TV season is upon us! No more having to make conversation with your boring roommates. Now you can live vicariously through all the fantastic shows that are returning to action. Make sure you’ve got plenty of DVR space, because there are some great programs coming your way. Check out the list below to see which ones you need to see.
Mondays
Gotham – FOX, January 5th
Jim Gordon may not have done so well in the eyes of the mayor, but he has led us to the heart of Arkham, and that is A-OK with me. We also get to meet Leslie Thompkins, played by Morena Baccarin (Firefly‘s Inara), which should automatically bring in a slew of fanboys and horndogs, alike. Gotham’s bleak future will likely have a see-saw effect on Gotham‘s future.
Eye Candy – MTV, January 12th *NEW SERIES*
Hot tech genius hunts a serial killer. Based off an R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) novel.
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore – Comedy Central, January 19th *NEW SERIES*
This show is replacing the time slot left by the Colbert Report. No pressure, Larry. Another Daily Show alumnus gets the spotlight. Has great potential.
House of Cards – Netflix, February 23rd
Ahh! I only have a month and a half to catch up on two seasons of House of Cards before the 3rd season is available to stream. Everybody is talking about this show, and I look forward to catching up on it.
Tuesdays
Agent Carter – ABC, January 6th *NEW SERIES*
A spin-off of sorts from last year’s Captain America 2: Winter Soldier, Agent Carter will flesh out the creation of S.H.I.E.L.D., with name-drops and Easter Eggs from the Marvel Universe. Peggy Carter is one bad chick, and the timeline of the show has me even more interested.
Parks and Recreation – NBC, January 13th
It had to happen eventually. Parks and Rec‘s 7th and final season will be only 13 episodes long, and surely leave a gaping hole in the sitcom world. As sad as it will be to end, I’m sure the finale will be worth it.
The Kroll Show – Comedy Central, January 13th
I have no idea how this show is still a thing. Nick Kroll, who you may recognize from The League, has quietly held this sketch comedy show for two seasons. Good news is that this will be the last one.
The Flash – The CW, January 20th
This line-up of comic book shows had one of the craziest series of cliff-hangers I have seen, and the entrance of the Reverse Flash was no exception here. Look forward to more meta-human nonsense and hopefully some clarification to the giant mystery that is Harrison Wells.
Justified – FX, January 20th
Another long-running series is coming to an end. Raylan has come a long way as a character, so it will be interesting to see how the series wraps up.
Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – ABC, March 3rd
After the crazy reveal at the mid-season, Agents is taking a prolonged break to avoid competition with Agent Carter. The weird, crawling pace of this show can be frustrating, but I just close my eyes and say, “it’s Joss Whedon; he has a plan.”
Wednesdays
Empire – FOX, January 7th *NEW SERIES*
Terrance Howard and Taraji Henson face off as ex-spouses vying for control of the record label they helped create. It’s a continuation from Hustle & Flow, probably the last movie I ever expected to live on as a TV series. Could be interesting.
black-ish – ABC, January 7th
Anthony Anderson’s racially-charged sitcom comes back for more.
American Horror Story – FX, January 7th
AHS: Freak Show has been one of the most interesting installments thus far – but by far the least frightening. There have been clues alluding to an inter-connected story, but with only 3 episodes in the season left, it had better cut to the chase. More clowns!!
Man Seeking Woman – FXX, January 14th *NEW SERIES*
This is the End (and How to Train Your Dragon)’s Jay Baruchel stars as a mid-20’s guy looking to get laid. Or true love. It’s not rally clear yet. What a concept. Hopefully there is more substance to this show, because I find Baruchel hilarious.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – FXX, January 14th
This show remains one of the last standing long-running sitcoms on television. It’s a winning formula that has kept a cult following for nearly a decade.
Arrow – the CW, January 21st
Uh, I need Arrow, and I need it now. After the mid-season cliff-hanger (heh, not exactly), I have been in hysterics about what the heck is going on in Star City. There are SOOO many loose ends here – what a spectacular show.
The Americans – FX, January 28th
Just ten years ago, Keri Russell and Phillip Jennings were known for their roles as cutesy-wutesy characters in family shows. Now, they are murderous Russian spies living next to an FBI counter-terrorism operative during the Cold War. If you love Murrica (or hate it, whatever), you will watch this show.
Fresh off the Boat – ABC, February 4th *NEW SERIES*
With all the sitcoms dying out, it’s great to see a new one pop out. This is like an Asian-American version of Everybody Hates Chris, where the show’s creator, chef Eddie Huang, tells a loosely autobiographical version of his life. Note: this show will air regularly on Tuesdays starting February 10th.
CSI: Cyber – CBS, March 4th *NEW SERIES*
I will usually be the first one to wave off a new CSI series, as I have found them extremely formulaic and unprogressive since their inception. CBS must have heard my cries because after having two of their spin-offs cancelled (NY, LA), they finally decided to catch the show up to current times, targeting cyber villains. Oh, and Bow Wow is in it. Sold.
Thursdays
Archer – FX, January 8th
Last season of Archer took a wildly different approach by dissolving ISIS (no relation) and making the group a bunch of outlaws. It was quite entertaining, but I sincerely cannot wait for the show to get back to its roots this year.
Big Bang Theory – CBS, January 8th
Will Amy and Sheldon finally consummate this relationship in coitus?
This is Not Happening – Comedy Central, January 22nd *NEW SERIES*
I’m always a sucker for new stand-up comedy. It’s great background noise, and I feel the most accomplished when I can clear it from my DVR. This is Not Happening is a simple concept; comedians tell stories of things that have happened to them. It’s like listening your friends, but likely much funnier, and you can hit fast forward when you don’t think they are funny.
Scandal – ABC, January 29th
Seriously, stop being a bitch baby and watch this show! I consider this my guilty pleasure because I do know how utterly insane the storyline has gotten, but I can’t stop watching. Kerry Washington is just too beautiful, and Joe Morton (Olivia’s dad) is downright terrifying.
How to Get Away With Murder – ABC, January 29th
How many dead girl phone penis shots does it take to convict a guy, jeez! This super raunchy, ultra dramatic show is back after a bombshell of a mid-season finale. It might seem a bit ridiculous to the casual viewer, but if you can just enjoy the ride, you’ll enjoy yourself.
Fridays & Saturdays
Glee – FOX, January 9th
Say goodbye to Glee, you guys, because this sixth season will mark the show’s last. The concept has been great; the show has given power and a voice to so many under-represented groups in our culture. Jane Lynch has been phenomenal, and it’s still the only place you can find Gwyneth Paltrow singing Cee-Lo’s “Fuck You.”
King of the Nerds – TBS, January 23rd
King of the Nerds may be the only reality competition show I have ever been excited for (aside from maybe Skin Wars). Pitting a variety of nerds against each other to see who is the nerdiest results in one of the funnest displays of geekiness on TV. Chances are you will hate everybody who is good at this in one way or another, but living the competition vicariously through them is as close to the show as most of us will get.
Sundays
The Simpsons – FOX, January 4th
You know… The Simpsons, man!
Bob’s Burgers – FOX, January 4th
Bob’s Burgers didn’t win Best Animated Series of 2014 here at Hush Comics for no reason. The show is hilarious, and one of the few out there that I really do not care what happens in it. Archer voice actor H. Jon Benjamin is perfect in this role as the only normal one in a home full of lunatics.
House of Lies – Showitme, January 11th
This is one of those that nobody watches because it’s A) on a premium network and B) not easily pirated… so I hear. Don Cheadle (Denver, represent!) is amazing in House of Lies, the story about a marketing exec who chases the high life more than his own life. The characters are dynamic and the main characters have just hit a huge road bump. I can’t wait to watch this live.
Girls – HBO, January 11th
Girls is coming back and it feels like it’s been forever. Hannah was accepted into the University of Iowa writing program, so it looks like she and Elijah will be out there, Shosh is finally a real adult. And Jessa and Marnie are still the same. What I’m really looking forward to is Ray’s story. He’s by far the best character, and I hope that something good finally happens to him. Plus, it isn’t Girls if we don’t get an awkward sex scene in the first episode, so there is that to look forward to, as well. Did I mention this is an adult-themed show?
The Walking Dead – AMC, February 8th
It’s off to Alexandria we go! I mean, right? It has to be… The Walking Dead gave us a big kick to the shins and ran away to end the midseason last year, and we haven’t quite recovered. All I know is that the walkers will get more and more disgusting, and more people will surely die.
Better Call Saul – AMC, February 8th *NEW SERIES*
No description necessary. Will we watch this show? You’re goddamn right.
Last Night Tonight With John Oliver – HBO, February 8th
Hot damn, are we in for a treat this day or what?! In one evening, we’ll get to enjoy Hush Comics’ Best TV Series of 2014 (TWD), what will likely be 2015’s Best New Series, and also the 2014 Best New Series – Last Week Tonight, the exposé news show from John Oliver that tells it like it is, no matter who he offends.
Battle Creek – CBS, March 1st *NEW SERIES*
We know Vince Gilligan is a genius, so anything he creates carries a life-time seal of approval from us. In addition to Better Call Saul, Gilligan is also producing Battle Creek, a cop dramedy set in Battle Creek, Michigan. Before the success of BrBa, Gilligan couldn’t even get networks to look at Battle Creek, one Heisenberg later, and CBS ordered a full 13 episodes without even seeing a pilot.
Last Man on Earth – FOX, March 1st *NEW SERIES*
It may be a tired concept, but with all these post-apocalyptic horror shows out, it’s refreshing to see a sitcom that answers “what would it be like to be the last man on Earth?.” Well, if you’re Will Forte (SNL), then it freakin’ rocks. It’s only been approved for 4 episodes – due to the highly likely chance that it will crash and burn.
Game of Thrones – HBO, April…ish?
No official word as to when GoT is coming back, but we do know that the story gets even further spread apart than it has already been. Characters will change like never before and I am extremely excited to see how the Martel family reacts. The only bummer so far is that there will be NoMor Hodor or Bran this season.
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