Fall 2013 TV Guide: Monday Night

New Monday Night TV Shows:

• We Are Men
• Mom
• Hostages
• Sleepy Hollow
• The Blacklist

Despite generally playing it safe, mostly because they can, CBS is making the biggest moves on Monday night this year with the debut of three new series. Two of which, We Are Men & Mom, will join their powerhouse Monday night comedy block. (I can’t stand shows with laugh tracks and I’ve never fallen in love with any of Chuck Lorre’s other series, but Mom stars Anna Farris so I might have to give it a shot.)

After two hours of laughter, CBS switches gears with Hostages, which will anchor the night at 10pm. The title might not include the acronym CSI, but the series is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and stars some big names like Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott.

FOX and NBC have kept more seasoned and consistent performers around in an effort to create strong lead-ins for their newbies. FOX is taking a gamble on a re-telling of the classic Sleepy Hollow story while NBC has opted for a less fantastical drama with The Blacklist staring James Spader.

New Show Most Likely to Fail:

• Hostages

From what I’ve seen, this series reminds me a lot of the other high-concept TV shows that aimed big and fell short. Also, I just don’t see how this plot can be stretched out over more than one season – the creative team has even had clarify that this show is not meant to be a miniseries. But of course I also feel that way about Under the Dome and that series is pulling in decent numbers and just received a second season pick-up, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Bidding Adieu – The Final Season:

• How I Met Your Mother

It’s only taken 9 seasons, but Ted finally gets to the point of the story in this final order of episodes.

Reality Competitions:

• Dancing With the Stars
• The Voice

Same Old, Same Old:

• ABC: Dancing With the Stars & Castle
• The CW: Hart of Dixie & Beauty & The Beast

Monday nights are risk-averse for ABC and The CW. However, both Hart of Dixie and Beauty & The Beast are new to the night, although given how often The CW show’s are time-shifted these moves will probably have little to no affect on their live ratings.

 # of Shows Staring Joss Whedon Alumni:

• 3

Next week I’ll be talking about Tuesday night’s new Fall TV line-up so keep an eye out for that post.