This month, many beloved television shows return to the airwaves after their summer hiatus. Fans will finally get to see if their favorite shows will continue to succeed or if they will take a turn for the worse.
Reality television fans will be parked on the couch tonight with the return of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and NBC's "The Sing−Off." While "The Sing−Off" was a huge hit on the Tufts campus two years ago when it featured beloved a capella group The Beelzebubs, "Dancing with the Stars" is massively popular nationwide, and buzz for this season has already started. Among "Dancing's" new ensemble, this season will feature Cher's transgender son, Chaz, as one of its contestants. This season will test how accepting American viewers are toward transgendered individuals as voters decide if Chaz makes the cut each week.
Fox's "Glee" was one of the most talked−about series this summer. Between rumors of characters graduating and creator Ryan Murphy's wild comments, "Glee" stayed in the news even while off the air. This Tuesday, viewers will find out if all that talk and buzz will translate into the quality productions "Glee" was known for in its earlier seasons.
One show that will definitely return with a different spin is CBS's "Two and Half Men," premiering tonight. After Charlie Sheen's notorious breakdown earlier this year, the hit comedy is continuing without its star actor. The show has picked up funnyman Ashton Kutcher, known for his solid comedic work on "That '70s Show" (1998−2006), to fill the void left by Sheen. It is yet to be seen whether the masses will continue watching the show without Sheen, and if they will accept Kutcher as his replacement.
This Thursday, NBC's "The Office" will be tackling similar questions now that Steve Carell has left the show. James Spader has joined the cast, though he will not be filling Carell's shoes as office manager (and we have yet to discover who will). Many fans and critics believe the quality of "The Office" has fallen in recent seasons, so this casting change could either be what brings the show back to its former glory or the final straw.
Also returning to NBC's Thursday night lineup this week is the critically acclaimed "Parks and Recreation." This show was one of the best−reviewed programs of last season, and many fans are eager to see if the series can sustain that high quality this year. The show has opened itself up to some hilarious possibilities as its main character, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), has decided to run for local office. Poehler, a Saturday Night Live alumna and Emmy nominee, is likely to make the most out of these potentially uproarious storylines.
"Community" will also face high expectations when it returns for its third season this Thursday. "Community" is known for its rapid−firedialogue and talented cast, including Donald Glover, who has made a name for himself as an up−and−coming rapper under the pseudonym Childish Gambino. While "Community" never made it big in the ratings category, the show has a dedicated and loyal fan base that is excited to see what adventures the students of Greendale Community College will embark on next.
Sunday brings the return of Fox's "Family Guy," a show known for its cutaway gags and absurdity. Many viewers also want to see if its random jokes can keep being funny after so many years on the air.
As September brings the return of fan favorites, viewers will have to wait and see if the series will live up to the hype.
