The Top 4 Reasons to Watch Fall’s New TV Shows

By Addie Strong
October 11, 2011

Fall's newest TV shows give us plenty of excuses to keep our eyes glued to the tube.

1. More Minka Kelly

"Charlie's Angels" Trailer (via YouTube)

Thank goodness for Minka. She is the reason my boyfriend got hooked on the show “Parenthood” and joined me for Tuesday night cuddlefests two seasons in a row. It was the perfect deal: He got to drool over Minka, while I got to sob in his arms over every emotional plot twist. (Quite frankly, I’d much rather he go gaga for this gorgeously wholesome all-American former nurse rather than a Kardashian.) In sum, we both became mega Minka fans.

Because the actress wasn’t a main character on “Parenthood,” we both knew our time with her would be short-lived. So imagine our excitement when we heard that Minka had been cast as one of Charlie’s Angels on the latest remake of the legendary ‘70s series. I’m pretty sure we both called each other as soon as we found out the news: “Did you hear?” “Did you hear!?”

Clearly we’re tuning in to ABC’s “Charlie’s Angels” on Thursday nights at 8 pm EST. Minka plays Eve, the newest addition to Charlie’s butt-kicking trifecta. Charlie recruited Eve, a former street racer and convict, to join the Agency after losing an Angel. His other girls, Abby (Rachael Taylor) and Kate (Annie Ilonzeh) also share Eve’s rough history, ability to adapt to harsh situations and tenacious spirit. Together, the three rough-and-tumble (and of course, beautiful) girls join forces to right the world’s wrongs.

With Drew Barrymore serving as executive producer on the show, it is already pleasing fans of the movie series (also produced by Barrymore), though folks who loved the original TV series have called it a bit too flashy and said it takes itself too seriously. Someone is getting psyched, however: eBay bids for “Charlie’s Angels” DVDs and movies are up 9 percent in the past 30 days compared to the previous month.

As for me, with Minka finally earning her starring role, you know where my BF and I on Thursday nights: together, plopped right in front of our high-def TV.

Get inspired on eBay.

Roll over items for details

Charlie’s Angels DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set

(buy it now price, $8.09)

ABC Charlie’s Angels Cast Signed Poster

(current bid, $9.99)

Signed Charlie’s Angels Photo

(buy it now price, $499.99)

Minka Kelly Signed Autographed Sexy Photo

(buy it now price, $87.50)

The Top 4 Reasons to Watch Fall’s New TV Shows

2. Free Flights

"Pan Am" Trailer (via YouTube)

Remember when they used to actually offer you more than just a bag of peanuts on an airplane? Well, back in 1963, flying was even more glamorous than a boxed lunch. The skies were filled with only the most privileged and most adventurous world travelers, and working as a stewardess (that's what they called flight attendants back then) was an adventurous and sophisticated gig for a gal. This season “Pan Am” (ABC, Sundays at 10 pm EST) gives us a bird’s eye view back.

Maggie (Christina Ricci), Kate (Kelli Garner), Laura (Margot Robbie) and Colette (Karine Vanasse) are the four ambitious flight attendants guiding us through the series, which will travel to places like Paris, Berlin, Monte Carlo and Rome for a historical glimpse back at life 50 years ago. Joining them are Captain Lowrey (Mike Vogel) and First Officer Vanderway (Michael Mosley), who are also attempting to prove themselves in mid-air. Of course romance and drama are already making for plenty of bumpy rides as the characters navigate personal and professional challenges this season.

Total eBay sales for the search term “Pan Am” are up a whopping 48% on eBay in the last month compared to the prior period. If that’s any indication, this new series is poised to be a soaring success with aviation fans in the coming months.

Get inspired on eBay.

Barbie 1966 My Favorite Career Pan Am American Stewardess Flight Attendant Doll

(buy it now price, $54.95)

Vintage 1970s Pan Am Collection Pins

Vintage Pan Am American Airplane Plane Electronic Toy

(buy it now price, $45)

Vintage Pan American World Airways Imported Tie

3. Finally, Some Girl Humor

"Whitney" Trailer NBC (via YouTube)

After the epic success of “Bridesmaids” at the box office proved that dudes may actually—gasp!—enjoy watching women tell jokes, the TV industry decided to follow suit this fall with several girl-centric comedies.

Three in the girl group stand out: First there’s “New Girl” (Fox, Tuesdays at 9 pm EST) starring Zooey Deschanel as goofy, heartbroken and “adorkable” Jess. After attempting to spice up her sex life with a disastrous striptease for her boyfriend, she discovers that her boyfriend is actually already in bed with another woman. Devastated, she goes looking for a new apartment and, thanks to Craigslist, lands in a loft with three guy roommates. Her new male posse is the perfect audience for Jess’s quirky female humor; she really shines best when her lines contrast most with their failed machismo.

Then there’s “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, Mondays at 9:30 pm EST), a decidedly raunchier comedy starring Kat Dennings. Dennings plays Max, an acerbic waitress at a Brooklyn diner, who must train ditzy blonde Caroline (Beth Behrs) to serve with her. Dennings is perfectly cast as a sarcastic, jaded and streetwise New Yorker—she describes herself to cheerful Caroline as “dead to the world.” The show is raunchy. Absolutely. But did we laugh? You betcha.

And finally, the comedy “Whitney” (NBC, Thursdays at 9:30 pm EST) stars Whitney Cummings, who also serves as executive producer, creator and writer on “2 Broke Girls.” Whitney actually plays Whitney on “Whitney,” a show about another biting personality and the man who, shockingly, loves her. You’ll find more raunch and, weirdly enough, more awkward stripteases on this show. In one scene, Whitney attempts to seduce her boyfriend away from his computer. Despite his protests, she jumps onto his lap in a tiny nightgown, giving his Skyping parents a generous view.

In an encouraging sign of female support, total eBay sales for the search term “girl humor” have increased 16% and total listings have soared 47% in the past three months compared to the previous period. If the past eight years belonged to male comedy and “Entourage,” these three shows may be ushering in a new era of female funny—and we hope it’s here to stay.

Get inspired on eBay.

New Bridesmaids Blu-ray + DVD

(buy it now price, $24.94)

Mean Girls DVD

(buy it now price, $25.25)

Signed Book Chelsea Handler Chelsea Bang Bang

(buy it now price, $69.99)

Sarah Silverman, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey Vanity Fair

(buy it now price, $6)

4. The One That Got Away

"The Playboy Club" Trailer (via YouTube)

After too many seasons of Hugh Hefner’s “Girls Next Door” and subsequent spin-offs, we got a classier (if brief) look at the heyday of Playboy. NBC's much-anticipated “The Playboy Club” harkened back to the 1960’s and Chicago’s original fantasy world of playboys and playmates. After airing for only three episodes, it got canceled, making it the first cancellation of the 2011-2011 television season.

Controversial from the start, the Parents Television Council began calling for a boycott of the series after it was announced back in May, saying it objectified and degraded women. The final product (at least the first three episodes) was relatively tame, however (it's network television, after all). Maybe that's why ratings dropped week after week.

I, for one, thought the show was fun. With all the secrets, lies and sexy outfits, “The Playboy Club” felt like “Mad Men” meets “Desperate Housewives” (before “DH” got stale). So I'm glad to hear that NBC is continuing to film the show, with hopes of airing it on Bravo or selling to another network for next season.

Seems it could, indeed, have an audience, if eBay shoppers are any indication: eBay listings for "Playboy" items up 17% in the past three months compared to the prior three.