From returning favorites to new groundbreaking series and beyond, the 2016 fall television landscape is jam-packed with must-see TV.
So make sure there’s plenty of space on your DVRs and get ready to Netflix & chill.
Here are 17 shows to obsess over this fall…
American Horror Story, Season 6
Premieres September 14 on FX.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmwv58XBOs]
While much of American Horror Story season 6 remains a mystery, there’s no question out producer Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology will have us on the edge of our seats once more when the show returns September 14th. This season will also feature a large number of out LGBT actors among the show’s cast, including Lady Gaga, Cheyenne Jackson, Leslie Jordan, Matt Bomer, and Denis O’Hare. Cast favorites Evan Peters and Angela Bassett are also confirmed. This one is going to be a scream.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Season 2
Premieres August 25 on Logo.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4F1x7MNmKU]
For the second time in Drag Race herstory, fan-favorite finalists from seasons past are returning to duke it out in a battle royal for the ages and claim the ultimate crown. However, don’t expect this to be the same old race. Momma Ru has a few twists in store to keep these queen on their stiletto-clad toes.
Luke Cage
Premieres September 30 on Netflix.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytkjQvSk2VA]
Finally, a superhero of color will headline their own series in the Marvel cinematic universe. After making his delicious debut in last year’s Jessica Jones, Luke Cage will follow the further adventures of Harlem’s hunky hero as he rebuilds his life, fights to make his city a safer space, and looks damn fine the entire time.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Premieres October 20 on Fox.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3TDwa2cDOc]
The thought of this cult classic getting a modern makeover is always risky, but with stars like Laverne Cox, Adam Lambert, and Tim Curry as the narrator, let’s not pretend we aren’t shivering with antici – pation. Good, bad, or oh-so-bad-it’s-good, revisiting this monster musical is going to be a fabulously fun time.
The Real O’Neals
Premieres October 20 on ABC.
We were worried when news began circulating that The Real O’Neals might be cancelled after out star Noah Galvin gave a couple of controversial interviews full of unkind words about other LGBT professionals working in Hollywood. Thank goodness cooler heads have prevailed and the ABC sitcom is returning for a second season. Simply put, there aren’t enough positive prime-time TV shows where gay teens are at the center of the story. This Dan Savage co-production isn’t just hilarious, it’s history-making TV.
Conviction
Premieres October 20 on Fox.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJqg6J4JeLg]
Hayley Atwell stole our hearts as Marvel’s plucky super-spy for two seasons on Agent Carter, but while that series has come to an end, the actress is getting the chance to shine as a do-gooder diva in a different light. This time, Atwell will flex her star-power as Hayes Morrison, a former First Daughter who is forced to join a legal team working to overturn wrongful convictions after she’s busted for cocaine possession.
Scream Queens, Season 2
Premieres September 20 on Fox.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOnYsGcRvdw]
Get ready sluts, because the Chanels are back and they’ve left the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority in their rearview mirror to rule the halls of their new med school. But with no money and a damaged reputation after their fall from grace in season one will these queens of mean be able to reclaim their crown? Oh, hell yes! The campy horror comedy promises to be bigger, funnier, and hotter thanks to a booster shot of beefcake with John Stamos, Taylor Lautner, and Colton Haynes joining the cast. Rise and shine, ladies. The fun is about to begin… again.
The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
(Yes, every show in the CW’s DC Comics TV universe.)
The Flash premieres October 4
Arrow premieres October 5
Supergirl premieres October 10
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow premieres October 13
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x8e7RAXPcs]
Out gay mega-producer Greg Berlanti and his team have slowly been building the shared DC Comics TV universe over the past five years with great success and proved LGBT actors and characters can thrive in mainstream superhero shows. Out actors such as Wentworth Miller, Victor Garber, Andy Mientus, and John Barrowman have all kicked ass in their various heroic/villainous roles, while a number of queer characters (several of which were specifically reimagined as LGBT for these shows) like Mr. Terrific/Curtis Holt, White Canary/Sara Lance, and the upcoming appearance of gay superhero The Ray, are helping make The CW’s DC universe one of the most diverse on TV. Throw in the fact that the creative minds behind these shows are planning an ambitious crossover event between all four series and you’ve got a multiverse of reasons to tune in.
Finding Prince Charming
Premieres September 8 on Logo.
Bye, bye, bye The Bachelor! Former NSYNC member Lance Bass will be hosting Finding Prince Charming – the show Logo claims is the first-ever gay dating show. (That’s OK, we think everyone would like to forget Boy Meets Boy.) The reality series will follow a cast of 13 male suitors competing for the heart of interior designer Robert Sepulveda Jr.
With some scandalous details recently coming to light, including Sepulveda’s past as an escort, the show could be one of the juiciest reality shows to hit fall TV – both on and off the small screen.
Divorce
Premieres October 9 on HBO.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZPwpuqX3yI]
The Crown
Premieres November 4 on Netflix.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Q0bJ_zO7w]
Just when we thought we’d succumb to Downton Abbey withdrawal, Netflix comes to the rescue with what is reportedly one of the streaming service’s most expensive ($156 Million) and ambitious shows (six planned ten-episode seasons) to date. The Crown will follow the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule, the political rivalries and romances of her day, and the events that forged the direction of the latter half of the 20th century. Each season is planned to cover a different decade of the Queen’s reign. So be prepared royally binge for years to come.
Hairspray Live!
Premieres December 7 on NBC
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHKnF9aWE_0]
The John Waters classic is the latest to get the NBC live musical treatment and boasts a beyond-fabulous all-star cast including Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Kristin Chenoweth, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, Sean Hayes, Andrea Martin and Rosie O’Donnell and newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad. But the biggest question is which will be more entertaining, the show or the army of viewers live-tweeting the event?
Pitch
Premieres September 22 on Fox.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0wLCGwYZ3g]
This all-new Fox series isn’t just the first of its kind because it features the tale of the first woman to break the gender barrier and play for a Major League Baseball team. It’s also the first to officially team up with MLB to produce the most authentic show possible. (Ex-players, use of stadiums, official uniforms – it’s all here.) The baseball drama stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dan Lauria, and Kylie Bunbury as Ginny Baker, a female pitching prodigy who deals with the added pressure of breaking the glass ceiling in the world of the big four professional sports when she joins the San Diego Padres as the team’s new star player.
Transparent, Season 3
Premieres September 23 on Amazon Prime.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDk4Aupwe1A]
The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series returns for a third season and continues to move the needle forward for trans visibility on TV. This season, the Pfefferman family faces some of their biggest personal trials yet, just as Maura begins to consider undergoing gender confirmation surgery to become the woman she envisions.
robho3
I really tried hard to like scream queens but I just couldn’t. Even Ryan Murphy makes a dud once in awhile- surprised it got a second season as I don’t know of anyone that liked it.
MacAdvisor
I am with you, Robho3, I gave up on Scream Queens myself and I really wanted to like it. I went to college with Jamie Lee Curtis at UOP and was in a study group with her. Nicer person you could ask to know. She was smart, funny, and a great study partner. She gave me life long love of flash cards. I wanted to like her show. I made it about a third of the way through episode four.
I have also given up on Transparency. Like the show, but it is so s l o w. I could barely stand to watch it. I tried to figure a way to get TiVo to play at double speed and still have the audio, but I couldn’t. I’ve seen glaciers that moved more quickly.
tricky ricky
conviction is basically the same premise as the guardian which ran on cbs starring the deliciously delightful simon baker.
tricky ricky
how did logo not know the star of their show was an actual whore? didn’t they do due diligence? this is incredibly sloppy and everyone on the production staff who allowed this to happen needs to be kicked out of show business.
tricky ricky
transvestites should be up in arms and calling for a boycott of rocky horror picture show. what’s good for the gander turned goose is just as good for the gander in drag. how dare they cast a transsexual as a transvestite! lord knows the transsexuals would be pissed if the role was a transgender and they cast a transvestite or other non transgender type! and you know they would.
He BGB
I gave up on scream queens, too. It started off funny and cute with some great one liners but dwindled into a snorefest. Ryan is the cat’s pajamas but this stunk to high heaven. Stunt casting? A Jonas brother playing gay, etc. Annoying characters? I hoped all the Chanels got eaten alive by alligators. Dragged on too long? The audience intended was not smart gay men, that’s for sure.
He BGB
Looking forward to The Exorcist on Fox (not listed here) but if they fill it with romance and crap I will tune out. The original movie stuck to the possession, the mother and priests but we all know how Hollywood esp TV puts a love story in everything and gets away from the action. Hopefully not. Fox succeeded with The X FILEs, and had 7 or was it 9,seasons with little or no love story or sex. And it was fabulous! Good looking sexy stars who stick to business—the devil possessing children (and adults?) AND don’t hop in bed with anyone. Celibacy anyone? Imagination anyone?
adamnfool
In terms of gay men…. I think the real oneals seems to be the only one with a fictional gay main character. And I’m going to guess he doesn’t find an ancient amulet that was used by a long forgotten civilization to reveal pod people in their previous invasion, with a relevant gay metaphor subtext plot like outing an alien. I’m crazy… so take this all with a boulder of salt…. but honestly main character arc or GTFO. Its a sad day if the best our dreams can be is to be the heroes second cousin who shows up on occasion and everyone’s super supportive.
To be clear, since I’m ranting… I think the Ls, the Ts, and the Bs should have their own focused media (given this scenario is taking place in The Best of All Possible Worlds and not subject to economic limitations). However not really the the Qs. Qs are a taxonomy nightmare that people will probably disagree heavily with me about.
Also xfiles had 7 seasons with sculder and mully. One season with roggett and deyes and mully. And one season with roggett and deyes. Plus the new season. Sculder and mully eventually had an alien Jesus baby named Bill. So there was some acknowledgement of their love.
adamnfool
Rant aside, I’m obviously watching The Flash.
stranded
I just watched the 2 season of Transparent and I’m OBSESSED!!!!
Black Pegasus
1. Luke Cage
2. The Flash
3. Legends of Tomorrow.
The rest suck donkey balls.
adamnfool
@Black Pegasus:
Darn tootin, BP.
Ronbo
I’ve tried all of these and I doubt if I’ll be back for more. (I might give Martha Plimpton another go-round – even Seinfeld started out iffy)
There may have been a premature decision (let me know which one has REAL heart) ; but, Family Feud repeats have more surprises, twists and turns.
MacAdvisor
@stranded:
“I just watched the 2 season of Transparent and I’m OBSESSED!!!!”
How did you do it, toothpicks to keep the eyelids open? I’ve seen dead people talk as quickly.
miserylovedme24
The Real O’Neals is surprisingly GREAT. I had no expectations for it but it’s actually very funny. I’m happy it got renewed despite the low ratings.
robho3
@stranded: yes! Transparent is good’
Sluggo2007
Derek Hough is in Hairspray? I’d like to see him in a fat suit playing Tracy Turnblad.