Now that summer is on the wane and the days are getting shorter, there's only one thing that can keep my spirits from sinking away with the sun. Yes, the Fall TV season. I still miss the days when Fall was "the" TV season and the big three (okay, only three) networks would roll out their sneak peak preview nights (for primetime and Saturday morning cartoons).
This September boasts a whopping 109 primetime premiers. So kiddies, that means its time to buckle down and learn how to program that DVR. Of course, not even a professional watcher like me can keep up with that many shows (I'm still expected to show up at work sometimes), so I've narrowed down the list to a more manageable sixteen.
September 1: Surviving Disaster (Spike)
Want to know the best way to survive a shark attack, plane crash or hostage crisis (other than never leaving your home)? A former Navy SEAL promises to take us through elaborate survival methods step-by-step to increase our chances. Of course, if he's so smart, why won't he tell us how to survive an economic meltdown?
This show premiered all the way back in May and everyone was quick to pronounce this High School Musical derivative (macho jock and nerdy girl just have express themselves through song) an instant hit. The premier episode was very enjoyable indeed, but I have my doubts that the show will find an audience. It would have improved its chances if FOX had paired the show with American Idol, but then again, it might do very well with...
September 9: So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
Back for its sixth season, this show takes young dancers from all over the country and really tests their adaptability and artistry. I most enjoy seeing which dancers will perform best outside of their speciality genres. And anyway, there's no way I'm going to subject myself to watching Tom Delay strut his stuff on Dancing with the Stars. My eyes! My eyes!
September 9: America's Next Top Model (CW)
There's a reason this show is the CW's best rated. When you take a houseful of starving models and force them to compete for a lucrative contract (or a sandwich), there's going to be drama. And if it seems as if this show is on 24/7, that's because it is. They're already on their 13th cycle even though they've only been on the air since 2003.
September 10: Vampire Diaries (CW)
Based on the popular series of books by L. J. Smith, Vampire Diaries is part supernatural thriller and part teenage nighttime soap (think Dawson's Creek with fangs). At the center of the story are two vampire brothers, one good and one evil. And naturally they're both fighting for the fair Elena's soul (and knickers). It looks like a well crafted and interesting show, but we'll see if this show (along with True Blood and Twilight) push us to our vampire saturation point.
September 12: Robin Hood (BBC America)
Let me start by saying, BBC America is quickly becoming my favorite network. The shows are smart, original and everyone has accents! Now I haven't seen the first season of this show, but after seeing the previews for season two I've added it to my Blockbuster list. As dark, gritty and dramatic as they come, this version of Robin Hood is equal parts political intrigue and swashbuckling adventure. And finally seeing someone give government corruption a sound thrashing is a pleasure indeed.
September 14: The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
Truth be told, I'm not a big Leno fan. He's pleasant enough, but not worth staying up past my bedtime for. But I am fascinated by NBC's grand experiment (some say folly). They've canceled all of their 10 P.M. weeknight dramas and will be showing only Jay instead. Cheaper to produce than your typical hour-long drama, the show if successful, may cannibalize the audience of their late night talk shows. And if a flop, leave them with a five-night hole to fill. I may not watch the show much, but you can bet I (and the other networks) will be paying close attention.
September 15: The Biggest Loser (NBC)
This is one of those shows that I find both inspirational and mortifying to watch. I feel great watching these people work so hard to regain the health and self esteem they've lost. I also feel bad that it has to be a competition where the weakest ones get cut from the team (takes me right back to 4th grade gym class). Maybe I wouldn't feel so bad if I didn't eat a bowl of ice cream while I watched. Maybe, but we'll never know.
September 17: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
If you haven't caught this show, you've missed four seasons of a rude, crude, black comedy (if you like that sort of thing - and I do). Basically it's about a group of lazy losers and the other lazy losers that put up with them. The good news is, if you pull a few all nighters, you can catch up on past episodes here.
September 17: The Office (NBC)
I never miss The Office. From Pam and Jim's sweet office romance, to Michael's cringe-inducing social blunders, every episode is comedy gold. It's not a ratings powerhouse, but the show has won Emmys, Screen Actor's Guild, Golden Globe and Webby Awards. It's even been honored by the Peabody Awards. Now starting their sixth season, this is one of those rare shows where the quality of the writing and performances has stayed strong and steady over its entire run. So, you'll know where I'll be Thursday nights. Is that sad?
September 21: Big Bang Theory (CBS)
One of the few shows that could drag me over to CBS, The Big Bang theory has crackerjack writing and painfully hilarious performances. If you're a geek at heart or just love geeky humor, you'll be in good company with these nerdy characters. Besides, it's a great show to watch while you're working on your model of the Enterprise (not that I do that sort of thing...).
September 23: New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus' sitcom has just gotten better with age. As her Old Christine character gets more manic and outrageous, the show gets funnier. She's been compared to Lucille Ball and that's not a bad comparison to make. A strong supporting cast lead by the arid wit of Wanda Sykes makes this my other CBS favorite. I keep wishing they'd build a strong night of comedy around this show (start by keeping it with Big Bang and How I Met Your Mother), but do they listen? Nooooo.
September 23: Cougartown (ABC)
Courtney Cox returns to network television with this stupidly named, but promising sitcom about a 40-something mother returning to the singles game. The preview I watched made it look pretty fun and it's nice to see a show starring a woman over 25, but I think the title alone is going to get people rolling their eyes. Well, I'm going to give it a chance. You can check out the preview here and let me know if you think this cougar will stay or just get spayed.
September 27: FOX's Sunday Night Animation Domination
FOX welcomes its new Family Guy spinoff, The Cleveland Show to its Sunday night animation lineup. Since Cleveland is one of Family Guy's drier and more underused characters, I'm curious to see where this is going to go. It joins The Family Guy in its eighth season and The Simpsons in its 21st (yikes I'm old) season. Ready for a blast from the past? Check out the very first Simpsons shorts from the 1989 Tracey Ullman Show where they got their start.
Did I miss any new shows that you want to recommend to me and my other readers? Leave a comment and let us know.
