Fall TV Preview: 10 Worst New Shows of 2011

From 'Ringer' to 'Revenge' to 'Person of Interest,' what other new shows made the cut?

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Next 52 Comments

ed w

I just don't see how H8er is not going to end in lawsuits. I know if they did that to me I'd be on the phone with a lawyer within hours. It's extremely creepy.
September 12, 2011 at 7:26AM EST Reply to Comment
- sepinwall Every episode will feature someone who signed a release to appear on the show - a release that will, based on my knowledge of how they tend to be written, protect the show against any and all lawsuits.
  
  And, sadly, I bet virtually everyone they approach would be willing to endure an ambush by the likes of Snooki in exchange for getting a half-hour national TV showcase. It's the culture we live in (and the one that gives rise to Snooki, the Kardashians, etc.).
  September 12, 2011 at 8:44AM EST
- westcliff Sadly, Alan is right. An old college friend and her husband were approached last year to appear on The Marriage Ref. She sent me a copy of the production company's contract, and what they make you sign away is breathtaking. And yet, with 19 episodes so far, they've found at least 19 couples willing to give up every inch of their privacy just for some TV time. My friend and her husband wisely declined.
  September 12, 2011 at 6:47PM EST
marc

no offense but what sense does it make to evaluate shows according to their pilots? shouldn't we wait at least three, four episodes? There are a lot of great shows who had fairly boring or even bad pilots (30 Rock, Parks And Recreation, Fringe... the list is endless) and became good after a rocky start
September 12, 2011 at 9:37AM EST Reply to Comment
- dan Marc - It's the only way to evaluate things up-front. So you [I] evaluate shows based on their pilots, but I also try to make sure that I give as many shows as possible another episode or two before checking out entirely. And if shows improve after less-than-terrific pilots, I've got ZERO issues with admitting that shows improved.
  
  So I'll be checking back in on most of these shows. And I hope that many of them get better!
  
  -Daniel
  September 12, 2011 at 10:13AM EST
- osiskars or remember GoT premiere, most of the watchers were left completely confused and dazzled(those who hadn't red the book) and then every episode on the show got better and better.... I say this, because I really believe and hope that Person of Interest will be good, or at least I hope it will get better after first-some episodes...
  
  P.S. the rest of the shows- I don't care :D
  September 12, 2011 at 2:43PM EST
- this way, in a months time, Dan can write a "ten shows who's pilots I hates but that are now quite good" and a "ten shows who's pilots I liked that got worse" articles and probably a "ten shows that should have been cancelled coz they are terrible but for some reason Fox cancelled Firefly instead and kept these ones going for not earthly reason" - oops, sorry some repressed anger leaking out there...
  September 25, 2011 at 8:12AM EST
- mike c The pilot of 'Fringe' was beautifully written, acted, and directed. With it's innovative production, nuanced characters, and immediate style; the tone of the series was set from the first moments of it's airing. It hadn't yet found it's audience, true - but the pilot itself was a subtle, brilliantly executed, fully-realized vision.
  
  If you've never seen it, don't take my word for it (or Marc's).... Watch it yourself. One of the most cohesive, engaging, accessible launches of a televised mythology i've ever seen.
  October 8, 2011 at 4:15PM EST
Nic

Dan - I've read all of your opinions on HitFix re: "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" and I gotta say...after seeing the pilot and reading two additional episode scripts, I think it's hilarious and appealing. I don't know if it's because I WAS a teenage daughter or because I was simply a teenage girl trying to survive within the high-school social status system, but, I GET IT. It rings very true. Maybe it will only appeal to women, because we've lived through that "Popular" experience. Seeing those grown women being triggered by their daughters' behaviors & feeling like inadequate high-schoolers again is entertaining to watch. I laughed out loud several times reading eps 2 & 3. I have a hunch I won't be the only one enjoying this show.
September 12, 2011 at 11:32AM EST Reply to Comment
troopermsu

Looks like I can read some books this fall cuz there won't be no good stuff to watch on dat der magic lectric box.
September 12, 2011 at 11:35AM EST Reply to Comment
Andrei

I would read a "10 Meh New Shows of 2011" list, but I probably wouldn't be too excited about it...
September 12, 2011 at 11:38AM EST Reply to Comment
Ron Mexico

I enjoyed the list, but I must say the best part was seeing an advertisement for "Free Agents" under each blurb - including "Free Agents!"

And on a separate note, good Lord these "captcha" phrases needed to post are tough!
September 12, 2011 at 11:39AM EST Reply to Comment
melinda

I aggressively and almost violently dislike Whitney Cummings based on the previews for this show. She makes my teeth hurt. I would mow her down with my shopping cart if i saw her in the grocery store parking lot. I do not think this is the reaction NBC was hoping for for the show-- I've noticed that they seem to be promoing it less and less...
September 12, 2011 at 8:48PM EST Reply to Comment
- Dee Dee Agreed. She grates on my nerves, and in fact has since she appeared on the Joan Rivers Roast a couple years ago. I even gave her stand-up comedy special a chance (against my better judgement) but after 10 minutes her screeching delivery wore my last nerve down. ALSO, if a comedian (male or female) looks like they could easily have a modeling career, then they better be very likeable and very funny. I just want to punch her in the face every time I see her. I wouldn't go on H8ters (or whatever mangled English language casualty it's called) in the first place, let alone with her. You'd have to pay me 5 figures just to be in the same room with her for more than 5 minutes.
  September 18, 2011 at 11:57PM EST
Neeek

So when is Dan going to be on "H8r" for having the good taste to hate "H8r"?
September 12, 2011 at 8:58PM EST Reply to Comment
War Chief Shake Zula

I don't actually view the Charlie's Angels leads as "attractive", and especially not Minka "Dead Eyes" Kelly, who seems to have been the "it girl" of action movies at one point or another...
September 12, 2011 at 10:01PM EST Reply to Comment
American Jedi

So is this list based, at least in part, on all of those "non-reviews" of the pilots that Dan "didn't review" in his "Take me to the Pilots" series?

September 12, 2011 at 10:48PM EST Reply to Comment
- American Jedi - Your quotation mark key appears to be broken. But your use of excessive quotation marks doesn't make my "Take My To The Pilots" entries into reviews.
  
  And, FAR more importantly in response to your "snarkiness" and the "point" you "think" you're "making," in every single case in which networks revised their pilots, I watched the revised pilots (in addition to the original pilots I previously watched) and in every case that networks approved the finished version of the previous pilots, I watched those pilots a second time.
  
  So yeah, I feel OK with my due diligence here. But thanks for playing.
  
  -Daniel
  September 13, 2011 at 1:02AM EST
Josh D

Woooow whoever wrote a review on this movie couldve been out of line here. How can you say one girl is the only girl to stick around for and the others are "wooden" and "disappointingly average"? That my friend is something I, a person who reads reviews all the time, dont want to hear. Uncalled for
September 13, 2011 at 2:33AM EST Reply to Comment
- Josh - I'm not sure what's "uncalled for." Or why you think I'm talking about a movie. Or why stating opinions on the actresses in "Charlie's Angels" is out of line.
  
  Or why I'm responding... Sigh...
  
  -Daniel
  September 13, 2011 at 3:00AM EST
conspiracy theorist

Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan?
September 13, 2011 at 5:45AM EST Reply to Comment
conspiracy theorist

Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan.
September 13, 2011 at 5:46AM EST Reply to Comment
Tom

So sorry to see Person of Interest on this list. Based on the pedigree alone, this was one of the few I was actually excited about. I may sample it for myself, but thanks for the heads up on Grimm. It shall be avoided like the plague.
September 13, 2011 at 6:25AM EST Reply to Comment
- rkd2999 So "Person of Interest" is this year's "Undercover"?
  September 20, 2011 at 10:19PM EST
Anne

I find it odd that Ringer is on their list and yet they took their advertising money because adds for the show are all over the site. Interesting.
September 13, 2011 at 12:26PM EST Reply to Comment
- Anne - If you're unfamiliar with the concept of editorial autonomy, I can understand why you would think this is interesting. Otherwise? Seems pretty basic journalism/business.
  
  -Daniel
  September 13, 2011 at 1:06PM EST
- I'd guess that they take money from an advertising agency, the advertising agency takes money from the CW - what content actually appears on this site will come from the agency rather than direct to the site. The CW wont know what sites they are being advertised on but rather paying a third party to distribute their ads.
  September 25, 2011 at 8:07AM EST
brandy

give them a chance!
September 13, 2011 at 12:43PM EST Reply to Comment
Mel M

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better.
September 13, 2011 at 11:11PM EST Reply to Comment
Mel M

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better. Sometimes not.
September 13, 2011 at 11:12PM EST Reply to Comment
MM

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...some change, some don't.
September 13, 2011 at 11:13PM EST Reply to Comment
Jeanne

I tried to watch Ringers last night. I lasted 10 minutes before I turned to my DVR'd Hells Kitchen. It was awful, and there are so many other TV shows, I know I won't give it another chance.
September 14, 2011 at 11:23AM EST Reply to Comment
KXB

How the ---- did The Playboy Club and/or Pan Am NOT make the Top 5 Worst???
September 15, 2011 at 8:36PM EST Reply to Comment
- KXB - By not being among the worst pilots of the year, mostly. "Playboy Club" would go somewhere in the vast "Meh" middle ground, while "Pan Am" is going to be near the top of the Best list...
  
  -Daniel
  September 15, 2011 at 8:48PM EST
DL

Having seen the Charlie's Angels pilot, I actually thought Minka Kelly was decent and Allie Ilonzeh was the most "wooden." Really, though, it wasn't the performances that killed it. It was ridiculous dialogue, weird glossy-glam art direction, low stakes, and an utter lack of substance.
September 18, 2011 at 8:05AM EST Reply to Comment
Stu

Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched.
September 18, 2011 at 11:20AM EST Reply to Comment
Stu

Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched. PLEASE ENTER SOME COMMENT TEXT!
September 18, 2011 at 11:21AM EST Reply to Comment
meliot

Since I saw both Free Agents and Up All Night, I'd definitely make an exchange. Up All Night was horrible. Maya Rudolph was excruciating. I was either annoyed or just bored. Not a single laugh to be found. At least Free Agents has the wonderful Kathryn Hahn.

On the other hand, Ringer also may not be high-brow entertainment, but at least it was entertaining!
September 18, 2011 at 12:47PM EST Reply to Comment
Tammy

I'm going to have to check out Revenge now, if only because I'm fascinated that this is on your worst list, but a review in the Post made it "don't overlook this gem" material.
September 19, 2011 at 4:55AM EST Reply to Comment
cadfile

The comments about the "Charlie's Angels" show reminded me of the Tanya Roberts era of the original show. They had one episode where Robert's character didn't know what I.C.U stood for so this new version has to be better than the end of the original version
September 23, 2011 at 6:44AM EST Reply to Comment
chris_brannigan

CBS 10pm Thursday night - shift CSI from it's time slot and give it to Person of Interest - throw in Michael Emmerson and Jesus and surely that means this show should be amazing...and it was good, but it certainly wasn't amazing. I enjoyed it, it has potential but I think they let the audience know too much too quickly.

I have been a Buffy TVS fan since day 1 but I was always a fan of Willow, Xander, Cordilia, Oz, Giles, Dawn. I was NEVER a fan of buffy herself, it was the supporting characters who made that show what it was - SMG is a horrible actress and giving her two roles in one show was never going to be a great move - The Ringer, however, wasn't AS Bad as I expected. Bad, but not horrible.

Whitney - awful!
Free Agents - first episode was ok, 2nd episode was horrible

H8R - a CBS Prime Time Show yet they launch it with a Jersey Show star, if they'd launched this with an a-List star I'd have given it a chance but launching with Snookie means not a chance - there's good reason to H8 her!

Prime Suspect also looks terrible but haven't seen it yet.

Revenge is on my DVR but haven't watched it yet. I was looking forward to Grimm. No mention of Playboy Club on your 10 worst or 10 least-worst list but I quite enjoyed that one too.

Hart Of Dixie, Terra Nova, Pan Am are another three shows I think could be hit or miss from the new shows I haven't watched yet.
September 25, 2011 at 8:04AM EST Reply to Comment
Lexi

I sure hope that everyone who reads this article will watch the shows and not just take this guys word for it.
September 27, 2011 at 10:54AM EST Reply to Comment
Lexi

Sorry Daniel but you come off as a real douche. People are expressing their opinions, just like u did in ur article. Your just a critic ur opinion isn't the final word. If you dont like people challenging ur opinion don't read the comments.
September 27, 2011 at 10:59AM EST Reply to Comment
- nasha I completely agree with both your statements! He's a miserable douche!!!
  
  October 19, 2011 at 9:18AM EST

Next 52 Comments

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ed w I just don't see how H8er is not going to end in lawsuits. I know if they did that to me I'd be on the phone with a lawyer within hours. It's extremely creepy.

troopermsu Looks like I can read some books this fall cuz there won't be no good stuff to watch on dat der magic lectric box.

Andrei I would read a "10 Meh New Shows of 2011" list, but I probably wouldn't be too excited about it...

Ron Mexico I enjoyed the list, but I must say the best part was seeing an advertisement for "Free Agents" under each blurb - including "Free Agents!"And on a separate note, good Lord these "captcha" phrases needed to post are tough!

Neeek So when is Dan going to be on "H8r" for having the good taste to hate "H8r"?

War Chief Shake Zula I don't actually view the Charlie's Angels leads as "attractive", and especially not Minka "Dead Eyes" Kelly, who seems to have been the "it girl" of action movies at one point or another...

American Jedi So is this list based, at least in part, on all of those "non-reviews" of the pilots that Dan "didn't review" in his "Take me to the Pilots" series?

Josh - I'm not sure what's "uncalled for." Or why you think I'm talking about a movie. Or why stating opinions on the actresses in "Charlie's Angels" is out of line. Or why I'm responding... Sigh...-Daniel

conspiracy theorist Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan?

conspiracy theorist Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan.

Tom So sorry to see Person of Interest on this list. Based on the pedigree alone, this was one of the few I was actually excited about. I may sample it for myself, but thanks for the heads up on Grimm. It shall be avoided like the plague.

rkd2999 So "Person of Interest" is this year's "Undercover"?

Anne I find it odd that Ringer is on their list and yet they took their advertising money because adds for the show are all over the site. Interesting.

Anne - If you're unfamiliar with the concept of editorial autonomy, I can understand why you would think this is interesting. Otherwise? Seems pretty basic journalism/business.-Daniel

brandy give them a chance!

Mel M I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better.

Mel M I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better. Sometimes not.

MM I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...some change, some don't.

Jeanne I tried to watch Ringers last night. I lasted 10 minutes before I turned to my DVR'd Hells Kitchen. It was awful, and there are so many other TV shows, I know I won't give it another chance.

KXB How the ---- did The Playboy Club and/or Pan Am NOT make the Top 5 Worst???

KXB - By not being among the worst pilots of the year, mostly. "Playboy Club" would go somewhere in the vast "Meh" middle ground, while "Pan Am" is going to be near the top of the Best list...-Daniel

DL Having seen the Charlie's Angels pilot, I actually thought Minka Kelly was decent and Allie Ilonzeh was the most "wooden." Really, though, it wasn't the performances that killed it. It was ridiculous dialogue, weird glossy-glam art direction, low stakes, and an utter lack of substance.

Stu Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched.

Stu Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched. PLEASE ENTER SOME COMMENT TEXT!

Tammy I'm going to have to check out Revenge now, if only because I'm fascinated that this is on your worst list, but a review in the Post made it "don't overlook this gem" material.

cadfile The comments about the "Charlie's Angels" show reminded me of the Tanya Roberts era of the original show. They had one episode where Robert's character didn't know what I.C.U stood for so this new version has to be better than the end of the original version

Lexi I sure hope that everyone who reads this article will watch the shows and not just take this guys word for it.

Lexi Sorry Daniel but you come off as a real douche. People are expressing their opinions, just like u did in ur article. Your just a critic ur opinion isn't the final word. If you dont like people challenging ur opinion don't read the comments.

nasha I completely agree with both your statements! He's a miserable douche!!!

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Fall TV Preview: 10 Worst New Shows of 2011

ed w

I just don't see how H8er is not going to end in lawsuits. I know if they did that to me I'd be on the phone with a lawyer within hours. It's extremely creepy.

troopermsu

Looks like I can read some books this fall cuz there won't be no good stuff to watch on dat der magic lectric box.

Andrei

I would read a "10 Meh New Shows of 2011" list, but I probably wouldn't be too excited about it...

Ron Mexico

I enjoyed the list, but I must say the best part was seeing an advertisement for "Free Agents" under each blurb - including "Free Agents!"

And on a separate note, good Lord these "captcha" phrases needed to post are tough!

Neeek

So when is Dan going to be on "H8r" for having the good taste to hate "H8r"?

War Chief Shake Zula

I don't actually view the Charlie's Angels leads as "attractive", and especially not Minka "Dead Eyes" Kelly, who seems to have been the "it girl" of action movies at one point or another...

American Jedi

So is this list based, at least in part, on all of those "non-reviews" of the pilots that Dan "didn't review" in his "Take me to the Pilots" series?

Josh - I'm not sure what's "uncalled for." Or why you think I'm talking about a movie. Or why stating opinions on the actresses in "Charlie's Angels" is out of line.

Or why I'm responding... Sigh...

-Daniel

conspiracy theorist

Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan?

conspiracy theorist

Confirm or deny: Dan hating on Gracie Bell is an attempt to meet her through H8R and tell her he's a big fan.

Tom

So sorry to see Person of Interest on this list. Based on the pedigree alone, this was one of the few I was actually excited about. I may sample it for myself, but thanks for the heads up on Grimm. It shall be avoided like the plague.

Anne

I find it odd that Ringer is on their list and yet they took their advertising money because adds for the show are all over the site. Interesting.

Anne - If you're unfamiliar with the concept of editorial autonomy, I can understand why you would think this is interesting. Otherwise? Seems pretty basic journalism/business.

-Daniel

brandy

give them a chance!

Mel M

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better.

Mel M

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...sometimes they get better. Sometimes not.

MM

I agree with giving each a few eps before bypassing...some change, some don't.

Jeanne

I tried to watch Ringers last night. I lasted 10 minutes before I turned to my DVR'd Hells Kitchen. It was awful, and there are so many other TV shows, I know I won't give it another chance.

KXB

How the ---- did The Playboy Club and/or Pan Am NOT make the Top 5 Worst???

KXB - By not being among the worst pilots of the year, mostly. "Playboy Club" would go somewhere in the vast "Meh" middle ground, while "Pan Am" is going to be near the top of the Best list...

-Daniel

DL

Having seen the Charlie's Angels pilot, I actually thought Minka Kelly was decent and Allie Ilonzeh was the most "wooden." Really, though, it wasn't the performances that killed it. It was ridiculous dialogue, weird glossy-glam art direction, low stakes, and an utter lack of substance.

Stu

Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched.

Stu

Riotous list. I'm sure I won't be watching any of these pilots but it's still fun to watch bad drama/comedy get scorched. PLEASE ENTER SOME COMMENT TEXT!

Tammy

I'm going to have to check out Revenge now, if only because I'm fascinated that this is on your worst list, but a review in the Post made it "don't overlook this gem" material.

cadfile

The comments about the "Charlie's Angels" show reminded me of the Tanya Roberts era of the original show. They had one episode where Robert's character didn't know what I.C.U stood for so this new version has to be better than the end of the original version

Lexi

I sure hope that everyone who reads this article will watch the shows and not just take this guys word for it.

Lexi

Sorry Daniel but you come off as a real douche. People are expressing their opinions, just like u did in ur article. Your just a critic ur opinion isn't the final word. If you dont like people challenging ur opinion don't read the comments.