Then & Now: New TV Comedies of Fall 2014

With the spring season kicking off (after seemingly the shortest winter hiatus ever), now is a good time to reflect on the many new shows that premiered this year. Now that we’ve seen multiple episodes from each show, how do I feel about my original assessments?

Last week I covered the new TV dramas of 2014. This week, I’m looking at the new TV comedies of 2014:

A to Z (NBC)–

Then: I enjoyed the tone and the main characters of the pilot but was unsure how much longevity the series had.

Now: I stopped watching this show simply because I forgot about it. It wasn’t bad, it just fell to the middle of the pack in a busy TV season.

 

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Bad Judge (NBC)-

Then: Hated it, largely because it was absurd and unbelievable.

Now: Rightly canceled.

 

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Benched (USA)–

Then: I found the pilot enjoyable but not particularly special, but I put my faith in Eliza Coupe.

Now: While this show doesn’t offer anything new or exciting to the comedy genre, I find this series enjoyable because Coupe is so charismatic. (Sadly, this show was just canceled.)

 

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Blackish (ABC)-

Then: I was not sold on this series after the loud and obnoxious pilot, but there was so much buzz around it that I was sure I had to give it a second chance.

Now: Despite the high ratings and popularity, I never could get into it.

 

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Cristela (ABC)–

Then: Loudmouthed and over the top. Shut it off in the middle of the pilot.

Now: Never turned back.

 

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Happyland (MTV)-

Then: This MTV comedy showed some promise, but maybe not quite the gem that some of the other MTV comedies were.

Now: The series developed well but never found its audience and was recently canceled.

 

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Marry Me (NBC)–

Then: One of my favorite new comedies of the season.

Now: This comedy has held up well but is sadly on the verge of cancelation. Come on people, check this one out!

 

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The McCarthys (CBS)- 

Then: I found this a little too grating.

Now: This series is likely to be canceled and I’m not sorry about it.

 

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Mulaney (Fox)-

Then: I decided to watch his standup acts instead.

Now: Deservedly canceled.

 

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Selfie (ABC)–

Then: The pilot was a little bit grating and over the top, but I was determined to give it a few more episodes before deciding.

Now: This developed into one of the best new comedies of the season but was sadly canceled just as it was really finding its way.

Which new TV comedies of 2014 matched YOUR first impressions?
Which ended up disappointing and which surprised you?

Check out last week’s Then & Now: New TV Dramas of Fall 2014.

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