We’re finally through the Winter Olympics, which means we’ll start getting the flood of new shows leading to the end of the Emmy consideration window. But, until then, we only have a few that popped off last week. Still, what of those new shows is worth checking out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Mondays:
The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins, Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC (Premiered January 18)
About: This is the latest sitcom for NBC, which comes from the team behind 30 Rock. It’s an interesting concept focusing on a former NFL player, Reggie (Tracy Morgan), who is trying to rehab his image after his career ended in scandal. Now, he’s hired a documentary filmmaker (Daniel Radcliffe) to tell his story, hoping to get into the Hall of Fame. The series made its debut behind the actual NFL playoffs last month, but now launches into its regular timeslot post-Olympics. The pilot repeated Monday and was followed by the second episode. Now, episodes will air weekly on Mondays on NBC. The second episode was more of the same hijinks. I enjoy Radcliffe here a lot. He’s a funny part of this ensemble. The jokes work and fall in the same range as other Tina Fey/Robert Carlock series. If you’ve been a fan before, this will work well for you.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

CIA, Mondays at 10 p.m. on CBS (Premiered February 23)
About: This is the new spin-off from the world of FBI. Rather than another branch of that organization, we’re moving into the realm of spycraft. It follows FBI as the new anchor to CBS’s Monday night lineup. This one starts with a bit of a crossover, as Jeremy Sisto’s Jubal Valentine appears in the pilot. It’s all a set up to pair an FBI Agent, Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss), with this CIA unit so it can operate in New York City. The primary CIA Agent, Colin Glass (Tom Ellis), runs the show for the most part. But this is about an uneasy and necessary partnership. The idea here is sound, and I enjoy Ellis typically, but this was a bit stiff as a pilot. I’m not sure how the show will work or whether it even makes sense. It’s a swing, but it could pair OK with FBI. Like the rest of the spin-offs, this doesn’t have the same pop and appeal of the original.
Pilot Grade: C

Fridays:
Neighbors, Fridays at 8 p.m. on HBO Max (Premiered February 13)
About: This new documentary series from A24 focuses on neighbors and their disputes around the country. For those that wonder why we can’t all get along, this might be a path to understanding that issue! Each episode takes a look at different neighborly disputes. The second episode focused on an unexpected farm in an Indiana neighborhood and a cat lady in Philadelphia. It was similarly interesting and engaging. I enjoyed the episode and the crazy stories. This has turned into a really fun watch each weekend, especially with episodes running just 30 minutes. Turns out nothing is crazier than real life.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Streaming Series:
56 Days, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered February 18)
About: This new erotic thriller plays with the timeline. We land in the present, where a body is badly decomposed in a bathtub and a pair of detectives (Karla Souza and Dorian Missick) are tasked with solving the crime. We flash back to 56 days earlier, and we see a meet cute and relationship between Oliver (Avan Jogia) and Ciara (Dove Cameron). While it’s hot and heavy, and moves fast, neither of them are what they appear to be. So, who died and why? We bounce back and forth between the present investigation and the past as we track these people, their relationship, and how things went off track. The series is eight episodes, all now streaming on Prime Video. The episodes run between 45 minutes and an hour. It’s a quick enough binge, and there is some steamy content. That might appeal to a certain type of viewer. But the characters and motives weren’t well defined in the first two episodes, and it was hard to tell where the story is going and why. I wasn’t taken with the drama of the episodes, which is a must if you want to commit to seeing it through. It’s an interesting swing, but there are better options in a crowded TV landscape.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Strip Law, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered February 20)
About: This is another adult animated series. It’s set in a wild version of Las Vegas, where an honest man (Adam Scott) is struggling to establish himself in a legal system that has become a caricature of itself. So, he recruits a magician (Janelle James) to teach him the slight-of-hand he needs in order to become a winner. This is a wild premise and some wild stories, but there is some humor in the concept. Episodes are about 25 minutes and all 10 episodes of the first season are available to make for a quick binge. Often these animated series can do things that you can’t easily do in a scripted series. This is no different. It creates a world that mirrors some aspects of our own but is wildly exaggerated. It’s a solid voice cast, including Keith David and Stephen Root, among others. But this wasn’t the most appealing style or content for me. The humor will appeal to a certain type of comedy fan, and it is a short commitment, but it is an acquired taste. It’s OK, not great.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.