Fall Season 2016 schedule was recently announced. And TV viewers will be answering the question, “should it stay or should it go?”
The Black presence is strong in the new season, and Hollywood includes other ethnic performers as well. A number of shows reflect that “common ground” kind of thing we all go through regardless of race, age, or body type which makes for funny, heart-tugging, and dramatic moments which reflects the human condition.
Listed below are some of the new shows that will be airing this Fall starring or prominently featuring Black performers.
Sunday Nights:
Fox’s “Son of Zorn” 7:30-8pm
This animation-live action comedy stars animated warrior Zorn (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) and his return to the live-action suburbs to make peace with his ex-wife and son, only to find she is engaged. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”) stars as Craig, an online psychology professor and a very stable presence in the lives of Zorn’s estranged family.
Monday Nights:
ABC’s “Conviction” 9-10pm
The wrongly accused will now have a very tough and controversial team behind them. From an attorney (Hayley Atwell) with a soiled reputation, to a tough and no-nonsense former NYPD detective from a cop family played by Merrin Dungey (“Chasing Life”). A brilliant young attorney (Hayley Atwell), who is also the daughter of a former U.S. president, is blackmailed to head up LA’s new Conviction Integrity Unit. She and her team investigate cases where people may have been wrongly convicted.
NBC’s “Timeless” 8-9pm
An unlikely trio traveling through time to battle unknown criminals in order to protect history as we know it. The “Timeless” stars Abigail Spencer as Lucy Preston, Matt Lanter as Wyatt Logan, and Malcolm Barrett (“Dear White People”) as Rufus. When his character Rufus was told he had to go back in time he said…”I can’t.” I am Black. There’s literally no place in American History that will be awesome for me.”
Tuesday Nights:
ABC’s “American Housewife” 7:30-8pm
Katie Otto (Katy Mixon,”Mike and Molly”), a confident, unapologetic wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Conn., filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring.
Broadway star Carly Hughes (Angela) joins in on the fun as a close friend and advisor.
Wednesdays:
Fox’s “Lethal Weapon” 7-8pm
There is a lot of buzz surrounding this popular film which will now be on TV.
Murtaugh (Damon Wayans Sr.) and Riggs (Clayne Crawford) are back in the hot seat. “When Texas cop and former Navy SEAL Martin Riggs suffers the loss of his wife and baby, he moves to Los Angeles to start anew. There, he gets partnered with LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh, (Damon Wayans, Sr.) who, having recently suffered a “minor” heart attack, must avoid any stress in his life.
ABC’s “Speechless” 7:30-8pm
Minnie Driver (“About a Boy”) stars as a mom on a mission who will do anything for her husband, Jimmy, and kids Ray, Dylan, and JJ, her eldest son with special needs. She searches for just the right person to give JJ his “voice.” And that person is Cedric Yarbrough (“The Boondocks”) as Kenneth.
ABC’s “Designated Survivor’ 9-10pm
Kiefer Sutherland stars as a low-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession. Aided by Nikki, Speech Writer1 played by JaNae Aramogan (“The Guardian”) and
Agent Mike Ritter played by LaMonica Garrett they help bring the Nation back from the brink.
CW’s “Frequency” 8-9pm
“Frequency” tells the tale of a detective who can talk to her deceased father via ham radio. Working together to solve crimes and patch over long-held grievances, the duo soon discover that they must also grapple with time-travel-like side effects of helping each other across the decades.
Cast: Peyton List, Riley Smith, Mekhi Phifer
Thursdays:
CBS’s “The Great Indoors” 7:30-8pm (October)
This multi-cultural sitcom stars Joel McHale (“The X-Files”) in a comedy about a renowned adventure reporter for an outdoor magazine who must adapt to the times when he becomes the desk-bound boss to a group of millennials in the digital department of the publication. Shaun Brown (“Fresh Off the Boat”) stars as Mason, a hipster-lumberjack who hasn’t spent any actual time outside.
NBC’s “The Good Place” 7:30-8pm
Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”) stars an ordinary woman who enters the afterlife where she comes to realize that she hasn’t been a very good person. She’s determined to shed her old way of living and discover the awesome (or at least the pretty good) person within. William Jackson Harper (“How to Tell You’re a Douche Bag”) stars as Chris who is with her every step of her the wayward way.
You can find video presentations of these shows and more on YouTube.
