Why nine? Well, everyone does Top 10 lists, so we agonized a little more and whittled down this year’s impressive new lineup to nine. It wasn’t easy, people! Let us know what you like and dislike this season by emailing letters@ntvbmedia.com. Here are Channel Guide Magazine‘s Top 9 New Shows Fall 2016:
This Is Us (NBC)
Bring your Kleenex, as this one had all the lady critics in the office sniffling. We loved every character in this perfectly scripted drama that follows four people navigating life after they turn 36.
The Good Place (NBC)
What the fork? In this comedy, every single thing you’ve done on Earth has been tracked and calculated into a score that determines whether you go to The Good Place or The Bad Place. Did you end slavery? Major points. Poison a river? You’re down 4,010.55. Did you steal copper wiring from a decommissioned military base? Well, you’ll lose at least 16 points there. Ted Danson is the man who explains the math and welcomes individuals into The Good Place, including his newest (not-so-nice) member Eleanor, played hilariously by Kristen Bell.
Westworld (HBO)
Anthony Hopkins + Jeffrey Wright + Ed Harris + Evan Rachel Wood in a mind-blowing visual stunner of a story equals a show that’s worth saddling up for. Bonus: You don’t have to be familiar with Michael Crichton’s 1973 chiller to be thrilled — and chilled — by Jonathan and Lisa Joy Nolan’s series update that examines what would happen if the robotic hosts of a past-meets-future theme park suddenly realized what their existence is all about. Hint: They’re not too happy.
Quarry (Cinemax)
Based on the crime novels written by Road to Perdition co-creator Max Allan Collins, this is one dark, devastatingly complex drama we just couldn’t turn away from.
Queen Sugar (OWN)
This rich contemporary drama set on a sugarcane farm in the Deep South is so good it has already been renewed for a 16-episode second season. Executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and created by Ava DuVernay, the series is inspired by Natalie Baszile’s book, and chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings.
Designated Survivor (ABC)
After eight seasons of saving our country and the president on 24, Kiefer Sutherland is the president.
Good Behavior (TNT)
This one left us jaw-dropped. In fact, we still can’t get over Michelle Dockery (that would be Lady Mary from Downton Abbey!) in her skivvies cooking up crystal meth.
No Tomorrow (The CW)
We never expected to like this as much as we did, but Tori Anderson is simply adorable in this delightful, lighthearted romantic comedy.
People of Earth (TBS)
After getting a glimpse of Kurt the Reptilian, Jeff the Grey and Don the White, we totally want to be abductees (oh, excuse us, we mean experiencers) of these alien guys.