J.J. Abrams Drama, Mindy Kaling Comedy Rule Fall TV Lineup

As major networks announce their programming, MTV News picks the shows that will have you glued to the screen.
By Fallon Prinzivalli

Mindy Kaling
Photo: Getty Images

May is the month that has television fans rejoicing or mourning as TV networks, at their upfront presentations, announce which shows are being picked up, which are being renewed and which are getting the ax. The fall lineup looks particularly interesting as Deadline reports what's in store for CBS, the CW, Fox and NBC. From a "Sex and the City" prequel to a daring dystopian drama from J.J. Abrams, we've picked the shows that'll have us glued to our small screens for their debuts come the fall.

The first show on our list is "Partners," based on the real-life friendship of a straight guy and a gay man. The series will star Michael Urie of "Ugly Betty," Sophia Bush of "One Tree Hill," David Krumholtz and Brandon Routh. CBS picked up the comedy along with "Friend Me," a show following Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicholas Braun as two best friends who move from Bloomington, Indiana, to Los Angeles to begin their new jobs at Groupon. Even though this sounds heavily like the male version of "2 Broke Girls," Mintz-Plasse's work in "Superbad" and "Kick-Ass" has us interested in the pilot.

One of the reigning networks in teen television, the CW, picked up the highly anticipated "Sex and the City" prequel, "The Carrie Diaries." The show centers on a young Carrie Bradshaw navigating the ups and downs of high school in the 1980s (and always looking fabulous while doing so). Along with Miss Bradshaw, the channel also chose "Arrow," based on DC Comics' "Green Arrow." The series will turn the protagonist into less of a superhero and more of an action star in the same vein as Jason Bourne. And although the CW canceled "Ringer" and "The Secret Circle," the network picked up "Gossip Girl" for its final season. Maybe this will prompt Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf into a final romance? We can only hope!

Over in Fox-land, they've renewed hit shows "Glee," "Fringe" and "The X Factor" as well as the breakout series "New Girl." Added to the lineup is "The Mindy Project," a single-camera comedy by Mindy Kaling following a woman's anxious attempt to rid herself of all her bad habits. "After all, how many doctors make inappropriate toasts at their ex-boyfriend's wedding, nearly drown at the bottom of a stranger's pool and get arrested for disorderly conduct just moments before having to deliver a baby?" Deadline asks when describing the show.

Apparently, not enough — we'll be watching! Also chosen by the network is "The Goodwin Games," centering on three grown siblings who return home following their father's death. When they're made aware of their unexpected $20 million inheritance, they must go through a series of tasks their father left behind before they can claim their money. So no, folks, there won't be blood; this isn't a small-screen take on "The Hunger Games."

But speaking of dystopian dramas, after renewing veteran comedy "The Office" and the popular reality series "The Voice," NBC picked up a new series produced by J.J. Abrams called "Revolution." The show centers on the world 15 years after the electricity is mysteriously shut off and families are living quiet lives aided by candlelight and lanterns. When one young woman's father is murdered by the militia, she sets off on a journey with two unlikely companions to discover what happened in the past and how to retrieve their lost future. Do you think this is all Dharma's fault?

Which shows are you excited to watch this fall? Tell us in the comments.

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