Well, that came upon us in a hurry. Perhaps because there aren’t any major new shows to get excited about, the Fall 2013 TV season snuck up on me rather quickly this year. But while this is the thinnest lineup of new network shows (and returning shows for that matter, after last season’s cancellation spree) in at least 20 years, it’s not time to throw out your TV yet. Here are four new shows worth a peek (all times Central):
1. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (7:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox, starts tonight) — The pairing of the dead-serious Andre Braugher, as the captain, and the never-remotely-serious Andy Samberg, as one of the top cops, should put a smile on viewers’ faces. This somewhat-“Parks and Recreation”-style sitcom also looks to have a strong supporting cast, including a complete klutz, a scary-serious woman, and another woman constantly trying to prove her toughness. It should slide in nicely next to “New Girl” and “The Mindy Project” for a laugh-packed Tuesday night.
2. “The Goldbergs” (8 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC, starts Sept. 24) — And maybe you can get even more Tuesday laughs from your DVR. Inevitably, Jeff Garlin’s first post-“Curb Your Enthusiasm” gig was going to be a letdown. Still, the fact that “The Goldbergs” doesn’t look like a HUGE letdown says something about this family sitcom, and his role as the gruff-but-loving dad. It gets bonus points for being set in the 1980s; let’s hope it does at least as good a job as “The Carrie Diaries” (hopefully better) of capturing the feel of that decade.
3. “Super Fun Night” (8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC, starts Oct. 2) — I run hot and cold with Rebel Wilson’s brand of straight-faced, British-accented humor, but this one is worth a look as it seems to effectively continue the refreshing trend of women who don’t have it all together. Wilson plays one of three introverted roommates who decide they need to have more fun; perhaps unique to this show, none of them are stereotypically hot Hollywood actresses.
4. “Almost Human” (7 p.m. Mondays on Fox, starts Nov. 4) — While comedies are enjoying a mini-resurgence, dramas seem to be suffering. This one from one of the creators of “Fringe” looks like the best of a weak batch — a slightly better version of your typical SyFy Channel show, with the slightest touch of a cool “Blade Runner”-style backdrop (I’m skeptical about how consistent the production values will be, though). Hopefully, the cases the two cops investigate will be at least as cleverly futuristic as what we saw on “Fringe.”
Oh, and some veteran shows did survive last season’s bloodbath. Here are the four I’m most enthused about:
1. “Parenthood” Season 5 (9 p.m. Thursdays on NBC, starts Sept. 26) — I don’t need to know what storylines Jason Katims has planned to know this is still the best drama on TV. Much like his previous low-rated masterpiece, “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood” has miraculously reached five seasons; maybe the TV gods have a smidgen of taste after all.
2. “The Mindy Project” Season 2 (8:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox, starts tonight) — Even going all Felicity with her hair, Mindy Kaling is still the funniest woman on TV, and her show really found its stride in the back half of its premiere season. Armed with guest stars like James Franco and Glenn Howerton — and Ellie Kemper as a love interest for Morgan! — it looks like it’ll keep getting better.
3. “The Walking Dead” Season 4 (8 p.m. Sundays on AMC, starts Oct. 13) — In TV’s best water-cooler show of the moment, it seems Rick finally gets past his prejudice of letting new people into the group. Heck, a whole town is joining them at the prison. Meanwhile, the Governor still lurks out there, along with some new villains, no doubt. Plus, there’s Carl’s increasing bad-assery. Oh, and probably zombies.
4. “The Carrie Diaries” Season 2 (7 p.m. Fridays on The CW, starts Oct. 25) — With the switch to Fridays, it appears it’ll be two-and-out for this delicious-but-not-nutritious show (which is why I eat Sour Patch Kids while watching it). The 1980s setting, the voiceovers, the magazine gig, and the addictive enthusiasm of AnnaSophia Robb’s lead character make “The Carrie Diaries” a tough habit to give up. But I admit that two seasons seems about right.
P.S.: My buddy and fellow blogger Seth Stringer is more optimistic about the fall lineup than I am, as he plans to peruse 10 new shows, not to mention 10 returning shows. You can find his fall TV preview here.