Our week-long examination of what’s new this season on network television reaches hump day, when a pair of comedies and two new dramas take the stage. Other than that, networks stay in place, with a whole lot of long-running crime fare. The new shows, with the exception of one, all begin next month.
NEW SHOWS
“Super Fun Night” (ABC, starts Oct. 2, 9:30 p.m.). Rebel Wilson is one of those people who, left to her own devices, can be funny as anyone on TV. The question is whether the new show (co-produced by Conan O’Brien) will allow her that space as it continues the story of a clumsy woman and her two nerdy friends determined to be part of a social scene at weekend bars.
“The Tomorrow People” (The CW, Oct. 9, 9 p.m.). Robbie Amell, brother of the guy who plays “Arrow” in the network’s other Wednesday night show, stars in this new fantasy about a high schooler who discovers special powers like telekinesis and teleport. Peyton List and Luke Mitchell also star.
“Back in the Game” (ABC, tonight, 8:30 p.m.). So many new shows this fall feature adult children having to suddenly live again with their parents — usually a cranky old dad. In this one, James Caan plays a crusty former baseball coach, who reunites with her independent daughter, a single mother played by Maggie Lawson. The show is from the writers of FX’s long lost “Lucky,” Robb and Mark Cullen. But it seems that nobody’s heart is really in this.
“Ironside” (NBC, Oct. 2, 10 p.m.). Some remakes of TV hits are successful (“Hawaii Five-0”) and most others are not (“Charlie’s Angels”). In this attempt, Blair Underwood stars as a wheelchair-bound detective determined to become not only a crime-solver but an action start in what looks to be a mostly unnecessary venture.
RETURNING SHOWS
“The Middle” (ABC, starts tonight, 8 p.m.), “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” (CBS, started Sept. 18, 8 p.m.), “The X Factor” (Fox, started Sept. 18, 8 p.m.), “Revolution” (NBC, today, 8 p.m.), “Arrow” (The CW, Oct. 9, 8 p.m.), “Criminal Minds” (CBS, today, 9 p.m.), “Modern Family” (ABC, today, 9 p.m.), “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.) and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
Here is the lineup of network shows for Mondays and Tuesdays.