Finally Fall

Fall is almost here (Hip Hip Hooray!) and that means the fall television season is starting.  I don't have cable for a couple of reasons so I'm limited to the tradition network's selection of shows.  Here are some of the new and returning shows I'm looking forward to:

Sherlock (PBS) and Elementary (CBS).  I was never a Sherlock Holmes fan.  I never read any of the books and the only Sherlock Holmes movie I saw was the Robert Downey Jr. one (and I wasn't that impressed).  But last year Masterpiece Mystery aired Sherlock and I was hooked!  In this very modern-day telling Sherlock is pompous and knows it.  It's witty and suspenseful with great writring and acting.  Now I'm looking forward to Elementary as well.  This Sherlock just got out of rehab and his Watson is a woman.  And the creators have promised there will never be a romance between this Sherlock and Watston.

Glee (FOX).  I admit I've been a Gleek from the beginning but this season premier didn't really do anything for me.  A bunch of characters were graduating seniors last season and I missed them (although we've been told they will be back at some point).  And the two new main characters were rather dull.  The best part of the season premier was guest star Kate Hudson as a alcoholic washed-up NYADA dance teacher who used to work on Broadway.  Hope this show improves as the weeks go on.

Downton Abbey (PBS).  I am a SUCKER for British period piece dramas and this one totally fit the bill.  If for nothing else than the wickedly witty lines from Maggie Smith.

Once Upon a Time (ABC).  Last year two "fairy tale" drama debuted and for me this one was the clear winner.  If you were a fan of Lost, the same people are behind Once and you'll notice.  It's a mix of fairy tale characters in present time and past "fairy tale" time.  It had a great cliff hanger last season so I'm looking forward to where things will go from there.

Raising Hope (FOX).  There are a lot of good half-hour comedies out there but this one is really quirky and funny.  The story is about a young man who becomes a single father (the mother was a serial killer who ending up in jail and SPOILER ALERT supposedly got hit by a bus at the end of last season) but the stars of the show are the parents (Martha Plimpton and Garret Dillahunt) and  dementialy challenged Maw Maw (Cloris Lecchman). 

So let the viewing begin....