Shows to Get Excited About as the New TV Season Arrives

By Luis Monteagudo Jr.

Patch Goes Pop blinked and summer flew right by us, bringing us to September and the start of a new fall TV season.

There are more than two dozen new shows to check out this fall and here’s our annual guide to the ones we’re most excited about.

Back in the Game, ABC: This sitcom is about a recently divorced, single mother who moves in with her estranged father, a crusty former baseball player. Before you can say “play ball,” she’s coaching her son's Little League team and butting heads with her dad and the league. It sounds like a harmless enough little sitcom but what draws our attention is that the rude, crude ex-ballplayer is played by none other than James Caan, whose been out of the spotlight way too long. Caan should be a hoot in this show, but it all depends on the chemistry with lead actress Maggie Lawson as the mom. So far, the trailers look like this show will have some sizzle and sharp writing. Premieres Sept. 25 at 8:30 p.m.

The Crazy Ones, CBS: Robin Williams returns to television playing a – no surprise here – crazy guy who upends his daughter’s life at an ad agency where they both work. It’s a long ways away from “Mork and Mindy” but with Williams and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s” Sarah Michelle Gellar as the daughter, the show has some serious talent anchoring it. We’ll see if Williams can recapture the magic or if his shtick is played out. Premieres Sept. 26 at 9 p.m.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ABC: Add TV mastermind Joss Whedon as executive producer, mix in the Marvel comics universe of heroes and you’ve got this season’s most anticipated show. Don’t expect the big name heroes like Iron Man and Thor to pop up, but this action-adventure superhero hour could be the biggest hit of the fall. Premieres Sept. 24 at 8 p.m.

The Michael J. Fox Show, NBC: One of television’s most beloved actors stars in this show about a father coping with Parkinson’s disease and his everyday family and career obligations. The show is obviously made for Michael J. Fox, who in recent years has made winning guest appearances on shows like “Rescue Me.” Slotted in NBC’s strong Thursday night lineup, it should do well. Premieres Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m.

Reign, The CW: The most unusual show of the fall season tells the story of a young Mary Queen of Scot, and her struggle against palace intrigue and rivals. It’s the CW, so it’ll have a young, good-looking cast. This could be “Game of Thrones”-light, without the nudity and violence. Still, give credit to The CW for trying something different. At least it’s not another show about brooding, young vampires. Premieres Oct. 17 at 9  p.m.

Almost Human, Fox: We are in Los Angeles in the year 2048 and a wounded, troubled cop returns to duty and gets partnered with an android called a “synthetic” to fight crime. We’ve seen this many times before in TV and the movies, but it’s executive produced by “Lost” mastermind J.J. Abrams and Fox has a good track record with sci-fi shows. The trailer makes this look slick and high-tech, with lots of action. Premieres Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.

As always, not all these shows will survive. And there will be some surprise hits we’re not expecting. But we’re looking forward to seeing what the new season brings us.