There’s just a weird R in the middle of that word, huh?
CW
Katy Keene
The series follows the lives and loves of four iconic Archie Comics characters — fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene, singer/songwriter Josie McCoy, performer Jorge Lopez/Ginger, and “It Girl” Pepper Smith — as they chase their twenty-something dreams in New York City…together. Katy designs clothes for anyone she can, including her friend and roommate Josie, whose singing talent catches the attention of Alexander Cabot, a CEO who hopes to reboot the record label division of his father’s corporate empire. But Alexander’s dream of signing Josie to a recording contract meets resistance from Cabot Media’s powerful senior vice president Alexandra, who also happens to be his twin sister. Josie and Katy’s roommate Jorge works at his family’s bodega and has his eye on Broadway, but after a series of rejections, he hopes to take his drag performance career as Ginger to the next level. The mysterious Pepper Smith plans to open her own version of Andy Warhol’s Factory. She has the connections, but no one seems to know where she got her money — or if she really has any at all. Katy struggles to manage the pressures of her day job at Lacy’s Department Store and her very demanding boss, Gloria, who is a legendary personal shopper. But Katy has the support of her longtime boyfriend, KO Kelly, who has his own dream of becoming a professional boxer. As these aspiring artists take on the runway, the recording studio, Broadway, and the NYC social scene, they will find more than just a career in the big city — they’ll find long-lasting friendship.
Starring: Lucy Hale, Ashleigh Murray, Jonny Beauchamp, Julia Chan, Camille Hyde, Lucien Laviscount, Zane Holtz, Katherine LaNasa
Quick Thoughts: Like I said in the Fall Preview: We’re very happy that Josie McCoy is out of Riverdale and into a place that doesn’t have a Dungeons and Dragons themed serial killer (but seriously where are the Pussycats?). I’ve been hard on the CW for only doing reboots and spinoffs but this honestly looks so fabulous. The bastard child of Good Trouble and Smash will always have my love and devotion.
Premieres February 6th
FOX
Lego Masters
Hosted by actor and producer Will Arnett and based on the hit British reality-competition series of the same name, the series brings imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Teams of two will compete against each other in ambitious brick-building challenges to be crowned the country’s most talented amateur LEGO builders. In each episode, Arnett, alongside expert judges and special guests, will encourage the builders, introduce incredible challenges and put their creations to the test. The competing pairs who impress the judges the most will progress to the next round, until the finale, during which the top teams will face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO MASTERS.
Starring: Will Arnett
Quick Thoughts: I appreciate the artistry and craft that goes into these nerds making incredible lego creations but there’s something real cathartic about watching those designs crash into the floor and explode.
Premieres February 5th
Duncanville
Duncan Harris, an average 15-year-old boy, is always one step away from making a bad decision. Along with Duncan lives his mom, a parking enforcement officer, who dreams of being a detective someday and always has to watch Duncan, his dad, who tries to be a better father figure to Duncan than his father was to him, his sister Kimberly, who is a normal teenager going through normal teen-phases, and his other sister Jing, who is an intelligent 5-year old always giving Duncan advice.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell, Riki Lindhome, Joy Osmanski, Rashida Jones
Premieres February 16th
CBS
Tommy
Tommy follows a former high-ranking NYPD officer who becomes the first female chief of police for Los Angeles. A true blue New Yorker, Abigail “Tommy” Thomas uses her unflinching honesty and hardball tactics to keep social, political, and national security issues from hindering effective law enforcement in the Southland. Equal parts political, procedural, and family drama.
Starring: Edie Falco, Michael Chernus, Adelaide Clemens, David Fierro, Russell G. Jones, Olivia Lucy Phillip, Joseph Lyle Taylor
Premieres February 6th
ABC
For Life
Inspired by the life of Isaac Wright Jr., For Life is a fictional serialized legal and family drama about a prisoner who becomes a lawyer, litigating cases for other inmates while fighting to overturn his own life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, premiering. His quest for freedom is driven by his desperate desire to get back to the family he loves and reclaim the life that was stolen from him. The show will also, through the window of his ferocious struggle and his complicated relationship with a progressive female prison warden, examine the flaws and challenges in our penal and legal systems.
Starring: Nicholas Pinnock, Indira Varma, Joy Bryant, Glenn Fleshler, Dorian Missick, Tyla Harris, Mary Stuart Masterson, Boris McGiver
Quick Thoughts: Same deal as Proven Innocent. It’s an important topic with a great cast that looks good. You should watch it. I can’t because falsely accused narratives freak me the fuck out.
Premieres February 11th
NBC
Indebted
Young parents Dave and Rebecca are ready to reclaim their lives after years of diapers and sleepless nights. However, things take an unexpected turn when Dave’s parents show up unannounced and broke, leaving Dave with no choice but to open the door to the two people who gave him everything. But these boomerang parents aren’t great with boundaries, and the question of who’s parenting whom quickly becomes blurred.
Starring: Fran Drescher, Adam Pally, Steven Weber, Abby Elliott, Jessy Hodges.
Quick Thoughts: I’m very excited for the Fran Drescher/Rachel Bloom musical version of The Nanny.
…that’s it. That’s all I have to say about this particular subject.
Premieres February 6th