Last month, we shared with our readers what we at TV Overmind thought of several new series of the 2015-2016 season. The results showed that we are fascinated with Life in Pieces and Quantico, on the fence about Scream Queens and The Grinder, and had no love for Wicked City and Truth Be Told. If you have not had a chance to check out the article, you can view it by clicking here. With so many new series this year, we had to split the ratings into two articles! So this is the second feature where we give the grade to the rest of the new series of the 2015-2016. We have even included NBC’s two new comedies Superstore and Telenovela,which viewers were treated to a few episodes before the series’ officially debuted last week. Did your new favorite series make the grade? Keep reading to find out.
Limitless (NBC)
If you loved the Bradley Cooper 2011 thriller that this series is based upon, you most likely enjoy the series Limitless. Cooper has even appeared in 3 of the series first 12 episodes which has helped with ratings somewhat. Limitless will be around for the remainder of the 2015-2016 television season and should be back for a second season as well.
Grade: A-
The Muppets (ABC)
As a kid, I loved watching any incarnation of The Muppets. My first encounter with Kermit, Gonzo, and Miss Piggy happened when I would tune into Muppet Babies every Saturday morning. I was also exposed to The Muppet Christmas Carol in the early 90’s and then Muppets Tonight in 1996. It was not until The Muppets came out in 2011 that I was able to fall in love with the gang all over again. This new series has had a rocky start with losing a showrunner and many protests from groups who think the storylines are too racy for children. ABC has invested a lot in the series, so it should make it to season two.
Grade: B+
Dr. Ken (ABC)
To be honest, I have not watched a single episode of this Ken Jeong comedy and I do not ever plan to. It is a shame that other comedies that aired on ABC Friday nights like The Neighbors and Malibu Country could not survive, and this one could live on. The reviews for the series are poor, but the ratings are strong enough to keep it around for at least a full season.
Grade: F
The Player (NBC)
Wesley Snipes on television sounds like a good idea, but The Player was one of the worst shows of the 2015-2016 season. NBC aired all nine episodes that were made, the final was broadcast in Mid-November. Though the series still has yet to be cancelled, the chances that it will survive are very unlikely.
Grade: F
Heroes Reborn (NBC)
There are many old series the have gotten or will be getting a reboot in recent years. One of these is Heroes, which ran on NBC from 2006-2010. Fan boys have been freaking out about the reboot since it was announced and ratings are fairly decent. However, a lot of critics are thinking that this show’s fate will be more clear after pilot season.
Grade: C
Rosewood (FOX)
This series has been compared to the NBC drama The Mysteries of Laura. Both series are procedurals that air on Wednesday nights and most critics expected both of the series to perform pretty poorly. The Mysteries of Laura did slightly better than people thought and it was the only new NBC series of the 2014-2015 television season to get a second season pickup. Will Rosewood fair the same? The series received a full season pickup and most likely will be back for a season two.
Grade: C-
Code Black (CBS)
CBS tends to find a lot of success with its drama. NCIS is still the most watched drama in its 13th season and they have Madame Secretary, Blue Bloods, and The Goof Wife on their schedule as well. Code Black is still trying to find an audience. CBS ordered 5 additional episodes for the Marcia Gay Harden drama, but the a second season survival is not likely.
Grade: D
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris (NBC)
My guess is that you did not have the best time ever watching this variety show starring Doogie Howser himself, Neil Patrick Harris. He has had so much success as of late with hosting The Oscars and his nine season run as Barney Stinson, it seemed that NPH could do no wrong. NBC has had a lot of trouble finding a success, but that did not even help the show from getting cancelled.
Grade: D-
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW)
It has been a toss up whether or not this series will make it to season two. In December The CW extended the episode count for season 1 from 13 to 18, which shows promise. The critics seem to think the show has potential, but the ratings are pretty low, even for The CW. Since the network renews so many of their seasoned shows (Supernatural, The Vampire Diaires) it seems unlikely Rebecca’s crazy antics will merit a second season.
Superstore (NBC)
NBC needed to think of better ways to market their new series as the network has been struggling to find a hit, especially a comedy. In December, it aired a few preview episodes of the new America Ferrera series Superstore after an episode of the very popular The Voice. The ploy has seemed to work as the January premiere of the series performed pretty well. It is still too early to tell, but Superstore has a great cast and could make it to season two.
Grade: B+
Telenovela (NBC)
Like Superstore, NBC aired several episodes of this comedy in December in hopes of finding an audience before it officially premiered in January. Though the ratings were not as high as Superstore, Telenovela could be the next 30 Rock for the peacock network. And having Eva Longoria as the star of the series is not a bad thing either.
Grade: B+
Which new television series of the 2015-2016 TV season is your favorite? Which do you think will be the next to get cancelled? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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