The fall TV season has begun. Thank goodness our old favorites have returned. Well, most of them. And those few that are gone leave some extra room on our DVR for something new and great. While last year seemed heavily skewed towards new comedies, this season is all about the eye candy. Yes, there are more women-helmed shows, but there are more shows that actually make having HDTV a viewing requirement.
Believe it or not, some of them are pretty entertaining as well. Well, some are more entertaining than others. Looking at the current lineup, we found eye-catching programming options for almost every night of the week. Check out the 10 picks below, set the DVR (if you need to), and enjoy the show.
The Ringer
Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to TV, much to the delight of Buffy fans everywhere. Don't get too excited, though; she's not playing Buffy. Instead, she's playing two Buffys! OK, not exactly. She plays twins. The show may not have the former vampire slayer's longevity or the cult potential, but few shows do. That said, there's identity theft, intrigue and lavish lifestyles, making this worthy of an HD peek.
Terra Nova
This new show is a feast for the eyes and imagination. Terra Nova is shot on location in Australia, with real sound, real weather and real topography. The one thing that's not so real are the dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs are no longer for kiddie shows are cartoons. If that doesn't make you appreciate your HDTV setup, nothing will. It also has a family aspect, time travel, and an insane array of eye-popping effects. Did we happen to mention that Steven Spielberg is one of the show's producers?
Person of Interest
Looking to confirm your conspiracy theories? Check out Person of Interest. J. J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan (The Dark Knight) developed the screenplay, which pretty much make this required viewing. The casting helps as well. Lost's Michael Emerson returns to TV to weave a whole new brand of creepy into your regularly scheduled programming. Believe it or not, though, he's actually a good guy (a creepy one), who works alongside Jim Caviezel to help stop crimes before they happen. Look for Taraji P. Henson, who plays part of the NYPD.
Pan-Am
This dramatic flashback is like flying the friendly skies with the cast of Mad Men. Also, since NBC cancelled The Playboy Club, Pan-Am is the only primetime offering that can fill that retro void until AMC's mega-hit returns next year. Pan-Am has lavish locations, stylish costumes, and a cool peek at the early days air travel. There's also a CIA subplot squeezed in to make sure you're paying attention. Bonus points for casting Christina Ricci and not making her the main character.
American Horror Story
Why did it take the TV world so long to give Jessica Lange a series? Apparently, they needed Glee guru Ryan Murphy to make it happen. She plays the creepy neighbor to new home owners Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), who move across the country to shake their past. Of course, L.A. is the perfect place to start fresh, right? We don't like to judge. That said, they probably should have checked the fine-print first, because (spoiler alert!) their new home is haunted.
Homeland
Everyone loves a hero. Not Claire Danes. In this 24-esque thriller, she plays CIA agent Carrie Mathison, who's convinced that recently rescued Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) is part of a terrorist plot. It's an interesting plotline, given the current climate. It's also a welcome return to TV for Danes, Lewis, and co-star Mandy Patinkin.
Suburgatory
The only comedy on this list looks just as cool as the others, in 30 minutes or less. Jeremy Sisto plays single dad George Altman, who moves his 16-year-old daughter (Jane Levy) out to the 'burbs -- pretty much against her will. Instead of being a more nurturing environment, it's more like a cross between Stepford and the little town in Edward Scissorhands. The rest of the cast is riddled with TV talent, such as Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Lisa Shay (Weeds), Rex Lee (Entourage), and Alan Tudyk (Firefly).
Charlie's Angels
Make no mistake: Charlie's Angels is not the best new show of the season. Believe it or not, though, it's actually not the worst. It definitely is one of the better looking shows -- and not just because of the uber-hot cast. This update to the 1970s crime-fighting jiggle-fest is less about T&A and more about kicking A. Fans of the film series may appreciate this modern update, since it certainly packs in producer Drew Barrymore's girl-power punch. It also adds a nice twinge of modern technology. Trust us; there are some sick high-tech toys, explosions, and eye candy aplenty.
Once Upon a Time
"From the creators of Lost" can be both a blessing and a curse. Either way, you're pretty much guaranteed some pretty sweet visuals. This season standout mixes the present day with past fairytales, intricate costumes, stunning scenery and an all-star cast. Look for Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Carlyle and Giancarlo Esposito, just to name a few.
Hell on Wheels
Plan ahead, people! AMC's Hell on Wheels starts November 6. It's not exactly midseason, so it counts! It's set in the 1860s and features former Confederate soldier (Anson Mount) who's hell-bent on getting revenge on the bad men who killed his wife. AMC rarely disappoints, so we have high hopes.
