Dominic Piacenti
A&E Senior Staff Writer
Summer is ending, and that means one thing — our favorite television shows are returning. While we can look forward to shows like “How I Met Your Mother” and “Fringe,” we will mourn the loss of TV classics (it seems that after ten years , people finally stopped watching “CSI: Miami”). What can we possibly replace them with? Fall 2012 will pilot several new series that could fill the pixelated hole in our hearts left by “Weeds,” “One Tree Hill,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Chuck” and “House.”
Revolution
One drama that shows promise is NBC’s “Revolution.” What would happen if suddenly all of the world’s electricity turned off and couldn’t be turned on again? Creator Eric Kripke imagines that the citizens of this new world would retreat back into rural environments, while militias would assume control over these small communities. The show follows one young woman who grew up during the 15-year blackout and her journey to solve the question all viewers will be asking: “Why did the lights go out?” The drama is produced by J.J. Abrams, who previously brought us television gold with “Fringe” and “Lost.”
The New Normal
David and Bryan, a young couple happily living in bustling Los Angeles, couldn’t wish for anything more than having their own child. Enter Goldie, a single Midwestern mother who is very fertile. Playing off the likes of “Modern Family,” “The New Normal” features a family made up of a homosexual couple, their surrogate, her 8-year-old daughter, and the baby they’re all waiting for. Notably, the show stars Justin Bartha (“The Hangover,” “National Treasure”), NeNe Leakes (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) and is produced/created by Ryan Murphy of “Glee.”
666 Park Avenue
This horror drama, based on the novel by Gabriella Pierce, is set in an apartment building where evil is disguised as your deepest wish or desire. As the residents succumb to everything they’ve ever wanted, terror ensues at 666 Park Avenue. When a young, Midwestern couple takes over management of the apartment building, the suspense builds as mysteries begin to unravel. The show stars “Lost” alum Terry O’Quinn and “Desperate Housewives’” Vanessa Williams.
The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling takes leave of her role as Kelly on “The Office” for a role as a hopelessly romantic OB/GYN surrounded by wacky and inappropriate co-workers. Although this series may sound like a different spin on “The Office” dynamic, that sitcom is entering its final season this year, and “The Mindy Project” could fill the void. The series will also feature comedy guest stars like Ed Helms (“The Hangover,” “The Office”) and Stephen Tobolowsky (“Groundhog Day,” “Glee”). Hilarity is sure to ensue when Mindy Kaling finally takes her deserved spot in the limelight.
Arrow
Playing off the hype of the summer action films (“The Avengers,” “The Amazing Spiderman,” and “The Dark Knight Rises”) and the trending bow-and-arrow theme (“The Hunger Games,” “Brave”), CW’s “Arrow” will premiere this fall. The DC comic book superhero Green Arrow reappears, after five years of being assumed dead, as a vigilante in Starling City to resume fighting off criminals, righting his family’s wrongs and restoring peace to his home.