Fall can be a confusing time. There are so many new TV shows [1] on, and it's crazy to try to watch them all — unless you're a pop culture junkie like us. The good news is that we watched all the upcoming Fall comedy pilots and have the scoop on which ones are worth your time. We've already made some suggestions on how to choose the new Fall show for you [2], but now it's time to call out our favorites. Here are the top five comedies to watch this Fall!
Source: NBC [3]
Black-ish
Anthony Anderson's upcoming comedy is inspired by his own life as a successful black man living in America. Not only is he really entertaining, but his family is really well-cast, especially Laurence Fishburne as his father. The concept that Dre (Anderson) and his family have gotten too comfortable in the cushy suburbs feels really fresh for primetime, and it's definitely worth a watch.
When it starts: Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 9:30 p.m. on ABC
A to Z
Ben Feldman's character on Mad Men [4] took a weird turn, but he's back to being cute and charming in this comedy. He stars as Andrew, opposite Cristin Milioti as Zelda. Get it? A to Z. Much like Milioti's previous show How I Met Your Mother [5], the series is focused on a romantic connection, only these two meet in the very first episode, not in the last season. (Another connection: A to Z also has a narrator: Katey Sagal.) Though the pilot can teeter between charming and precious, the leads are strong and it'll be interesting to see how their chemistry develops over the season.
When it starts: Thursday, Oct. 2, at 9:30 p.m. on NBC
Bad Judge
Kate Walsh [6] is probably best known for the drama Private Practice, but we see even more of her comedic edge here than in her short (but funny) stint on Fargo. She plays a judge with a messy personal life in this comedy created by Anne Heche and produced by Will Ferrell [7]. She's a great lead, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of hijinks she gets up to this season.
When it starts: Thursday, Oct. 2, at 9 p.m. on NBC
Jane the Virgin
Hear me out on this one. Jane the Virgin is such a refreshing departure for The CW. The network is known for soapy teen dramas, which makes this such an unexpected and fun gem. Gina Rodriguez gives a breakthrough performance as a young virgin who is accidentally artificially inseminated and gets pregnant with a stranger's baby. It's funny and strangely whimsical, given the subject matter. Try it, even if you don't think it's your jam.
When it starts: Monday, Oct. 13, at 9 p.m. on The CW
Marry Me
Let's get this out of the way: Casey Wilson's new show, Marry Me, is a lot like her old show, Happy Endings [8]. But that's not a bad thing! It's still really funny, and it's about time Ken Marino found a good home on primetime. They're both hilarious on their own, but they're even funnier together as a newly engaged couple. Plus, who can resist Tim Meadows as a gay dad? No one.
When it starts: Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 9 p.m. on NBC