Fall TV Preview: Slim Pickings On Broadcast TV

The CW launches 7 out of the 22 new shows. That's not a good sign. Though, CBS's new picks look promising.
Simon Baker (CBS' 'The Mentalist,') Elizabeth Reeser (CBS' 'The Ex List') and Joshua Jackson (FOX's 'Fringe')
Simon Baker (CBS' 'The Mentalist,') Elizabeth Reeser (CBS' 'The Ex List') and Joshua Jackson (FOX's 'Fringe') - CBS/CBS/FOX
Susan Young

This fall, broadcast TV is more about the reboot than the launch.

Last season got so slammed by the WGA strike that most viewers were left scratching their heads and wondering if they even remember the shows that debuted last fall. Samantha Who? has become more of a question than a show title.

There are 22 new shows airing this fall on broadcast television -- and that's only because the CW's bringing on seven new series. That means a mere 15 new series this fall on the four major networks, the sparsest crop in recent memory.

Only CBS and Fox have screened their new fall series for critics, or we should say most of the shows. CBS's Eleventh Hour was just an extended clip reel. But that's better than ABC, NBC or the CW, which have yet to send out a complete episode of any of their new fall shows.

While we can't tell you if those unseen episodes are worth watching, we can tell you that the CBS lineup looks pretty good. Here's what you have to look forward to this fall:

NERD HERD

Fringe premieres Sept. 9 on Fox

J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias, Felicity) produces this thriller about an agent (Anna Torv) who is out to solve some strange scientific mysteries with a rogue scientist (John Noble) and his rebellious son (Joshua Jackson). Nice interaction between the characters and J.J. promises not to make it too difficult to follow.

Worst Week premieres at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 22 on CBS.

This hilarious slapstick farce focuses on nerdy Sam Briggs (Kyle Bornheimer), a sweet guy trying to impress his girlfriend Melanie's (Erinn Hayes) parents played by Nancy Lenehan and Kurtwood Smith. Instead, disaster strikes whenever he's around them. Based on the brilliant British series by the same title, this looks like the best comedy of the fall bunch.

Knight Rider at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 on NBC

It says a lot about a show when a car gets co-starring credit. This remake of the 1980s TV show about a man and his high-tech car KITT stars Justin Bruening as the human crusader getting help from KITT in this super-charged cheese fest.

Eleventh Hour premieres at 10 p.m. on Oct. 9 on CBS.

Although the producers deny it, this sounds an awful lot like The X-Files, with Rufus Sewell as Dr. Jacob Hood, who is called in at the eleventh hour to quickly solve a science crisis with the help of FBI Special Agent Rachel Young (Marley Shelton), who has his back. Clips looked rather murky.

SEXY THINGS

The Mentalist premieres at 9 p.m. Sept. 23 on CBS.

Simon Baker stars as a self-indulgent investigator with powerful observational senses. Patrick once used his gift to persuade people he was a psychic, but now in the wake of personal tragedy, he uses his skills to help solve crimes. Baker's charisma, coupled with a tragic character filled with wit, makes this series a contender for our fall attention.

Gary Unmarried premieres at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 on CBS.

Jay Mohr stars as a divorced contractor ready to move on after his divorce from Allison (Paula Marshall), but it's not easy setting sail on new life with an ex-wife and two teenaged children in tow. Mohr and Marshall have great comedy chemistry, and both deserve a hit.

Life on Mars, premieres at 10 p.m. Oct. 9 on ABC

Jason O'Mara stars as Sam Tyler, a modern-day detective involved in a car crash that somehow hurls him into 1973, where he works as a cop. Based on the popular BBC series, the new producers have decided to switch up the mythology a bit. Even after talking to them, we're not sure exactly where this is going. Is Sam a time traveler, or is he in a dream-like coma? Will the series last long enough for anyone to care?

My Own Worst Enemy premieres at 10 p.m. Oct. 13 on NBC

Christian Slater suits up for this Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde takeoff about a man who has dual personalities at odds with each other. Of course we'll check out this series as it has a big-time movie star coming to TV for the first time.

Crusoe premieres at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 on NBC

Phillip Winchester and Sam Neill star in this contemporary take on the classic Daniel Defoe novel of a man marooned on a deserted island. We're thinking a lot of flashbacks will be used.

ROTTEN RICH

90210 premieres at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 on the CW.

This hotly anticipated remake of the classic Fox series follows a bunch of rich kids around L.A. and features some guest appearances from the old cast, including Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth. Loved the original, but then who needs a redo?

Privileged premieres at 9 p.m. on Sept. 9 on the CW.

Based on the bestseller How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoe Dean, the series centers on a live-in tutor (JoAnna Garcia) brought in to teach a couple of wild twin sisters living in Palm Beach. The clips made this look more like Seventh Heaven than Gossip Girl.

Do Not Disturb premieres at 9: p.m. Sept. 10 on Fox

A comedy take on the upstairs/downstairs dynamic at a hip, posh New York hotel. Stars Niecy Nash, Jerry O'Connell, Molly Stanton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jolene Purdy. Ferguson was the funniest part of The Class, but he's swimming upstream again in this forgettable comedy.

Easy Money premieres at 9 p.m. on Sept. 21 on the CW

This drama is about a rich spoiled family running a high-interest loan business. It's hard to dismiss this series entirely when it comes from producers Diane Frolov and Andy Schneider (Northern Exposure, The Chris Isaak Show, The Sopranos). But then there's got to be a reason why it's on the CW instead of a real network.

GET REAL

America's Toughest Jobs premieres at 9 p.m. August 25 on NBC

The competition series tests 13 men and women, who take on dangerous jobs, by Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers producer Thom Beers. Apparently, NBC wants to nab some of those Discovery die-hards.

Hole in the Wall premieres at 8 p.m. on Fox

Contestants contort their bodies so they can fit through holes in walls, or be swept into a pool of water. So, if a game show about opening suitcases can work, maybe this game show based on the hit Japanese game show could be a hit. Nah.

In Harm's Way premieres at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 on the CW

More dangerous jobs take center stage in this reality series looking at the lives of people doing life-threatening work, by another Discovery guy, Craig Piligian (Dirty Jobs).

Opportunity Knocks premieres 8 p.m. Sept. 23

Ashton Kutcher's production company brings this game show/reality show hybrid that has a mobile team popping up at a family's home. The family answers trivia questions about themselves in front of their neighbors, with the chance of winning big money. Kutcher and company put on a mock show for critics. Yawn.

Stylista premieres at 9 p.m. on Oct 29 on the CW

This reality series challenges 11 fashion enthusiasts vying for a coveted editorial job with Elle magazine and some prizes. Hey, if it works with Project Runway, maybe this Devil Wears Prada rip-off can grab some fans too.

CHICK CLICKS

Valentine premieres at 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 on the CW

A family of Greek gods lives on earth to bring soul mates together. How did our "O.C." girl Autumn Reeser end up in this?

The Ex List premieres at 9 p.m. Oct. 3 on CBS

Elizabeth Reaser steals the show as a thirtysomething Bella Bloom who is told by a psychic that she needs to find her true love within the year, or she will live the rest of her life as a single woman. The hitch? Bella has already dated the guy. So she searches through the rejects with the help of her sister and three friends and roommates. Fabulous. Period.

Kath & Kim premieres at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 on NBC.

Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star as the dysfunctional mother and daughter in this adaptation of the hit Australian comedy by the same title. Rumor has it this isn't as much fun as one might hope.

WHATEVER

Surviving Suburbia premieres at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 on the CW

Bob Saget stars as a dad trying to handle life in suburbia with his family and new neighbors. Still in casting stages according to the CW site.


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