By Kate Gardner and Rachel Montpelier
Fall is here, and with it comes the most wonderful time of the year for television buffs. Some new and returning series are great, others less so, and some have us talking and tweeting non-stop. What follows are Women and Hollywood’s picks for new shows premiering this fall. Some have already debuted, and the others will roll out over the next few weeks.
When it comes to comedy, this season will give us a number of new and complicated heroines to love or love to hate. A number of the shows follow millennials trying to make it in the real world —MTV’s double header of “Loosely Exactly Nicole” and “Mary + Jane,” and HBO’s “Insecure” all feature young women navigating adulthood with varying degrees of success. We’ll also see portrayals of older women facing the challenges of raising a family and messy marriages, including Sarah Jessica Parker’s return to HBO in “Divorce” and Pamela Adlon as a struggling actress and mother in FX’s “Better Things.”
This year’s crop of new dramas also feature complex female characters navigating life’s many obstacles. Ava DuVernay makes her television debut with “Queen Sugar,” a family drama on OWN featuring women both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Dana Calvo’s “Good Girls Revolt,” streaming on Amazon, shows women fighting against a system and society that will not treat them fairly, and the protagonist of Fox’s “Pitch” sets out to shatter the glass ceiling in Major League Baseball.
It’s not only new shows that have us talking, either. The ladies of Stars Hollow return in “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” on Netflix, and we’ll be able to do the time warp again with a brand new “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Fox.
These are our picks for shows debuting this fall.
Shows that have already premiered
“Loosely Exactly Nicole” — Created by Christine Zander (Mondays on MTV)
What it’s about: Nicole Byer is ready to take Hollywood by storm in this half-hour comedy centered on an irreverent and hilarious young woman finding her comedic voice and navigating the pitfalls of real life as she does. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: While the show might seem to follow in the same steps as other shows about struggling millennials — a single woman trying to make ends meet while going on somewhat bawdy adventures — it stands out from the crowd, in no small part thanks to its star. “I get it — there are very few black female actresses who have been given chances,” Byer told The Washington Post. But she emphasized that this is “the least interesting thing about the show.”
“Mary + Jane” — Co-Executive Produced by Deborah Kaplan (Mondays on MTV)
What it’s about: Paige (Jessica Rothe) and Jordan (Scout Durwood) are just two girls in LA trying to find success and romance, all while keeping their clients high and happy with the dope delivery app that they’ve pioneered. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: Stoner comedies have been fronted by men for too long. “Mary + Jane” follows in the footsteps of “Broad City” to open the genre up to women: “Mary + Jane” also capitalizes on the the chemistry and friendship between the two female leads, which is always a welcome spin in a medium where women too often only exist to be love interests. Between this and “Loosely Exactly Nicole,” MTV could be looking at a breakout season for scripted comedies.
“Queen Sugar” — Executive Produced by Ava DuVernay, Melissa Carter, and Oprah Winfrey (Wednesdays on OWN)
What it’s about: Ava DuVernay brings Natalie Baszile’s book to life in this new series. The series follows the lives and loves of the three Bordelon siblings as the struggle to run a sugarcane farm in the fictional town of Saint Josephine following a family tragedy. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: Everyone is buzzing about “Queen Sugar.” The highly anticipated project delivered strong ratings out of the gate — a network record for OWN — and set the blogosphere chattering. Most importantly, it’s starting a conversation about what television could — and should — look like both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. DuVernay directed the show’s first two episodes, and the entire first season will be helmed by female directors. In a TV landscape that is overwhelmingly run by and about white men, “Queen Sugar” is a refreshing change of pace, and showcases the very best of what TV has to offer. DuVernay remains one of the most inspiring women in Hollywood. “For her to be able to not just advocate for women in film, and people of color in film, but to really [do it] just in a way that is matter of fact and unapologetic, I think, is fabulous,” “Queen Sugar” author Nicole Baszile told Vanity Fair.
“Better Things” — Co-Created by Pamela Adlon (Thursdays on FX)
What it’s about: Pamela Adlon stars as Sam Fox, a single, working actor with no filter trying to raise her three daughters (Mikey Madison, Hannah Alligood, and Olivia Edward) and watch out for her mother (Celia Imrie) — in Los Angeles. She is mom, dad, referee, and the cops. Sam just wants to earn a living, be a parent, have fun with a friend or two, and also — just maybe — squeeze in some private time. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: Women and Hollywood’s Sara Stewart says “Adlon is hilarious with the added benefit of having a strong pro-women streak and a devotion to calling men out on their bullshit.” Stewart also credits Adlon for portraying the everyday nonsense of being a working woman, even if said woman is an actress in LA: In “Better Things,” “Adlon presents the business of acting, from being in the sound booth to spending time in the makeup chair to getting dropped early from a shoot, as fundamentally mundane.”
“One Mississippi” — Created by Tig Notaro and Diablo Cody (Available on Amazon)
What it’s about: “One Mississippi” is a dark comedy inspired by comedian Tig Notaro’s life. Tig returns to her hometown in Mississippi, where she contends with the death of her mother and her own mortality as she unearths uncomfortable truths about her family and herself. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: A show centered on a queer woman is an exciting addition to the TV landscape, especially when that women is over the age of 40. The A.V. Club’s Erik Adams praises “One Mississippi” for adding new dimensions to stories Notaro fans have heard many times before: “The gist of the series’ inspiration, which Notaro has previously tackled on-stage, in audio, in nonfiction films, and in a book [is] a pair of life-threatening prognoses…overlapped with the unexpected death of her mother and the end of a long-term romantic relationship. It’s a bulk order of pain that Notaro has rendered into laughter multiple times over, but ‘One Mississippi’ is unique in that it reenacts as well as relates. Names, locations, and occupations are changed for the purposes of storytelling…but this is still as close as anyone will come to walking those difficult miles in Notaro’s shoes (and her head.)”
“Fleabag” — Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Available on Amazon)
What it’s about: “Fleabag” is a hilarious and poignant window into the mind of a dry-witted, sexual, angry, grief-riddled woman (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), as she hurls herself at modern living in London. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: We always welcome shows centered on complex female characters that have no chance or ambitions to be considered “likable” —female-driven stories don’t have to center on Miss Congeniality to attract audiences. The Guardian’s Stuart Heritage praises the “Fleabag’s” bleak-on-the-outside, deeply-hysterical-on-the-inside tone, stating that Waller-Bridge “has come up with something truly indelible here. None of the characters are even close to being likable…They are all defeated and broken, and all their energy is spent deflecting whatever life attempts to throw at them. Which is hilarious, obviously.”
“High Maintenance” — Co-Created by Katja Blichfeld (Fridays on HBO)
What it’s about: “High Maintenance,” which began as a web series, follows a Brooklyn pot dealer as he delivers to clients with neuroses as diverse as the city. Ben Sinclair stars as “The Guy,” an everyman pot dealer who makes cameo appearances in the lives of various New Yorkers. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: “High Maintenance” is, indeed, another show boasting a white male protagonist. However, Variety’s Sonia Saraiya points out that the series is most memorable for its world-building and sprawling cast: “‘High Maintenance’ is curious about every character in a scene — not just the bored affluent couple obsessing over their infant daughter, but also the disheveled immigrant collecting cans and bottles from their trash for their paltry five-cent deposits.” Saraiya observes, “It’s an unmistakable privilege for [series creators] [Ben] Sinclair and [Katja] Blichfeld to be able to present a show about an illegal activity as an amusing hobby, but the new HBO episodes are more aware of the class and racial discrepancies in New York City than ever.”
Upcoming premieres
“The Good Place” (Series Premieres September 19 on NBC)
What it’s about: Sadly, Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) has died. The good news? She’s been sent to the Good Place. The bad? She should have gone to the Bad Place. It’s time for her to discover the good person within without the architect of the Good Place (Ted Danson) realizing he’s made a mistake. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: It’s been far too long since Kristen Bell charmed audiences as the brilliant titular character of “Veronica Mars.” Her return to small screen comedy will no doubt leave us all in stitches again. Variety’s Maureen Ryan writes in her review, “Given how good Bell is at revealing the many layers of regret, selfishness, and aspiration that can co-exist inside morally conflicted characters, and considering how charming and personable a host Danson can be, the choice to stick with this promising comedy will, more likely than not, be a wise decision.”
“Speechless” (Series Premieres September 21 on ABC)
What it’s about: Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver) is a mom on who will do anything for her family, especially JJ, her eldest son with cerebral palsy. As Maya fights injustices both real and imagined, the family works to make a new home for themselves, and searches for just the right person to give JJ his “voice.” (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: ABC sitcoms have tackled a wide variety of issues, but “Speechless” is set to address unique subject matter. Very rarely are characters with disabilities allowed to be leads in narratives about their lives. In her review of the pilot for Vox, Caroline Framke writes “J.J. is played by the very sharp Micah Fowler, who actually has cerebral palsy in real life. Since it’s still incredibly rare for media to cast actual disabled people as disabled characters, giving Fowler the opportunity to portray J.J. is a notable (and encouraging!) choice. And he’s wonderful in the part, not least because J.J.’s personality doesn’t start and end with his disability.” J.J. and his family are set to join the Johnsons and the Huangs as ABC’s new normal for sitcom families.
“Pitch” — Co-Executive Produced by Helen Bartlett and Jess Rosenthal (Series Premieres September 22 on Fox)
What it’s about: A gifted athlete (Kylie Bunbury) is vaulted into instant fame when she’s called up by the San Diego Padres to make her Major League debut and becomes the most important figure in sports since Jackie Robinson. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: “Pitch” is one of the season’s most buzzed about pilots, and for good reason. The show has debuted to rave reviews from critics, namely for the way it portrays its central character. As Maureen Ryan wrote for Variety, “Ginny is a symbol, but she’s also a person, one capable of cracking under intense scrutiny. Training with Bill has made her tough, but is anyone resilient enough to endure the volume of attention she receives, without becoming a monster or an anxious mess? That’s one of the questions ‘Pitch’ sets for itself, and the answers in the opening hour are understandably ambiguous, fueling a thoughtful and entertaining first inning.”
“Divorce” — Created by Sharon Horgan (Series Premieres October 9 on HBO)
What it’s about: Sarah Jessica Parker returns to HBO as a woman who suddenly begins to reassess her life and her marriage, and finds that making a clean break is far harder than she thought. Other series regulars include Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, Talia Balsam, and Tracy Letts. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: Sarah Jessica Parker gave us on of television’s most iconic characters in “Sex and the City’s” Carrie Bradshaw. She returns to HBO next month to give us another look at the rich inner lives of women, this time through a show developed through her production company Pretty Matches. “I was really curious about exploring marriage and everything that meant,” Parker said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I realized that I hadn’t really seen that idea illustrated in television in a long time. It was just a landscape that I thought seemed rich.”
“Insecure” — Created by Issa Rae (Series Premieres October 9 on HBO)
What it’s about: The half-hour comedy series stars Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis and Lisa Joyce, and looks at the friendship, experiences, and tribulations of two black women. (Press materials)
Why we’re excited: Issa Rae, creator of “Awkward Black Girl,” is one of the most exciting, fresh voices in comedy. Her latest series seems like it may offer a more inclusive companion piece to Lena Dunham’s controversial and all-white “Girls.” And most importantly, the show is set to center on a strong female friendship. Vanity Fair’s Yohana Desta writes “Though the modern TV landscape is slowly becoming more inclusive, it’s also sorely lacking shows that care to depict an honest portrayal of black female friendship… ‘Insecure,’ however, is the complete opposite. Its axis spins on Molly and Issa’s codependency, following them to brunch and old-school sleepovers as they divulge their everyday anxieties to one another.” Better save the October 9 premiere date on your calendars.
“American Housewife” — Written and Co-Executive Produced by Sarah Dunn (Series Premieres October 11 on ABC)
What it’s about: Katie Otto (Katy Mixon) is a confident, unapologetic wife and mother in a town filled with perfect mommies and their perfect offspring. Despite the constant pressure to be the best mom with the best family, Katie likes her life. However, when she unexpectedly moves up to a higher social standing, she realizes she has to instill some good old-fashioned values in her children if it’s the last thing she does.
Why we’re excited: “Rebel” might not be the first word that springs to mind when you first hear about “American Housewife.” No one would blame you. The series centers on a stay-at-home mother living in the upper-middle class suburbs of Connecticut. Self-awareness sets this series apart: The protagonist realizes that she is privileged and refuses to forget it. This series is one of the few this season that deals directly with class, upward mobility, and the uncomfortable position of raising spoiled children. While most new shows want to be woke, “American Housewife” stands out because its heroine wants to be woke.
“Haters Back Off” — Co-Executive Produced by Colleen Ballinger and Gigi McCreery (Series Premieres October 14 on Netflix)
What it’s about: Miranda Sings (Colleen Ballinger) is an incredibly confident, deeply narcissistic, and totally untalented star on the rise. Her habit of failing upward is the result of her unquestioning belief that she was born famous — it’s just that no one knows it yet. “Haters Back Off” tells the story of Miranda and her oddball family, and is all about following your dreams and believing in yourself. Because success and sheer ability are not always mutually exclusive, right?
Why we’re excited: You know how millennials have a rep for thinking they are so damn special? And how they are perennially expecting compliments and praise? Internet sensation Miranda Sings — aka Colleen Ballinger — plays with this idea in “Haters Back Off.” You can think of it as an updated, more self-involved version of “Florence Foster Jenkins.” Except no one is hiding Miranda’s lack of talent from her: The world keeps telling and showing Miranda that she sucks, but she just refuses to hear it. She’s delusional, of course, but also self-assured, ambitious, and inspirational. Miranda just does not give a shit and has enough self-esteem to inform her audience (i.e. everyone): “Yeah, it’s not me. It’s you.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again” — Co-Executive Produced by Gail Berman (Live Musical Premieres October 20 on FOX)
What it’s about: This two-hour live event is a reimagining of the original movie. Sweethearts Janet (Victoria Justice) and Brad (Ryan McCartan) stumble upon Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s (Laverne Cox) bizarre abode. Frank-N-Furter, a sexually ambiguous, flirtatious mad-scientist, is holding an annual Transylvanian science convention to showcase the birth of Rocky Horror (Staz Nair) — a muscle-bound specimen created solely to fulfill Frank’s desires. Tim Curry, who originated the role of Frank-N-Furter, will also appear as the musical’s Criminologist Narrator.
Why we’re excited: This spectacular choice for a live musical is perfect for anyone unable to see the original “Rocky Horror Picture Show” as is should be seen: in a theater, with a group of friends, throwing toilet paper and spraying water guns. Hopefully, leading lady Laverne Cox’s popularity and immense talent will draw a large audience and introduce more viewers to Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s sexy, funny, creepy world. Even better, this production’s casting decisions — including Cox, Adam Lambert, and Annaleigh Ashford (a lesbian icon after her turn as the scene-stealing Betty on “Masters of Sex”) — suggests that everyone involved is fully embracing the LGBTQ aspects and themes of “Rocky Horror.” That and the fact that it is airing on a major network signifies this story is no longer an indulgence sought out around Halloween — it’s a part of the mainstream and accessible to everyone. One person’s kink is another’s new normal.
“Good Girls Revolt” — Created by Dana Calvo (Series Premieres October 28 on Amazon)
What it’s about: In 1969, while a cultural revolution swept through the country, newsrooms were consciously refusing to change with the times. “Good Girls Revolt” follows a group of young female researchers at “News of the Week” who demand to be treated fairly. Their revolutionary stand sparks a chain reaction, upending marriages, careers, sex lives, love lives, and friendships.
Why we’re excited: There are a lot of (mostly young) people out there who don’t know that maternity leave wasn’t always a thing. Or when the Roe v. Wade decision occurred. Or that women used to need their husbands in order to sign up for a credit card. Suffice to say, history should not be forgotten. Ever. It’s probably safe to assume that “Good Girls Revolt” creator Dana Calvo and Lynn Povich — the author of the book it was adapted from — are thinking the same thing. Based on a true story, the show presents various women — Anna Camp, Genevieve Angelson, Erin Darke, and Joy Bryant among them — as they are opening their eyes and realizing that they deserve more. More money, more respect, more options, more responsibility. Considering that this is the first election year with a female Presidential candidate and activists are still fighting for basic reproductive rights every day, perhaps viewers motivated to learn more about their foremothers will tune in. (And if you’re missing the late and great Nora Ephron, check out “Good Girls Revolt” to see her portrayed by Grace Gummer.)
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” (Mini-Series) — Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Premieres November 25 on Netflix)
What it’s about: Three generations of Gilmore women — Lorelai, Rory, and Emily (Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, and Kelly Bishop) — grapple with change and the complicated bonds of their family during one year in Stars Hollow. This “Gilmore Girls” revival will be told through four mini-movies: one for winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Why we’re excited: Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino finally has the chance to end Rory and Lorelai’s story on her own terms. As most readers probably know, Sherman-Palladino and her one-of-a-kind voice were absent from the seventh season of “Gilmore Girls.” (She walked after failed contract negotiations — she made the fatal mistake of being female and demanding the resources and support that she had earned over six years of excellent work.) You might be in it for the much-discussed final four words, for the obscure pop culture references, or just for the chance to hang out with the Stars Hollow gang again. We know we’re looking forward to one hell of a caffeine-infused, screwball, literary allusion-filled Thanksgiving weekend.
