2015 fall TV preview: The 7 best new shows you need to watch and why
It's September! The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and dozens of brand new TV shows are about to premiere on your screens.
Fall can be immensely overwhelming for one very simple reason: Too many shows and too little time. So we at ETonline watched each and every new series to separate the small screen gems from the soon-to-be canceled coals.
Get ready to set your DVRs, because here's our list of the seven best new shows you absolutely cannot miss this fall and why...
1. Show: "Scream Queens"
When It Airs: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. on Fox (with a special two-hour premiere).
The Biggest Stars: Where do we even begin?! Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Keke Palmer and Abigail Breslin are all a part of this thrilledy (that's thriller/comedy, natch). Basically, all the stars want to pledge Kappa -- and so do we!
Why You Should Watch: We've already told you multiple times why we're obsessed with Scream Queens, but please excuse us while we gush a bit more. It is (by far!) the best first hour of television we've seen in a long time -- mostly because this slasher series feels more like a movie than a show. In fact, the best way to describe Ryan Murphy's latest small screen delight is with the recipe for a big-screen cocktail: Mix the thrills of Halloween, with the character cruelty of "Heathers." Add a dash of the laughs and fashion fromClueless, and a healthy heaping of "Mean Girls'"catchy and quotable dialogue. Stir until blood red, and you've got the deliciously vicious series known as "Scream Queens."
2. Show: "The Muppets"
When It Airs: Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The Biggest Stars: Do we even need to list these icons? Get ready for Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and all the rest of your childhood favorites. Plus, each week the biggest A-listers in Hollywood like Reese Witherspoon and Liam Hemsworth will be stopping by for the fun.
Why You Should Watch: It's nostalgia overload, but in the best way possible!The Muppets are returning to our screens for their most "adult" show yet, and we can honestly say this is the only TV revival/reboot that we're legitimately excited about. Each week, we'll see a behind-the-scenes look at the The Muppets' personal lives as they try to balance the hilarious chaos and conflicts that come with running a new series. And in case you haven't heard, Kermit and Miss Piggy recently broke up, so you can bet there will be plenty of awkward encounters as the two exes try to continue their professional relationship. When you add in the fact that this series will be jam-packed with celebrity cameos, we think "The Muppets" is primetime perfection.
3. Show: "Code Black"
When It Airs: Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 10 p.m. on CBS.
The Biggest Stars: Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden shines as the wildly unpredictable ER residency director, with Luis Guzman as her right-hand nurse, and Raza Jaffrey playing the hospital's most by-the-book doctor.
Why You Should Watch: Warning: This show is not for the faint of heart, and that's why we love it. Inspired by the award-winning documentary of the same name, "Code Black" follows the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save lives in the busiest and most notorious ER in the nation, L.A. County Hospital. The adrenaline from the controlled chaos in the ER practically radiates from your screens, and the acting is nothing less than superb. In short, this is not your average medical drama - it's gritty, inspiring and, at times, heartbreakingly realistic.
4. Show: "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
When It Airs: Monday, Oct.12 at 9 p.m. on The CW.
The Biggest Stars: Rachel Bloom has been the driving force behind some of the Internet's most viral videos, and now she's stepping in front of the camera as the biggest breakout star of the season.
Why You Should Watch: If you combine the Broadway-loving soul of NBC's "Smash," character heart of Fox's "Glee," and the originality of HBO's "Flight of the Conchords," then you get Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. It's the most uniquely charming comedy of the season. Bloom soars as an unhappy New York lawyer who drops absolutely everything to move cross-country to West Covina, California, after bumping into her camp boyfriend, Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III). This series is a far departure from The CW's signature vampire and superhero-driven dramas, but yet it still feels perfectly on point for the young adult-skewing network.
5. Show: "Grandfathered"
When It Airs: Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. on Fox.
The Biggest Stars: "Grandfathered" is jam-packed with an all-star lineup. "Full House" hunk John Stamos leads the laugh-out-loud comedy along with former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck, singer/host Christina Milian, and "Criminal Minds" star Paget Brewster.
Why You Should Watch: Honestly, we cannot think of a single reason why you shouldn't watch Fox's Grandfathered. It's got everything a show needs to become TV's next hit comedy: an endearing fish-out-of-water premise, a cast of quirky yet lovable characters, and Stamos' smile. (Have mercy!) The chemistry between Stamos and his on-screen son is instantaneous and Peck's performance firmly launches him past former child star status, and into the comedy big leagues. Thanks to the series' quick-witted cadence and pop culture-infused writing, "Grandfathered" puts an edgier twist on the classic family sitcom.
6. Show: "Supergirl"
When It Airs: Monday, Oct. 26 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS.
The Biggest Stars: "Glee" gal Melissa Benoist dons the cape as Supergirl, withSmash's Jeremy Jordan and "True Blood's" Mechad Brooks as the two leading men in her life. And to top it all off, Ally McBeal's Calista Flockhart is making her return to TV as "Supergirl's" badass boss.
Why You Should Watch: In a TV world that's overrun with male-driven superhero shows, it's time to make room for a kickass, yet incredibly relatable leading lady. Benoist flawlessly steps into the shoes -- or should we say boots? -- of Kara Zor-El, "Superman's" 24-year-old cousin who finally decides to embrace her world-saving destiny. You don't need to be a fan of the DC Comics to see that Kara is a perfectly complex character that women of all ages can identify with. She's quirky, intelligent, dynamic, endearing, strong, and vulnerable all at the same time. At its heart, "Supergirl" is a series that's less about powers, and more about personal growth. But don't get us wrong, this high-flying series feels like a can't-miss action movie that will please every type of TV fan.
7. Show: "Blindspot"
When It Airs: Monday, Sept. 21 at 10 p.m. on NBC
The Biggest Stars: Jaimie Alexander is the perfect mix of endearing and electrifying as Jane Doe, the tatted-up heroine of the series, while Sullivan Stapleton plays FBI detective Kurt Weller, a cop who's actually worth rooting for.
Why You Should Watch: What if you woke up and your entire memory was stripped of personal details? You know what food is, but you have no idea what your favorite meal is. You know multiple languages and Navy Seal-level combat skills, but you have no recollection of ever learning them. On top if all that, imagine if your entire body was covered with intricate and incredibly detailed tattoos mapping a life you don't remember living. We just described an incredibly small facet of NBC's "Blindspot," and trust us when we tell you that the rest makes up one of the most incredibly captivating dramas of the season. Make sure you ink this adrenaline-pumping drama into your DVR lineup -- pun totally intended.
Which new show are you most looking forward to this fall? Share your TV-loving thoughts with @LeanneAguilera on Twitter!