The Show: Rescue: Hi-Surf (FOX, Sundays, from Sept. 22)
The Premise: Set on Hawaii’s North Shore, aka the the most dangerous stretch of coastline in the world for would-be surfers, swimmers and tourists, a group of lifeguards find their work cut out for them battling the elements, their own personal demons, and occasionally each other.
What Show is it Most Like: 9-1-1, and 9-1-1: Lone Star. (If you’re expecting Baywatch, don’t.) Now that Lone Star is entering its fifth and final season, FOX is likely searching for a solid replacement that offers a similar tone, high-stakes emergencies, and some interpersonal drama, but which is unique enough to stand on its own merits.
When Does it Start: Sunday, Sept. 22 following the FOX NFL doubleheader, but with a regular time period Mondays (9:00-10:00PM ET/PT) from Sept. 23.
Our In-depth Review: Surf, Saves, and Stupidity Make for a Winning Formula
The Show: Brilliant Minds (NBC, Mondays from Sept. 23)
The Premise: A complicated, brilliant but unorthodox neurologist (Zachary Quinto) treats the person behind the illness. The doctor will see you now.
What Show is it Most Like? New Amsterdam. NBC knows there’s a Max Goodwin-shaped hole in our hearts now that New Amsterdam is over. One of two new medical shows on the network (the other, St. Denis Medical, is a sitcom) this fall, Brilliant Minds presents unusual cases and the patients behind them, and a doc who’s biggest flaw is not his face blindness, but his refusal to give up on those who need him.
When Does it Start: Monday, Sept. 23 (10 – 11pm ET/PT) on NBC.
Our in-depth Review: A Spoonful of Sugar
The Show: Murder in a Small Town (FOX, Tuesdays, from Sept. 24)
The Premise: A world-weary cop takes on the role of Chief of Police in a small coastal town, only to discover it’s not as peaceful as he had imagined.
What Show is it Most Like? 2014’s Gracepoint starring David Tennant and Anna Gunn. Unlike many broadcast heroes our main character, Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland), has no distinguishing crime-solving ‘quirk’ to speak of. Instead Alberg relies on good detective work, intuition, and a little help from local librarian and love interest Cassandra Lee (Kristin Kreuk) whose unique perspective on the town and its inhabitants occasionally puts the pair at loggerheads.
When Does it Start: Tuesday, Sept. 24 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Our in-depth Review: Murder in a Small Town Review: The Catch is There is No Catch
The Show: High Potential (ABC, Tuesdays, from Sept. 17)
The Premise: The show follows a single mom whose unconventional knack for solving crimes (her crime-solving ‘quirk’ is her high IQ) leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective (Daniel Sunjata).
What Show is it Most Like: Castle, Bones. Think brilliant, enthusiastic, unorthodox character gets paired with a strait-laced, by the book partner. Crimes will be solved. Hijinks will be had. Lines will be crossed. Shipping will ensue! And if it doesn’t, there are still plenty of other characters to enjoy.
When Does it Start: Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Our In-depth Review: ABC Returns to Familiar Territory with “High Potential”
The Show: NCIS: Origins (CBS, Mondays, from Oct. 14)
The Premise: Austin Stowell takes over from Mark Harmon as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in a prequel series that focuses on the start of his career. Watch the newly minted special agent forge his place with a gritty ragtag team at the fledgling NIS Camp Pendleton office.
What Show is it Most Like: Do we even have to say it? If you are a fan of NCIS, then chances are this one is for you. The prequel element (the show is set in 1991) provides an extra interesting twist. And if that’s not enough for you, Mark Harmon, our OG Gibbs, also narrates.
When Does it Start: Premieres Monday, Oct. 14 at 9 pm, with a regular time period of 10 pm to 11 pm ET/PT from Monday, Oct. 21.
The Show: Doctor Odyssey (ABC, Thursdays, from Sept. 26)
The Premise: Joshua Jackson is Dr. Max, the new on-board doctor for a luxury cruise ship where “the staff works hard and plays harder” according to the loglines.
It’s all-hands-on-deck as Max and his small but mighty medical team navigate whatever unusual cases of the week come at them in a glitzy sudfest that might just be your next guilty pleasure.
What Show is it Most Like: It’s New Amsterdam at sea with sequins.
When Does it Start: Thursday, Sept. 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Our In-depth Review: Needs More Big Deck Energy
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