Four new fall TV series debut this week – including the heavily promoted Fox comedies starring John Stamos and Dayton native Rob Lowe – but the biggest TV event is the reboot of “The Daily Show” with Trevor Noah Monday night.
The South African comedian has the unenviable task of taking over the anchor desk from Jon Stewart, who won 22 Emmy Awards there, including best Variety Talk Series and best Variety Talk Series Writing last week.
Expect the 31-year-old stand-up comedian to focus more on newsmakers than news networks, and to stand up occasionally to deliver his punch lines.
Also listed below are the season premieres this week for returning series. (Most returned last week.) If you haven’t seen your favorite show yet, here’s my list of fall TV premiere dates.
Monday, Sept. 28
11 p.m.: “The Daily Show,” a new era begins when South African comedian Trevor Noah replaces Jon Stewart.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
8: Grandfathered, Fox. Suddenly John Stamos has a full house. Confirmed bachelor Jimmy Martino is shocked to learn he has an adult son (Josh Peck, “The Mindy Project”) and an infant granddaughter on the new Fox comedy.
8: Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris, NBC. Moves to its 8 p.m. time period.
8:30: The Grinder, Fox. An actor (Rob Lowe, “Parks and Recreation,” “The West Wing”) moves home when his hit TV law series called “The Grinder” is canceled, and starts helping at his brother’s (Fred Savage, “The Wonder Years) law firm – despite not having a law degree or law license.
9 p.m.: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ABC.
10 p.m.: Beyond the Tank, ABC. The periodic show updating “Shark Tank” investments joins the fall lineup.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
9 p.m.: Criminal Minds, CBS.
10 p.m. Code Black, CBS. Call it Gay’s anatomy, another TV medical series about first-year residents (Bonnie Somerville, Melanie Kannokada, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Harry M. Ford) reporting to Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden (“Trophy Wife”), who plays the residency director on this CBS drama.
10 p.m.: Chicago P.D., NBC.
Thursday, Oct. 1
8 p.m.: Bones, Fox.
9 p.m.: The Blacklist, NBC.
9 p.m.: Sleepy Hollow, Fox.
Friday, Oct. 2
8:30 p.m.: Dr. Ken, ABC. Ken Jeong (“Community,” “The Hangover”) stars as “Dr. Ken” in a sitcom based loosely on his life. He did an internal medicine residency in New Orleans before going into stand-up comedy and acting. His TV co-stars include Dave Foley, Suzy Nakamura and Tisha Campbell-Martin.
Saturday, Oct. 3
11:30 p.m.: Saturday Night Live, NBC. Miley Cyrus hosts the 41st season premiere. (NBC repeats the “SNL 40th Anniversary Special” from February 8-11 p.m. Saturday.)
Sunday, Oct. 4
8 p.m.: Madame Secretary, CBS.
9 p.m.: The Good Wife, CBS.
9 p.m.: Homeland, Showtime.
9 p.m.: The Leftovers, HBO.
10 p.m.: CSI Cyber, CBS.
