Contributor: Paul Asay

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

BoJack Horseman

This animated dramedy about a horse-man named Bojack has something to say. But the way it says it leaves a lot to be desired.

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The Cool Kids

“They’re growing old, not growing up,” Fox’s trailer for this ribald new sitcom proudly—and, alas, accurately—trumpets.

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Constantine

NBC’s Constantine is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Keanu Reeves, however, is nowhere to be found. And neither is a theologically accurate biblical worldview.

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The Ultimate Fighter

Reality series often cram people into a house and hope they’ll start sparring. On this Spike show, the smackdowns are guaranteed.

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The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

This prequel series to Jim Henson’s 1982 fantasy classic has many facets—some that shine and others that are quite … dark.

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Humans

Humans unveils a world in which lifelike robots—Synths—are all the rage.

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Lie to Me

UPDATED REVIEW: We cannot tell a lie. We’ve been watching Fox’s drama Lie to Me and have written a review of it. Oh, and we don’t like sweetbreads—which are neither sweet nor bread.

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The L.A. Complex

A group of young adults flock to L.A. to make it big. To become stars. But judging from the way they act, some of them might actually be from beyond the stars. (Too bad this isn’t a sci-fi series.)

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Raising Hope

Hope’s small-screen family lives not on Hallmark Avenue but on Fox Street—a neighborhood where The Simpsons look positively well-adjusted.

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30 Rock

UPDATED REVIEW: Saturday Night Live alum Tina Fey—who has become an industry “it” girl but a commercial wallflower—packs her dry wit into this self-aware show within a show on NBC. Should you ask her to dance?

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Royal Pains

UPDATED REVIEW: Royal Pains is one pinch House, three dashes Magnum, P.I. and a whole sloshing bucket load of summer escapism. It’s as deep as a light sunburn, as provocative as a sensible winter coat.

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The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House is the storytelling equivalent of sneaking into a black basement without turning on the lights.

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Believe

Bo is a special little girl. Her psychokinetic powers make that obvious. But is NBC’s sci-fi show special too? In other words, is it worth believing in?

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Making It

Making It wants to be a wholesome, family show—but one rooted in NBC’s secular understanding of wholesomeness and family.

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Will & Grace

I’m sure many will welcome back Will & Grace with open arms. But for me, this NBC reboot offers very little real grace.

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