For students, fall signifies the beginning of a new school year. New classes, new teachers and for some people, a new school. Getting back into the swing of things can be stressful and at times overwhelming, but it does not have to be. New TV shows can be the much-needed safe haven between studying for endless tests and taking the SATs and ACTs. Whether returning from a cliffhanger season finale or debuting with an exciting leaves-you-wanting-more pilot episode, these shows are going to be the best way to deal with the growing piles of homework.
“TV shows like The Vampire Diaries and Grey’s Anatomy are what keep me sane during a hectic school year,” senior Saba Najmi said. “Even if I do not get to watch them during the week I will catch up on the weekend.”
A recurring theme seen in the months and years leading up to December 2012 (the fabled end of the world) has been movies and TV series about groups of people fighting to survive following an apocalypse. Falling Skies, a show trailing a community of people fighting an alien invasion, returned to TNT in August for its second season. If aliens are not your cup of tea, Revolution, a new show that premiered in September, is set in a future without electricity following a worldwide blackout. With executive producer J.J. Abrams of Fringe and Lost leading the way it is no surprise that critics predict this will be one to watch.
“I would watch Revolution because it would be interesting to see how people adapt to a new environment,” junior Hazza Zafar said.
Chandler Bing is back, but this time, actor/comedian Matthew Perry plays the part of a widower who must attend group therapy in his new comedy-drama Go On. After the sneak preview on NBC during the London Olympics, the show premiered on Sept. 11 for many excited viewers. Animal Practice also began last month, showing it meant business. Monkey business, that is. Taking place inside an animal hospital, the comedy stars a veterinarian and his animal colleague, Crystal the Monkey, who is known for her appearances in The Hangover and Community.
“I am looking forward to Go On because Matthew Perry is talented and I loved him in that old show, Friends,” senior Jessica Gibson said.
What is life without drama? Teens will be excited to know that CW is premiering new shows Arrow, Beauty and the Beast and Emily Owens, M.D. this month. Arrow goes Robin Hood when a crime-fighting archer seeks revenge and fights to clear his name. Keeping in theme with the past, Beauty and the Beast takes a more modern take on the classic tale. With a hit as great as Grey’s Anatomy, it is no surprise that producers would emerge with yet another drama circling the hectic life of a young doctor. Emily Owens, M.D. parallels Grey’s Anatomy in many ways so only time will tell if it will be enough to pull fans away from their beloved McDreamy.
“Honestly, nothing can be as good as Grey’s Anatomy because that show has been around for nine years and is still quite popular despite its many plot twists,” Najmi said. “I have a feeling the show will get cancelled after one season because not many people know about it.”
One show that has drummed up a lot of controversy is The New Normal. Although similar in content to the popular Modern Family, many mothers found issue with the series, which premiered just last month. One Utah station went as far as to ban the show completely. While it has caused a lot of back and forth, The New Normal is thought to be very real example of modern relationships.
“The New Normal is a good representation of the way life is today,” Gibson said. “I feel like couples, gay or straight, have the right to have a baby or adopt one if they feel like they can provide for it and have made the conscious decision to take on that role.”
In addition to Dallas, which will not return until January, TV producers have come out with Vegas and are preparing to air Nashville on Oct. 10. Although all three are titled with the names of major cities, each brings its own flair. There seems to be a common thread running through the fall TV schedule. That thread is the past. Producers are going back to what they know the public wants, and hopefully, they will be on target and create a wonderful escape for hard-at-work teens everywhere.
“I think going back to the basics is a good way to make TV shows better than they have been recently,” Zafar said. “I look forward to seeing what the next big thing will be.”
