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Best TV Shows for Fall

By Arts & Entertainment Staff

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, the Arts & Entertainment Department reflects on their favorite fall TV shows.

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“Seinfeld”

When I thought of television shows that encapsulate the feeling of the crisp air in the fall, my first thought was the 90’s sitcom, Seinfeld. Seinfeld became a staple of American entertainment due to its ironic storytelling, as well as its commentary on societal norms.

What keeps me coming back to "Seinfeld," however, is the feeling of being bundled up at home on a chill autumn day.

When I was in the process of choosing a show for this article, I kept coming back to Seinfeld because no other show has ever made me feel like I’m in the story, and friends with all the main characters like Seinfeld.

Seinfeld has a way of making you really believe you’re in Jerry’s apartment, discussing all of the mundane events of the day with Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine.

Much like music, television shows can be seasonal. A lot of shows do share the fall feeling, "Friends" and "The Office" are just some examples of shows that knew how to accentuate the fall vibe.

Seinfeld sets itself apart because the identity of the show is…. nothing.

So much of "Seinfeld" has to be focused on the atmosphere and the environment of a dreary, cloudy New York City. If you’re looking for a good show to binge while curled up in bed underneath the covers, you’ll never find a show that makes you feel more at home. - Sketch Morton

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“My Babysitter’s a Vampire”

“My Babysitter’s a Vampire” is one of the most underrated shows out there.

It is beyond perfect and so easy to rewatch every year, filling viewers with both nostalgia and Halloween spirit.

The show aired on Disney Channel and follows Ethan (Matthew Knight) and his babysitter Sarah (Vanessa Morgan) who is, spoiler alert, a vampire.

Ethan and his best friend Benny (Atticus Mitchell) have a new supernatural-esque problem to solve each episode, getting help from Sarah, the other vampires and Benny’s witchy grandma.

It sounds kind of strange, but this show is amazing. It is the perfect blend of dumb supernatural creatures, bad CGI, high school drama and fall vibes.

Two seasons of the show may seem short, but don’t worry, there is also “My Babysitter’s a Vampire: The Movie.”

The movie chronologically takes place before the series, but nevertheless, both are definitely to be added to your Halloween watchlist. - Sarah Gavlak

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“Gilmore Girls”

What better way to start the fall than with a visit to Stars Hollow?

Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, “Gilmore Girls” follows Lorelai and her daughter Rory navigating their relationship with each other and with the other members of their family.

While Rory (Bledel) deals with high school, college and relationship problems, her mother Lorelai (Graham) is forced to rekindle a relationship with her estranged parents.

Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show aired on The WB for six seasons beginning in 2000, and the seventh season aired on The CW. It was known for witty dialogue between the characters and became The WB’s second most popular show.

Its fall aesthetic is rooted in the show’s conception. Sherman-Palladino reportedly came up with the idea for the show during a visit to the small town of Washington Depot, Connecticut during the fall. While Stars Hollow isn’t a real town, it was inspired by this visit.

The show’s warm, cozy aesthetic paired with Rory’s iconic white fisherman’s sweaters make this the perfect show for fall. – Isabelle Charboneau

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“Two and a Half Men”

“Two and a Half Men” starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer is one of the best shows to binge in the Fall because of its quick and scathing humor.

The sitcom is about two brothers, Charlie Harper, a successful jingle-writer, and his brother Alan, who can never catch a break in life.

Alan has an 11-year-old son named Jake who witnesses Charlie’s outrageous lifestyle of drinking, gambling and promiscuous activities and his father who is constantly struggling to make ends meet.

One of the funniest episodes of the entire show is the sixth episode of the third season, “Hi, Mr. Horned One.”

Perfect for Halloween time, this spooky episode is about when Charlie dates a satan-worshiping woman who puts a curse on the brothers and they attend a costume party with their mother.

There is also no need to watch the episodes in order which makes for a perfect low-commitment TV show during the Fall which can be a busy time. - Matthew Peters

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“Pretty Little Liars”

If you’re in the mood for something spooky, I highly recommend “Pretty Little Liars.”

The classic, Freeform teen drama is the tale of four high school girls who are bound together by their friend, Alison DiLaurentis's mysterious disappearance and presumed death. The four of them have secrets to hide, and they’re taunted by an anonymous persona, toying with them and threatening to expose them.

“Pretty Little Liars” skyrocketed Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, Troian Bellisario and Ashley Benson to fame, making them style icons in a new age for teen dramas.

“Pretty Little Liars” is the perfect amount of cringe, cozy and terrifying that it’s a fall staple. I would do anything to visit Rosewood on a chilly October day. - Adrianna Gallucci

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"Supernatural"

If there is one perfect fall show that is “Supernatural”. The iconic CW TV series follows two plaid-shirted brothers as they travel across the country, battling demons and other "Supernatural" creatures. With 327 episodes, including some fall and Halloween specials, this series is perfect to binge-watch on Netflix, Apple TV or Amazon Video on a cold fall day.

While the show starts with the brothers Sam and Dean Winchester – played by “Gilmore Girls” star Jared Padalecki and “The Boys” star Jensen Ackles, respectively – searching for their missing father, it quickly delves into the brothers investigating and fighting all kinds of paranormal forces. While the first five seasons are incredibly aesthetic, the rest of the series is just as hauntingly bittersweet and humorous.

Over the 15 seasons, many characters quickly became fan favorites. For instance, Castiel, a biblical angel played by Misha Collins, made his first appearance in the fourth season. Although he was only supposed to stay a single season, Cas ended up quickly becoming a fan favorite and joined the brothers as the third member of their funky trio.

While many fans were disappointed by the controversial finale, stars Ackles and Padalecki have teased new "Supernatural" projects, including a possible revival of season 16. While nothing has been confirmed, both Padalecki and Ackles have revealed that discussions and conversations have been happening.

If the "Supernatural" lore is haunting you, be sure to watch “The Winchesters,” a prequel series narrated by Ackles that follows Mary and John Winchester, the brothers’ parents, in their young monster-hunting days.

If you’re wanting a haunting, ironic and sibling-centric show, "Supernatural" is the show for you. - Sarah Taylor

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"Teen Wolf"

This American teen drama gives off severe “back-to-school” vibes mashed with supernatural coming-of-age. "Teen Wolf" follows a new teenage werewolf and his best friend as they navigate public high school and attempt to contain the paranormal troubles that plague their town of Beacon Hills.

Those who have heard of "Teen Wolf" but have not watched it may be surprised to learn that Stiles Stilinski, played by the one and only Maze Runner star Dylan O’Brien, is in fact not the main character of the show. But, fortunately for everyone, the hilarious teen and incredible actor gets plenty of screen time.

The six seasons follow teen Scott McCall, played by Tyler Posey, as he struggles between protecting his town and acing lacrosse practices. Stiles, McCall’s best friend joins him in the chaotic adventures, while the intelligent Lydia Martin, played by Holland Roden, and hunter Allison Argent, played by Crystal Reed, help to solve the paranormal problems usually caused by Tyler Hoechlin’s Derek Hale.

The long-awaited and hyped-up "Teen Wolf: The Movie” was released in 2023, with plenty of critics and backlash. Fans had mixed emotions about the bittersweet plot and were frustrated for the reasons that O’Brien and Arden Cho, who played kitsune Kira Yukimura, didn’t make an appearance.

I truly believe if you’re looking for a fun fall series, you should binge the hundred episodes of "Teen Wolf" on Amazon Prime, Hulu or Apple TV. The characters, especially Stiles, are exceptionally well-written, hilarious and touching, and the show itself is CGI'd to the perfect capabilities of the early 2010s. - Sarah Taylor


Sketch Morton is a fifth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email Sam7539@psu.edu.

Sarah Gavlak is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email sng5393@psu.edu.

Isabelle Charboneau is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.

Matthew Peters is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email amg7989@psu.edu.

Sarah Taylor is a second-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, email smt6314@psu.edu.

Credits

Author
Sketch Morton
Author
Sarah Gavlak
Author
Isabelle Charboneau
Author
Matthew Peters
Author
Adrianna Gallucci
Author
Sarah Taylor
Photo
The Tab