Fall TV 2019: New Shows To Watch/Skip

To help you sort through the annual onslaught of new comedies and dramas, TVLine's intrepid staff has consumed as many fall pilots as possible and boiled them down to the ones you should absolutely watch... or by all means skip. Scroll through the gallery below to see our picks and passes for the 2019 fall TV season, then tell us which shows you plan to try!

MICHAEL AUSIELLO SAYS...

WATCH!

EVIL (CBS): While the pilot for this CBS procedural from Good Wife/Fight EPs Robert and Michelle King didn't give me literal nightmares, it absolutely scared the Jesus Juice out of me. Fear factor aside, Evil is also a thoroughly engrossing and thought-provoking meditation on science and faith. And if you thought Fleabag's Hot Priest made you weak in the knees, allow me to introduce you to Mike Colter's Man of Oh-My-God. (Premieres Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10/9c)

THE UNICORN (CBS): I confess I winced a bit when I heard Walton Goggins, Michaela Watkins and Rob Corddry — three comedic powerhouses known for their smart, left-of-center TV work — would be starring in a conventional-sounding CBS sitcom. But much to my pleasant surprise, The Unicorn does its enviable cast justice by taking TV's worn-out single dad trope and making it feel fresh. (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:30/7:30c)

MIXED-ISH (ABC): Kenya Barris and Co. are on their way to making lightning strike for a third time with this latest black-ish franchise extension, which starts off promisingly on the strength of its nimble cast (led by newcomer Arica Himmel, who is infinitely believable as a 12-year-old version of Tracee Ellis Ross' formidable Bow). (Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9/8c)

SKIP!

DOLLFACE (Hulu): I'd watch Kat Dennings in pretty much anything... except, it turns out, this half-baked comedy about a young woman attempting to reconnect with her female "squad" after getting dumped by her longtime boyfriend. The fantasy elements are painfully pedestrian, but the real problem is the lack of chemistry between Dennings and her onscreen BFFs.

VLADA GELMAN SAYS...

WATCH!

PRODIGAL SON (Fox)
The serial killer drama is buoyed by a complex father-son relationship, as portrayed by the fantastic Michael Sheen and Tom Payne, who very impressively more-than-holds his own against a strong cast. Bonus points for not being as gloomy as The Following. (Monday, Sept. 23 at 9/8c)

EVIL (CBS)
I was already intrigued just based on the auspices (Good Fight creators Robert and Michelle King!), cast (Mike Colter!) and premise (which sounds a lot like ABC's short-lived Miracles). But after watching the smart, scary pilot, I'm all in... for watching it the next morning to avoid nightmares. (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10/9c)

DOLLFACE (Hulu)
Kat Dennings stars as a recent dumpee who reconnects with gal pals Brenda Song and Shay Mitchell in this wonderfully surreal, witty comedy about female friendship. It's the kind of show you just don't see enough of. (Season 1 releases Friday, Nov. 15.)

SKIP!

ALMOST FAMILY (Fox)
It pains me to say this, because I usually love Jason Katims shows, but the premise — a young woman discovers that her fertility doctor father inseminated hundreds of women with his own sperm — makes for a very questionable and icky foundation for an "unconventional" family drama.

MATT WEBB MITOVICH SAYS...

WATCH!

REPRISAL (Hulu): Come for a mightily fierce Abigail Spencer (Timeless), then stick around for a hyper-noir tale that is unlike anything you have seen on TV. I knew, going in, that Spencer was playing a "femme fatale" seeking revenge against those who'd left her for dead. But the vivid world-building that followed (think: Tarantino, David Lynch and grubby grindhouse fare, punctuated by the occasional Blood Drive-style wink), along with an engaging cast that also includes Rodrigo Santoro, a manic Rhys Wakefield and the always-interesting David Dastmalchian, had me riveted. (Season 1 releases Friday, Dec. 6.)

PERFECT HARMONY (NBC): Bradley Whitford is a once-esteemed music professor who quite unexpectedly finds himself coaching a motley church choir led by Anna Camp. Yes, you totally know where this is going, but the final act nonetheless delights. Oh, and for about 27 of us, it will fill the Impastor-shaped hole in our hearts. (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:30/7:30c.)

THE UNICORN (CBS): As a divorcé of a certain age whose days sometimes live and die by the dating app, this single-cam comedy — in which Walton Goggins' widower braves the singles scene a bit later than he should have — spoke to me. Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Omar Miller and Maya Lynne Robinson form a stellar supporting cast. (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:30/7:30c) 

SKIP!

CAROL'S SECOND ACT (CBS): Even the great Patricia Heaton is allowed a misstep. The premise has potential — 50-year-old graduates med school, works as intern among people half her age — but this execution suffers from some miscast costars and truly uninspired workplace dynamics.

RYAN SCHWARTZ SAYS...

WATCH!

STUMPTOWN (ABC): Cobie Smulders is perfectly cast as the strong, assertive and sharp-witted Army vet at the center of this graphic novel adaptation, which also features a stellar supporting cast, including New Girl fave Jake Johnson. (Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10/9c) 

LIVING WITH YOURSELF (Netflix): Two Paul Rudds are better than one in this inventive, existential comedy that is both a total trip and an absolute nightmare — and that's all I can say without spoiling it. (Season 1 releases Friday, Oct. 18.)

UNDONE (Amazon Prime): The visuals astound in this rotoscope-animated dramedy that features a truly one-of-a-kind look at mental illness, and a star-making performance by Rosa Salazar. (Now streaming)

SKIP!

BLESS THE HARTS (FOX): It's tragic to waste a voice cast this good (Kristen Wiig! Maya Rudolph! Kumail Nanjiani as Jesus Christ!) on an animated comedy this bad. Given the behind-the-scenes pedigree — it hails from Last Man on Earth EPs Emily Spivey, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller — it might just be the most disappointing show of the fall.

Click here to return to/Comment on the original post.

REBECCA IANNUCCI SAYS...

WATCH!

THE POLITICIAN (Netflix): With his Netflix debut, Ryan Murphy has done the impossible: He's made politics enjoyable in 2019. Anchored by sharp writing and a superb lead performance from Ben Platt, the delightfully twisty Politician gets my vote for the year's best binge-watch. (Season 1 releases Friday, Sept. 27.)

LIMETOWN (Facebook Watch): I wasn't familiar with the fictional podcast on which this series is based, but this adaptation hooked me within seconds. Jessica Biel brings a captivating intensity to protagonist Lia Haddock, and the show's central mystery unfolds with juuust the right amount of eerieness. (The first two episodes drop Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 3 pm ET, followed by weekly installments.)

PRODIGAL SON (Fox): Come for Michael Sheen's fantastically creepy turn as serial killer Martin Whitly; stay for the promising exploration of Martin's relationship with son Malcolm. (Monday, Sept. 23 at 9/8c)

SKIP!

BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA (CBS): Chuck Lorre's latest outing begins with an unnecessary fart joke, and things do not improve from there. Even more disappointing? Bob and Abishola actually have a lovely chemistry... which is ruined by Bob's stalker-y approach to pursuing his nurse.

KIMBERLY ROOTS SAYS...

WATCH!

UNDONE (Amazon Prime): Even without its groundbreaking rotoscope animation — which really is something to see — this mysterious tale of love, loss, change and maybe time-travel (?) has one of the most innovative and engaging pilots I watched this year. Now I'm completely sucked in, thanks to the amazing cast (including Bob Odenkirk, who also produces the series), the tantalizing "What if?" thread that runs throughout the season, and lead actress Rosa Salazar, who deserves to be The Next Big Thing. (Now streaming)

CASTLE ROCK (Hulu): Lizzy Caplan is so cockadoodie good in Season 2 of the anthology series, which follows a pre-Misery Annie Wilkes as she and her teen daughter wind up in the titular town. (And I'll never hear Carly Simon's "Let the River Run" the same way again.) (Premieres with three episodes on Wednesday, Oct. 23, then continues with weekly episodes.)

EVIL (CBS): If The X-Files and The Exorcist had an unholy baby, it would be this spooky drama about a psychologist and a priest-in-training on the hunt to verify — or disprove — demonic possessions. I haven't been this from-the-get-go-creeped-out by a broadcast series since sweet little Casey killed the rat in the Rances' attic. Add in the fact that the two lead characters' unresolved sexual tension is addressed in the very first episode, and I am definitely, devilishly down. (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10/9c)

SKIP!

DOLLFACE (Hulu): Ally McBeal did heartsick magical realism way better, more than two decades ago.

DAVE NEMETZ SAYS...

WATCH!

LIVING WITH YOURSELF (Netflix): Paul Rudd is terrific (times two) in this very strange sitcom about a cloning procedure gone horribly, hilariously wrong. It's not for everyone, but fans of Charlie Kaufman will appreciate its offbeat, wildly surreal sense of humor. (Season 1 releases Friday, Oct. 18.)

THE POLITICIAN (Netflix): Election + Rushmore + Ryan Murphy = this delectable satire starring Tony winner Ben Platt as an overachieving high schooler who'll stoop to any level to make his dreams of world domination come true. The wit is pinprick-sharp, and the cast is incredible; it's worth watching for an unhinged Jessica Lange alone. (Season 1 releases Friday, Sept. 27.)

EVIL (CBS): The Good Wife creators Robert and Michelle King have conjured up one of the most genuinely creepy shows to air on network TV since The X-Files, and Katja Herbers gives a breakout performance as a forensic psychologist who joins forces with Mike Colter's priest-in-training to investigate supernatural phenomena. Your new Mulder and Scully, ladies and gents! (Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10/9c)

SKIP!

CAROL'S SECOND ACT (CBS): I'm diagnosing this lukewarm star vehicle, led by an annoyingly chipper Patricia Heaton, with a terminal lack of laughs. Even the great Kyle MacLachlan can't do anything to resuscitate it.

ANDY SWIFT SAYS...

WATCH!

DAYBREAK (Netflix): Quirky, compelling and completely insane, this comedy about teen-on-teen warfare in post-apocalyptic Glendale, Calif. — an adaptation of Brian Ralph's comic series — is a breath of fresh air so strong, it'll melt your damn face off. And you'll thank it for doing so. (Season 1 releases Oct. 24.)

MIXED-ISH (ABC): A feel-good comedy with something to say, this captivating look back at Rainbow Johnson's unconventional upbringing is a worthy addition to the ish-verse. (Prepare to fall in love with scene stealer Mykal-Michelle Harris, who plays a pint-sized version of Bow's sister Santamonica.) (Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9/8c)

LIVING WITH YOURSELF (Netflix): This quirky, unpredictable comedy, starring Paul Rudd and... Paul Rudd, will keep you guessing, laughing... and feeling. (Season 1 releases Friday, Oct. 18.)

SKIP!

CAROL'S SECOND ACT (CBS): If you want to watch a smart, funny comedy about an older woman named Carol finding new purpose as an intern... both seasons of NBC's Great News are still available to stream on Netflix!