Book Review 8 May 2017 Scripted Series For the Next U.S. TV Season While the TV industry still doesn’t knowexactlywhich broadcast network pilots will be making their way to the U.S. (and international) TV screens as full series, there are 139 total series in contention for the 2017-2018 season on digital, cable and broadcast (54 of them already picked up). As far as the cable and digital networks specifically, over three dozens pickups have already been announced in the last few weeks. Some trends are clear: Reboots (Dynasty, Will and Grace and even Muppet Babies are back!), spinoffs (bothBlack-ishandTheGoldbergsmay be getting them, Big Bang Theory’s andThat’s So Raven’sare both already picked up) remakes of foreign shows (from the U.K, Korea and Denmark just to name a few of many), comedies about blended families… and single dads specifically. Below, is a list of the shows that may very well be coming to your TV screens in the next 12 months or so. (List last updated on May 5, 2017) ABC Comedy Charlie Foxtrot Captain Charlie Taylor, a cautious, lovable dentist stationed at Fort Bragg, looks after his brother’s impulsive fiancée and her two misfit teens while he’s deployed in Iraq. Household Name A family buys the house of their dreams with one caveat: they must live with the previous owner, an eccentric, larger than life actress (played by Carol Burnett). Jalen vs. Everbody Former NBA player and current ESPN personality Jalen Rose juggles his career with the challenges of being a single dad. Libby & Malcolm Two polar opposite political pundits fall in love and create an insta-family. Losing It Three adult siblings and their parents are all losing it in different ways. Raised by Wolves Based on a British series about a tough mother struggling to support her five opinionated, eccentric kids. Splitting Up Together Based on a Danish series, a couple finds their marriage reignited by their divorce. Start Up An inquisitive journalist, husband and father dives headfirst into a new world of start-up entreprenuership in the podcast world. Untitled Blackish Spinoff A spin-off of the hit comedy, focusing on Zoey Johnson in college. Untitled Goldbergs Spinoff A spin-off of The Goldbergs, set in the 1990s, following two high school teachers who become unlikely father figures to the kids at their Philadelphia school. Untitled Rapper-Mayor Project An outspoken, idealistic rapper runs for office as a publicity stunt and actually gets elected, but surprises everyone at how good he is. Untitled Single Dad Project An intellectual single dad moves to Queens with his daughters and forms an unlikely family with other residents in their apartment building. Drama The Crossing Refugees from a war-torn country start showing up to seek asylum in an American town. But the war they are fleeing is 250 years in the future… and they’re Americans. Deception When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, illusion and influence — the FBI. Doomsday After 9/11, the U.S. government instituted a secret think-tank comprised of the most creative minds in science and entertainment tasked solely with dreaming up manmade disaster scenarios and solutions. The list was sealed and the program shut down. But when a catastrophe occurs, the team is brought back years later. The Good Doctor Based on a South Korean format, about a young surgeon with Savant syndrome recruited into a pediatric surgical unit. The Gospel of Kevin Kevin, a down-on-his-luck man, is tasked by God with a mission to save the world, in this light drama. Las Reinas Follows the men and women in the criminal investigation division of the Miami Police Department. Marvel’s The Inhumans* About a race of superhumans with unique powers, specifically the story of Black Bolt and the Royal Family. Salamander Based on a Belgian format, a brilliant but misanthropic engineer recruits a skeptical homeland security agent to help him track a mysterious bank robber. Somewhere Between* Based on a Korean format, a woman knows her daughter is going to be murdered. Ten Days in the Valley* Follows an overworked TV producer and mom in the middle of a separation. The Trustee A comedic drama about a stubborn detective who finds unlikely help from her precinct’s trustee, a largerthan-life ex-con finishing out her prison sentence doing menial tasks for the police department. Unit Zero An action-dramedy following Jackie Fink, a brilliant but unassuming CIA engineer and single mom, as she leads a team of desk jockeys into the field as secret agents. Untitled Marc Cherry and Reba McEntire Project The Sheriff of Oxblood, Kentucky finds his belief system challenged when a young Muslim FBI agent is sent to the town to help. Untitled Paul William Davies Projects Follows brand-new lawyers working on opposite sides — for both the defense and the prosecution — as they handle the most high-profile and high-stakes cases in the country. AMC Drama Lodge 49* A modern fable set in Long Beach, following a young man and ex-surfer. McMafia* A thriller set in the world of organized crime. The Terror* Set in 1847, a royal naval expedition crew is attacked by a mysterious predator that stalks the ships and their crew. BBC AMERICA Drama Killing Eve* A psychological thriller series that follows Eve, a bored and whip-smart security services operative and Villanelle, an elegant and talented killer. BET Comedy Divorce Saved My Marriage* When a couple realizes that divorce is the only thing they can agree on, their attorney recommends a financial plan instead of a court date, so they can finally afford to be apart. CBS Comedy 9J, 9K, and 9L A family comedy inspired by a time in Mark Feuerstein’s adult life when he lived in apartment 9K in the building he grew up in, sandwiched between his parents’ apartment, 9J, and his brother’s apartment, 9L. Brothered Up An emotionally guarded AfricanAmerican cop is partnered with an emotionally available Pakistani cop in a Detroit neighborhood. Distefano Inspired by the comedy of Chris Distefano, two 20-somethings are raising their newborn daughter and merging their meddling families — one Puerto Rican, one Italian. Hannah Royce’s Questionable Choices A woman has made some interesting choices throughout her life—namely, having three different kids with three different men — but now has a very unique, loving, blended family. Living Biblically Amodern-day man, at a crossroads in his life, decides to live life according to the Bible. Me, Myself and I Looks at one man’s life over a 50year span. It focuses on three distinct periods in his life — as a 14-year-old in 1991, a 40-year-old in present day and a 65-year-old in 2042. Real Life Two 20-somethings go from being co-workers on opposite coasts to working in the same office. Young Sheldon* Follows the childhood of Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon in East Texas. Drama The Get A team of tireless internet journalists pursue and expose stories of injustice using their unconventional investigative techniques. Instinct A former CIA operative who has since built a “normal” life as a gifted professor and writer is pulled back into his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer on the loose. Mission Control The next generation of NASA astronauts and scientists juggles both their personal and professional lives during a critical mission with no (Continued on Page 10)
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