Fall TV: What looks promising, or puzzling
NEW YORK — TV never stops.
Before one season has a chance to end, the broadcast networks are already pitching a new one to advertisers in New York at their annual schmooze-buy-and-lie fest, where every new show is a hit waiting to be born.
Well, as you know: No. Most new shows will fail. But for every three flops, there's also a Flash. The trick is telling one from the other.
Don't expect any definitive answers here. The networks have screened only brief clips from their pilots, some of which will be reworked or recast.
Still, those clips exist, and the networks are going to ever greater social-media lengths to get them distributed. The goal is to drum up positive buzz and create a good first impression — which means it's fair to comment on the impression they've created.
So with that in mind, you'll find no "best" and "worst" listed here — it's much too soon to make that kind of judgment. Instead, here are the shows that seem like each network's most promising and puzzling choices for fall.
ABC
Most Promising: The Mup pets
Reboots abound next season, and while most occupy that no-man's-land between unlikely and unwanted (Coach, NBC? Really?), this Muppet mockumentary could be the rare remake that reminds you of how much you missed the original. Now let's see if you're happy to have it back.
Most Puzzling: Of Kings and Prophets
ABC turns to the Bible for this story of Saul and David, cast once again with British actors — because who better to portray ancient Semites? As the story didn't support NBC's 2009 updated version, Kings, and the Bible has not fared so well for NBC with A.D., it doesn't take a prophet to see trouble looming here.
CBS
Most Promising: Supergirl
To those who say there are too many superheroes on TV, CBS would answer "Yes, but they're not Supergirl — and the network may prove to be right. Certainly, the clip was among the most encouraging, offering a strong, smart female heroine that mirrors the more optimistic take of The Flash.
Most Puzzling: Limitless
And then there's this remake of the 2011 feature film Limitless, a so-so performer at the box office despite its star, Bradley Cooper — who makes a guest appearance in the pilot before turning the leading role over to Jake McDorman (Manhattan Love Story). If people didn't rush to see Cooper in this story, it's hard to imagine why they'd want to see it without him.
Fox
Most Promising: Scream Queens
When it comes to buzz, few shows have screamed louder than this mash-up of Scream, Glee and American Horror Story from, appropriately enough, the producers of Glee and American Horror Story. Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michele and Abigail Breslin head the cast of this dark comedy about a sorority stalked by a devilish killer.
Most Puzzling: Minority Report
On the plus side, Minority Report did better at the box office than Limitless, though not as well as the Rush Hour franchise, which is being revised by CBS. On the minus side, the movie version starred Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell and Max von Sydow — and the TV version doesn't.
NBC
Most Promising: Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
The multi-talented Tony and Emmy winner stars in this live mix of variety show, game show and Candid Camera pranks. It was hard to get a sense of what an actual episode will be like, but it's also hard not to hold out hope for any show that is attempting to do something outside of the standard drama/comedy confines.
Most Puzzling: Heartbreaker
CBS has its ER copy Code Black, and NBC has this Grey's Anatomy copy, Heartbreaker. Unless it's actually a Grey's spoof: In a manner of minutes, the clips ran through more medical-drama clichés than Grey's has used in a decade.
CW
Most Promising: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
What is going on at CW? Last fall, the network had broadcast's two best new series, Jane the Virgin and The Flash. And now, it has what may be fall's most promising comedy, an inventive sort-of musical starring Rachel Bloom as a woman who is driven crazy by love. Is this the end of the old CW, the much-mocked home of pretty, insipid characters in pretty, insipid shows?
Most Puzzling: Reign
Apparently not, just in case you were worried. It's still on.