Fox fall trailers

.... or at least the ones that intrigue me.

Grandfathered. Could be funny, could be terrible. Most likely an overdose of Stamos with this AND Fuller House. The occasionally guest starring role or yogurt commercial is fine, but this could be too much. I mostly just like in the trailer when he doesn't want the kid's sticky hands on his pants... because I do the same thing with my niece. Also, can we talk about how ADORBS that kid is?!


The Grinder. A lot of familiar faces in the premiere, and I know everyone has been dying for more Rob Lowe since his Parks & Rec exit. And I love seeing Fred Savage back on TV.

Minority Report. I've been hearing about this one for a bit, and was confused as to how they'd follow up the movie. But I think they do a good job of clearing that up in the beginning if the trailer, which is nice. At first, I was thinking, "Do we really need another crime show about a psychic or super smart guy predicting crimes and catching killers?" but it might be interesting to see a guy who keeps falling short. But can it go on week to week without being boring and repetitive? Eh.


Rosewood. But not related to PLL or Ravenswood in any way. Typical crime drama but actually looks kind of fun, like Hawaii Five-O. Plus, I have missed Miami since Dexter ended.

UPDATED: Fall Pilot Review: Fox Drama

GOTHAM: The origin stories of Commissioner James Gordon, a detective with the Gotham City Police Department, and his battle with the villains who made Gotham City famous. Cast: Ben McKenzie (Det. James Gordon); Donal Logue (Harvey Bullock); Jada Pinkett Smith (Fish Mooney).

Blame it on SHIELD, Arrow and Once Upon a Time, but there are quite a few superhero and fairytale pilots this year (this one, ABC's Galavant, NBC's Constantine). I would write this one off, but the trailer was released recently and actually looks decent. My only concern is keeping it from becoming too CW-y.

BACKSTROM: Based on renowned Swedish criminologist and novelist Leif G.W. Persson’s hit series of books of the same name, the series centers on Det. Everett Backstrom, an offensive, irascible detective as he tries and fails to change his self-destructive behavior. Cast: Rainn Wilson (Backstrom); Dennis Haysbert (John Almond).

Uh, Rainn Wilson in a drama? After watching the trailer, it is basically just Rake but a detective instead of a lawyer.

EMPIRE: A family drama set in the world of a hip-hop empire featuring original and current music. Cast: Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon); Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon); Jussie Smollet (Jamal Lyon).

Nashville didn't have enough rapping in it. Really disappointed that there wasn't a bit of music/singing/rapping/audible piano playing featured in the trailer....

HIEROGLYPH: Set in ancient Egypt, where fantasy and reality intertwine, Hieroglyph follows a notorious thief who is plucked from prison to serve the Pharoah, navigating palace intrigue, seductive concubines, criminal underbellies and even a few divine sorcerers. Cast: Max Brown; John Rhys-Davies (Vocifer); Reece Ritchie (Shai).

This one surprised me. As a huge (HUGE!) Ten Commandments fan, I love all things Egypt. And I've got to admit – that time period hasn't been done before on TV, that I can recall at least. But still. Seems weird, no? CANCELLED.

RED BAND SOCIETY: A group of teenagers meet as patients in the children’s wing of a hospital and become unlikely allies and friends in this comedic young soap. Cast: Octavia Spencer (Nurse Jackson); Dave Annable (Dr. Jack McAndrew).

A comedic young soap starring Spencer (44) and Annable (35). Hmm.

THE MIDDLE MAN: Set in ’60s Boston, the story follows Rudy MacAteer, an FBI agent charged with taking down the Italian mafia, and his confidential informant, Irish gangster Mickey Flood. As Rudy finds himself forced to bend the laws he pledged to enforce, the duo’s actions inadvertantly give rise to the Irish mob.

Though this one is not in contention for the fall (could be coming in the winter or spring season), they've got to be concerned that it is too much like failed series Vegas, Pan Am and Playboy Club, no? I know we all want the next Mad Men or Boardwalk Empire, but I'm really loosing faith that that will come on network TV.

See more at http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/21/complete-fall-2014-pilot-list/4/

Also excited to check out Gracepoint, and binge watch the series it is based on, Broadchurch.
 

UPDATED: Fall Pilot Review: Fox Comedy

Get ready for heavy-hitters here, people. Fox recruited quite the comedy line-up this fall – if only in talent alone. I mean, take a look at this first pilot's casting...

DEAD BOSS: Based on the British series, Dead Boss is a comedic mystery that finds overachiever Helen Stephens wrongfully convicted of murdering her boss and forced to rely on her train wreck of a sister to prove her innocence. Cast: Jane Krakowski (Helen); Amy Sedaris (Mary); Rachel Dratch (Christine). Fox passed. 

CABOT COLLEGE: An all-female university in rural New Hampshire opens its doors to four men for the first time. Cast: Margaret Cho (Laura); Brandon Jones (Gerland). Cancelled. 

Like this concept, not a big Cho fan.

FATRICK: Patrick, a 30-something moving man and former fat kid, is forced to face the damage caused by years of being Fatrick; a chubby little kid just trying to survive. Cast: Marcia Cross; Zach Cregger (Patrick); Trevor Larcom (Young Patrick). 
Fox passed. 

For the record, this is one of TWO series about former fat people. The other was on NBC (Ellen More or Less). I feel weird about that.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Revolves around a mom who has been single for two decades and traumatizes her stunted 30-something son with a little surprise — she just got married and her new husband and his three teenage children are about to move in. Cast: Jane Kaczmarek (Carol); David James Elliott (Mike); Jon Heder (Richard). 
Fox passed. 

SOBER COMPANION: A charming but self-destructive attorney finds his world turned upside down when a court-appointed and highly unconventional sober companion takes control of his life. Cast: Justin Long; Nick Frost (Robert); Pete Davidson (Derek)

Also, check out these "straight to series" offerings:

LAST MAN ON EARTH (straight to series): Will Forte stars as the last man on earth.

MULANEY (straight to series): Follows an aspiring comedian coming of age under the influence of his boss, his roommates, and his neighbors. Cast: John Mulaney, Martin Short (Lou); Elliott Gould (Oscar); Nasim Pedrad (Jane).

WEIRD LONERS (straight to series): The story of four relationship-phobic people who are unexpectedly thrust into each other’s lives and form an unlikely bond in a Queens, New York townhouse. Cast: Zachary Knighton (Stosh); Becki Newton (Caryn); Nate Torrence (Eric).

Not surprised that Forte's got picked up, but am a bit surprised that Mulaney would get a full season (especially with that boring/obvious pilot. Looks more like Whitney or a CBS-worthy comedy than Fox), as well as Knighton/Newton/Torrence – who seem to be sitcom kyrptonite as of late (see: Happy Endings, FlashForward, Love Bites, Goodwin Games, Super Fun Night, Hello Ladies). Also, I'd selfishly like to see Knighton stay on Parenthood since he was JUST named headmaster of Max's school and all.

See more at http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/21/complete-fall-2014-pilot-list/4/