It’s that time of year again! The fall television schedule is right around the corner and, as always, the networks have a lineup of many new programs to accompany our returning favorites.
Some of the series have promise, while others may flop – but, regardless, we’ll tune in to check them out!
First up, the CW:
Ringer – Supernatural Thriller
Ringer stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as twin sisters Bridget and Siobhan Martin. The sisters share a troubled relationship but decide to move past previously made mistakes. The series begins as Bridget runs to her wealthy sister, Siobhan, after she witnesses a mob hit. Matters get worse when Siobhan disappears and Bridget assumes her sister’s identity and learns her sister’s life is nothing like it seems.
Ringer premieres Tuesday, September 13th on the CW.
*****
The Secret Circle – Supernatural Drama
From the creators of The Vampire Diaries and based on the YA series by L.J. Smith, The Secret Circle follows teenager Cassie Blake (Brittany Robertson, Life Unexpected) after her mother’s death (well, murder). Cassie moves to her mother’s hometown to live with her grandmother, where she meets a group of friends that help her uncover her destiny – she’s a witch.
She learns that their families have a deep history of witchcraft dating back hundreds of years, and in order for them to complete their circle, one member from each of the original families is needed. The power of six magnifies the circle’s power one hundred percent, and Cassie makes six.
The Secret Circle premieres Thursday, September 15th on the CW.
*****
Hart of Dixie – Medical Drama
Hart of Dixie stars Rachel Bilson (The O.C.) as Dr. Zoe Hart. She accepts a job in Blueberry, Alabama working for a man she’s never met. When she arrives, she learns that the Doctor that hired her has recently passed away and left her a portion of his practice. Zoe must learn to work with her new partner, his daughter (Lemon Breeland, played by Jamie King of Pearl Harbor and Sin City), and adjust to life in a small southern town that is nothing at all like New York.
Hart of Dixie premieres Monday, September 26th on the CW.
*****
Next up, ABC and NBC take us back to the ‘60s:
The Playboy Club – Drama
The Playboy Club focuses on the “Bunnies” of the first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1963. The series stars Amber Heard (Pineapple Express, The Stepfather) as the newest Bunny, Eddie Cibrian (Third Watch, Sunset Beach) as an attorney with ties to the Chicago mafia and an elite club member, also known as a “Keyholder”, and David Krumholtz (Numbers), as the club manager. The program focuses on the Bunnies’ aspirations, secrets, and seductions during a time that these clubs forever changed American society.
The Playboy Club premieres Monday, September 19th on NBC.
*****
Pan Am – Drama
Another period piece from 1963, Pan Am focuses on the pilots and stewardesses of Pan American World Airways, starring Hollywood star Christina Ricci (The Addams Family, Mermaids, and Monster). Pan Am takes us back to a time when flying was fun for everyone, when smoking was legal in the cabin, and when the pilots kept the cockpit door open for requests from the passengers. How times have changed….
Pan Am premieres Sunday, September 25th on ABC.
What do you think? Will you tune in to watch any of the new shows on the CW this year? Are you excited to relive the early days of The Playboy Club and Pan American? Which of these shows will make it and which ones won’t? I’d love to hear from you!
Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor 
I don’t know. I’m picky with new shows and have a hard time getting into them since most get cancelled. Sarah Michelle’s does sound interesting though, and I like Christina Ricci, so I might give those a try.
God love my TV guru – you rock!
Some really great looking shows coming out. I definitely think I’ll check out Ringer and the Secret Circle – both sound fantastic! Hart of Dixie – hmmm – not so sure. The Playboy Club and Pan Am; I might try to check em’ out but shows based in the 60s aren’t usually my thing. But ya never know. Thanks for the line-up, I’ve added them to my list!
Natalie, you and I feel the same about each one of these new shows! I am really excited about Ringer and The Secret Circle, not so much about Hart of Dixie, and I’m interested enough to check out The Playboy Club and Pan Am. We can compare notes when they have all premiered. Thanks for stopping by!
Ringer and The Secret Circle both sound intriguing. My problem is that my husband and I have to compromise sometimes. Yes, there’s the DVR, but sometimes we are already recording two things at once. LOL. I’ll just have to check out all the time slots.
Hart of Dixie and Pan Am? Not that interested. Why would I watch a Dr. show when CBS cancelled Three Rivers with the gorgeous Alex O’Loughlin? It just doesn’t seem right. :0) (Have you figured out yet that I’m obsessed with Alex?)
Lauralynn, it sounds like it’s time to upgrade to AT&T UVerse….my DVR records four shows at once! 🙂 LOL
You are allowed to talk about Alex all you want with me. I loved him as Mick; I love him as Steve. I loved him in The Back-Up Plan, something I probably never would have even watched if he hadn’t starred in.
Oh, before I forget – Ringer and The Secret Circle are on top of my list of new shows this fall…..thanks for stopping by!
I might give Ringer a try because Sarah Michele Gellar is great. But like with Lauralynn, I already have lots of shows I watch and limited time to watch them. Also, I just don’t have much faith anymore in the networks. There are so many nonstellar shows, and then shows are cancelled. I’ll just have to enjoy them vicariously through your reviews. 🙂
I am very glad to see Sarah Michele Gellar back on television. It’s been a long time since Buffy….and I like that she’s chosen a show on the CW (one of my favorite channels). Thanks for stopping by, Angela!
I have to admit, none of these really grab me. I think Pan Am and The Playboy Club are attempts at piggybacking on the success of Mad Men – but I doubt they will be any where near as well written.
Which is good, because I have too much TV to watch 🙂
I was hoping you’d find Hart of Dixie interesting since it’s medical and all….for our Watch Wednesday fans? 🙂
Meh. Give me my trashy tv over these. Although, I do love Sarah Michelle Geller, so I might try that one. Mad Men drove me bat crazy, so I’ll probably skip Playboy Club and Pan Am.
Thanks for the head’s up!
I’ll give The Secret Circle a try because I love LJ but I have to question some of the changes they’ve made. 1) Why kill off Cassie’s mother? She’s living in the books. 2) Why Maine and not Massachusetts where there is ACTUAL witch history? 3) SIX for a coven? PLEASE! Anybody who knows anything about witchcraft knows you need thirteen. I get they needed to trim down the cast because maybe that’s excessive but at LEAST choose a magical number like seven. Six is just…nothing.
Kait, I haven’t read the books – thanks for pointing out so many of the differences! I always find it interesting to see what changes they’ve made when a television show or even a motion picture is adapted from a popular series. Thanks for stopping by!
Hmnnn….I’ve been seeing ads for Playboy Club but not familiar with the others.
Hey, Amy! If you check it out, let me know what you think! I hope the storyline follows the mob more than what is expected from the title…
A bit surprised at all the Sarah Michelle fans. I always wondered if she’d have ever been given her first part if Daddy hadn’t been Bruce Geller.
Hi, David! I’m sure we could say that about a lot of second and third generation actors like Drew Barrymore and even Sarah Michele Gellar’s husband, Freddie Prinze, Jr. Regardless, I think she proved herself when Buffy lasted as long as it did and is still as popular today. At least I enjoy it still….thanks for stopping by!
I think I’ll give PanAm a try because my uncle worked for them back in the day and I have a cousin who was a “stewardess” in the 60’s. Big hair, false eyelashes and funny little hat. I like Sarah Michelle Geller too so I’ll likely check that out as well. Love that you do this Tiffany! Great blog.
It sounds like you’ll have a really good Pan Am comparison review to give us, Kate! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m ready for The Ringer and I’m glad it’s on the CW. That means it won’t need huge ratings and can have time to develop.
Hart of Dixie sounds cool. I like the fish out of water type stuff. Reminds me of Doc Hollywood.
Agree 100%, Andrew! I’m really glad that SMG is back and that she chose the CW. It doesn’t appear that the CW puts the same pressure on their new programs as do the other basic cable networks.
Pam Am and Ringers sound interesting, plus I’ve got a lot respect for Sarah Michelle Gellar. Apart from anything else she uses her real name. Cool.
But, I rarely have time to watch TV, so I’m going to depend on you for summaries!
Cheers 🙂
Hi, Nigel! I will do my best to keep you up to date on the new shows. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for these summaries Tiffany! I just saw the commercial for Ringer and was a bit confused on how the identity switch would work. Your explanation clears it up and makes me want to see how they make the twist work. I’ll be checking that one out for sure.
As for The Playboy Club and PanAm, nope. I will give the networks credit for marketing the life out of both, but they feel a bit “backwards” in scope to me. With being so tight in terms of the period and work locations, I’m not sure where they can go with the stories.
Hi, Barbara! It seems that Ringer may be the most popular out of the five new shows listed today. I’ve been looking forward to SMG’s return since I saw the announcement last spring.
I don’t ever wish a new show bad luck, but I just don’t see how either TPC or PanAm will have a long shelf-life. It seems to me that a mini-series might have been more popular. I’ll give them both a try though! I love TV….and at least The Playboy Club might have a murder subplot. That gets me every time!
Thanks for stopping by!
They all look interesting. The Playboy one could be good, and really the Pan Am might turn out to be funny. I like SMG too, so Ringers has potential. The one that I think I would enjoy most based on your summaries would be The Secret Circle.
Hey, so what did you think of Death Valley?
I always look forward to the CW’s new shows. I’m a big CW fan…for someone in her thirties. 🙂
We did watch Death Valley. While the pilot wasn’t all that laugh-out-loud funny, we do think the previews have potential. We weren’t expecting an award winning show, and in comparison to the other zombie movies that we’ve watched, it isn’t bad.
We loved the captain’s banter. He seems to have foot-in-mouth syndrome…kinda like Kristin Wiig’s character on SNL, “Just kidding, just kidding.” I liked John-John and his bat too….and the new girl has some moves. We’ll definitely be tuning in for more….you?
I’m REALLY excited about Ringer. I’ve been dying to see SMG again, but I’m really excited because Ioan Gruffud is in it, and I think he is such a cutie (yes, I am all about eye candy). Not sure what I’ll actually end up watching, though. I tend to watch season premiers and finales, and not much in-between, unless I can get it on Netflix.
It seems that it’s about time SMG gets back on the tele. Almost everyone is excited about Ringer. AND, there is nothing wrong with basing your television preferences around eye-candy. Supernatural, anyone? 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Jamila!
I’ll probably set the DVR for The Ringer and for Secret Circle. You know I like the paranormal or supernatural or whatever you want to call it. My husband got into Necessary Roughness. Maybe this will entice him away from it. 😀
Do you still not like Necessary Roughness? I enjoy it – but I’m a sports NUT!
I’m with you on the supernatural – I’m really looking forward to Ringer and TSC. Who can go wrong with SMG and witches? Give me my CW – I miss The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural. I’m excited that the CW starts one week earlier than any other network. It’s like they know that we’re in withdrawal. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Catie!
Hart of Dixie piques my curiosity most. Perhaps I feel inundated with paranomal tv series right now, but a truer-life tale sounds more interesting at the moment. And I’m struck by the differences between big city and small perspectives. It was only briefly explored in Jericho with a farmboy and accountant relationship, but I liked that one. Hart of Dixie has potential. Thanks!
Jericho….there’s another series that the fans tried desperately to save but the networks just weren’t having it. I hope you enjoy Hart of Dixie! Thanks for stopping by, Julie.
I had to come back and report on Hart of Dixie. I just watched the pilot and loved it! I didn’t realize that the main actress is the sandwich girl from Chuck; we always liked her. I could also see a lot of potential for storylines with the residents of Blue Bell, Alabama. It reminded me the Gilmore Girls town with normal and quirky interwoven. This first script included high stakes but was believable. I’ll have to watch more episodes to see if it holds up. But I’m hopeful. Thanks for your report. I probably wouldn’t have watched otherwise.
I’m feeling cautious about Ringer – there are so many ways it could jump the shark in the first season, given the (admittedly interesting) premise. Still, I want to support SMG and Ill probably give it a shot as long as it doesn’t interfere with any of my other must-sees.
I’m a little giggly about Mr. Universe (Krumholtz’s Serenity character) being the manager of The Playboy Club and plan on checking it out at least in passing.
Pan Am is the only of these that REALLY excites me. Fictionalized history can be tricky, but this airline was so iconic as to be semi-unreal in memory anyway. Plus, Ricci always gives great performance.
Ringer starts tonight, Gigi! Let me know what you think. I have it set on the DVR but still have my Monday night shows to watch (season finale of The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles). I find it humorous that Krumholtz is going from one of Santa’s elves to a mathematician to a Playboy Club manager. I guess that’s why it’s called acting. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!