Early October often rounds out the last of the fall premieres, a majority of which are returning shows. From network dramas like The Blacklist and The Good Wife to unusual comedies like Billy on the Street, your DVR is likely to max out with all the good programming premiering in October.
The Blacklist (NBC, returns Oct. 1)
Other than The Voice, The Blacklist is really the only show on NBC’s roster with any ratings power. The writers create a story-world that makes viewers think, something that can’t be said for many network shows. It returns for its third season and has established a strong following despite recently being moved to the same night as Shonda Rhimes’ powerhouse TGIT lineup on ABC. Along with sharp writing, much of the show’s success can be attributed to James Spader’s portrayal of former government agent Raymond Reddington. A multi-Emmy winner for his role as Alan Shore on The Practice and Boston Legal, Spader has made a career out of playing intelligent, self-centered jerks that audiences can’t get enough of. For his performance alone, The Blacklist is worth a watch.
The Good Wife (CBS, returns Oct. 4)
The 2010s have been a renaissance for powerful female lead roles in dramatic television. We’ve seen stars like Mariska Hargitay, Kerry Washington, Ellen Pompeo, Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson succeed in portraying the strong yet flawed lead. And in this genre full of bountiful talent and great writing, The Good Wife reigns supreme in many respects. TGW is about attorney and mother Alicia Florrick balancing her career, family and eventually even political aspirations. Creators Robert and Michelle King are professionals at raising the stakes and keeping the plotlines fresh and unexpected. Julianna Margulies is perfection as Alicia, showing the character’s strengths and weaknesses with equal prowess. Plus, the show has one of the best casts of characters in comedy or drama today, including Christine Baranski (Cybill), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2 and Broadway’s Cabaret), Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls) and Chris Noth (Sex and the City). Be sure to binge watch the early seasons on Hulu, as the characters’ backstories are often just as important as their present.
Botched (E!, returns Oct. 6)
Before you scroll right through to the next show, consider giving Botched a genuine shot. It follows two high-profile Newport Beach plastic surgeons with legitimate reality TV ties. Dr. Terry Dubrow is married to Heather Dubrow of the Real Housewives of Orange County, and Dr. Paul Nassif is the ex-husband of former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Adrienne Maloof, so they had reality TV street cred even before signing on to Botched. Their mission each show is to fix patients who have had past botched operations by other plastic surgeons. While initially it seems Botched aims to correct only the cosmetic, their surgical impacts have lasting positive results. In some instances, the doctors save people from life-threatening complications, and they often end up reestablishing the patients’ self-esteem, confidence and trust in others. While there’s a degree of humor and shock in the program (i.e. the “human Ken Doll”), the doctors create an emotional transformation that’s tough to see anywhere else on TV. It’s refreshing to see reality programming that is aimed at building people up rather than watching them claw each other’s eyeballs out, even if the façade is purely cosmetic.
American Horror Story: Hotel (FX, returns Oct. 7)
The American Horror Story anthology is back for its fifth season, this time in a demented haunted hotel. While the whole spooky hotel concept has been explored with the likes of Psycho and The Shining, it will be interesting to see Ryan Murphy’s take on the genre. Plus, this show has Lady Gaga as the lead doing some premium camp dramatic acting. I’ll be the first to say that AHS is not everyone’s cup of tea (it’s not mine), but one can’t ignore its popularity and Murphy’s signature auteur style. It will be interesting to see how Gaga does, as viewers haven’t really seen her in an acting role of this billing before. However, there’s only a handful of entertainers more talented and more hardworking, and my wish is for her to show idiots that she’s more than a piece of meat dress.
Billy on the Street (TruTV, returns Oct. 8)
If you’re like me and are experiencing Difficult People withdrawal, go back to where it all began with Billy on the Street. Starring Billy Eichner as himself, the comedian teams up with celebrities to run around the streets of New York City. It’s impossible not to laugh out loud as Eichner and a celebrity guest aim rapid-fire questions at unsuspecting strangers about the guest and current pop culture. Occasionally, the social interactions are cringe-worthy, but that’s what makes the show so great. It thrives on natural human awkwardness. Eichner is loud and obnoxious to the perfect degree, and his ability to create comedic situations with complete strangers is brilliant.
The Walking Dead (AMC, returns Oct. 11)
Speaking of not everyone’s cup of tea — The Walking Dead returns for its sixth season, and here’s the part where I have to admit that TWD is one of my pop culture blind spots. I know that it’s a show about zombies, they film it in Atlanta, and the lead actor is the cue card guy from Love Actually. And that is where my knowledge ends. However, like any smart critic, I listen to my peers and TV fans enough to know that this is a solid show that’s achieved great success. So even though I’m not really into zombies (I’m more of a wizard/lords and ladies kind of gal), it certainly doesn’t mean that others shouldn’t give this acclaimed show a try.
Fargo (FX, returns Oct. 12)
Recently, anthologies like American Horror Story and True Detective have reinvigorated interest in the genre. Fargo has even transcended expectations and returns for its second season. Based on the film of the same name by the Coen brothers, Fargo ventures into the late 1970s this season as it follows a young Lou Solverson (portrayed last season by Keith Carradine and now by Patrick Wilson) and a new cast of characters played by Kirsten Dunst, Ted Danson and Jesse Plemons (Landry/Todd!). Perhaps the best part is that Nick Offerman has been enlisted as a character named Karl Weathers. In anthologies with completely new actors every season (as opposed to more or less the same cast, like AHS), it can be difficult for the audience to maintain a strong connection. While True Detective fell woefully flat in its second season, I hope that Fargo maintains its success.
Jane the Virgin (The CW, returns Oct. 12)
It’s tough to find a movie or TV program that balances humorous, dramatic and heartwarming moments like Jane the Virgin does. The fantastic Gina Rodriguez plays Jane, who at the start of the series is a virgin who accidentally gets artificially inseminated (a new nightmare for women to have). I love that the show has a telenovela vibe reminiscent of another series I loved: Ugly Betty. From the Juanes-sung theme song at the top of the show to the end credits, the series is infectious. Viewers genuinely care for the characters, which makes Jane the Virgin both joyful and stressful at times. I can’t wait to see where creator Jennie Snyder Urman takes the show next.
Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo (HBO, Oct. 17)
2015 is the year of Amy Schumer, and the sooner you get on the bandwagon, the more fun you’re going to have. Let’s recap: The third season of Inside Amy Schumer premiered on Comedy Central and was a huge success. She was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (alongside Kim and Kanye and the Ebola fighters). Trainwreck, written by and starring Schumer, was released in theaters to rave reviews and a bangin’ box office. She becomes close friends with resident cool girl Jennifer Lawrence, won the Emmy for Best Variety Sketch Show and scored a $10 million book deal. Schumer accomplished all this while successfully touring her standup show around the country. And now, she’s releasing this special, directed by Chris Rock no less. DAMN, GIRL. There’s no way she isn’t going to just crush it, because this is Amy Schumer’s world and we’re all just living in it.
