We’re taking a night by night look at the new fall season on broadcast television, and on what used to be the most stable night of the week, Thursdays this year sees the most new network shows premiering. By and large they’re comedies, which play on the half hours, immediately after established shows precede them on the hour. But there’s also a new procedural crime show from familiar names that throws in some supernatural elements.
NEW SHOWS
“The Unicorn” (CBS, 8:30 p.m., starting tonight). The ever-present Walton Goggins stars as a widower who returns to the dating market on the behest of his friends — who also do much of the comic lifting on the show, with a cast that includes Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry and Omar Benson Miller. Goggins is fine, though it doesn’t seem to be his métier (he’s better at broader things, like Baby Billy in HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones”).
“Perfect Harmony” (NBC, 8:30 p.m., tonight). Bradley Whitford, who has enjoyed some choice roles in recent years, stars as a grumpy music professor enlisted to whip a church choir into shape, a group that, at least in the pilot, seems to have a bunch of stock character types. Instead of striving constantly for jokes, though, they’ll occasionally pause for songs.
“Carol’s Second Act” (CBS, 9:30 p.m., tonight). Patricia Heaton returns for a new sitcom in which she plays a divorced 50 year old looking for a career in medicine. The young residents make fun of her but she manages to bring experience to the role — just as the actress shines among a bunch of promising comic actors.
“Sunnyside” (NBC, 9:30 p.m., tonight). Kal Penn brings the diversity to the night’s sitcoms as a teacher for immigrants seeking citizenship, blending a kind of old fashioned patriotism alongside the ethnic laughs. It may be the most accurate reflections of today’s Queens, N.Y., on TV, though.
“Evil” (CBS, 10 p.m., tonight). Robert and Michelle King, who were behind “The Good Wife,” turn to more mundane police procedurals tonight, albeit one that throws in some supernatural and faith hoopla. Kristen Bouchard is science-based psychologist alongside the priest in training (David Acosta), wondering if criminals should be rehabilitated or exorcized. Hm.
RETURNING
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 8 p.m., returning tonight), “Young Sheldon” (CBS, 8 p.m., tonight), “Superstore” (NBC, 8 p.m., tonight), “A Million Little Things” (ABC, 8 p.m., tonight), “Supernatural” (CW, 8 p.m.), “Mom” (CBS, 9 p.m., tonight), “The Good Place” (NBC, 9 p.m., tonight), “Legacies” (CW, 9 p.m., returning Oct. 10), “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC, 10 p.m., tonight), “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC, 10 p.m., tonight).