Best fall TV show prospects, 2019: The Mandalorian, etc.

TV shows from traditional networks are a lot less interesting in the age of streaming video. Few people anymore want to watch a series in hourly installments spread over 10 to 20 weeks, especially one interrupted by commercials.
Viewers prefer watching shows on their own schedules, free of commercials, with the ability to binge-watch multiple episodes in a sitting. They also like the unrated nature of many streaming shows today.
Last fall, I gave one new network show a try, NBC’s “Manifest,” but it was boring, uninspired and pretentious. So, I wasn’t surprised when it got canceled after its first season. I gave up on it midway through the season.
The new shows I’m most excited about are on streaming networks.

• The Star Wars series “The Mandalorian,” premieres on Nov. 12 on the new Disney+ service.
• CBS All Access will premiere “Star Trek: Picard” in early 2020. It’s a continuation of the story of Jean-Luc Picard, which began with “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and carried over into several movies.

There are almost too many good shows to watch on streaming services these days. Recent favorites include “The Boys” on Amazon Prime and “The Haunting of Hill House” on Netflix.
As a fan of science-fiction, fantasy and horror stories, I’m drawn to three new network TV shows: “Emergence,” “Prodigal Son” and “Evil.”
ABC is back with another sci-fi mystery show in “Emergence.” ABC has a poor track record with such shows. Last year, it canceled “The Crossing” after one season, joining a long list of such one-and-done shows at ABC. I would be surprised if “Emergence” gets renewed.
“Emergence” premieres on Sept. 24. It follows a police chief who takes custody of a young child found near a mysterious accident. The girl has no memory of what happened or who she is.
“Prodigal Son” premieres Sept. 23 on Fox. It centers on a young criminal profiler whose father is an infamous serial killer known as “The Surgeon.”
“Evil” premieres on Sept. 26 on CBS. In the series, a skeptical psychologist allies with a priest and a contractor to investigate purported supernatural incidents.

Photos: Promotional posters for “The Mandalorian” and “Star Trek: Picard.”