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Arts

Trendspotting: This season’s new shows have something in common

No matter how many new shows debut each season, there are always overlapping themes and elements (see: last year's boom in period dramas and fairy tale characters). After watching the pilots for the fall and midseason, we've identified a few common threads.

Kevin Bacon, "The Following"

DOWNSIZERS

Every year finds a crop of actors best known for their feature film work trying to see if they can capture the smaller screen. This year's class includes Dennis Quaid playing a sheriff on "Vegas," Kevin Bacon as a profiler tracking a serial killer in "The Following," and Ellen Barkin as an Archie Bunker-type grandmother on "The New Normal."

Janet Montgomery, "Made in Jersey"

ONE OF U.S.

Continuing a longstanding tradition that includes folks like Hugh Laurie and Damian Lewis, several foreigners hit the airwaves with freshly minted American accents; among them, Brit Janet Montgomery on "Made in Jersey," Ireland's Jason O'Mara in "Vegas," and Brit Sam Palladio and Aussie Clare Bowen on "Nashville."

Jonny Lee Miller, "Elementary"

BRITISH INVASION

Bucking the trend, some Brit stars let their Union Jack fly, going native with their accents this season. They include Jonny Lee Miller on "Elementary," Lucy Punch on "Ben and Kate," and Ed Weeks on "The Mindy Project."

Terry O'Quinn, "666 Park Avenue"

UPWARD MOBILITY

Several supporting and guest stars get the bump up to bigger roles this year, including a devilish Terry O'Quinn ("Lost," "Hawaii Five-0") on "666 Park Avenue," Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad") playing a baddie on "Revolution," the eponymous outing of Mindy Kaling ("The Office") on "The Mindy Project," and Justin Kirk ("Weeds") of "Animal Practice.

Dakota Johnson, "Ben and Kate"

KIDS TODAY

"Ben and Kate" star Dakota Johnson (daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) and Mamie Gummer (daughter of Meryl Streep), as "Emily Owens, M.D.," continue in the family business this season.

Steve Harvey, "Steve Harvey"

TALK, TALK, TALK

Can we talk? Apparently so, as familiar faces come to daytime to get their gab on. The microphone wielders included veteran faces Katie Couric and Ricki Lake, comic/actor/author and "Family Feud" host Steve Harvey, and "Survivor" host Jeff Probst.

Mindy Kaling, "The Mindy Project"

MS. M.D.

Lots of women scrub in this season to heal the sick and goof up their personal lives, including Kaling on "The Mindy Project," Jordana Spiro on "The Mob Doctor," and Gummer on "Emily Owens, M.D."

Sarah Rodman and Patrick Garvin/Globe Staff

Online providers let viewers connect to the creative process

In the brave new world of online TV, Amazon and Netflix tailor shows for exactly what viewers want — whether they know it or not.

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Hiking China’s ‘wild wall’

To avoid crowds, opt for hiking on what some call “the wild wall,” miles upon miles of remote, unrestored sections of the Great Wall of China.

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Bruins KO Rangers, set to face Penguins

The Bruins’ depth — and the Rangers’ lack of it — led to the second-round win and the Eastern Conference final.

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Gomez courts Democrats who backed Lynch

Gabriel Gomez is expected to target blue-collar union workers, political independents, and conservative Democrats.

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The great froyo gold rush

Are frozen yogurt entrepreneurs cashing in on the next big thing — or betting their fortunes on a fad?

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Heritage immigration report raises doubts — about Heritage

The report on immigration reform is a sad milestone in the organization’s decline, a disturbing trend for the country that would benefit from the serious work the foundation once produced.

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New Bedford looks to ‘Wind City’

City officials and business leaders visited facilities in Bremerhaven, a place that has reduced its unemployment rate of 25 percent to 12 after it welcomed the offshore wind industry.

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Friend of alleged soldier killer arrested

A friend of one of the suspects in a killing of a British soldier was arrested immediately after he gave a BBC TV interview.

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The limitations of giving us what we want

Netflix is using its massive data tank in order to make programming choices. The idea of engineering shows based on our likes is kind of cool, but it’s also kind of creepy.

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If you go

If you go to Gubeikou, China

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Is frozen yogurt good for you?

Amy Gardner of Newton-based Metrowest Nutrition has the answer.

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Chelsea housing scandal: HUD’s loose lips

It’s not clear HUD officials understood just how much it could be worth to a local authority to perform well on the mandated inspections. What is clear is that greater security is needed.

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Is the auto franchise system a lemon?

Unlike other products, consumers cannot buy cars directly from the manufacturers or online because every state requires auto sales be handled by independently owned auto dealers.

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Immigrant students tell their stories

“I Want You to Have This” is a book about survival written by 50 of the Boston International High’s 11th-graders, here from 14 countries.

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Kerry, in Africa, presses Nigeria on human rights

Secretary of State John Kerry urged Nigeria to uphold human rights as it steps up its fight against Islamic extremists.

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