15 Best Fall 2016 Shows You Need To Check Out
It's the most wonderful time of the year. No, it's not Christmas or Thanksgiving or even Halloween. There aren't any foods or dishes associated with this holiday, and you won't get even a single day off work. But it's still an amazing time: the beginning of the fall TV season. You can watch sitcoms, dramas, and reality shows to your heart's content, and what's even better is that it's getting colder outside so you totally have tons of excuses to stay in on weeknights and weekends. It's an introvert's dream time of year. And if you're a TV addict -- which you probably are since it's the best way to be -- then you are literally in paradise. Things just don't get any better. But there's just one problem: how can you possibly sort through all the shows and figure out which ones are worthy of addiction and obsession? Don't worry, we're totally here for you. Here are the 15 best fall 2016 shows that you absolutely need to check out.
15 Secrets And Lies
If you missed season one of this thriller, you can still watch the second season. That's because each season deals with a totally new mystery -- but with the same detective working on the case (played by the amazingly talented Juliette Lewis). This season is all about the death of a wealthy woman and who was responsible for it. All we know is that we're into it because hey, we're always down for a good mystery and add in glamorous and fabulous rich people and you've got a winning formula for TV gold. But you should definitely check out season one because it had Ryan Phillippe. If that's not enough, here's the storyline: Ryan's character is taking the fall for the death of a neighborhood boy. But he claims that he didn't have anything to do with it. So who did? Can he figure it out? And can he save his reputation and keep his family together in the process?
14 Manzo'd With Children
This fall sees the third season of this Real Housewives Of New Jersey spin-off and it is still worth watching. You already know that there's nothing better than chilling out with some reality TV after a long day of work… and, really, there's nothing better than some Housewives. This fun show follows Caroline Manzo and her hilarious and amazing family as they grow up, come of age, and figure out what the next stage of their lives are going to be. Her two sons Albie and Christopher and daughter Lauren are finding themselves and their careers… and Lauren's now married and thinking about having a baby while she's just opened up a second beauty salon. The drama is in full force but mostly it's worth checking out since it proves that family really is super important in life, no matter how crazy your siblings and parents might drive you sometimes.
13 Bull
Did you know that Dr. Phil was a trial consultant? Yup, that Dr. Phil, the one with the TV show and the people and their problems. Bull stars Michael Weatherly (fresh off his star turn on NCIS) as Dr. Jason Bull and his character is based on Dr. Phil back in the day when he was more consumed with the outcome of court trials than how to give therapy on television. If you're into legal dramas, then you've probably already seen the pilot and are into it and can't wait to see more. If you're not, then you still want to check this new show out because a.) Michael Weatherly is super talented (and super cute) and b.) the storyline is ripe for juicy drama. Give it the old college try and check out a few episodes. Chances are you'll fall in love with it and have yet another show to add to your growing list -- and another show to tell your BFFs that they just have to watch.
12 How To Get Away With Murder
The Shonda Rhimes-produced drama is now in its third season, and it made our list because it's better than ever. Seriously. Now The Keating Five, aka the five law students who have been working with Annalise Keating, are trying to rebuild their lives after a summer away from all the mystery and murder. They're hoping that their secrets won't be found out and that all the horrible things they've done won't see the light of day. Of course, things don't work out as planned in Shondaland and especially not on this show. Someone knows that Annalise is not the most morally good person ever because, in the premiere, she starts teaching a class before pulling away from the blackboard and seeing a flyer with her face on it and a word that proves that someone knows what she did last summer (or last year, as the case might be). If that's not bad enough, she sees those flyers plastered all over campus, and realizes that this year might not be as drama-free as she had hoped.
11 Better Things
If you're a fan of Louis C.K. and his dark comedy that's based on his life, then you'll love Better Things. Chances are you already love actress Pamela Adlon if you love Louie since she's had a role on it for a while. Now the two have teamed up to create Better Things, an equally dark comedy that is honestly worth checking out. Here's the deal: her character's a single mom of three who is an actress. She's absolutely hilarious and speaks her mind and doesn't care what anyone says or thinks about her. She's just trying to keep her head above water and raise her three girls into good, honest people… but, of course, things don't go as planned on TV (and in real life, either), so she's usually exhausted by the end of the day and wondering if she'll ever know what she's doing. You can totally relate to this show, even if you're much younger and aren't a mom, because you have those days (and weeks… and months), too.
10 Chesapeake Shores
The first season of this sometimes cheesy but always lovely drama may have started airing in August but hey, it is still on and it still deserves your love. The show, based on the popular book series, follows Abby, an amazing businesswoman raising two daughters on her own in New York City. She never thinks that she's going to go home again to Chesapeake Shores… but then a family crisis forces her back home. And oh, there's her high school boyfriend and one true love, and yeah, he might still be pretty into her. Hmmm. There are tons of reasons why Abby chooses to stay and not go back to NYC, but we won't spoil them here. This is a really sweet family drama that proves that yes, you can definitely go home again, although it might not look exactly like you thought. But it just might be even better.
9 Divorce
So this new HBO drama hasn't started yet -- it's going to premiere on October 9th -- but hey, it's Sarah Jessica Parker's new show, so you already know it's going to be your absolute fave. There's no way that it wouldn't be. It sounds nuts but October isn't even that far away, so blink and this show will be here for your viewing pleasure. The general storyline? SJP and Thomas Haden Church play a couple who is going through the end of their marriage. It's a pretty cool idea for a show because while it may sound super grim -- who wants to watch couples fall out of love?! -- it's pretty unique. No one likes to show divorce on TV unless it's couples screaming at each other and there's all kinds of cheesy and angry drama. But this show promises to be more clever and more careful in its depiction of divorce.
8 American Housewife
We all love the Real Housewives, naturally, and so we just know that we're going to love this show, too. It's a sitcom about a woman who is, well, an American housewife, as the title suggests. We're loving it already. While it's definitely going to be hilarious, it's apparently not a super sarcastic look at being a housewife -- it's also going to be super positive about the fact that a lot of women choose to be wives and mothers and that's the decision that feels right for them. You may not be a mom or even a wife yet, and maybe that's not something that you ever want to be, which is totally cool. But you're always looking for a sweet and smart and funny sitcom, so this just might be your new fave sitcom that is really fun to watch. All we know is that we're counting down the days until its October 11th premiere.
7 Frequency
This CW show is about a girl whose dad died ages ago… but hey, she can still talk to him, at least through a super old-school radio. And she just might be able to time travel and make it so he never, ever died. If that sounds crazy good, then you're totally right, and if you think you're going to be obsessed, well, we're right there with you. The show is based on a movie from back in 2000, and it definitely sounds like something that is TV-ready, especially in 2016 when we're all pretty obsessed with looking backward and thinking about simpler times. We're always looking for an absolutely fascinating drama and we think this one will definitely fit the bill. And it works since we're all pretty interested in time travel. This one will start in early October as well and we're marking our calendars and excited about it.
6 Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life
How could we possibly have a list of fall 2016 shows and not mention Gilmore Girls?! We just couldn't do it and be okay with ourselves. So here it is: the show that we have been literally waiting for. We're counting the days until November 25th and we're basically calling in sick that day and we don't even think that our bosses will mind. They'll probably be streaming the show on their computers behind their desks. We don't know a ton, but we do know that the four 90 minute episodes are going to take place over the course of a year, and each one will focus on one season in the Gilmores' lives. We know that our fave characters will basically all be back, and we know that we have Rory and Lorelai back in our lives, and that's really all that we need to know. We are so here for this and we just can't wait.
5 Conviction
Is there a more timely show than this one? Probably not. The new drama stars Hayley Attwell as a woman who used to be the first daughter and is now leading a super fascinating team: a bunch of people who look into people who were convicted but are actually innocent. Everyone is saying this is the New It Show since today's political climate is all about Hillary Clinton running for President and everyone feels super warm and fuzzy about the fact that people are finally taking female politicians seriously. So that's definitely true, but we get the feeling that it's still going to be a really juicy and dramatic series, despite the fact that it's about such serious subjects. We've got a hole in our TV-loving hearts since The Good Wife ended last spring (and nope, we're still not over that finale), so we're hoping this will be our new show.
4 Scream Queens
You loved Scream Queens last year and the really good news is that it's back and still really, really fantastic. If you want to chill out with a good horror story or laugh or all of the above, then this is totally your fave show. Everyone good is back, from Jamie Lee Curtis to the hilarious Chanels, and there are some new faces too to get the crazy creepy party started. You know that Ryan Murphy would never let you down, so you gave this show your undivided attention last fall, and you can definitely count on it this year since season two is proving to be off to a really amazing start… at least judging from the amazing pilot. What's the setting for season two? That would be a hospital (that used to be a super gross and weird hospital back in the day). What, did you think it was a normal hospital? Oh no. This is Scream Queens so of course not.
3 The Good Place
Two words: Kristen Bell and heaven. Yup, you know you can't wait to dig into this new fall 2016 show. It's going to be one of your new faves. The premise? Kristen Bell finds herself in heaven but quickly realizes that, oops, she might not be in the right place. Because this is for good people (hence the show title, of course), and oh yeah, she didn't always make the best choices during her time on earth and she wasn't always the best person. But she doesn't want to go to hell, of course -- because who would?! -- so she's going to have to figure that out. The comedy is super funny, super sweet, and super charming. And it's also insanely clever. The show also stars Ted Danson as the architect of the different neighborhoods in heaven and he does an absolutely amazing job. So you don't want to miss that.
2 Pitch
Ok so before you go cross this one off your list just hear us out. Maybe you are not all that into sports and you think this is going to be a total snooze fest, but believe us, you might need to give it a shot (no pun intended). So you already know that this show centers around Major League Baseball, but what's so amazing is that the story centers around a pitcher who happens to be the first woman ever to be a part of the league. You're already hooked, aren't you? We are all for female empowerment and watching strong female characters make their way to the top! What's good about this show is that you can probably watch it with your boyfriend since it does revolve around sports! Watching one of your fave fall TV show and getting to spend time with bae? We think that's a win-win. Don't you?
1 This Is Us
Any show that stars this many amazing actors is definitely deserving of the number one spot. Mandy Moore and our fave heartthrob Jess, ergh we mean Milo Ventimiglia are some of our favorites in this new TV dramedy. Incase you are a TV newbie, which you most likely aren't since you're reading this list, a dramedy is a show that combines two of our favorite things, drama and comedy. This show just aired and has been picked up for a full 18 episode season. It is about several different families who are connected in some way, but the biggest connection of all is that they all share the same birthday (you'll have to keep watching to found out why). The show follows these people and shows how even though you may share the same birthday there are both similarities and differences. How crazy is that? That's enough to get us watching. We definitely think this one will be our most favorite, but who says you can't watch and love them all!
