By BILL BRIOUX
Fall means a lot of things – the changing leaves, a new school year and swapping T-shirts for sweaters.
Traditionally, it has also meant that a new TV season was upon us. Broadcast networks would premiere up to 40 new shows over a few weeks and TV Guide would swell in size and price with their annual Fall Preview issue.
These days, with multiple streaming services and even broadcasters making content available on-demand, on apps and other platforms, new television shows premiere every day. Still, there’s something about September that signals the start of a new TV season, even in 2021.
Instead of that old TV Guide, however, Rogers Ignite subscribers simply have to say the name of a new show to begin a fall binge. To make that happen, here is a list of recommended show titles:
Impeachment: American Crime Story (FX Canada). A true story the Clintons would just as soon everyone forgot. Ryan Murphy’s anthology series is back with 10-episodes devoted to the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart) plays Lewinsky, with Clive Owen as Clinton, Edie Falco as Hillary, and Annaleigh Ashford as Paula Jones. Margo Martindale, Cobie Smulders, Blair Underwood, Mira Sorvino, and Billy Eichner as also in the cast. Lewinsky is both a producer and a consultant.
Sex Education (Netflix). The long-awaited third season of this British comedy-drama has finally premiered. Yes, insecure Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) is still getting intimate advice from his divorced, sex therapist mom, Jean (Gillian Anderson). The usual rascals are returning to Moordale High, with several new faces added to the mix, played by Jemima Kirke, Jason Isaacs and Indra Ove
Y: The Last Man (FX Canada). A cataclysm wipes out every man on earth — except for one (Ben Schnetzer), who happens to be the son of politician with eyes on the White House (Diane Lane). The 10-episode series is based on the comic book. Amber Tamblyn, Olivia Thirlby, Ashley Romans, and Marin Ireland also star.
Bachelor in Paradise Canada (Citytv; starts Sunday, Oct. 10). For the first time in Canada, Bachelor contestants are heading to True North paradise. Where exactly is top secret but we can tell you the secluded love nest is on a lake, Jesse Jones is the host and Bachelor alumni Kevin Wendt will be the bartender. There will also be cozy campfires, romantic canoe rides under the vast Canadian star-filled skies and, yes, plenty of roses.
The Wonder Years (ABC; CTV). A reboot of the late- ’80s, early ’90s series about Kevin and Winnie, also set in 1968, but this time focusing on an African American family in Montgomery, Alabama. Dulé Hill and Saycon Sengbloh star, while Don Cheadle sharing memories as narrator.
Metal Shop Masters (Netflix). Comedian Jo Koy hosts this fiery competition series showcasing seven of America’s top welding legends. These iron men and women are challenged to build everything from one-of-a-kind BBQ grills to futuristic cars. Winner pockets 50 grand. Viewers will be welded in front of their screens!
Ordinary Joe (Citytv). What might have happened if you had followed your gut instead of your girlfriend when you graduated from college? That’s the premise of this series, which explores three different paths a grad student (James Wolk from Watchman) might have taken – that of a cop, a nurse, or a rock star. Natalie Martinez, Charlie Barnett, and Elizabeth Lail also star.
Hudson & Rex (Citytv; returns Oct. 7). Who’s a good doggie? That would be Diesel vom Burgimwald, who plays canine cop Rex, back for a fourth tail-wagging season in the shot-in-Newfoundland police series. This year, four of the scripts were written by Rex. No, he’s not that smart, but he did bark orders on the set until kibbles were added to the kennel rations. John Reardon, Mayko Nguyen and Kevin Hanchard are all back.
American Horror Story: Double Feature (FX Canada). Can you believe this is the 10th installment in the AHS franchise? Ryan Murphy’s sensational anthology horror series returned in August with not one but two stories. “Red Tide” takes place by the sea, where a struggling writer and his pregnant wife must make nice with the locals. “Death Valley,” on the other hand, takes place by the sand. Usual suspects Sarah Paulson, Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Frances Conroy, and Adina Porter are back, with Macaulay Culkin worked into the mix as Mickey in Part One. Don’t be scared to watch — AHS: Double Feature has a 100 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Attack of the Hollywood Clichés! (Netflix). This all-star special features clips from some of the most famous films in cinematic history as host Rob Lowe and others dissect the most over-used tropes from Tinseltown. Examples include the classic “Meet-Cute” motif; the “Walking Away from an Explosion” evergreen; and the ever-popular “Females Running in Stilettos” staple. Look for several Hollywood A-listers to weigh in on the fun.
The Many Saints of Newark (HBO Max/Crave. Premieres Oct. 1). Miss this much hyped prequel to The Sopranos? Fuhgeddaboudit! This backstory shows young Anthony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini’s own son, Michael Gandolfini) growing up among rival gang families in race-turn Newark, New Jersey. Viewers will finally meet the uncle he idolized, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola). Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta and Vera Farmiga also star. Created by Sopranos’ TV boss David Chase.
Succession (HBO; Crave. Returns Oct. 17). Season Three finds family patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) scrambling to secure his grip on his global media empire after being ambushed by ambitious son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) at the end of last season. Look for Alexander Skarsgard, Adrien Brody and Hope Davis to be among those joining the Emmy Award-winning ensemble drama.