Fall TV shows: A user’s guide

It’s that time of year again. Fall brings the traditional morning scramble to get to class on time, you scowl at the rain on your drive home from work and the inevitable homework looms in the back of your mind. But at the end of the day, all you want to do is plop down in front of the television with a cup of hot chocolate and give your brain a rest. Those looking for a TV escape will be happy to know that The Advocate has sifted through and evaluated some of the fall premieres.

New Girl

For those looking to mix things up this fall with a quirky new sitcom, or just have nothing better to do, invest some time into “New Girl.”
It tells the classic tale of Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) who walks in on her cheating boyfriend and finds herself in need of a new place. She answers a craigslist apartment ad posted by three bonehead dudes who agree after discovering her BFF (Best Friend Forever) is a model. However, Jess isn’t like your normal broken-hearted, hot mess of a girl.
Jess is a nerdy teacher regularly sporting black-rimmed glasses. She stays positive (after some therapy involving watching “Dirty Dancing” seven times a day while sobbing), and is ready to get back out in the dating world. Luckily, she lives with three guys who appear to know nothing about women but can hopefully still help her break her socially awkward habits.
Her crazy behavior involves narrating her every move through song. And we aren’t talking about a sweet sounding cover for “Sugar Town.”
Her roommates range from Schmidt (Max Greenfield), a wannabe ladies man, to Lamorne Morris (Winston Bishop), who goes by “Coach,” backed up by Nick Miller (Jake Johnson) who suffered a “recent” break up six months prior. The three clash due to an extreme difference in personalities and it can be expected that Coach will only stop yelling long enough for Schmidt to put money in the apartment “douche bag” jar. All seem slightly put off by Jess’s weirdness, yet find her lovable.
Upon Jess moving in, in the first episode the four become instantly buddy-buddy while adjusting to the new living situation and each other. The guys help Jess find a rebound but, at the conclusion of the pilot, honorably leave what they think to be the party of the year to go meet her after she is stood up. This touching display of brotherly love sets up a series where the guys will probably learn as much from Jess as she does from them.
If you laugh easily and can get past the annoying theme song that Jess repeats throughout the show, then “New Girl” is a must-see sitcom.
The show airs 9 p.m. Tuesdays on FOX.

Pan Am

“Pan Am” glamorizes the life of stewardesses in the 1960s. The ladies are the face of a prosperous America. With everything from the plane to the people being clean and pristine, “Pan Am” presents a polished visual of the 1960s where every character seems to be on top of the world. But intertwined in this portrayal of the jet age there lies jealousy, secrets and affairs. These aspects however do not darken the mood that is confident and adventurous.
The characters are beautiful, as seen through their many slow motion group walks through the airport; the women are nearly talking Barbie dolls subject to weight checks and required to wear a girdle. This seems to be the only downside of their profession since they get to see the world.
The plot of the pilot episode takes its time to unravel, offering flashbacks into the lives of the characters. It is becoming evident that the women cannot escape much – even 30,000 feet up.
Thus far, “Pan Am” is like “Desperate Housewives” in the air, only with less scandal. All the women seem to have a secret. The pilot episode gives glimpses of Maggie (Christina Ricci) as being exceptionally smart and almost ill-fitted for her stewardess job. Another is runaway bride Laura (Margo Robbie) flying alongside her sister Kate (Kelli Garner) who is apparently working for some government on secret missions through her job. It is possible that may frame the plot for the season.
Now let’s get one thing straight: “Pan Am” is no “Mad Men.” It takes a different tone and gives a positive outlook on the time period, overdoing it with some weak and corny dialogue and so far sticking to surface emotions.
Overall, “Pan Am” has an appealing setting and lifestyle in contrast to today’s society. If only we had jazzy ’60s music playing as we strutted down the street. The show depicts the beginning of the second-wave feminism, labeling the girls in the show as a “new breed of women.” It will be interesting to see the direction the show takes as the characters become more developed and the story line picks up speed.
“Pan Am” airs 10 p.m. Sundays on ABC.

Terra Nova

The year is 2149 and Earth has long been in an economic crisis. The air is toxic, the view of the sky long forgotten, and even an orange is rare to find. A lucky few have been recruited or win a random drawing get the chance to leave Earth and start anew in Terra Nova, 85 million years in the past.
After serving two years in jail, main character Jim Shannon (Jason O’Mara) escapes from jail and meets his family just in time to enter the “time stream” that will take them to Terra Nova.
The family endures small struggles like adjusting to sunlight, real food and new jobs. The oldest daughter is your typical intelligent student. The son Josh is, of course, mad at Jim for going to jail for two years and becomes rebellious and disobedient.
While skipping Orientation, Josh meets up with a group of local teens headed by a brave independent girl who lures him into the jungle to swim and drink. Conflict strikes once they are “OTG” (outside the gates). Gasp! They come across “6ers” – travelers to Terra Nova from the 6th pilgrimage who rebelled. Vicious dinosaurs called Slashers then attack the teens.
Terra Nova resembles “Lost” and “Jurassic Park,” yet has a “family sticks together” air about it. It’s no “Avatar” but the graphics seem to get the job done.
Many mysteries are introduced, including strange markings on the rocks outside the perimeter of the camp. The commander of Terra Nova also has a missing son and both people and dinosaurs pose a threat. Paradise doesn’t seem so sweet anymore.
Terra Nova airs 8 p.m. Mondays on FOX..