We’re looking at the new shows of the broadcast season night by night all this week. And it seems like Tuesdays will have more than the usual amount of romantic comedies (eventually) to add to those already on. And another day, another new superhero series (to add to the one that’s already on).
NEW SHOWS
“The Flash” (The CW, 8 p.m., Oct. 7). In one of two spin-offs what have been first spied in backdoor pilots of other series (in this case, “Arrow”), Grant Gustin stars as a crime investigator who gains the ability to be super fast and so affixes himself with a costume. Improved network special effects and a lighter touch, thanks to creator Greg Berlanti, though there’s a whole lot of backstory you won’t remember from the DC Comics original. The supporting cast includes such familiar faces as Jesse L. Martin and Tom Cavanagh. Seems like more fun than most such fare that’s so unnecessarily dark to make it seem somehow more adult.
“Selfie” (ABC, 8 p.m., Sept. 30). A sitcom that’s built on extremes the way “Wife Swap” once was, with super slangy social media addict played by Karen Gillan putting herself under some kind of voluntary de-electronization by a coworker played by John Cho. It shows its “Pygmalian” roots a little too plainly though as the characters are actually named Eliza Dooley and Henry Higgins. What ever is cute about it has been flattened by overuse of promo ads. There seems something instantly dated about it, like your mom trying to adapt to modern slang. And it doesn’t seem to have anywhere to go.
“NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS, 9 p.m., tonight). You’ve seen this, in D.C. or in L.A. Now it’s in N.O. and adapts just a smidgen of its flavor, mostly through the drawl of Lucas Black. CCH Pounder, a crime show lifer, returns as a medical examiner and Zoe McLellan is back, though there is some disconnect after playing a completely different character earlier on “NCIS” precursor “JAG.” But the big star is the old “Quantum Leap” star Scott Bakula, as pretty much the same role Tom Harmon has in the original franchise. And there will be a lot of crossover from the mother series.
“Marry Me” (NBC, 9 p.m., Oct. 14). One of the few new romantic comedies probably worth watching , largely because it stars such pros in Casey Wilson and Ken Marino, who can do this kind of comedy with their eyes closed. It’s the new series from “Happy Endings” creator David Caspe (who is Wilson’s husband) and will likely go beyond the many problems with the proposal that is pretty much covered in episode one.
“Utopia” (Fox, 8 p.m., started Sept. 7). Though it started weeks ago, the jury is still out on this “Lord of the Flies” experiment on various strong (and often repugnant) personalities living together. Give credit to Fox for actually starting a new reality franchise in the script-heavy fall and there’s something appealing about the hipster host Don Piraro (cartoonist of the strip “Bizarro”), acting as if he’s above it all. The self appointed rebels of the show make it tough going, though.
“Manhattan Love Story” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.). The one thing this romantic comedy has going for it is its female lead, Analeigh Tipton, with her halting voice and girl next door vibe (if she’s familiar she was a past contestant on “America’s Next Top Model”). Otherwise, the premise here is that we hear the inner thoughts and the dude who dates her (Jake McDorman) — through the whole thing! Like a secondary “SNL” sketch gone way overlong. And usually what they’re thinking is crude, inappropriate and largely unfunny.
RETURNING:
“NCIS: (CBS, 8 p.m., tonight), “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC, 9 p.m., tonight), “Supernatural” (The CW, 9 p.m., Oct. 7), “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m., started Sept. 16), “About a Boy” (NBC, 9:30 p.m., Oct. 14), “The Mindy Project” (Fox, 9:30 p.m., started Sept. 16), “Chicago Fire” (NBC, 10 p.m., tonight), “Person of Interest” (CBS, 10 p.m., tonight).