Labor Day weekend means two things for television viewers — basically none of your shows are on this week, but Fall TV is right around the corner!
The Mindy Project (Season Premiere, Sept. 15, Hulu) – When Fox cancelled Mindy after last season, the timing could not have been worse for fans. How can we go on without seeing Mindy give birth? Danny’s anticipated proposal? The new fertility clinic in action? Thanks to Hulu, we don’t have to. The platform will release Season Four’s episodes — 26 of ’em! — on a weekly basis (i.e. no Mindy binging).
The Bastard Executioner (Series Premiere, 10 p.m. Sept. 15, FX) – Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter goes medieval on our asses with this new drama. Aussie newbie Lee Jones stars as the titular character, a knight that’s been broken by war. After swearing off the sword, violence pulls him back in. True Blood’s Stephen Moyer and Sons’ Katey Sagal co-star.
The Last Man on Earth (Season Premiere, 9:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Fox) – Hands-down the best apocalyptic comedy with a misleading title. Friggin’ Phil!
Saturday Night Live (Season Premiere, 11:30 p.m. Oct. 3, NBC) – She successfully left her mark on the VMAs, and now Miley Cyrus will take over SNL’s 41st-season opener. Last season’s entire cast returns with the addition of one (white, male) featured player.
The Leftovers (Season Premiere, 9 p.m. Oct. 4, HBO) – The Garveys and friends leave Mapleton, N.Y., for a Texas town famous for having zero departures.
American Horror Story: Hotel (Season Premiere, 10 p.m. Oct. 7, FX) – Jessica Lange steps aside this season as Lady Gaga leads the show as Countess Elizabeth, owner of the Hotel Cortez. Expect cast members and characters from previous seasons, nods to Los Angeles’ infamous Cecil Hotel, real-life killer Aileen Wuornos (of Monster fame) and more straight-up horror.
The Walking Dead (Season Premiere, 9 p.m. Oct. 11, AMC) – Morgan has finally reconnected with Rick inside Alexandria’s walls, but will Grimes and his crew still be welcome in the (relatively) safe zone?
Fargo (Season Premiere, 10 p.m. Oct. 12, FX) – New setting and cast, same great Upper Midwestern dialect, don’tchaknow. The second season of this murder-mystery anthology series brings viewers to 1979 South Dakota and Minnesota and stars Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, Jean Smart, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.
The Knick (Season Premiere, 10 p.m. Oct. 16, Cinemax) – Steven Soderbergh returns to direct the second season of this artful examination of the inner-workings of an early-1900s New York hospital. Between Clive Owen’s Dr. Thackery, Soderbergh’s cool style and an intoxicating score, you won’t be able to look away (and during some of these surgery scenes, you’ll want to).
WEDNESDAY 02
Key & Peele (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Neil deGrasse Tyson chills at home; tooting and tailors; the valets talk Game of Thrones.
Lachey’s Bar (10:30 p.m., A&E) – With Nick gone, Drew must maintain the bar alone — until his mom stops by to help.
THURSDAY 03Project Runway (9 p.m., Lifetime) – The designers play paintball and use their color-stained clothes as fabric for their challenge.
Documentary Now! (10 p.m., IFC) – This week’s doc follows DRONEZ journalists — a spoof on VICE news — as they hunt down Mexican cartel kingpin El Chingon.
Married (10:30 p.m., FX) – Lina skips her Mother’s Day celebration.
SUNDAY 06
I Am Cait (8 p.m., E!) – Kris meets Caitlyn.
TUESDAY 08
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (11:35 p.m., CBS) – Colbert kicks off his run as the new Letterman.
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected] or @jackern