By Rick Gables
CBS will premiere its new series All Rise on Monday, Sept. 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This is a courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. The series also stars Wilson Bethel, Marg Helgenberger, Jessica Camacho, J. Alex Brinson, Lindsay Mendez and Ruthie Ann Miles.
NBC will premiere its new series Bluff City Law on Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starring Jimmy Smits and Caitlin McGee. Coming from a famous Memphis family known for taking on injustice, brilliant lawyer Sydney Strait used to work at her father Elijah’s celebrated law firm until their tumultuous relationship got in the way. After barely speaking to him for years, Sydney is suddenly thrust back into the family fold when her philanthropist mother passes away unexpectedly. In the wake of her loss, hoping to reconnect with the daughter he loves, Elijah asks Sydney to rejoin his firm. She agrees because despite her lingering resentment and distrust, she knows that working alongside her father is her best hope at changing the world, if they can ever get along.
ABC will premiere the new season of Dancing with the Stars on Monday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This season’s competition includes a new cast of celebrities who will be paired up with the show’s pro dancers and brave the dance floor. Leaving their comfort zones and enduring hours of rehearsals to master new dance styles, the celebs will be judged each week by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, as well as voted upon by viewers. In the end, only one star will rise above the rest to be crowned champion and receive the Mirrorball trophy.