Laura Merrell

Fall television season is approaching and other than the return of a few hot shows, it is full of disappointment. I am looking forward to the return of Scandal, a sexy and gripping political thriller and The Mindy Project, a relatable show that is really hitting its stride. However, there are very few new pilots that seem even remotely promising.

I could list countless examples of lackluster new shows premiering in the next month, but I’ll keep it limited to the worst offenders. First off, there is How I Met Your Dad, an off-brand spin-off of How I Met Your Mother. It promises to be derivative and unoriginal. Next, we have Selfie. Yes, there is now a show chronicling a woman receiving help managing her social media presence. While many people spend a fair portion of their day managing their Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts, there are seldom issues engaging enough to warrant a 30 minute slot each week. Later, I sat through the pilot of A to Z, which follows a couple through their relationship from their first meeting to the bitter end. It seemed like an interesting premise until frequent voiceovers remind you that their relationship is already doomed since they will break up in eight months, which is strange and interrupts the flow of the show. The show seems like a watered down version of (500) Days of Summer, except the stars don’t have the same level of chemistry and I have yet to see any choreographed dancing.

While there are several excellent shows returning in a month and a small number of interesting pilots, new and exciting television choices are sparse this year. But have no fear, I have found the alternative to going on a fruitless tour of the offerings on TV, Hulu or Netflix: hop across the pond. Instead of relying on American networks, you can turn to a wealth of British programming including dramas, quizzes, comedy and the most enthralling competitive baking shows I have ever seen. Many will be quite familiar with Sherlock or Doctor Who, but there are lots of other incredible shows to seek out.

One high-quality British sitcom worth your time is The IT Crowd, which stars Chris O’Dowd of Bridesmaids. It follows the exploits and mistakes of three members in the IT department of a fictitious London company. The dialogue is witty, quirky and well paced. Another hysterical comedy to seek out is Doc Martin. The show follows a London surgeon, played by Martin Clunes, who is forced to move to a small fishing village in Cornwall after he develops a fear of blood.

British television programming is often an untapped resource for American viewers. One example is QI, a comedy quiz show hosted by the hilarious Stephen Fry. Each episode has a new theme and a new set of comedians or actors on the panel. The show has great jokes but has also provided me with many useful bits of trivia and information to share with my friends.

There is no need to sit through another rerun of Ice Road Truckers or Swamp People while cursing the dearth of original and fresh television options available on American networks. Try some new options from our former colonial headquarters across the sea.