Fall's best new TV shows

Each fall brings a new crop of potential hits and likely misses to our television screens. With hectic class and work schedules, you probably don’t have that much time devoted to catching all the must see TV hitting the airwaves. So I’ve decided to help you out a bit and clue you in to what deserves your procrastination time. Here are the prospective best new shows of the season.

Hostages (Mondays at 10pm, CBS)

I know you’re thinking that CBS airs nothing both out-of-touch sitcoms and police procedurals, but check out this new drama that brings the gritty family dynamic of “Homeland” to network TV. The story involves a surgeon who must kill the President during surgery or her family will be murdered. The trailers look wicked suspenseful and the cast is led by Emmy-winner Toni Collette and Golden Globe-winner Dylan McDermott. Plus, CBS is taking a cue from cable television and has produced a 15-episode season of “Hostages,” which they promise will tie up all ends by the drama’s freshman season.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Tuesdays at 8pm, ABC)

“The Avengers” restored faith that comic book movies could be fun and smart, and that’s mostly thanks to writer/director Joss Whedon, who also wrote and directed the pilot for “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Early buzz has been positive and this show seems like the perfect balance to expanding the Marvel universe and keeping the executives at Disney happy. Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Coulson from the Marvel movies in a show that looks more in line with “The X-Files” than “CSI.” Consider me hooked.

Super Fun Night (Wednesdays at 9:30pm, ABC)

ABC tends to drop the ball on any half hour sitcom that isn’t “Modern Family” (RIP “Happy Endings”). But there are only two words you need to hear to spark your interest in “Super Fun Night:” Rebel Wilson. The Aussie actress brings her comedy to the small screen in this show about an attorney and her two best friends who have a standing Friday date night. God bless the continuance of female-driven comedy on television.

Masters of Sex (Sundays at 10pm, Showtime)

Given the huge success of “Homeland” and “Dexter,” Showtime is the perfect network for this new drama centered on the sexual research of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson. Tune in for the promise of titillating sex and nudity. Stay for what is sure to be vigorous chemistry between leads Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan and the promise of substance and social critique on the history of sexuality.