Jake’s Take: The 2016-2017 Television Series that should be renewed

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

We are one month into the 2016-17 Television season and already several shows are starting to break away from the pack.

Here are some of the TV shows that should return Fall 2017 for an encore season:

This is Us (NBC)

The NBC dramedy ensemble series has captured the hearts of millions of Americans. Ad week declared that This is Us had the most Facebook and Twitter activity of any new show from the Fall 2016-17 series with 383,000 interactions across the social media networks on the night of the program’s premiere. The Peacock Network has full confidence also order a complete set of 18 episodes that will last until the spring. I have a strong feeling that this series will not only be royally rewarded during the Emmys and the Golden Globes but also it will be back for a second season.

 

Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix)

“Netflix’s latest drama may not be a great superhero series, but it’s sparingly relevant and entertaining” was The Hollywood Reporter’s first phrase in their September 30 review of Marvel’s latest hit show. Actor Mike Colter perfectly portrayed a former convict transformed into a superhuman with exceptional powers who becomes an unlikely superhero who defends Harlem from corrupted officials. What makes Luke Cage a fantastic show is that it speaks to current events such as the Black Lives Matter movement and blends an excellent set of musical performances from Faith Evans, The Delfonics, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. With The Defenders crossover on the horizon, I can guarantee you that the “Sweet Christmas!” superhero will have his sophomore season.

 

Designated Survivor/Speechless (ABC)

Two of the Alphabet Network’s hottest shows of this season are Kiefer Sutherland’s political drama Designated Survivor and Minnie Driver’s comedy Speechless. Deadline has reported that both Wednesday night shows have received full season pickups. In Designated Survivor, Mr. Sutherland portrays former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Tom Kirkman, who is suddenly thrusted into the presidency after a terror attack obliterates the US Capitol. Meanwhile, Speechless follows the relationship between strong-willed mother Maya DiMeo (Minnie Driver) and her son, JJ (Micah Fowler), who has cerebral palsy and how they give their community a run for their money. Both shows are highly likely to receive the green light for their sophomore seasons.

 

Atlanta (FX)

On Community, Donald Glover portrayed his fan-favorite Troy Barnes for five seasons. For the Star Wars star’s new show, Atlanta, the talented actor-rapper portrays Earn Marks, a Princeton University dropout who now manages his cousin, Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree), who is an up-and-coming rapper. The Atlantic praised Glover’s show and called it “the most versatile shows on TV.” Between balancing his commitments to his daughter and ex-girlfriend, Van (Zazie Beetz) and trying to keep his friends out of trouble, Mr. Glover’s dramedy has enough material to go for three or more seasons.