Thursday? Or is this the best night of TV?

Wow, another night with only two new shows...maybe this will be my shortest blog post of the week?

So Fox has The Orville. To be fair, it had a really early premiere and if you missed it, you probably need to go find it streaming somewhere. Again, a show with some good buzz, but not making the appointment list for me. Starring Seth McFarland, it is a sci-fi comedy with a definite Star Trek: The Next Generation feel to it. It is filled with social commentary and the pilot was directed by Jon Favreau (he did Iron Man) and was super spendy. I’d like to check it out at some point, and not just because Tyra from Friday Night Lights plays a pilot….

The only other new show, well, is not so new. Will and Grace returns...now I know I just ranted yesterday about reboots, and part of my problem with this one is that I was rather satisfied with the original ending. That being said, we’ve been watching the original on Hulu and I am excited for its return. Timely and topical, I think this generation might need this show (I almost added to make America great again...but I refrained. Except I totally didn’t.) So yep, it will be appointment TV in this house, just like it was originally.

I lied. Technically, there is third show--but it doesn't premiere until November. CBS continues to illuminate their genre by having yet another cop show--S.W.A.T. Not sure if it follows its television or movie predecessors, but it does star Shemar Moore--wiping drool off chin now (And for those of you who don't watch Criminal Minds or used to watch The Young and the Restless, he's totes handsome). Buzz is not as strong as SEAL Team, but hellooo...it will do well. You'll know if it is your genre, and if you like Shemar Moore, you're in.

Thursday's News & Notes

--ABC. Nothing new here...move along. And yes, Grey’s is probably the one thing we watch in real time. Scandal is on its last season. I’m only slightly worried about Josh Malina finding new work once this is over. But if you loved him in West Wing, know that he does a podcast about that show. And if you love The West Wing, I'd encourage you to listen to the podcast. It does make me love government... Last ABC note: I know, I know...I’ve never gotten into “How to Get Away With Murder.” My bad.

--CBS will continue to do well once football is over and their regular schedule returns.

--As much as I’m a comic book nerd, Gotham has not been my jam.

--If you didn’t watch The Good Place, you really should’ve. Only 12 or 13 episodes last season, it is easy enough to get caught up. The first two episodes have already premiered this season, and I’m not sure if I love it as much, but I’ll give it time because it was so much fun last year.

--I need to find the time for Great News. If only because of my college major.

--Hey look! Chicago Fire moved to Thursday night!

--Man, those CW shows have been around forever. On the plus side, enough of my students watch Supernatural that we had a moderately intelligent discussion about purgatory.

--I, sadly, am several seasons behind on Arrow.

I'd like to take a brief moment to lament the loss of my other favorite show from last year. Only 13 episodes long, Emily and I loved Pitch. The first female pitcher in the majors delivered as a solid drama. Super sad it didn't last. If you have a way to stream it, watch it and enjoy.

Happy Thursday viewing, y'all.