This is a tough time to be an iconic American building, at least on TV. A season after the pilot of “Quantico” blew up Grand Central Station, the first episode of ABC’s “Designated Survivor” finds the Capitol Building exploding during the State of the Union address, taking out the president and his entire cabinet. Luckily, that night’s designated survivor–the cabinet member who spends the evening in a secret location for just this eventuality–is none other than … Jack Bauer.
Actually, it’s Kiefer Sutherland, working hard to obliterate any sense that he’s reprising his “24” role. In place of a take-charge action hero, Sutherland’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (yes, that’s a real post) Tom Kirkman is more like a poli sci teacher, all tweeds and horn-rimmed glasses and self-doubt. He even vomits when faced with his first meeting as president–all very unlike Jack Bauer.
Except excising the memory of an indelible television character while playing another television character is much more difficult than shrugging on a Cornell hoodie. Sutherland has always been an adept performer, and he does well here as a man who knows that he’s in way over his head, but also sees the machinations of the rest of the newly promoted government officials as even more dangerous than his own inexperience. But no amount of soft speaking and furrowed brow can make certain moments ring true, such as when Kal Penn‘s speechwriter tells Kirkman: “America doesn’t need another friend right now. You can’t be relaxed or disarming.” Sutherland has often been disarming, but he’s never been one of our more relaxed actors.
That’s a minor complaint regarding a drama that has one of the season’s strongest premises and pilots, though as usual the lily has been unnecessarily gilded. Kirkman isn’t just a minor cog in the national government; the president fired him earlier on the day of the explosion. We don’t just follow Kirkman as he navigates the treacherous waters of D.C. politics in the immediate aftermath of an act of terrorism (for which, strangely, none of the United States’ enemies is taking credit)–we also follow the FBI agents investigating. And of course, Kirkman has at least one troublesome child, who is busy selling drugs at a club when the Secret Service come to take him to his new home in the White House. At least the FBI subplot brings Maggie Q back to TV as an agent who punctuates her last scene with the kind of teaser that’s presumably catnip to network execs ordering the show to series, but that narrative strand feels as if it’s been lifted from, well, “Quantico,” or any other procedural thriller. ‘
Kirkman may be the show’s greatest, unintentional weapon. In the waning days of this surreal election, seeing a smart, cautious politician ascend to the presidency and acquit himself admirably in a time of crisis is both reassuring and comforting. Entertainment has always been fascinated by the prospect of an outsider taking power in the government, but there are plenty of moments in “Designated Survivor” that are almost eerily prescient as someone unprepared for the office finds himself confronted by everything from the nuclear football to choosing between force and diplomacy. We know this is fiction, though. Diplomacy wins out in the end.
11 Fall TV Shows We Can't Wait to See: From 'Designated Survivor' to 'The Good Place' (Photos)
"The Good Place," Sept. 19 on NBC Michael Schur does not disappoint, and neither does his newest series. "The Good Place" is the kind of sitcom that maybe has more jokes buried than out in the open. Spend some time with the Pause button engaged when the pilot's points system to get into Ted Danson's Heaven is explained -- we particularly appreciated the Cleveland Browns fandom reward. More please.
NBC
"This Is Us," Sept. 20o on NBC As shows become darker and more genre-driven, an unabashed emotional family melodrama like "This Is Us" is the perfect antidote. The story of several people who happen to share the same birthday isn't afraid to tug at the heartstrings, and is perfectly situated to cater to an under-served audience. Just ask the over 50 million people who watched the trailer.
NBC
"Lethal Weapon," Sept. 21 on Fox Damon Wayans provides the laughs as Det. Roger Murtaugh, but Clayne Crawford's Martin Riggs steals the show in this TV reboot of the classic buddy cop film franchise. And since Danny Glover and Mel Gibson aren't likely to put the badges back on any time soon, it's time to sit back and enjoy the insane stunts and solid performances this show has to offer.
Fox
"Designated Survivor," Sept. 21 on ABC The combination of a proven star, a compelling premise and timely relevance make ABC’s “Designated Survivor” one of the most intriguing new shows this season, and the pilot immediately lives up to that initial promise. Kiefer Sutherland and the rest of the top-notch cast manage to turn the idea of the decimation of the entire U.S. government into a refreshing hour of escapism and one of the few must-watch dramas this year.
ABC
"Speechless," Sept. 21 on ABC Minnie Driver and John Ross Bowie have great chemistry in this ABC single-camera comedy with a twist, about a suburban American family with three kids, one of whom (played by Micah Fowler) happens to have cerebral palsy. Think of it as a "Life Goes On" for the 21st century.
ABC
"Pitch,"Sept. 22 on Fox Baseball season may be coming to an end but Fox's newest drama seems like the perfect way to keep that love going into the fall. Kylie Bunbury plays the history-making first female MLB pitcher, in a timely reflection of the sport that seems on the precipice of shattering that barrier too. "Pitch" should be the perfect distraction to get you through to spring training.
Fox
"MacGyver," Sept. 23 on CBS Lucas Till brings everybody's favorite DIY secret agent back to the small screen in fine style in this prequel series. Till and co-star George Eads ("CSI") share an easy chemistry that bros the world over will recognize. Combine that with big stunts and big laughs and this one could easily break out of its Friday night timeslot.
CBS
"Son of Zorn,"Sept. 25 on Fox You had us at Lord/Miller. Add Jason Sudeikis, Tim Meadows and maybe the weirdest concept in broadcast primetime history, and we were always going to look forward to "Son of Zorn." Of course, this one already aired via a post-pigskin preview, but the good news is the debut left us looking forward to continued ridiculousness.
Fox
"No Tomorrow,"Oct. 4 on The CW While The CW continues to build up its superhero shows, it's also found a bit of a niche in the slightly fantastical romantic dramedy genre, and "No Tomorrow" looks like a worthy successor to "Jane The Virgin" and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." It's been aptly described as an "apocalyptic joy," and Tori Anderson seems like the perfect quirky, funny, charming leading lady to follow in the footsteps of Gina Rodriguez and Rachel Bloom.
The CW
"Frequency," Oct. 5 on The CW The CW deciding to pick up a mostly forgotten early 2000s sci-fi film for series adaptation was a bit of head-scratcher, but "Frequency," the TV series, may just exceed expectations with a strong pilot that takes the story in a totally different direction and sets up various intriguing plot points. It hardly seems hyperbole to say "Frequency" has been the best pleasant surprise of the fall season so far.
The CW
"The Great Indoors,"Oct. 27 on CBS The fish out of water is a reliable sitcom premise. Thus we have this CBS sitcom starring Joel McHale as a gruff, 40-something legendary outdoorsman who finds himself riding herd on PC millennials at an online magazine. It may all be obvious, but the opportunity for good one-liners abounds. And any show that finds work for the great Stephen Fry (as McHale's British boss) is worth a look.
CBS
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TheWrap previews some of the new series that we think will light up the airwaves this season
"The Good Place," Sept. 19 on NBC Michael Schur does not disappoint, and neither does his newest series. "The Good Place" is the kind of sitcom that maybe has more jokes buried than out in the open. Spend some time with the Pause button engaged when the pilot's points system to get into Ted Danson's Heaven is explained -- we particularly appreciated the Cleveland Browns fandom reward. More please.