We’re making our way toward Spring, and that means the tide of new shows is rising. Networks and streamers are getting those new shows in to flood the market before the dog days of summer. But what of these new shows is worth your time to check 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!

Tuesdays:
R.J. Decker, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC (Premiered March 3)
About: This new detective series is based on a Carl Hiaasen novel. It centers on R.J. Decker (Scott Speedman), a former photojournalist who went to prison on a trumped-up assault charge. Now, he’s working as a private investigator. The pilot introduced the world and a key case that helped shape and define our protagonist. The second episode slipped more into the case-of-the-week mold. I like Speedman, and I like the idea here. But the second episode was dry and seemed to expound on the things I struggled with in the pilot. This wants to have the same personality and hook as its lead-ins, Will Trent and High Potential. But it doesn’t quite hit those heights—yet. There is potential, but you’re going to have to stick with it a bit to see if it develops. If you typically have a quick trigger, this might not be for you.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Saturdays:
The Madison, Saturdays on Paramount+ (Premiered March 14)
About: The latest series from mega producer Taylor Sheridan is a family drama that is set in both New York City and Montana. It follows long-married couple Preston (Kurt Russell) and Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer). While Preston is on his annual fishing trip in rural Montana with his brother (Matthew Fox), he’s killed in a plane crash. That plunges Stacy—who travels to Montana with her daughters (Beau Garrett and Elle Chapman)—into a funk. As she’s faced with the loss of her spouse, she decides to give up her unsatisfying city life for a new adventure on the property her husband loved so much. This is something of a wild premise. It’s been linked as a spin-off of Yellowstone, which may become apparent in some way later but doesn’t feel apt for the first three episodes, which dropped on Saturday. The series is set in the same place, but follows a completely different blueprint. The first season is six episodes, dropping in two three-episode batches. Sheridan has a certain style, and it’s worked to launch many successful series. This has the right formula, including a strong cast, a good location, and some promise. But in some ways, this felt like the preachiest of his shows. The disdain for life in New York City was on display in a big way during the pilot. The characters here also don’t all feel fully fleshed out in a good way. I like the setting and the beautiful look here, but it’s hard to feel a compelling reason to buy into this specific story. A second season has already filmed, so there is more to come. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly didn’t live up to the potential I had expected.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Sundays:
Rooster, Sundays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered March 8)
About: This new comedy from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses finds Steve Carell as a popular writer roped into becoming a teacher at a small college alongside his adult daughter (Charley Clive). The supporting cast includes Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, and John C. McGinley. I really enjoyed the introduction to this world in the pilot. It was a strong episode that was a lot of fun and instantly pulled me in. The second episode settled into more of a sustainable plot pattern. The jokes still work and I enjoyed the back-and-forth between the characters. This has a good blend of drama, comedy, and heart. I think it will make for a nice addition to the Sunday night lineup.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: B

Streaming Series:
Sunny Nights, Now Streaming on Hulu (Premiered March 10)
About: This black comedy comes from Australia. It features Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden as a brother-sister tandem who have a spray tan business. They arrive in Australia not only to try to save a flagging business, but for Martin (Forte) to try and save his dying marriage. But it doesn’t come without serious complications as the two run afoul of local criminals and things go off the rails quickly. I love Forte and Carden as performers, and I thought there was potential here. There are eight episodes—which released in late 2025 overseas and now is making its domestic debut—each between 45 minutes and an hour. The performers and the idea are strong, but the execution is lacking. The episodes are dry, and the premise feels like it hits a wall quickly. If this was a 90-minute film, I think I might work. But stretched out over eight episodes—or possibly more—it loses steam for me quickly. I watched the first two, which were mildly engaging, but it just didn’t feel like it was worth the effort to see it through to the finish.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Scarpetta, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered March 10)
About: This new series for Prime Video is an adaptation of the popular book series from Patricia Cornwall. It comes from creator Liz Sarnoff, and has a first season of eight episodes, all now streaming. Episodes run between 48 minutes and an hour. It makes for a relatively simple binge, especially if you’re a fan of the books. It also has an appealing cast led by Nicole Kidman, and including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, and Ariana DeBose, among others. However, the series takes place in two timelines. While the recognizable name stars are a part of the current storyline, a bulk of early episodes are spent in the past, with different actors playing the same core parts. The stories are supposed to tie together, or at least provide context for the present. The whole design doesn’t quite work. That being said, there was enough of a hook that I actually finished the season. I was disappointed that I spent the time investing once I got through the finale, which doesn’t resolve a lot and was possibly the worst episode of the season. There are plenty of fans that are frustrated with the way this was adapted, too. So, it’s no guarantee that being a fan of the source material will help your interest in the series. Rather, this felt like something of an unfocused missed opportunity. It felt like there were two approaches to the material, one in the present and one in the past, and instead of choosing, the series tried to fuse the two together. It doesn’t quite work and does a disservice to both timelines and both stories.
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.