We’re previewing the new fall TV season each day this week, with Thursday tied with Tuesdays as having the most new broadcast shows — seven. It’s no secret that Thursday is one of the most important days of the week for networks because of the wealth of weekend movie advertising, so the comedies are marked with big name stars but not standout concepts; the two dramas both fancy costume shows set in faraway or fictional lands.
NEW SHOWS
“The Michael J. Fox Show” (NBC, starts tonight, 9:30 p.m.). Good will flows through this comedy about a former top TV anchor who is returning to the job after five years, still afflicted with Parkinson’s. In that, it’s like its well-loved stars and there manages to be some cheer and laughs in this modern family sitcom that doesn’t shy away from the malady but isn’t based around it either. But by the second episode, he’s already kind of a creep, jealous of a neighbor he has no claim on. Pretty good cast, though, with Betsy Brandt from “Breaking Bad” and Wendell Pierce of “The Wire” and “Treme” on board as well as Anne Heche coming soon as a “The Anchorman” style nemesis.
“The Crazy Ones” (CBS, today, 9 p.m.). Robin Williams is always entertaining, given a chance, and there are times in this father-daughter ad agency where he gets to riff in a way that makes this comedy actually funny. It’s wild that James Wolk, fresh from his role as Bob Benson on “Mad Men” ends up on another TV ad agency and Hamish Linklater (the dreaded Jerry Dantana of “The Newsroom”) is also part of the cast. But Sarah Michelle Gellar as her dad’s foil is more a drain on the show than anything else. Every time they play up the family schmaltz, things sag.
“Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” (ABC, Oct. 10, 8 p.m.). Lewis Carroll wept. Or is maybe just annoyed that so much license is taken with Alice in this “Once Upon a Time” spinoff. The special effects are good though, almost matching the allure of the star Sophie Lowe. But they’re making a big deal about a love story with a genie played by Peter Gadiot. And why it isn’t paired with “Once” on Sundays is a final mystery.
“The Millers” (CBS, Oct, 3, 8:30 p.m.)Yet another new comedy about the ill fit of adult children to their ever-older parents. Trot out the “can’t program the VCR” jokes for parents that include Beau Bridges and Margo Martindale, who in other comedies would be supporting characters, but here practically run the show, leaving Will Arnett with another ill-fitting network role, that of straight man. Producer Greg Garcia is of the school of when in doubt, cue the fart jokes.
“Welcome to the Family” (NBC, Oct. 3, 8:30 p.m.). Another stab at the cross cultural friction, a story that works in “The Bridge” but not as much in “Rob,” has Mike O’Malley of “Glee” sparring with the only Latin guy on TV, Ricardo A. Chavira of “Desperate Housewives” when their kids suddenly find themselves hooked up and pregnant. Racial jokes don’t dominate as they did in “Rob,” but still bubble beneath the surface of other jokes that aren’t very funny.
“Sean Saves the World” (NBC, Oct, 3, 9 p.m.). Sean Hayes plays a divorced gay dad raising his teenage daughter amid a cast that outshines him, including Thomas Lennon as his tough boss and Linda Lavin (“Alice” of another era) as the requiste wisecracking mom. Megan Hilty as his friend might add some dimension to the proceedings but probably not.
“Reign” (The CW, Oct. 17, 9 p.m.). Oddly alluring period piece from The CW is hopelessly wrong on details and accents, but you’ll be dazzled by its star, Adelaide Kane as none other than Mary, Queen of Scots. Arriving at a French court as lady in waiting she’ll have to wait a little longer. Lots of beautiful young people in period costumes try not to lapse into Valley speak as they shakily replicate the era.
RETURNING SHOWS
“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, tonight, 8 p.m.), “The X Factor” (Fox, started Sept. 19, 8 p.m.), “Parks and Recreation” (NBC, tonight, 8 p.m.), “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW, Oct. 3, 8 p.m.), “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, tonight, 9 p.m.), “Glee” (Fox, tonight, 9 p.m.), “Scandal” (ABC, 10 p.m.), “Elementary” (CBS, tonight, 10 p.m.), “Parenthood” (NBC, tonight, 10 p.m.).