battle between Rick’s people and Negan as well as the introduction of the Empire in Season 7 of this show. The world is definitely getting bigger for TWD and opens up plenty of story possibilities. But AMC did some really unforgivable tinkering with the show last season and that has me very wary going into the current year. Still this one has delivered a high level of quality more often than not and it definitely counts as an important genre entry.  But perhaps I will wait and binge this one after the season is done, spoilers be damned.

Looking at the New Summer Sci Fi / Fantasy Entries: Humans and Fear the Walking Dead Should be Winners, Killjoys Could be Good Shoot-Em-Up Fun

As of the current count, I see
eleven new sci fi / fantasy shows set to debut in the months of June through July (and that's tacking on Golan the Insatiable because it's right on the cusp with its May 31st premiere).  That's quite a lot considering the hot months also have (at current count) over a dozen returning shows (you can see the full schedule at this link).  So which ones are worth watching?  Hard to say, especially for some of the new entries, but below is my guide to each of those.  I have included the official synopsis for each with my comments beneath the entries.  They are listed in order of their premiere dates (links are to the show's page on this site):

Golan the Insatiable (FOX, Debuted May 31st): Golan is the dark lord or an alternate universe, that comes to our world and is befriended by a little goth girl and her family and buffoonery ensue as he deals with everyday life. IMDb.com

Johnny Jay Says: I never caught this one when it ran on FOX's Animation Domination, and I haven't seen the premiere yet (but it's in my queue).  Looks like it might be worth giving a look for some Summer chuckles, though.

The Whispers (ABC, Debuts June 1st):  We love to play games with our children. But what happens when someone else starts to play with them too? Someone we don’t know. Can’t see. Can’t hear. In The Whispers, someone or something — is manipulating the ones we love most to accomplish the unthinkable.  ABC.com

Johnny Jay Says: This is based on the Ray Bradbury short story "Zero Hour" which definitely has me intrigued.  But it was originally scheduled to bow at mid-season before getting pushed to a Summer run which has me worried that it may be starting off DOA just like The CW's The Messengers.  I'm still going to give it a look.

Stitchers (ABC Family, Debuts June 2nd):  Follows Kirsten, a young woman recruited into a covert government agency to be ‘stitched’ into the minds of the recently deceased, using their memories to investigate murders and decipher mysteries that otherwise would have gone to the grave. Working alongside Kirsten is Cameron, a brilliant neuroscientist whose passion for the program is evident in his work. The secret program is headed by Maggie, a skilled veteran of covert operations, and includes Linus, a socially immature bioelectrical engineer and communications technician. Kirsten’s roommate, Camille, a gifted computer science grad student, is also recruited to use her skills to assist Kirsten in her new role as a ‘stitcher.’ ABCFamily.com

Johnny Jay Says: Yet another series about someone who talks to/communicates with/sees through the eyes of/channels dead people and uses the information to solve crimes.  This one has received almost no promotion (I just stumbled on its existence today), which is not necessarily a good sign.  I know I will be passing on it.

Sense8 (Netlfix, Debuts June 5th): One gunshot, one death, one moment out of time that irrevocably links eight minds in disparate parts of the world, putting them in each other’s lives, each other’s secrets, and in terrible danger. Ordinary people suddenly reborn as “Sensates.” Netflix

Johnny Jay Says: Will we get the good Wachowskis (Matrix) or the bad Wachowskis (Jupiter Ascending)?  And will J. Michael Straczynski be able to temper their excesses?  The early reviews have not been great on this one, but if JMS is involved then I have to check it out.

Dark Matter (Syfy, Debuts June 12th):  In Dark Matter, the crew of a derelict spaceship is awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, betrayal and hidden secrets.  Syfy.com

Johnny Jay Says: The first of two Syfy Summer space-based shows (the other being Killjoys) and some high expectations are coming with this one.  It was created by Stargate vets Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie and is based on their comic book series of the same name.  The network is hoping this can become one of their next flagship franchises, so the pressure is on.  I will definitely be tuning in.

Proof (TNT, Debuts June 16th):  Jennifer Beals plays Dr. Carolyn Tyler, who has suffered the recent, devastating loss of her teenage son, the breakup of her marriage and a growing estrangement from her daughter. Carolyn is persuaded by Ivan Turing (Modine), a cancer-stricken tech inventor and billionaire to investigate cases of reincarnation, near-death experiences, hauntings and other phenomena, all of it in the search for evidence that death is not the end. TNTDrama

Johnny Jay Says:  This series may only have minimal genre elements but still may be of interest to those who have tuned into supernatural dramas like Ghost Whisperer and Medium. It does have the added bonus of having Eureka‘s Joe Morton (an all-time favorite actor of mine) onboard in a supporting role, but I can't say this will be high on my Summer viewing list.

Killjoys (Syfy, Debuts June 19th):  Killjoys follows a fun-loving, hard living trio of interplanetary bounty hunters sworn to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants throughout the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody, multiplanetary class war.  Syfy.com

Johnny Jay Says:  The second of Syfy's space-based Summer entries (the other being Dark Matter), this looks like it could be just good shoot-em-up fun.  It might pair up well with TNT's GI-Joe-saves-the-world series The Last Ship.

Humans (AMC, Debuts June 28th):  A bold new eight-part drama series from AMC, Channel 4 and Kudos, is set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for any busy family is a ‘Synth’ – a highly-developed robotic servant eerily similar to its live counterpart. AMCTV.com

Johnny Jay Says:  Coming from AMC, this one has some pedigree to live up to as that network has produced two of the best shows television ever with The Walking Dead and non-genre entry Breaking Bad (and I hear that Mad Men show wasn't half bad either).  This one is currently at the top of my Summer viewing list and I hope AMC lets it fully explore some of the interesting concepts in its premise.

Zoo (CBS, Debuts June 30th):  A global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans sweeping the planet. James Wolk will play Jackson Oz, a young, renegade American zoologist who spends his days running safaris in the wilds of Africa when he begins noticing the strange behavior of the animals. As the assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, he is thrust into the race to unlock the mystery of the pandemic before there’s no place left for people to hide. CBS.com

Johnny Jay Says:  This one sounds like it could deliver some good, dumb fun with its global/ecological disaster premise in the same vein as TNT's The Last Ship.  I think they would be best advised to keep it action-packed and not too heady (just like the other show mentioned) for it to appeal to the Summer audience.  Seems like it could be a good counter-balance to the heavier material that Humans and Fear the Walking Dead will deliver (both of which are topping my Summer viewing list).

Scream (MTV, Debuts June 30th):  What starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon leads to problems for the teenagers of Lakewood and serves as the catalyst for a murder that opens up a window to the town's troubled past. Everyone has secrets. Everyone tells lies. Everyone is fair game.  MTV.com

Johnny Jay Says:  How do you do Scream without ghostface (which is the current plan as I understand it)?  For that matter, how do you drag this out into an ongoing series?  The movie franchise was already getting tired by its third entry, so I don't have a lot of confidence in this show breathing new life into the original concept.

Fear the Walking Dead (AMC, Debut TBD):  What did the world look like as it was transforming into the horrifying apocalypse depicted in The Walking Dead? This summer, AMC will answer that question with Fear The Walking Dead, an all-new original series set in Los Angeles, following new characters as they face the beginning of the end of the world.  AMCTV.com

Johnny Jay Says:  This seems like a can't miss entry as it expands on the world of The Walking Dead and gives us a look at the early days of the zombie-pocalypse.  This one, along with the same network's Humans, will be topping my viewing list for the Summer.

First Look at the New Sci Fi / Fantasy Shows for the 2015-16 Season: DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Lucifer Look Like Winners

Below are the official synopses for the new sci fi / fantasy shows that the broadcast networks announced at the upfronts for the coming 2015-16 seasons.  Interestingly, ABC has no new genre entries this time around despite being the one Big Four network that has championed sci fi / fantasy the most the last few seasons.  But then they are bringing back four shows from the current season (Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Once Upon A Time, and Galavant), and they do have another Marvel show in the works, though no word on when that one will hit (and the SHIELD spin-off is not completely dead).  Plus, ABC is bringing the Muppets back, and you can debate all you want on whether it is a genre show, but you should be watching it.  Also of interest, sci fi-averse CBS has three new entries on its schedule, which is the most it has had in years.  FOX has the most new shows with five (that's counting The X-Files revival as a "new" entry), whereas NBC has only one (if you count Heroes Reborn as new) plus Blindspot that may prove to have some genre elements.  And The CW only has two new sci fi shows on the way, but seeing as they are carrying over eight (!), I don't believe that we can complain too much.

Following is the info on each of the new genre shows (sorted by network) with my comments below each.  You can see the initial schedule for Fall 2015 at this link with my comments and I will be giving my cancellation predictions on these shows as its gets closer to the beginning of the Fall season.

The Muppets (ABC): The Muppets return to primetime with a contemporary, documentary-style show. For the first time ever, a series will explore the Muppets’ personal lives and relationships, both at home and at work, as well as romances, breakups, achievements, disappointments, wants and desires. This is a more adult Muppet show, for “kids” of all ages.

Johnny Jay Says: This looks like The Muppet Show meets The Office, which could be a ton of fun if done right (ABC, you better not mess this up!).  I would have preferred that they just bring back the old Muppet Show variety format (that could have worked great, and it already had a behind the scenes feel to it), but I will definitely be tuning in for this one.

Angel from Hell (CBS): Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch stars in a single-camera comedy about Amy (Lynch), a colorful, brassy woman who insinuates herself into Allison’s (Maggie Lawson) organized and seemingly perfect life, claiming to be her “guardian angel.” Allison is an intense, driven doctor who is sure that Amy is just an inebriated, outspoken nut, until every one of her warnings proves true. Cautioned by Amy not tell anyone about her, Allison can’t discuss this over-the-top oddball with her father and business partner, Marv (Kevin Pollak), a sunburned dermatologist who shares an office with Allison, or her younger brother, Brad (Kyle Bornheimer), a pharmaceutical sales rep who lives over her garage. As Allison tries to push Amy away, Amy makes her final pitch: her sole mission is to provide Allison with helpful guidance that nudges her in the right direction in life – and it’s her final chance to prove herself as an angel. With that, Allison agrees to this unlikely relationship because maybe a weird friend is exactly what she needs… and what if Amy really is her “guardian angel”?

Johnny Jay Says: The trailer for this supernatural comedy looks interesting and I enjoyed sci fi sitcom The Last Man on Earth a lot more than I expected.  I will give it a look.

Limitless (CBS):  (Based on the feature film) A fast-paced drama about Brian Finch (Jake McDorman), who discovers the brain-boosting power of the mysterious drug NZT and is coerced by the FBI into using his extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve complex cases for them. Working closely with Brian in the major case squad in New York City is Special Agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter), a formidable investigator with a dark past, and Special Agent Boyle (Hill Harper), a former military officer and Rebecca’s confidante. They report to Special Agent in Charge Nasreen “Naz” Pouran (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), a canny manipulator of the reins of power. Unbeknownst to the FBI, Brian also has a clandestine relationship with Senator Edward Mora (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper, recurring), a presidential hopeful and regular user of NZT who has plans of his own for his new protégé. Fueled now with a steady supply of NZT that enables him to use 100% of his brain capacity, Brian is more effective than all of the FBI agents combined, making him a criminal’s worst nightmare and the greatest asset the Bureau has ever possessed.

Johnny Jay Says: Never got around to seeing the movie, but the TV spin-off looks worth checking out.  Seems real close to 2014's Intelligence, though, with a drug enhancing the hero's brain this time around rather than a computer chip.  And it's getting the same timeslot that killed that show, so that is concerning (more on that at this link).

Supergirl (CBS):  An action-adventure drama based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), Superman’s (Kal-El) cousin who, after 12 years of keeping her powers a secret on Earth, decides to finally embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be. Twelve-year-old Kara escaped the doomed planet Krypton with her parents’ help at the same time as the infant Kal-El. Protected and raised on Earth by her foster family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), and learned to conceal the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin in order to keep her identity a secret. Years later at 24, Kara lives in National City assisting media mogul and fierce taskmaster Cat Grant (Golden Globe Award winner Calista Flockhart), who just hired the Daily Planet’s former photographer, James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), as her new art director. However, Kara’s days of keeping her talents a secret are over when Hank Henshaw (David Harewood), head of a super-secret agency where her sister also works, enlists her to help them protect the citizens of National City from sinister threats. Though Kara will need to find a way to manage her newfound empowerment with her very human relationships, her heart soars as she takes to the skies as Supergirl to fight crime.

Johnny Jay Says: The first trailer was more girl and less super in this superhero / Ally McBeal hybrid (okay, I never watched Ally McBeal, but Supergirl does have Calista Flockhart).  It should be worth checking out, but don't care for the scheduling (directly against FOX's Gotham), and I go into more detail on that at this link.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (CW): When heroes alone are not enough… the world needs legends. Having seen the future, one he will desperately try to prevent from happening, time-traveling rogue Rip Hunter is tasked with assembling a disparate group of both heroes and villains to confront an unstoppable threat – one in which not only is the planet at stake, but all of time itself. Can this ragtag team defeat an immortal threat unlike anything they have ever known?

Johnny Jay Says: This is the 2015-16 season show that I am most pumped about from the broadcast networks and looks like it could be the most expensive show that The CW has produced to date.  It appears to be bringing along more of the fun elements of The Flash and less of the dark-and-gritty of Arrow and could deliver a decent superhero team-up romp!

Containment (formerly Cordon) (CW):  When a mysterious and deadly epidemic breaks out in Atlanta, a vast urban quarantine is quickly enforced, forcing those stuck on the inside to fight for their lives while local and federal officials desperately search for a cure. Trying to keep the peace on the streets is police officer Lex Carnahan, who has quickly risen through the ranks of the Atlanta PD. But Lex’s job becomes even harder when he learns that his longtime girlfriend, Jana, and his best friend and fellow officer Jake, are trapped within the cordoned area.

Johnny Jay Says: I'm always a sucker for a good pandemic tale, though I wonder if TWD prequel series Fear the Walking Dead might cover the same territory much better.  The trailer makes it look like it has less of The CW's trademark soap opera diversions, but you have to wonder how they will pad this out into a thirteen episode season (it bows mid-year) and then into more seasons beyond that.  Still, I will have it on my watch list.

The Frankenstein Code (FOX): A modern reimagining of the Mary Shelley classic, about a man brought back to life by two scientists playing god. Seventy-five-year-old JIMMY PRITCHARD is a shell of his former self. A drinker, a womanizer and a father who always put work before family, Pritchard was forced to resign as L.A. County Sheriff for corrupt conduct more than a decade ago. Now, some 15 unkind years later, he is killed when he stumbles upon a robbery at the home of FBI Agent DUVAL PRITCHARD, one of his three children. But death is surprisingly short for Jimmy, who is brought back to life by billionaire tech-genius twins MARY GOODWIN and her brother, OTTO, founders of the social networking empire, Lookinglass. Resurrected as a younger version of himself, with physical abilities of which he never dreamed, a re-animated Pritchard is given a second chance at life. What will he do with it? Will he seek vengeance against those who killed him? Will he try to repair the damage he did to his family? Will he embrace a new sense of purpose or fall prey to old temptations?

Johnny Jay Says: There were several Frankenstein pilots making the rounds across the networks (one starring Sean Bean), and this is the only one that stuck.  The premise seems rather tired, though, and it throws in the title of Mary Shelley's book to get some name recognition.  I'll check it out, but don't have high hopes.

Lucifer (FOX):  Based upon the characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, LUCIFER is the story of the original fallen angel. Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub. Charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, Lucifer is enjoying his retirement, indulging in a few of his favorite things – wine, women and song – when a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered outside of Lux. For the first time in roughly 10 billion years, he feels something awaken deep within him as a result of this murder. Compassion? Sympathy? The very thought disturbs him – as well as his best friend and confidante, MAZIKEEN aka MAZE, a fierce demon in the form of a beautiful young woman.

Johnny Jay Says: I never read the Neil Gaiman comic book, but the trailer makes it look like a ton of fun!  Seems like it would have been a better fit on one of the cable channels (and a great pair up with Constantine), but hopefully FOX won't water it down too much.

Minority Report (FOX): Based on the international blockbuster film by executive producer Steven Spielberg and the first of his films to be adapted for television, MINORITY REPORT follows the unlikely partnership between a man haunted by the future and a cop haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes of the year 2065 before they happen. Set in Washington, D.C., it is 10 years after the demise of Precrime, a law enforcement agency tasked with identifying and eliminating criminals…before their crimes were committed. To carry out this brand of justice, the agency used three precogs – “precognitives” Dash, Arthur and Agatha – who were able to see the future. Now, in 2065, crime-solving is different, and justice leans more on sophisticated and trusted technology than on the instincts of the precogs.

Johnny Jay Says: There's a ton of potential with this one and maybe they could dive into the pre-crime moral quandaries that Person of Interest has only skirted around.  But I'm worried that this will turn into another procedural with a few sci fi twists.

Scream Queens (FOX): FOX has ordered SCREAM QUEENS, a new genre-bending comedy-horror anthology series.  The series, produced by 20th Century Fox Television, is from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto, the executive producers of GLEE and “American Horror Story.” The first installment in the new anthology series revolves around a college campus which is rocked by a series of murders.

Johnny Jay Says: Not really sci fi, but genre fans may find something to like here.  The trailer sure makes it look fun.

The X-Files (FOX): Thirteen years after the original series run, FOX has ordered the next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES, a thrilling, six-episode event series which will be helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter, with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson re-inhabiting their roles as iconic FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. This marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.  (Premieres Jan 24, 2016)

Johnny Jay Says: Holding out hope that they will do justice to the original series.  That show really slipped in quality its last few years, but with just a few episodes (six total) the creative team can hopefully focus their energies and deliver a good addition to the show's legacy.

Blindspot (NBC): A vast international plot explodes when a beautiful Jane Doe is discovered naked in Times Square, completely covered in mysterious, intricate tattoos with no memory of who she is or how she got there. But there's one tattoo that is impossible to miss: the name of FBI agent Kurt Weller, emblazoned across her back. "Jane," Agent Weller and the rest of the FBI quickly realize that each mark on her body is a crime to solve, leading them closer to the truth about her identity and the mysteries to be revealed.

Johnny Jay Says: Another one of those shows with conspiracies and mysteries padding out each hour.  It may have some sci fi elements, but it will have to hook me quick to keep my attention.

Heroes Reborn (NBC): The saga behind the 2006 breakout series "Heroes" will continue this fall as creator Tim Kring returns to the fold and develops new layers to his original superhero concept.  This highly anticipated 13-episode event series will reconnect with the basic elements of the show’s first season, where ordinary people were waking up to the fact that they had extraordinary abilities.

Johnny Jay Says: We're all hoping that the revival will be more Season 1 Heroes and less Seasons 2 thru 4.  This could be great continuation (that gives some resolution to the Season 4 cliffhanger) or it could be yet another derailment for that once-promising show.

Focus on Fall Sci Fi TV: Constantine

Constantine: NBC, New Series, Premieres Friday October 24th 10 PM EST.

Here is the official description of the show from its website:

Based on the wildly popular comic book series "Hellblazer" from DC Comics, seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, "Criminal Minds") is armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and a wickedly naughty wit. He fights the good fight - or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he's decided to abandon his campaign against evil until a series of events thrusts him back into the fray, and he'll do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. With the balance of good and evil on the line‎, Constantine will use his skills to travel the country, find the supernatural terrors that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows... maybe there's hope for him and his soul after all.

What I have seen of this show looks interesting, but that is largely because Matt Ryan appears to be having so much fun chewing the scenery as the title character.  Apart from that, this looks like yet another supernatural series with a looming war between good and evil and apocalyptic overtones.  We already have that several times over across the television channels and for my money Supernatural has been doing it the best (as they add plenty of gallows humor to offset the darker themes).  Still, I'm intrigued enough by Constantine to give it a look.  I should note, though, that I have never followed the Hellblazer comic, and I hear that the show will be taking some liberties with the source material.  But maybe it will manage to hit the right buttons and give the other supernatural shows on television some competition.

As for its chances for survival, I have to say that the Friday 10 PM EST timeslot that NBC has this one scheduled in looks treacherous. Dracula did not do well enough in that hour last year to get a renewal (even though the show pulled relatively decent numbers for that low viewership slot). And I don’t know that Constantine will have as much draw from the comic book audience as FOX’s Gotham will. Plus, Constantine is not an international production like Dracula was, so it comes as a more expensive entry to its network.  NBC has ordered additional scripts for the show (only three), but that's not the same as a full season pickup and sometimes the nets do that just to stir up some buzz around the shows.  If this one pulls ratings similar to Dracula, then that angel visiting Constantine in the show may need to pull some strings from above to get this one a second season.

Here is the trailer for the show:

Focus on Fall Sci Fi TV: The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead, AMC, Returning Series (5th Season), Premiere Tuesday October 12th 9 PM EST

Here’s the official description for the fifth season of The Walking Dead:

Season Four of The Walking Dead ended with Rick and the group outgunned, outnumbered, and trapped in a train car awaiting a grim fate. Season Five picks up shortly thereafter. What follows is a story that weaves the true motives of the people of Terminus with the hopeful prospect of a cure in Washington, D.C., the fate of the group’s lost comrades, as well as new locales, new conflicts, and new obstacles in keeping the group together and staying alive. Stories will break apart and intersect. The characters will find love and hate. Peace and conflict. Contentment and terror. And, in the quest to find a permanent, safe place to call home, one question will haunt them…After all they’ve seen, all they’ve done, all they’ve sacrificed, lost, and held on to no matter what the cost…Who do they become? AMC

Season 4 of this show was definitely an exhausting affair, giving us the final showdown with the Governor and then all the struggles that followed when the group was scattered afterwards.  I’ve heard that the upcoming season will deliver a bit less in the way of gut-wrenching drama and instead focus more on action.  That may not be such a bad thing, as fans could use a break from some of those heart-stopping moments.  But TWD being what it is, don’t count on too much of a respite (especially with the specter of cannibalism lurking in Terminus).  Still, I expect this show to keep up the level of quality we have seen through its first four years (that includes the much-maligned second season), and I would direct you to Syfy’s Z Nation if you are looking for any zombie levity.

As far as the show's ratings prospects for this coming season, don't expect those numbers to be dropping much any time soon.  And the fact is that it could still slip a couple of points and still rank as the highest rated shows across the broadcast nets and cable. TWD even beat high profile sporting events pretty regularly based on the ratings in the 18-49 demo several times last season. This one will almost certainly be going out on its own terms and that won't be any time soon (and that spin-off series should be hitting some time next year).

Here is the Trailer for Season 5:
 

Buy The Walking Dead on DVD and Blu-ray or Stream Episodes from Amazon.com:

Focus on Fall Sci Fi TV: The Originals

The Originals, The CW, Returning Series (2nd Season), Premieres Monday Octobers 6th 8 PM EST

Here’s the official description for the second season of The Originals:

Season two finds our heroes adjusting to a new status quo, with the newly empowered werewolves controlling the city and a myriad of unknown threats lurking. Though Klaus and Hayley have vowed to scorch the earth in order to make New Orleans a safe home for their daughter, Hope, they also have inner demons to battle. As she adjusts to life as a hybrid, Hayley experiences crippling rage and depression after saying goodbye to her daughter, and Klaus – who needs his strength now more than ever – finds himself regularly weakened as the werewolves use the moonlight rings forged in his blood. Elijah, finding himself isolated from his troubled family, sets out to destroy Francesca (guest star Peta Sergeant) and her traitorous werewolves, connecting with Marcel and his renewed vampire community in the process. Despite the dangerous climate of the city, Cami recommits to her studies and to pursuing the life she wanted before she met Klaus – but the werewolves in the Quarter aren’t the only enemies preventing New Orleans from any semblance of peace.

Unbeknownst to Klaus and Elijah, their ruthlessly devious parents have returned from the dead. Though their father, Mikael (guest star Sebastian Roché), is controlled by Davina’s magic, he remains ever-intent on killing Klaus – even if he has to go through Davina to do it. Elsewhere, their mother, Esther (guest star Alice Evans), inhabiting the body of a teenage witch, is fueled by a consuming and twisted love for her children as she devises a disturbing plan to reunite her fractured family – a plan that involves untold torment not only for the Original siblings, but for any and all of their loved ones.  --The CW

 I found myself hooked by this Vampire Diaries spin-off last season even though I never cared much for the parent series.  In its first season, The Originals dispensed with all of the angsty stories of show it came from (and I understand Diaries has veered from that as well) and also focused less on the soap opera aspects you might expect from it.  Instead, it delivered plenty of morally ambiguous characters in a power struggle that was downright Shakespearean at times.   And the second year promises more of the same.  For my money, this is the true heir to Dark Shadows and it also realizes the potential that the short-lived Kindred: The Embraced hinted at back in 1996 and I’m definitely pumped for the coming second season.

As far as its prospects of making it to a third season, I have to say I'm less than optimistic at this point.  The Originals was hit hard by The CW’s late season slump last year, and now it finds itself shifted to Mondays which have been a disaster for the network the last few years.  I realize they are hoping the show will help them win back some of the audience share for that night like it did with Tuesdays last season.  But then it had the assistance of Supernatural then whereas it is taking on Mondays with an untested (non-genre) new entry.  That makes me very nervous.  Still, since it airs on the fifth place network, it will be given a bit more leeway if its numbers drop.  But don't be surprised to see this show at bubble status before too long.

Here is the trailer for Season 2:

Focus on Fall Sci Fi TV: Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars Rebels: Disney XD, New Series, Premiere Movie Airs Friday October 3rd 9 PM EST, Series Premieres Monday Octobers 13th 9 PM EST

This animated series takes place between Episode III and IV of the movies and the show's website describes the premise thusly:

The story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost – cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the "muscle" Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and cantankerous old astromech droid Chopper – is among a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, they will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

The movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will premiere on the Disney XD website on September 29 and then on the Disney XD channel on October 3rd.  Then the weekly series will begin in its regular Monday timeslot on October 13th at 9 PM EST.  You can see the trailer for the show below and several shorts and additional clips at the show's website.

From what I have seen so far, the animation looks good, which was the strongest point of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  But it looks like they have to have the requisite, annoying teenager as the focus of the series and also the expected wise-cracking badass running around as well.  Hopefully, though, it won't turn out as derivative and redundant as The Clone Wars did.  And since its Star Wars, we have to at least give it a look.  My expectations are not too high for this one, but I'm at least hoping it delivers some entertaining space opera each week that's not too bogged down by cliche.

As far as its chances for survival, this one is a strong contender going in and will likely go as long as Disney wants to air it. The only reason that Star Wars: The Clone Wars was truncated (though it made it well past the hundred episodes Lucas originally envisioned) was because Disney was cleaning house of the old in preparation for the new. Expect Rebels to pull decent ratings for its network and stick around for several years.  And sell a ton of toys and other merchandising in the process . . .

Here is the Trailer:


The First Star Wars Rebels Lego Sets are Available Now:

Fall 2013 Season's Best Bets for Science Fiction and Fantasy Television

23 shows!  23!  That's how many new and returning science fiction and fantasy shows will debut in Prime Time between tonight (with The Legend of Korra at 7 PM EST on Nickelodeon plus Haven at 9 PM EST on Syfy) and November 23rd (when the BBC/BBC America newbie Atlantis has its bow).  23!  And that's not counting the dozen plus shows scheduled to hit the airwaves at mid-season.  And sci fi fans claim that there's nothing to watch on television?!?!

Of course you can make an argument that there's nothing good in the genre to watch, but even there you are stretching it a bit because this Fall has some pretty decent options if you're looking for sci fi.  But then watching 23 shows over the next few months presents a pretty arduous task for even the most dedicated couch potato.  I gave up on trying to follow all of the sci fi/fantasy shows on television several seasons ago, though I do try to check out at least a few episodes of each of the new shows.  Following is my list of the Fall shows that I'm excited about or at least plan on tuning in for to see if I will add them to my (ever-expanding) must-watch list.  Feel free to chime in with your recommendations in the comments section below.  And you can check out my renewal/cancellation predictions for all of these shows at this link, and be sure to follow my regular Cancellation Watch column and my Cancellation Watch Twitter site to see how these shows are doing in the ratings as the season progresses. 

New Shows:

Definitely excited about:

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, Tuesdays 8 PM, Premieres Sept 24th):  Come on, what's not to like about this one?  It's a spin-off of last years stellar Avengers movie.  It brings back Agent Coulson.  And it brings Josh Whedon back to television (my understanding is that his involvement will be somewhat limited beyond the pilot, but his troupe of regulars which will include Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen will be at the helm).  I've pegged this one as a sure hit for the season and its already close to the top of my must-watch list for the season.

Dracula (NBC, Fridays 10 PM, Premieres Oct 25th):  Sure, it's another vampire show, but it goes back to the most famous of the blood suckers and it has Daniel Knauf at the helm who created one of my all-time favorite shows, the under-appreciated Carnivale (more on that one at this link). I'm hopping he brings a similar moody atmosphere to this show, and I think he has a good chance of making it stand out from the other vampire TV entries.


The Tomorrow People (The CW, Wednesdays 9 PM, Premieres Oct 9th):  Finally!  A remake that makes some sense.  The original 70's British series had some interesting ideas that were unfortunately lost amidst  exceptionally poor production values (this one made classic Doctor Who look like a big budget affair!).  Let's hope The CW version taps into the story potential of people who represent the next stage of evolution without retreading on territory already explored (The X-Men, Alphas, etc.) and without too much mugging and humping from attractive young faces (the network's trademark).

Will give a look to:

Once Upon A Time in Wonderland (ABC, Thursdays 8 PM, Premieres Oct 10th):  I gave up on this show's parent series a while back, but the spin-off looks like it might deliver a roller-coaster ride side trip into the surreal (mind-altering substances recommended to enhance the viewing experience).  It's at least worth a look, and it's only planned for a single season run, so it won't leave us hanging (and they have additional stories reserved for future seasons in case it does well in the ratings).

Almost Human (FOX, Mondays 8 PM, Premieres Nov 4th):  The trailers make this one look like a pastiche of genre cliches (sci fi and cop show), but the premise of humans cops working with androids in the near future has some potential.  I'll give it a look at least. 

The Originals (Tuesdays 8 pm, Premieres Oct 3rd):  I was never a Vampire Diaries fan (sorry, wrong demographic), but this one is billed as a more adult spin-off.  The trailers piqued my interest, so I will probably try out a couple of episodes.

Atlantis (BBC America, Saturdays 10 PM, Premieres Nov 23rd):  The BBC tries to fill the fantasy gap left by Merlin (which wrapped up after five seasons) with this show which will offer a healthy dose of Greek mythology characters.  There's so few fantasy shows on television (and fewer good ones) that I have to at least check it out.

May tune in for:

Sleepy Hollow (FOX, Mondays 9 PM, Premieres Sept 16th):  Ichabob Crane travels from the past to the present day to team up with a cop and try and stop the apocalypse?  Shouldn't he have sought out Sam and Dean Winchester instead?  The trailer actually makes this look good, but then that's what trailers are supposed to do.

---

---

Returning Shows:

Can't wait for the return of:

The Walking Dead (AMC , Sundays 10 PM, Season 4 Premiere Oct 13th):  Not only did this show break all sort of ratings records last year, it continues to push the bounds of series television with its no-holds barred approach.  I have to admit that the Governor started to get on my nerves last year and I didn't like a few of the plot turns of Season 3, but those are just nitpicks.  This is hands down the best sci fi show on television in past few years.

Looking forward to catching up with:

Supernatural (The CW, Tuesdays 9 PM, Season 9 Premiere Oct 9th):  Sure, this show has leaps of logic so large that a five year old could call them out (Sam and Dean have left a trail of bodies from one side of the country to the next, yet the authorities are not on their tail?).  But the characters and mythology are great and show delivers some damn good stories.  My top guilty pleasure for now.

Arrow (Wednesdays 8 PM, Season 2 Premiere Oct 9th): All of the soap opera shenanigans with uber-pretty people started to wear on me during the first season, but apart from that, this show does superheroes for television right.  And the Lost-like flashbacks to the island (no, a different island) are the best part of this show.

Person of Interest (CBS, Tuesdays 10 PM, Season 3 Premiere Sept 24th):  Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson are the ones that make this series worth watching, but I really wish the writers would delve deeper into the premise of the show with stories that address the implications of a surveillance-dominated society as well as the moral quandaries of a machine that can predict crimes before they happen.  If it starts to do that, then it could go from a good show to a great one.

May give a look to:

The Neighbors (Fridays 8:30 PM, Season 2 Premiere Sept 20th):  Yeah, I know I railed on this show pretty bad for much of last season, and it deserved it based on its early episodes.  But the season finale acted as kind of a reboot and was actually not too bad (and it had George Takei and Mark Hamill).  So maybe I will check out a couple of episodes to see if they keep that momentum going.

If I'm completely board, I might watch:

Revolution (NBC, Wednesdays 8 PM, Season 2 Premiere Sept 25th):  Supposedly, the second season of this show will act as a kind of a reboot.  But the first season was such an awful mess (even the later, allegedly "improved" episodes) that I can't see how they could course-correct at this point.  I'll probably watch the season premiere, but unless that shows a drastic improvement from last year, I'm out.

---

Why Were They Cancelled? 
The Plight of Science Fiction and Fantasy Television in the Face of the Unforgiving Nielsens and Networks

Ever wondered why your favorite science fiction and/or fantasy show disappeared from the television schedule, never to deliver anymore new episodes? The reason why, most likely, is that it was cancelled because its ratings were low. And this book looks at those many cancelled sci fi/fantasy shows as well as the Neilsen ratings and television networks that dictate their fates. Available now for only $2.99 on Kindle from Amazon.com.

Cancellation Watch Fall 2013 Science Fiction and Fantasy TV Preview

Another new television season is upon us and despite the fact that many science fiction and fantasy fans regularly complain that there is nothing to watch on the tube, the number of genre entries offered by the broadcast networks and cable channels continues to grow each year.  This Fall, there are more than twenty new and returning genre shows that will debut between September and November, and at mid-season there are more than a dozen set to join those (I’ll be covering them as it gets closer to January).  So there are plenty of offerings for fans to choose from and some that look quite promising along with others that should continue to deliver the same level of quality we have seen in prior seasons (and you can see my recommendations for the coming season at this link).  But as always, shows in the sci fi vein (applying that term broadly to science fiction, fantasy, and horror) face that monolithic hurdle called the Nielsen ratings that they must contend with to remain on the air.  I track the ratings for all of the sci fi shows currently airing each week with my Cancellation Watch column and also over at the Cancellation Watch Twitter Site.  And before the season begins (and again at mid-season), I usually give my predictions on how likely a show is to get cancelled.  My Fall 2013 Preview Page has my look at each of the upcoming genre entries that will debut between September and November with the pre-season Cancellation Alert status I have assigned to each.  Last season I was pretty accurate with these, pegging 666 Park Ave and Last Resort as likely goners and Arrow as an almost certain hit (by The CW standards at least).  I did miss on The Neighbors--flagging it as sure to be cancelled by mid-season--but you can make a pretty strong argument that it should have been axed based on its numbers.  Note that I rarely give a new series the lowest or highest Cancellation Alert statuses because there are too many variables that haven’t come into play yet that makes it harder to predict accurately how they will perform in the ratings.  That said, I did it last season with two shows (I hit on Arrow as sure to get renewed, but missed on The Neighbors as mentioned above).  And I am doing it again this season with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  (more on that at my preview page).   You can see my full predictions for all of the science fiction and fantasy over at my Fall Preview Page, and below I have a quick look at which shows are most likely to survive and which ones could face a potential date with the network executioners (note that any renewal predictions on The CW shows assumes that network doesn't fold, which is always a possibility). I also have the full list of Fall premieres below sorted by their debut date.

September 13th is when things get kicked off with the premieres of Haven on Syfy and The Legend of Korra on Nickelodeon.  You can see the full schedule of Fall 2013 shows (along with series descriptions for the new entries) with premiere dates at this link.  And keep a close eye on my Cancellation Watch column and at the Cancellation Watch Twitter Site for when the early results from the Fall season will start rolling in.  So strap yourself in because another wild season is about to start up and stick with this site to know whether your favorite shows might be facing the looming threat of cancellation.

---

---

New shows with the best chances of surviving:

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
The Originals (CW)
The Tomorrow People (CW)
Dracula (NBC)

Returning shows most likely to earn yet another season:

American Horror Story (FX)
Arrow (CW)
Grimm (NBC) 
Person of Interest (CBS)
Supernatural (CW)
Vampire Diaries (CW)
The Walking Dead (AMC)

New shows facing an uphill climb:

Almost Human (FOX)
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC)
Sleepy Hollow (FOX)

Returning shows with struggles ahead:

Haven (Syfy)
Revolution (NBC)

Full List of Fall Premiere Dates for Fall 2013 Science Fiction and Fantasy Shows:

The Legend of Korra (Nickelodeon)    September 13
Haven (Syfy)    September 13
Sleepy Hollow (FOX)    September 16
The Neighbors (ABC)    September 20
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)    September 24
Person of Interest (CBS)    September 24
Revolution (NBC)    September 25
Once Upon A Time (ABC)    September 29
The Originals* (CW)    October 3
Vampire Diaries (CW)    October 3
Witches of East End (Lifetime)    October 6
Beauty and the Beast (CW)    October 7
Supernatural (CW)     October 8
Arrow (CW)    October 9
The Tomorrow People (CW)     October 9
The American Horror Story: Coven (FX)    October 9
Once Upon A Time in Wonderland (ABC)    October 10
The Walking Dead (AMC)    October 13
Grimm (NBC)    October 25
Dracula (NBC)    October 25
Almost Human (FOX)    November 4
Atlantis (BBC America)    November 23

*The Originals will premiere on Thursday, Oct 3rd at 9 PM EST after the 5th season premiere of Vampire Diaries.  It will then move to its regular Tuesday 8 PM EST timeslot on Oct 9th.

See My Full Fall 2013 Science Fiction and Fantasy TV Preview at This Link

---