eye FALL TV
We pick the cream of the crop.
It happens every fall. Our television sets — and now our laptops — suddenly burst at the seams with an insane amount of new shows. But here’s the important thing to know about this so-called era of Peak TV: While the programming tidal wave certainly brings plenty of fresh and stellar fare, it also spews out a glut of lame reboots and rote offerings that carry the whiff of creative exhaustion. So now, more than ever, you just can’t sit back and wait for the good stuff to arrive. You have to actively seek it out. That’s where we come in.
To help you narrow your focus — and prevent your DVR from having a nervous breakdown — we’ve painstakingly sifted through the new shows from the broadcast networks, cable channels and streamers to uncover 10 gems that seized our attention. Yes, just think of us as your TV sherpa.
Here then, are the 10 shows — listed in the order of their premiere dates — that have us the most excited:
“Kidding” (Showtime)
For his first regular television role in more than two decades, Jim Carrey reunites with “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” director Michel Gondry on a show that deftly juggles humor and heartbreak.
Carrey plays a kindly, Mister Rogers-like children’s TV star whose personal life starts to unravel in the wake of a family tragedy. Can he hold himself together in a cynical and brutal world?
Carrey is surrounded by an excellent cast that includes Frank Langella, Catherine Keener and Judy Greer. It all adds up to a marvelous character study and Showtime’s best series in years. (Premiered Sept. 9; airs 10 p.m. Sundays)
“You” (Lifetime)
Warning: This chilling drama will play into — or heighten — any cyberstalking fears you might have.
Based on a novel of the same name, “You” follows a troubled bookstore manager (Penn Badgley of “Gossip Girl”) who becomes obsessed with an aspiring writer (Elizabeth Lail). Delving into all her social media accounts, he slowly worms his way into her life with the intention of seducing her. And she becomes smitten, even as her friends suspect that he might be bad news. Creepy, yes?
At the very least, we figure “You” will scare plenty of viewers into changing their online passwords. (Premiered Sept. 9; airs 10 p.m. Sundays)
“Forever” (Amazon Prime)
“Saturday Night Live” alums Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph play suburbanites Oscar and June in this highly offbeat romantic comedy.
Married for 12 years, they lead a comfortable — but monotonous — life in Riverside. That all changes when she suggests they shake things up by taking a ski trip. Suddenly, Oscar and June find themselves in very unfamiliar territory.
“Forever” is a funny, poignant and even surreal exploration into the power of love and the strength of long-term commitment. (Premiered Sept. 14)
“Maniac” (Netflix)
Oakland-born filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga, who wowed viewers with his superb work on the first installment of “True Detective,” directed all 10 episodes of this trippy, twisty series that stars the “Superbad” duo of Emma Stone and Jonah Hill.
Based on a Norwegian show, “Maniac” follows patients as they go through a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial overseen by a mysterious doctor (Justin Theroux) who promises that his cuttingedge pills will solve all their ailments — even heartbreak — for good. Of course, things go very weirdly wrong.
The cast also includes Sally Field. (Premieres Friday)
“Manifest” (NBC)
Think “Lost,” but without an island, a smoke monster or donkey wheel. (At least not yet.) A passenger jet encounters crazy turbulence during a flight in the year 2013 and lands in … 2018 New York. Over those five years, all 191 passengers and crew members were presumed dead. But when they show up, it’s as if no time has passed. They haven’t aged a day. Whoa. “Manifest” is one of those intriguing high-concept, scifi premises that network TV too often fails to make pay off. Fingers crossed this time will be different. (Premieres 10 p.m. Monday)
“A Million Little Things” (ABC)
Looking for another show to crack your heart open the way “This Is Us” did? Here’s one that just might fit the bill.
The handsomely crafted drama series follows a close-knit group of Bostonbased friends who grapple with grief and personal introspection after one of them inexplicably commits suicide.
The pilot episode, which has been described as a blend of “The Big Chill” and “thirtysomething,” delivers some emotionally wrenching moments, along with a few surprises. Our advice? Have the tissues handy. (Premieres 10 p.m. Wednesday)
“Murphy Brown” (CBS)
OK, this technically isn’t a new series, but after being off the air for 20 years, it certainly will feature lots of new wrinkles
— and not just on the faces of its stars.
The reboot has a bored Murphy (Candice Bergen) coming out of retirement to launch a morning cable TV news program. She has coaxed most of the old “FYI” gang to join her.
Producers promise the show, just as before, will have plenty to say about current events, including politics, #MeToo issues and President Donald Trump’s attacks on the media.
It sounds like we just might need Murphy Brown in our lives more than ever. (Premieres 9:30 p.m. Sept. 27)
“Homecoming” (Amazon Prime)
Julia Roberts brings her movie-star clout to this psychological thriller from “Mr. Robot” creator Sam Esmail.
Based on a popular scripted podcast, “Homecoming” tells the story of a therapist (Roberts) who works at a secret government facility that helps soldiers transition back to civilian life. Now flash-forward a few years: She has moved on and hints are dropped that something shady went down. But what? That’s the mystery.
We have yet to see “Homecoming,” but it generated big buzz at the Toronto Film Festival, where it was described as “Hitchcockian.” Sounds good to us. We’re all in. (Premieres Nov. 2)
“The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
Call them the golden guys. Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin play an aging acting teacher and a cranky Hollywood agent whose glory days are long gone. Cue the grumpy old men jokes about urinary woes and biodegradable caskets.
Trust us, it’s better than it sounds. Douglas and Arkin are stingingly funny as they engage in lots of off-color sparring. But “Kominsky” also has a way of sneaking up on you to make an emotional impact.
The real surprise is the show’s creator — Chuck Lorre, the man behind big (and broad) network hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.” Here, he reveals a different — and refreshing — side of himself. (Premieres Nov. 16)
“Escape at Dannemora” (Showtime)
Directed and executive produced by Ben Stiller, this compelling and darkly humorous limited series recalls a stranger-than-fiction prison break in upstate New York during the summer of 2015.
The incident spawned a statewide manhunt for two convicted murderers — played by Benicio del Toro and Paul Dano — who were aided by a married female prison employee (Patricia Arquette) with whom they had sexual relations.
A barely recognizable Arquette gives a performance that is extraordinary in every detail. It will get to you. (Premieres 10 p.m. Nov. 18)