Zabelieth's Fall TV Guide

Hello, lovely readers!  Sorry for being MIA for a bit there - new school year for both Zab and me, and for me it also means a new country to call home.  I'm settled in here in Sweden now, and feeling a little homesick I've decided to create a cheatsheet for this fall's must-see American shows.  For myself as well as for you guys. ;)

So first of all, was the return of Jon Stewart to The Daily Show not the best thing ever?  I really missed him while he was off filming Rosewater (2014) in the Middle East.  John Oliver did a great job subbing for Stewart, but nobody can replace the show's main man.

This week was the start of Season 3 of New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel.  The first episode was absolutely hilarious.  I don't want to give any spoilers, but... I think it's time for Winston to do a puzzle.  In Season 3 we'll see how Jess and Nick fare as a new couple, and we'll find out whether Schmidt chooses Cece or Elizabeth.  New episodes show every Tuesday at 9pm EST on FOX.

My favorite show of the moment, Chicago Fire, is coming back for a second season!  The first episode will air on Tuesday, September 24 at 10pm EST on NBC.  The finale of the first season showed dashing candidate Peter Mills submitting an application to join the Chicago Police Department instead, and I'm seriously hoping this was a fluke.  If you're unfamiliar with the show, here's a random fun fact: Taylor Kinney, who plays lead rescue squad firefighter Severide, is Lady Gaga's boyfriend.  He's quite a hunk, as is Australian actor Jesse Spencer, who plays the other lead firefighter, Casey.

Joss Wheadon has a new show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which starts September 24 at 8pm EST on ABC.  The show features the return of Agent Coulson, who we all saw die in the Avengers movie, but whom Wheadon felt the need to bring back in order to lead the show's team.  You can't have S.H.I.E.L.D. without Coulson.  I'm excited to see the show, I think we've been starved for Joss Wheadon television for a couple years now, since Dollhouse stopped.  Check out the badass website for the new show, agentsofshield.com.

Finally, let's not forget that the last season of How I Met Your Mother is set to air this coming Monday, September 23 at 8pm EST on CBS.  I haven't been watching this show religiously, but word is the show finally revealed the mother in the last episode of the last season - which is great, seeing as we've been waiting years for Ted to get to the point.  I'm excited, this is a wonderful show and I'm sure they're going to go out with a bang.  It will definitely be hard for fans to say goodbye to these characters, though - HIMYM has a similar loyal fanbase to Friends.

9 reasons you should be watching chicago fire

I don't understand why there has been so little hype for Chicago Fire. This show is fantastic. Currently it is the only show I regularly keep up with! So here are a dozen reasons you should catch up on this show before the first season ends on May 15, 2013:

1. It takes place in Chicago (my hometown)!! They actually film on location in Chicago, and the actors have been doing ride-alongs with real Chicago firefighters to get a feel for what the job is actually like.

2. It's produced by Dick Wolf. Ever heard of Law & Order? This guy does his research, and he's clearly worked hard to make Chicago Fire as realistic a show as possible. It's not only an accurate depiction of the daily goings-on in a CFD firehouse; it is also made up of the most delightful characters.

3. You will never be able to decide who your favorite character is. You will fall in love with all of them. From stubborn hothead Severite (played by Lady Gaga's boyfriend, Taylor Kinney) to baby-faced candidate Peter Mills, the group has an eclectic range of personalities. Some clash, but overall they all (miraculously at times) fit together into a family.

4. Eamonn Walker. I just found out today that he is actually British! You would never know it; he fakes a Chicago accent like a pro, and his character, Chief Boden, is one of the most badass individuals I've ever seen. He lays down the law, but is secretly a Papa Bear to the rest of the firehouse. He loves Halloween.

5. Speaking of foreigners, the dashing Lieutenant Casey is played by Australian actor (and singer) Jesse Spencer.

6. The show's two female leads (Dawson and Shay) pack a punch. The house paramedics, their job is just as intense and leads to a slew of edge-of-your-seat close calls.

7. Atli Örvarsson does the score. If you've ever seen the film Vantage Point or are a fan of Hans Zimmer (Örvarsson is part of Zimmer's production company), you'll appreciate the quality of this Icelandic composer's work.

8. Peter Mills, Dawson, and Lt. Casey. This love triangle will keep you guessing for the entire season.

9. They have a firehouse dog! Her name is "Pouch."

Last night's episode, "A Coffin That Small," was their best episode yet. It will make you bawl your eyes out, but it's truly worth it. Don't watch this episode without watching the preceding 18 episodes though! ;D They're only on season one, so it's not too late to catch up! All the episodes so far can be found on HuluPlus. Or catch new episodes Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.