Make way for the newbies!
So long, fall. Hello, midseason! It's officially the start of a new year and with it comes brand-new TV shows that networks have been waiting to unleash on the world. From the return of Eva Longoria and The X-Files to a slew of new supernatural series, we're ranking all the new midseason offerings debuting this month.
So what landed our No. 1 spot? Find out...
When it airs: Thursday, Jan. 7 on CBS
What it's about: Jane Lynch is Maggie Lawson's foul-mouthed and abrasive guardian angel. And she's annoying AF.
What we thought: Oof.
When it airs: Wednesday, Jan. 13 on Fox
What it's about: Former L.A. County Sheriff Jimmy Pritchard, 75, gets resurrected as a younger, better version of himself (by billionaire tech-twins) after his death and is given a second chance to repair the damage he's done in his career and to his family...if he can manage not to repeat the mistakes of his past. (See: booze, women, corruption, crappy parenting, etc.)
What we thought: Our main issue: We don't buy the lead as an old soul trapped in a younger (super-hot) bod. And he didn't have a lot of chemistry with any of the people in his life, including his son, FBI agent Duval (White Collar's Tim DeKay) and savior, tech-genius-with-a-fatal-disease Mary (Dilshad Vadsaria).
When it airs: Monday, Jan. 4 on NBC
What it's about: Things get dramatic at the long-running telenovela Las Leyes de Pasion when star Ana Sofia (Eva Longoria, we missed you!) finds out they've cast her ex-husband as her new leading man.
What we thought: Ugh, this could've been so funny and so good...and it's just meh. We want more for you, Eva (and she should, too, since she executive-produced the show).
When it airs: Sunday, Jan. 3 on Fox.
What it's about: Cooper Barrett (Jack Cutmore-Scott) offers up his advice on how to live your life after graduating college. A wacky assortment of friends (A married older brother! A short and shy bestie! A lovable jackass! A cool girl next door!) join him for the adventure.
What we thought: For shows like this, it all hinges on whether or not you'd want to be part of the misfits that make up the core group. So far, we're undecided, as they come off a bit like a knock-off version of The Hangover's gang, complete with Justin Bartha.
What it's about: A workplace comedy about a rag-tag team of mega-store employees. Adorable TV faves America Ferrera and Ben Feldman lead the cast.
What we thought: Sure, fine?! We need to put something on while we're folding laundry, right? But not an ideal starting point for a new series, you know?
When it airs: Thursday, Jan. 7 on NBC.
What it's about: Jennifer Lopez plays Harlee Santos, a corrupt single-mother NYPD detective who must turn against her crew (including boss Ray Liotta) after she's forced to work with the FBI's anti-corruption task force. Complications ensue.
What we thought: It screams "gritty cop show"and has A LOT of those clichés. But it also has Jennifer freakin' Lopez and she's a BAMF in it. (She's serving Enough-era realness and it's awesome.)
When it airs: Monday, Jan. 25 on Fox
What it's about: Loosely based on the comic book character created by Neil Gaiman, the devil decides to switch things up by helping the police in Los Angeles.
What we thought: We admit, we were skeptical at first. Then we saw the charismatic Tom Ellis as Lucifer and were instantly charmed. And then we saw his chemistry with Lauren German (the NYPD officer who joins forced with him) and we were sold.
When it airs: Thursday, Jan. 21 on FX.
What it's about: Chip Baskets (Zach Galifianakis, who co-created the show) gets stuck working at a local rodeo after his dreams of being a famous clown don't pan out.
What we thought: So dark, so wrong...yet so funny.
When it airs: Tuesday, Jan. 5 on MTV
What it's about: Based on the books by Terry Brooks, the fantasy drama is set thousands of years after the destruction of our civilization. And they're ELVES!
What we thought: Easily MTV's most ambitious series yet, their risk pays off as the mythology is rich and layered, and the effects are seriously stunning. (Thanks, Jon Favreau and New Zealand filming locations!) Still, there are A LOT of characters and families, so it might take a bit to really connect to some of them.
When it airs: Thursday, Jan. 14 on USA
What it's about: Set in the near future, the city of Los Angeles is now a territory occupied by…something. Who or what? No one knows. But married parents Will (Josh Holloway) and Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) are determined to regain their liberty—no matter the costs.
What we thought: A wholly original idea that presents a head-trip mystery, some eerily prescient themes, and a compelling family drama all wrapped up in a paranoid thriller— Plus a mini Lost reunion with Holloway and executive producer Carlton Cuse? Sign us up.
When it airs: Tuesday, Jan. 12 on Freeform (the new name of ABC Family)
What it's about: Based on The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, the fantasy drama centers on a young Clary, who learns on her 18th birthday that she is actually a member of Shadowhunters, human-angel hybrids, and finds herself caught up in a new supernatural world. She teams with Jace (Dominic Sherwood), a fellow Shadowhunter, and her human BFF Simon to save her mother and uncover the mysteries of her past.
What we thought: Oh, this is going to be fun. After the disappointment of Ravenswood, the network desperately needed a supernatural series that could attract the Pretty Little Liars fanbase, and they've definitely found it in Shadowhunters, which already has a loyal and rabid fanbase. Add in swoonworthy 'ships and mythology and you've got a recipe for success.
When it airs: Thursday, Jan. 21 on the CW
What it's about: Some of The Flash and Arrow's best villains (Captain Cold! Heatwave!) and heroes (Canary! The Atom! Firestorm!), as well as some newbies (Hawkgirl! Rip Hunter!), team up to save the world.
What we thought: Goosebumps from start to finish, this is a comic book fan and TV fan's dream come to life.
When it airs: Series returns Sunday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. before moving to regular timeslot, Mondays at 8 p.m. on Fox
What it's about: Mulder and Scully are back in the FBI saddle again. A new (continuing) conspiracy and threat have brought them out of retirement to reopen The X-Files, nearly 15 years after the division was closed.
What we thought: It's impossible not to get goosebumps when hearing that theme song again. While a bit clunky at times (in the way you've known The X-Files to be), the first episode back brings everybody up to speed and sets up what is sure to be a thrilling new chapter in X-Files lore. Long live Mulder and Scully!
When it airs: Tuesday, Feb. 2 on FX
What it's about: The O.J. Simpson murder trial in 1994, beginning with the night the murders happened. 100 million people watched Simpson's gripping slow-chase Bronco chase down the 405 Freeway, and of course the world was captivated by the subsequent trial and verdict. All that said, you may think you know everything about this story but TRUST, you do not.
What we thought: Bold, sophisticated and riveting, American Crime Story is our #1 pick for this year's most exciting midseason premiere. From the second you see the first bloody footprint outside Nicole Brown Simpson's home, you will be at the edge of your seat and may find it hard to breathe. The storyline is richly layered and jaw-dropping in its detail. The performances—by Sarah Paulson (Marcia Clark), Cuba Gooding Jr. (O.J. Simpson), John Travolta (Robert Shapiro) and David Schwimmer (Robert Kardashian) —will floor you. (Yes, Ross Gellar can ACT.) Oh, and when you see O.J. sleeping in cute little Kim Kardashian's room all plastered with Joey Lawrence posters? You'll know this show has plenty of dark humor, too. We can't wait for the rest of this ride.
CLICK: Your guide to faking like you watch more than 40 TV shows!