Fall TV Preview 2016: Jam These in Your Heart-Hole

Looking to fill that gaping, 1980’s-shaped hole left in your heart when you finished Stranger Things? You might be in luck this fall—this is the era of reboots, after all, and we’ve got quite a few 80’s-inspired pieces coming up. So try jamming a few of these in your heart-hole:

You can replace Richard Dean Anderson, but never his mullet.

MacGyver. Paperclips, gum, explosives, and long, blond hair. What more could you ask for from a MacGyver reboot? Premieres September 23 at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.

Lethal Weapon. Yes, Murtaugh and Riggs are getting rebooted too, and it looks like not much has changed—Murtaugh still plays the reluctant partner, and Riggs still has weird hair. Actors Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans do look like they have some pretty good energy on screen together, but can they do Lethal Weapon better than the gang did on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Only time will tell. Premieres  September 21 at 8:00 p.m. on FOX. 

The Goldbergs. Adam Goldberg’s Loosely autobiographical 1980’s sitcom is back for a fourth season. We’re not much for sitcoms around here, but maybe we can pretend The Goldbergs is really called The Byers. Premieres September 21 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.

The Exorcist. OK—we know The Exorcist came out in the 70’s, not the 80’s. Still, this reboot looks pretty good. Premieres September 23 at 9:00 p.m. on FOX.

But maybe all the reboots aren’t doing it for you. Let’s move on to more important things: superheroes. DC has got a lot coming up this fall (maybe they’re hoping to make up for Suicide Squad?) but the thing we’re most excited for is Marvel’s Luke Cage. Check out this fall’s TV superhero lineup:

No word on if Jim Gordon’s bitchin’ mustache will finally debut.

Gotham. Gotham promises to be darker and wilder than ever this season. Hugo Strange’s monsters are rampaging through the city, Jim Gordon is a bounty hunter, and Batman…well, Batman is still just a little tyke. The show’s producers also announced that Harley Quinn and Killer Croc will show up in later seasons. Premieres  September 19 at 8:00 p.m. on FOX.

Lucifer. From Vertigo Comics (the same DC imprint that brought us Preacher) comes Lucifer. This sexy Satan (Tom Ellis) is back for another season of fighting crime and falling in love, or whatever. Note: The Season 2 trailer released at Comic-Con shows Lucifer to be quite upset that his “mum” has escaped hell, but we have no idea what the hell that’s supposed to mean, since there is no mention of a mother in any of the Lucifer comics. Premieres September 19 at 9:00 p.m. on FOX. 

The Flash. Thanks, Barry, for messing up the universe’s timeline again. Maybe if you run really, really fast in season 3 you can fix it. Premieres  October 4 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW. 

Legends of Tomorrow. Speaking of time travel, Legends of Tomorrow is coming back for season 2. We’re looking forward to seeing Maisie Richardson-Sellers (who played Korr Sella in The Force Awakens) as Vixen and Neal McDonough (who may have one of the best bad-guy faces ever) as Damien Darhk. Premieres October 13 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW. 

And if for some strange reason you want a show with the same premise (saving the past from time criminals) but minus the superheroes, you can check out Timeless, premiering on NBC October 3rd.

Vixen. Can’t get enough Vixen? The CW’s online animated series is coming back for a sophomore year. Of course, “Vixen” in this show is actually the granddaughter of the Vixen we’ll meet in Legends of Tomorrow. Premiere date is TBA (sometime this fall) on CW Seed.

Arrow. Let’s not beat around the bush—Arrow has had a rocky past couple of seasons. But there’s reason to be hopeful. Season 5 of Arrow will wipe the slate clean, with Oliver Queen assembling a whole new team (Artemis, Wild Dog, Vigilante). Maybe the show can return to form. Premieres October 5 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW. 

Supergirl Season 2. Supergirl looks bright and bubbly as ever. This season adds Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath) to the mix. Premieres October 10 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW. 

The Defenders push hoodie sales to an all-time high.

Marvel’s Luke Cage. Last but not least comes Luke Cage, Marvel’s only hero on this fall’s TV docket. Every episode will be premiered on Netflix Friday, September 30. So don’t plan anything that weekend, because this is the one we’re most excited for. Paul McGuigan will be directing the first two episodes, but the rest of the season’s director credits are TBA. We’re hoping Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther) will get a shot at an episode or two. Premieres September 30, on Netflix.

Please, give us some Ryan Coogler.