Back from a mini-break on Wednesday night

I apologize for slacking a little for the past few days. I've been pretty busy writing my column for the newspaper and working on little television blurbs here and there, but I promise I'll be back and in full force tomorrow night in time for the "Pushing Daisies" premiere!

I also have some "Grey's Anatomy" goodies that'll take me lifetime and a half to upload, but I promise all you diehard "Grey's" fans, that you won't be sorry. Also, the sneak peek of "Dirty Sexy Money" will be up (hopefully) before the premiere tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Just so you guys will believe that I have been keeping tabs on some shows that just premiered and ones I've been watching, here are some of my quick takes:

- Sunday's "Brothers & Sisters" third season premiere started off the same, but who doesn't like watching sparring siblings try to keep secrets hidden, fighting over the family business and mucking their relationships up? My favorite TV couple, Scotty and Kevin, almost surpasses the adorableness of Jim and Pam from "The Office" with their quick-witted banter. (I did say almost right?) [First Impression: 7/10]

- Is it just me or is "Chuck" just getting better and better as the episodes (and seasons) continue? Monday's premiere was full of what we all love - Chuck getting into a mound of crap, Chuck and Sarah moving two millimeters closer to being more than just co-workers, Chuck and Morgan planning out an elaborate Call of Duty battle plan and Chuck saving the day ... as Charles Carmichael, which actually worked. Take note my amateur spy friends, take note. [First Impression: 8/10]

- I had to watch Monday's "Gossip Girl" episode because of "How I Met Your Mother" (sorry "GG" fans!), but I did manage to watch most of it this afternoon. In my mind, "Gossip Girl" can do no wrong and it proved that with this Fashion Week-centric ep. It was entertaining, funny and complete with quotable one-liners. Who doesn't love that? But, where was Nate and Vanessa? [First Impression: 7.5/10]

- Tonight's episode of "Privileged" ("Fringe" will be viewed tomorrow afternoon) was so damn adorable, I don't even know what to do with myself. The characters are perfectly cast and the dialogue is neither stupid nor overwhelming to the viewer. Though previous episodes certainly paved the way for a possible love triangle between Megan, her best friend Charlie (so adorable) and hot, wealthy neighbor Will, this only cemented that fact - only now, it's more of a ... love rhombus? [First Impression: 8.5/10]

- I missed the first 20 minutes of "House" because I was at dinner at Philippe's with my roommate but I can already tell this episode is filled with sarcastic zings from the limping doc himself and comparable comebacks from his private investigator slash new best friend. [First Impression: 9/10]

On a lighter note, "How I Met Your Mother" was great. Who knew Reeg could act so well? (Kidding, sort of.)

Webisodes for 'Ugly Betty' revitalize struggling dramedy

ABC.com has created a new web series, "Mode After Hours," that follows "Ugly Betty" characters (and heavy fan favorites) Marc (Michael Urie) and Amanda (Becki Newton).

According to the Futon Critic, the series will follow the two friends as they navigate the office after work hours and everyone else has left. New webisodes will be posted every Thursday morning to coincide with that night's "Ugly Betty" episode.

ABC also plans on premiering new webisodes for "Scrubs," which returns midseason, and "Brothers & Sisters," which premieres its third season Sunday night at 10 p.m.

Hopefully this will help "Ugly Betty" sustain its viewers.

FALL '08 PREVIEW: SUNDAY NIGHTS

Sunday nights are filled with continuing shows, with just one newbie on the fall slate. What if there was no writers' strike? Would there be more new series testing the waters or would it still be riddled with TV veterans?

"True Blood" (9 p.m., HBO) NEW

Series premiere airs tonight

Starring: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Ryan Kwanten

Synopsis: In Bon Temps, Louisiana, vampires and humans live among each other. Waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Paquin) can read people's minds but can't get get through to mysterious vampire Bill, which strikes her curiosity. Amid their vampire-human relationship, murders plague the small town.

My Prediction: It is one of those love it or hate it shows. Since helmer Alan Ball ("Six Feet Under") is adapting this from the popular Sookie Stackhouse novels, the new take on the vampire myth adds a little bit of intrigue, which could lose viewers or keep them tuned in. It will catch a small audience to make it through its first season, but beyond that, its fate is questionable.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Desperate Housewives" (9 p.m., ABC)

Season 5 premieres Sept. 28

Starring: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria
Synopsis: On Wisteria Lane, it is five years after the fourth season ended. The kids have grown up (new cast members) and things have changed drastically.
My Prediction: It'll do fine, but it's been losing its luster.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Brothers & Sisters" (10 p.m., ABC)

Season 3 premieres Sept. 28

Starring: Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Rachel Griffiths, Rob Lowe, Matthew Rhys
Synopsis: Last season, Kevin (Rhys) and Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) got married, Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily Van Camp) officially became a couple and the Walkers learned that their patriarch fathered another child.
My Prediction: The Walkers are the epitome of the family everyone wants to know, but is afraid to admit it. They are dysfunctional (in the best way possible), deal with real everyday problems and love each other unconditionally all the way through. The second season was without its critics (the whole Justin-Rebecca pairing fueled some fire), and it's not to say this new season won't have the same. It has just the right amount of humor, drama and emotion without being too cliche.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Californication" (10 p.m., Showtime)

Season 2 premieres Sept. 28

Starring: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone
Synopsis: By season's end, novelist Hank Moody (Duchovny) got everything he wanted. His ex-lover, Karen (McElhone), married another man but ran off with Moody and their daughter in the end to a seemingly perfect fairytale ending.
My Prediction: It might not have the same buzz as other shows since it's on the uncensored Showtime channel, but Duchovny is eerily perfect in his role as a narcotic sex-addicted has-been writer struggling to get his life back together. Fantastically written and wonderfully acted, the second season will be better than the first.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Entourage" (10 p.m., HBO)

Season 5 premiere airs tonight

Starring: Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon
Synopsis: At Cannes, the gang try to sell their film "Medellin" before anyone even sees it. Someone does end up purchasing it, but for far less than what they were thinking it'd go for. Vincent's (Grenier) film tanks at the festival and Ari (Piven) enters an under-the-table deal to get them out of trouble.
My Prediction: The fifth season will be another solid one for the post-"Sopranos" era on HBO. They're going to need all the help they can get.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"The Amazing Race" (8 p.m., CBS) UNSCRIPTED

Season 13 premieres Sept. 28

Starring: Phil Keoghan
Synopsis: Thirteen teams of two travel the world in hopes of arriving first in the last leg to collect the grand prize. Along the way, other prizes and shortcuts act as incentives for the racers.
My Prediction: Besides "Project Runway," "Top Chef" and "So You Think You Can Dance," I am pretty much against reality shows. "The Amazing Race," however, has always provided one of the best narratives all season long and the characters they focus on each episode feels genuine and unrehearsed. The Emmy voters love this show (won five straight Emmys) and even though it's time someone else had a chance to win the Emmy, as long as this show is on, it's going to be incredibly difficult.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV