7 Fall TV Premieres to Watch
From "Scandal" to "Homeland," the shows we can't wait to return and more.
Sept. 14, 2012— -- intro: Yes, it's that time again, when the sun sets earlier and the nights get cooler and we curl up in front of our television sets for the fall premieres.
Already out the gate: "The Voice" and "The X Factor," with new judges Demi Lovato and Britney Spears. The shows will go head-to-head this season on Wednesday nights and "The Voice" had the edge in the ratings this week.
"Glee" returned with a cameo from Kate Hudson as a take-no-prisoner alcoholic dance instructor at the performing arts college in New York that Lea Michele's character now attends. "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy also premiered his controversial new comedy about a gay couple and the surrogate they hire to start a family in "The New Normal."
"I definitely think it's a strong season for TV," Chrissy Le Nguyen, managing editor of Yahoo! TV, told ABCNews.com. "You're going to need more than one DVR set up."
Especially since there are lots more premieres ahead. Click through to see seven to watch this September.
quicklist: 1title: 'Saturday Night Live'text: Yes, Kristen Wiig, Abby Elliott and Andy Samberg are gone. But "Saturday Night Live" will go on with three new Chicago-trained comedians: Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant and Tim Robinson. Strong and Robinson hail from Chicago's Second City improv club, Bryant comes from Chicago's iO Theater. Seth MacFarlane hosts and Frank Ocean will be the musical guest. "A lot of people will be tuning in to see what Seth MacFarlane will be doing," Le Nguyen said. "Also, Frank Ocean is one of the most talked-about artists. And it will be exciting to see how the new cast members do on live TV."media: 17230277
quicklist: 2title: 'Iyanla: Fix My Life'text: OWN, Oprah Winfrey's television network, has struggled to find its footing, but Winfrey is moving forward with a new show by her one-time rival, Iyanla Vanzant, that has her excited about the network's future. "Iyanla: Fix My Life" carries on the self-help mission of shows like "Life Class" and "Super Soul Sunday" that OWN has relied on since canceling Rosie O'Donnell's talk show and laying off 30 employees earlier this year. For the season premiere, Vanzant will work with "Basketball Wives" star Evelyn Lozada, estranged wife of NFL star Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, to uncover the source of Lozada's pain to help her move forward with her life. Le Nguyen cautions that Vanzant's new show could be overlooked in the sea of talk shows by more recognizable names. "Iyanla: Fix My Life" premieres Sept. 15 and 16 on OWN.
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quicklist: 3title: 'Boardwalk Empire'text: Jimmy Darmody may be gone, but Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) and the rest of the gang are back for the third season of "Boardwalk Empire." Arriving to take Jimmy's place is Bobby Cannavale's Gyp Rosetti as a formidable new contender for control of bootlegging on the boardwalk of Atlantic City. "Nucky has a new love interest," Le Nguyen said, "and Bobby Cannavale is a great addition." "Boardwalk Empire" premieres Sept. 16 on HBO.media: 17230288
quicklist: 4title: 'Bones'text: With Brennan (Emily Deschanel) on the lam (in a blond wig) for a murder she didn't commit, her partner Booth (David Boreanaz) must help clear her name and track her down, setting up for a reunion on the season premiere that promises to be steamy. Ryan O'Neal guest stars as Brennan's father who helps her hide from the FBI. "Fans will be excited to see how Booth and Brennan's relationship will unfold after they haven't been together for so long," Le Nguyen said. "Also, there's going to be a lot of changes in the office, new faces and some returning ones." "Bones" premieres Sept. 17 on FOX.media: 17230245
quicklist: 5title: 'Parks and Recreation'text: Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) goes to Washington, to join love interest Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott, who has taken a job as a political strategist in the nation's capital for the fifth season opener of "Parks and Recreation." There, they will hobnob with U.S. Senators John McCain, Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe, who play themselves in cameo appearances. "I'm excited for the return of 'Parks and Rec.' They are shooting on location for the premiere so it's going to be fun," Le Nguyen said. "Parks and Recreation" premieres Sept. 20 on NBC.media: 17230267
quicklist: 6title: 'Scandal'text: Kerry Washington is back as ultimate Washington fixer Olivia Pope for season two of "Scandal." Expect the big cliffhanger of who is Quinn Perkins to be answered in the opener, as well as more sparks, if not a reunion, between Pope and the president. "Everybody is looking forward to this show," Le Nguyen said. "It's one of those shows that premiered under the radar last spring and people surprisingly liked it and kept watching it." "Scandal" premieres Sept. 27 on ABC.media: 17230206
quicklist: 7title: 'Homeland'text: It's a long wait until the Sept. 30 second season premiere of the much-lauded terrorist drama "Homeland," which is why the folks at Showtime have released a 20-minute-long sneak peek online. In the preview, Brody (Damian Lewis) gets some good news, while viewers find out what happened to Carrie (Claire Danes) post-electric shock therapy. "The show taps into issues that are going on in real life really well," Le Nguyen said. "A lot of people are excited for that show to return."media: 17230255
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