It’s fall now, which means Halloween, pumpkin spice lattes, changing leaves and fall television. Though many people are probably still reeling from Breaking Bad’s record-smashing finale, there’s a whole host of new comedy shows to whet the appetite. Here, I’ll offer my opinions on some new programs as well as old favorites that are good for a laugh.
When it comes to new comedies, The Michael J. Fox Show is at the top of my list. It chronicles the return to work of fictional newsman Mike Henry after battling Parkinson’s disease. It sounds like a sob story, but it manages to be pretty funny the entire time. The actor who plays Henry, Michael J. Fox, actually suffers from Parkinson’s, making this show’s humor a little biting and uncomfortable. Still it is accessible enough to have a little bit of humor for everyone to enjoy. It’s not as well-crafted as other comedies on TV like Veep or Parks and Recreation, but it’s off to a promising start. I will definitely be watching for its easy yet intelligent humor (Thursdays at 9:30 P.M. on NBC).
For returning shows, I’ll start with one of my all-time favorites: Parks and Recreation. By now it seems like everyone has become a fan of this show, taking it out of obscurity and into the mainstream. The characters are still as lovable as ever, with the always-chipper Leslie Knope trying to fight a campaign to recall her from office. Everyone’s favorite libertarian, Ron Swanson, is also entering a new phase of his life as a father-to-be. The show is still in good form, even as the Pawnee gang travels to London (keep an eye out for an awesome sequence of Ron in Scotland). Watch it for some of the best humor on TV (Thursdays at 8 P.M. on NBC).
Another show that got a lot of attention last year is New Girl. It’s in its third season, and Nick’s and Jess are trying their hand at a successful relationship. It’s easy to write this show off as pure girly fluff, but it’s arguably one of the best sitcoms on television right now. This show has the best physical comedy on TV right now, so if you like slapstick, it’s a must-see. Schmidt is still hilarious as always, and Nick and Winston’s quirks are pretty fun to watch. Although I think it’s good that Nick and Jess finally got together, I’m anxious to see where the writers take it: This season could go in many directions, so it will be fun to watch (Tuesdays at 9 P.M. on FOX).
Next up: Mom. This show is coming to us from Chuck Lorre, who also created Two and a Half Men, easily one of my least favorite shows ever. However, on this show, there’s no Charlie Sheen or Ashton Kutcher, so everything seems promising. If the male-centric nature of Lorre’s past shows didn’t appeal to you, this show is very female-friendly, with more female writers and actors. Allison Janney and Anna Faris play the two leads as mother and daughter; they are talented enough to make this show seem worth sticking around for. Warning: It does have a laugh track, so, if you’re like me and canned laughter will ruin it for you, don’t watch (Mondays at 9:30 P.M. on CBS).
For the last show, I’ll be looking at Saturday Night Live. The sketch and variety show is in its 39th (!) season, and it shows no signs of stopping. For years now, many of the jokes have felt a bit stale or recycled, and I don’t have any high expectations for this season. Though many of the cast members are dependible (Kate McKinnon is always funny, Jay Pharoah is almost never funny), all really rests on the host. Tina Fey hosted the first episode, which entailed hilarity, of course. I would watch selectively: If the host is a comedian or a generally funny person, go for it. Otherwise, wait it out (Saturdays at 11:30 P.M. on NBC).
Irene Gilbert can be contacted at [email protected].
