TV Premieres Countdown for September 23, 2016

by Beki Lane and Kerr Lordygan | September 23, 2016 | Comments

It’s time again for our weekly countdown of the Fall TV premieres! Here are the best new shows for the week of Friday, September 23, 2016. See how this week’s shows, Transparent, Pitch, MacGyver, Lethal Weapon, Speechless, This Is Us, Kevin Can Wait, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bull, Designated Survivor, The Exorcist, The Good Place, and Notorious stack up against each other on the Tomatometer!

Bull: Season 1 (2016)
22%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Michael Weatherly's performance is top-notch, but not enough to save a show that relies too heavily on a well-worn series of legal show tropes and an off-putting premise.

Starring: Michael Weatherly, Freddy Rodriguez, Geneva Carr, Jaime Lee Kirchner

Directed By: Paul Attanasio, Phillip C. McGraw, Rodrigo Garcia, Jay McGraw

Designated Survivor: Season 1 (2016)
87%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Kiefer Sutherland skillfully delivers the drama in Designated Survivor, a fast-paced, quickly engrossing escapist political action fantasy.

Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci

Directed By: David Guggenheim, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon, Jon Harmon Feldman

The Exorcist: Season 1 (2016)
79%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: The Exorcist doesn't come close to its classic source material, but still boasts a tense narrative that manages some legitimate scares and credible special effects.

Starring: Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Kurt Egyiawan, Hannah Kasulka

Directed By: Jeremy Slater, Rolin Jones, James Robinson, Barbara Wall

The Good Place: Season 1 (2016)
92%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Kristen Bell and Ted Danson knock it out of the park with supremely entertaining, charming performances in this absurd, clever and whimsical portrayal of the afterlife.

Starring: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil

Directed By: Michael Schur, David Miner

Kevin Can Wait: Season 1 (2016)
28%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Kevin James proves a likable, funny lead, but Kevin Can Wait relies too heavily on predictable, unfunny jokes and a series of lackluster subplots to stand out from the crowd.

Starring: Kevin James, Erinn Hayes, Taylor Spreitler, Mary-Charles Jones

Directed By: Bruce Helford, Rock Reuben, Kevin James, Andy Fickman

Lethal Weapon: Season 1 (2016)
67%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Lethal Weapon's overly polished production values and tired narrative are somewhat overcome by solid chemistry between its two leads.

Starring: Damon Wayans, Clayne Crawford, Jordana Brewster, Kevin Rahm

Directed By: Matt Miller, McG, Dan Lin, Jennifer Gwartz

MacGyver: Season 1 (2016)
25%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Despite using spare parts from countless successful TV procedurals, the new MacGyver fails to cobble together a compelling show.

Starring: Lucas Till, George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires

Directed By: Paul Downs Colaizzo, Brett Mahoney, David Von Ancken, Henry Winkler

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 4 (2016)
96%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. explores darker territory in its fourth season with the thrilling introduction of Ghost Rider, setting up an action-packed new chapter of Marvel's edgier mythologies.

Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker

Directed By: Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jeffrey Bell

Notorious: Season 1 (2016)
22%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Implausible and populated with unlikable characters, Notorious forsakes dramatic credibility in favor of flash and fluff.

Starring: Piper Perabo, Daniel Sunjata, Kate Jennings Grant, Aimee Teegarden

Directed By: Mark Geragos, Wendy Walker, Josh Berman, Michael Engler

Pitch: Season 1 (2016)
93%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: A terrific lead performance and well-constructed setup and timely themes make Pitch a home run.

Starring: Kylie Bunbury, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Ali Larter, Mo McRae

Directed By: Dan Fogelman, Rick Singer, Kevin Falls, Tony Bill

Speechless: Season 1 (2016)
98%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Speechless speaks to a sensitive topic with a heartfelt lead performance and a fine balance of sensitivity and irreverence.

Starring: Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, Mason Cook, Micah Fowler

Directed By: Scott Silveri, Jake Kasdan, Melvin Mar, Christine Gernon

This Is Us: Season 1 (2016)
92%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Featuring full-tilt heartstring-tugging family drama, This Is Us will provide a suitable surrogate for those who have felt a void in their lives since Parenthood went off the air.

Starring: Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz

Directed By: Dan Fogelman, Jess Rosenthal, Charlie Gogolak, John Requa

Transparent: Season 3 (2016)
100%

Adjusted Score: -1%

Critics Consensus: Uniquely its own, and compelling and poignant as ever, Transparent continues to transcend the parameters of comedic and dramatic television with sustained excellence in its empathic portrayal of the Pfefferman family.

Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass

Directed By: Jill Soloway, Jill Soloway, Silas Howard, So-yong Kim