Buckle up, folks! FOX just released trailers for seven new shows. The network has brought us some greats in the past, and some of these surely have potential, while it seems some may not make it past season one. Not that it’s entirely a bad thing, since FOX has always been willing to try new things while it’s contemporaries often stay with the go-to sitcom format and rarely deviate. One thing is certain: the network knows how to open strong. Prepare to be Stamos’d.

GRANDFATHERED

“John Stamos stars in a new comedy about the ultimate bachelor who discovers he’s not only a father, but a grandfather. GRANDFATHERED is an unconventional, sophisticated comedy about coming of age – at any age.”

The casting of Josh Peck as John Stamos‘ son seems absolutely perfect for some reason. They both can play a certain kind of vulnerable bravado that makes them seem like real family. Despite the obvious and inevitable sitcom trope of “bringing a baby to work” that will undoubtedly be repeated in different variations, it doesn’t feel as forced as it would read on paper. Plus having Paget Brewster in the main cast is always promising. The biggest drawback I can find at the moment is that the official description used the phrase “man-about-town”.

THE GRINDER

“THE GRINDER is a new comedy about a famous TV lawyer who decides to move back home and join his family’s real law firm – despite having no formal education, no bar certification, no license to practice and no experience in an actual courtroom.”

The phrase “Rob Lowe is on Grinder” is soon to excite a lot more than the users of a certain app. Somehow FOX was able to secure a second un-aging man with Lowe’s new show. The premise is a bit silly but am I wrong to think Rob Lowe can do no wrong? Even if he can do wrong, the cast of Fred Savage (come on, you know who he is), Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It’s Always Sunny) and normally dramatic actor William Devane shows promise.

MINORITY REPORT

“MINORITY REPORT follows the unlikely partnership between a man haunted by the future and a cop haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes of the year 2065 before they happen.”

Now THIS, I have high hopes for. The 2002 film Minority Report just might be, in my opinion at least, one of the best Spielberg directed films of the past 20 years (excluding Saving Private Ryan of course) and it might be due to the source material being a Philip K. Dick story. Set some years after the events of the film, the show will focus on the pre-cogs and their post pre-crime lives, mainly Dashiell who, despite pre-crime no longer existing, still sees the visions of murders and will do what he can to stop them. It looks promising but the future technology that was part of what helped the film look so beautiful may take the biggest hit on a TV budget. Hopefully they’ll give the time period it’s set in its due and give it’s own life without trying to ride the coat tails of the movie.

ROSEWOOD

“Meet Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Junior, the most brilliant private pathologist in Miami, who uses his wildly sophisticated autopsy lab, to perform for-hire autopsies to uncover clues that the Miami PD can’t see.”

Is it wrong that I also think Morris Chestnut can do no wrong? The pastels of Miami fashion seem to be the worst thing about what seems like equal parts House M.D. and Burn Notice. Chestnut even seems to pull off the whole “Main character has had some sort of trauma that gives him unique incite to his life and work” trait with relative ease.

THE FRANKENSTEIN CODE

“Welcome to THE FRANKENSTEIN CODE, a modern reimagining of the Mary Shelley classic, about a man brought back to life by two scientists playing god.”

Ok, let me get one “Ugh” out of the way to the Frankenstein legend and all it’s endless iterations. UGHHH! Ok, cool. In saying that, I can’t really criticize the cast of Robert Kazinsky (True Blood), Tim DeKay (White Collar) and the amazing Philip Baker Hall. Although I’m still wary about the kid from Paul Blart. As far as the show goes… I dunno. We’ll see. Frankenstein stuff. Sort of science. Action. Yay?

LUCIFER

“Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, The original fallen angel, Lucifer Morningstar has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub.”

Alright, here’s where things might get divisive. Die-hard fans of it’s namesake comic AND the Sandman comics will probably hate this series, and those who never read it may actually find their way to them (and lets all take a breath and remember that it’s a good thing when new people become fans of something like comic books). Basing it on the trailer alone, it looks like what you’d expect from a FOX supernatural procedural. It’s got some humor and some action. I’m certain it won’t do the comics justice by any means, but the same things were said about the Constantine series and most were pleasantly surprised on how that turned out.

BORDERTOWN

“New animated comedy BORDERTOWN centers around two families living in a Southwest desert town on the U.S. – Mexico border, taking a satirical look at the cultural shifts occurring in America.”

Can I have one more “ugh”? That… that was Bordertown – A new series from Seth MacFarlane. I think the real question to ask and immediately answer “No” to is “Will it be as good as Family Guy?” Not that it won’t have it’s moments, but what can they really say in another series with a setting change that hasn’t already been said by American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Ted and A Million Ways To Die In The West. I am a firm believer in finding humor in almost anything, but this seems like a platter distinctly designed to serve up a line of racist jokes MacFarlane couldn’t fit into Family Guy and Ted 2. Who knows though, American Dad took a while to come into it’s own so maybe there’s promise.

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What do you think of the new shows? Stamos, Lowe and Chestnut. Oh My! (Wait, do I have weird man-crushes now?) Let us know what you think in the comments below and remember, Sandman/Lucifer fans, keep a level head about things.