Today is for reals, officially, the last day of summer. I know a lot of people (*cough * bloggers) relish the fall for the clothes (break out the boots and vests), pumpkin spice lattes and the change of seasons as an excuse to buy a new planner (okay, I kind of love that too). But for real,  I love the fall for an entirely separate reason – new television.

Yes, I know the new television model means there are shows starting throughout the year and that some of the best shows start at random times. My favorite show of all – Game of Thrones (yes, I know, nerd alert) – is one such show but the new season of network shows is a season of discovery for this television fanatic.

Anyone who knows me knows I love TV so it should come as no surprise to them that each fall, I comb through Entertainment Weekly’s annual preview of new shows to make my selections. It’s similar to what some people do when a new catalog comes – circling their favorites. Me on the other hand, I’m mentally planning out what will be filling up my DVR. Yes, I’m well aware of how ridiculous that is and frankly my darling, I don’t give a damn.

So if there are any fellow TV fanatics out there, here’s a few of the shows I’m looking forward to starting this season.

* Scream Queens  Jamie Lee Curtis has been on just about every morning show promoting this horror/comedy hybrid from Ryan Murphy (Glee, Nip/Tuck). Despite the sensible orthopedic shoes she was wearing on this mornings third hour of Today (huzzah for a TV in my office!), I am in on this new show that also stars Lea Michele and Emma Roberts. It’s being billed as a Mean Girls meets Scream whodunit – what’s not to love?

The two sentence synopsis: Twenty years after a murder at Wallace University, another murder takes place on campus. Hijinks ensue as the body count grows.

I love Ryan Murphy shows, love a good murder mystery and can’t get enough of a good horror spoof so this is right up my alley. It starts tonight (September 22) at 8 pm on FOX.

* Blindspot This one started last night on NBC and I’m already antsy to watch it tonight on my DVR. In my mind, I see this as a DaVinci code meets Homeland meets Bourne Identity type show. I’m hoping for lots of action since I could use a new treadmill show. What’s a treadmill show you ask? A show with enough fast-paced action for me to forget how long I’ve been running on the treadmill that’s conveniently located in my basement.

The reviews aren’t stellar for this one but that’s never one to sway me (hell, I watched Revolution til the very end… still hoping for it to come back). This one is on Mondays at 10 pm on NBC.

* The Muppets Oh man oh man did I love The Muppets back in the day. Fozzie Bear is my dude. So I’ll be tuning in to see what’s in store for this new take on our favorite frog and fancy pig. The take this time is kind of a 30 Rock style look at what happens behind the scenes on Miss Piggy’s talk show.

The humor is supposed to be decidedly adult – think Muppets talking about drinking and sex, weird but awesome right? I may not watch this one live – Tuesdays at 8 pm on ABC – but will be adding it to the DVR to watch when the kiddos are still awake and a “grown up” show won’t work.

The Man in the High Castle More nerd alert stuff coming your way here but this show has got me all kinds of intrigued. Based on the Phillip K. Dick novel, this one is set in a world where the Axis wins World War II and America is split into a Greater Nazi Reich and the Japanese Pacific States. This whole alternate history thing already had me renewing my Amazon Prime membership but then there’s a twist. One of the main characters discovers a newsreel that suggests the Allies won the war and that there is a massive cover-up underway.

I’ve been on a mission for a really good mystery since LOST ended and I’m hoping this one is it. From the previews it’s giving off a X-Files, LOST meets The Americans vibe which has me all kinds of excited. Stream this one on Amazon beginning November 20th.

Quantico Yes, I know these kinds of Homeland-style shows never seem to do well on network TV but I’m willing to give this one a go. Billing itself as a more soap opera-style thriller, a bunch of FBI recruits are under the microscope after one of them executes one of the biggest terroist attacks since 9/11.

This one has me intrigued. Starts Sunday September 27th at 9 pm.

###

As for the returning shows, I could go on for days but I’m most looking forward to the returns of How to Get Away with Murder, Arrow (no shame in my game), The Blacklist, The Goldbergs (the funniest show you’re probably not watching), Empire and for the news nerd in me, 60 Minutes.

Last but not least if you’re looking for some new shows to stream – go watch Bloodline (it has nothing to do with vampires) on Netflix. You won’t regret it. I’ve also heard good stuff about Narcos but Drew started it without me (a serious crime in our relationship!).