# How do you learn about the new Network Prime Time Shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 8, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333 "2013-09-08T16:08:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/1 "2013-09-08T16:08:08Z")
I fondly recall the special edition of TV Guide that previewed all the new Fall Prime Time Shows. I’d read it over and over again picking out new shows that I wanted to sample. We kept that guide for several months before throwing it out. We had a tv guide subscription throughout my childhood and I kept a subscription as a young adult. We didn’t cancel it until about 1990. Hated the format change from the small compact book. How is everyone learning about the new shows now? Do you still put together a list of the new shows that you want to watch? Are there any good web sources? Especially ones that group the shows by night? Like heres the new shows for Thursdays? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/2 "2013-09-08T16:11:35Z")
So far the main new shows on my must watch list are… 1. _The Michael J Fox Show_. Thursdays 2. \*Dads \*on Tuesday with Seth Green. tv commercials told me about these two. I’m still trying to figure out what other new shows will be premiering. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/3 "2013-09-08T16:15:16Z")
I redeemed some frequent flier miles for a subscription to Entertainment Weekly. There’s a section on new fall shows in the Sept. 6 issue. Interestingly, the show I’m most looking forward to is the new Arsenio Hall show. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/4 "2013-09-08T16:16:31Z")
I read Alan Sepinwall’s blog [“What’s Alan Watching.”](http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/1) He reviews new shows as they come out. I will watch at least one episode of whatever he says is good. Network prime time doesn’t matter anymore. I too remember being excited by the new TGIF lineup on ABC. Now the good shows aren’t even on TV, let alone on prime time TV. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/5 "2013-09-08T16:30:06Z")
_Entertainment Weekly_’s annual Fall TV preview issue is worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/6 "2013-09-08T16:32:47Z")
Here’s what I’ve pieced together from several sources I found with a Yahoo! search on “Fall 2013 TV schedule” and checking out the various hits. The Americans: Season 2 to debut in January 2014 Justified: Season 5 to debut in January 2014 Louie: Season 4 to debut in May 2014 The Newsroom: Season 3 renewal is a sure thing Downton Abbey: Season 4 premieres Jan. 5, 2014 Ray Donovan: Season 2 Officially renewed Rectify: Season 2 to debut in 2014 Boardwalk Empire: Season 4 to debut Sept. 8 Sons of Anarchy: Season 6 premieres Sept. 10 Derek Available on Netflix Premieres Sept 12 Bones: FRI 8/7c SEP 16 Survivor: Premieres Wed., Sept. 18 8/7c The Blacklist NBC Premieres: Monday, Sep. 23 at 10/9c Nashville: Wednesday 10pm on September 25, 2013 Blue Bloods: Premieres, Friday, Sept. 27 10/9c The Good Wife: Premieres, Sunday, Sept. 29 9/8c The Mentalist: Season Premiere, Sunday, Sept 29 10/9c Homeland: Season 3 to premiere Sept. 29 Masters of Sex: Season 1 premieres Sept. 29 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/7 "2013-09-08T16:49:40Z")
I’m going to the grocery store this afternoon and will see if they still have the Fall Preview EW. I found this slideshow on EW web site. (inside 31 new series) [http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20302134\_20730335,00.html](http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20302134_20730335,00.html) I’m a little cautious about watching a new series from it’s debut. They often get cancelled just as I get hooked. It’s safer to wait and see what will last a full season. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/8 "2013-09-08T18:28:08Z")
I watch very little live TV so am unaware of shows as they come out. I hear about shows through word of mouth from my friends and can tell what shows create buzz based on Cafe Society threads. For me this works because the shows I do watch tend to be of exceptional quality and more likely to make it through their run, though the downside is that I’m usually several seasons behind my friends when they’re talking about it so I have to go through some marathon watching if I want to be “live” when shows are airing. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/9 "2013-09-08T20:19:24Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m going to the grocery store this afternoon and will see if they still have the Fall Preview EW. It hasn’t come out yet. Not sure what **dalej42** saw but it wasn’t the Fall Preview issue. ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/10 "2013-09-08T20:34:34Z")
I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/11 "2013-09-08T20:44:14Z")
Most of my sources these days are online, including reading industry news that reports on things like the networks upfronts. The best ones are [Deadline.com](http://Deadline.com), EW (print and online), Marc Berman’s [TVMediaInsights.com](http://TVMediaInsights.com), the Hollywood Reporter, The Futon Critic ([http://thefutoncritic.com/](http://thefutoncritic.com/)), the various critics like Alan Sepinwall ([Entertainment – UPROXX](http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching)), and Michael Ausiello ([http://tvline.com/](http://tvline.com/)). [Deadline.com](http://Deadline.com) is especially good about covering pilot season and what gets picked up. Once the various shows get scheduled, a lot of online sites will cover the shows and make available a night-by-night schedule. You can search google and find a lot. Here are some links: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_United_States_network_television_schedule), [The TV Addict](http://www.thetvaddict.com/2013/05/22/fall-2013-primetime-tv-schedule/), [TVLine](http://tvline.com/2013/05/12/fall-tv-schedule-2013-network-primetime-grid/) And yes, I still pick out the new shows I’m interested in to try out and make my own schedule of new and old shows. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/12 "2013-09-08T21:37:58Z")
I find them out of boredom. Seriously. I might watch something because of an actor, but I rarely follow actors enough to notice. The descriptions in the preview guides are usually too generic to be useful for me, and my tastes differ from the general public enough that general buzz and popularity usually don’t help either. If I don’t have anything to watch, sometimes I do some channel surfing. If something catches my eye, I watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/13 "2013-09-08T22:31:10Z")
Format change aside, _TV Guide_ does still do a rundown of the new fall shows, as does _Entertainment Weekly_, and you can find a lot of that information on line (though the magazine usually goes a bit more in depth): [EW Fall TV 2013](http://www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20302134,00.html): Links to the network schedules on the left will bring up a day-by-day grid of the fall schedule (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW). [TV Guide Fall Preview 2013](http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/): Links to day-by day grid as well as a premiere calendar. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/14 "2013-09-08T22:48:59Z")
Oh, and just to note: the _Entertainment Weekly_ issue dated September 6 (the cast of _How I Met Your Mother_ on the cover) has a short feature on returning shows; the _TV Guide_ issue dated September 9-15 (Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams on the cover) has a “Sneak Peek” piece on the fall shows, but neither of these is the full-fledged Fall Preview editions these magazines usually do (which should be coming out very soon, given that premieres for some shows are already happening). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/15 "2013-09-10T15:53:47Z")
The online version of the EW preview is up: [http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20302134\_20730335,00.html](http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20302134_20730335,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/16 "2013-09-10T20:04:09Z")
Theres some good shows premiering this Fall. I’m trying to cut back on reality shows and get back to comedys and dramas. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/17 "2013-09-11T00:21:43Z")
I usually see what the AV Club is reviewing and will check out an episode or two. I do the torrent thing (shh) so I can get stuff whenever I feel like it, I don’t have to remember to record it. I do read a reality TV site ([realitytea.com](http://realitytea.com)) since I do watch some reality shows, and I’ll catch wind of a new reality show from there that I’ll check out. Usually I just end up watching an episode or two then reading the snarky reviews for the rest of the season instead. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/18 "2013-09-11T00:58:03Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > I read Alan Sepinwall’s blog [“What’s Alan Watching.”](http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/1) He reviews new shows as they come out. I will watch at least one episode of whatever he says is good. This. I also read [the AV club’s](http://www.avclub.com/section/tv/) TV section. I watch most of the pilots, even ones I doubt I’ll like, just to see what they are. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/19 "2013-09-11T02:05:40Z")
I mostly learn about new shows here. I miss the regular schedule back yonder when new shows started in the fall, continued through the spring, and then you had reruns in the summer. It’s very easy to miss new shows with the way the un-schedule works now. Things start in January, or the first episode of the season will run for two or three weeks in a row. Also, new shows are canceled quickly, before they find their footing or their audience. Sometimes I don’t find them until they have been canceled and are in reruns. Finding new shows is a haphazard process. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-learn-about-the-new-network-prime-time-shows/668333/20 "2013-09-12T21:57:21Z")
EW’s [Fall TV Preview](http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/09/11/this-weeks-cover-fall-tv-preview-2013/?ew_packageID=20302134) edition (cover dated September 20/27) should be on your newsstands now.