The TV Column

Crime, quirkiness on menu for TV's midseason

Allison Tolman, who spent many summers as a kid visiting relatives in Arkansas, stars with Ned (a rescued Chicago shelter dog) in the midseason ABC comedy Downward Dog.
Allison Tolman, who spent many summers as a kid visiting relatives in Arkansas, stars with Ned (a rescued Chicago shelter dog) in the midseason ABC comedy Downward Dog.

Because the networks begin their publicity campaigns months in advance, I'm already getting emails asking about new series that readers have heard about, but won't find on the schedule until midseason.

While we have a free day, let's take a look at what lies ahead. These midseason shows could arrive earlier if a network's new show isn't "tracking" with the audience and the plug gets pulled.

Here are the series waiting on the bench along with their scheduled day and time (when available).

24: Legacy, 7 p.m., Mondays, Fox. Former Army Ranger Eric Carter (Corey Hawkins) tries to stop a terrorist attack. The limited series will have 12 episodes.

A.P.B., 8 p.m., Mondays, Fox. Tech billionaire Gideon Reed (Justin Kirk) takes over the Chicago Police Department to stop corruption.

The Blacklist: Redemption, NBC. This spinoff of The Blacklist will follow Tom Keen (Ryan Eggold) as he teams up with Susan "Scottie" Hargrave (Famke Janssen), the head of a black ops mercenary outfit that goes where the government won't.

Chicago Justice, Sundays, 8 p.m., NBC. The fourth of Dick Wolf's Chicago series deals with the State's Attorney's office. Philip Winchester and Carl Weathers star.

Doubt, CBS. Katherine Heigl plays a defense attorney who falls for her possibly guilty client. The cast includes Dule Hill and Elliot Gould.

Downward Dog, ABC. Arkansas-connected Allison Tolman (Fargo) is the human and her co-star (and narrator) is her dog named Martin. The local connection? Allison's grandmother, Natalie Tolman, and her aunt, Laurie Lovett, live in Hot Springs and are her biggest fans.

Emerald City, NBC. A dark reimagining of Oz. The fantasy series stars Adria Arjona as Dorothy Gale and Vincent D'Onofrio as The Wizard.

Great News, NBC. A TV news producer (Briga Heelan) must deal with her mom (Andrea Martin), who comes to intern at the station. Tina Fey is among the producers.

Imaginary Mary, ABC. This live action/CGI hybrid follows a woman (Jenna Elfman) who suddenly starts interacting with her childhood imaginary fuzzy friend (voiced by Rachel Dratch) after she meets the love of her life and his kids.

Making History, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Fox. The comedy stars Adam Pally, Leighton Meester and Yassir Lester as three friends who travel through time trying to improve their present-day lives.

Marlon, NBC. The sitcom is based on Marlon Wayans' wacky real life.

The Mick, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Fox. Kaitlin Olson plays Mackenzie Murphy, a two-bit hustler suddenly in charge of her bratty nieces and nephews.

Midnight, Texas, NBC. Based on Charlaine Harris' trilogy, the town is full of vampires, witches, werewolves, psychics and hit men working together to protect their haven.

Powerless, NBC. Vanessa Hudgens heads this quirky comedy about insurance adjusters covering the damage caused by superheroes.

Prison Break, 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Fox. It'll be Season 5 in this reboot of the original show. It picks up after Michael's (Wentworth Miller) apparent death in the 2009 finale. Spoiler: He's ... alive!

Riverdale, The CW. Based on the Archie Comics characters, the series finds Archie (K.J. Apa) and the gang trying to navigate life in Riverdale, which is not as wholesome a small town as it seems.

Shots Fired, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Fox. The limited series with A-list actors will examine the aftermath of racially charged police shootings in a Tennessee town. The cast includes Oscar winners Helen Hunt and Richard Dreyfuss.

Star, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fox. The drama follows three young singers as they try to make it big in the nasty dog-eat-dog world of music. The cast includes Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt.

Still Star-Crossed, ABC. Romeo and Juliet are dead. Now what happens with the Montagues and Capulets?

Taken, 9 p.m., Mondays, NBC. This prequel to the Liam Neeson movie franchise stars Clive Standen as CIA agent Bryan Mills.

Time After Time, 8 p.m., Sundays, ABC. Based on the novel and movie, the fantasy has H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma) transporting to the present day to capture Jack the Ripper.

Training Day, CBS. Based on the 2001 Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke movie, the series picks up 15 years later and stars Justin Cornwell and Bill Paxton.

Trial and Error, NBC. The comedy finds New York lawyer Josh (Nicholas D'Agosto) traveling to a Southern town to defend a quirky professor (John Lithgow) accused of murder.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Weekend on 09/29/2016

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