FALL '08 PREVIEW: THURSDAY NIGHTS

Welcome to the mania of Thursday nights! There are just so many things to watch and so little time. What to do ...

"The Office" (9 p.m., NBC)
Season 5 premieres Sept. 25

Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
Synopsis: For the first time in its four-season run, we will see what events transpired during the summer. The season premiere, titled "Weight Loss," is basically an office-wide competition with, you guessed it, a prize for the person who loses the most weight. Changes are also coming for our beloved will they-won't they couple, Jim and Pam. Also, Amy Ryan (the lovely Holly Flax, new Human Resources Director) will be appearing in the new season.
My Prediction: With time comes changes, and "The Office" is no different. In Dunder-Mifflin's fifth year, an integral member of the cast (one of the five major actors) will no longer be in the office. Who, you ask, my it's pretty easy to tell - just rewatch the finale. This is a series that relies on the awkward silences and everyday ridiculousness that ensues in an artificial working environment.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Kath & Kim" (8:30 p.m., NBC) NEW
Series premieres Oct. 9

Starring: Molly Shannon, Selma Blair, Mikey Day
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Based on the hit Australian series, this comedy follows a divorced mom (Shannon) living in a suburban house with her depressed daughter (Blair).
My Prediction: The Australian show wasn't funny, so why is this version any different?
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Ugly Betty" (8 p.m., ABC)
Season 3 premieres Sept. 25

Starring: America Ferrera, Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Ana Ortiz, Becki Newton
Synopsis: (From TV.com) In the season premiere, many questions will plague Betty (Ferrera) and company: Will Betty choose Henry or Gio? Will Tony Diaz choose Hilda or his wife? And will Alexis choose Daniel or Wilhelmina to run Mode?
My Prediction: Hopefully with its move to New York City, the city's architecture and atmosphere will add a much-needed touch to the dramedy.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Grey's Anatomy" (9 p.m., ABC)
Season 5 premieres Sept. 25

Starring: Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh
Synopsis: In a nutshell, stuff happens to the doctors on Seattle Grace and "Grey's Anatomy" shows it.
My Prediction: It's slowly leaning toward has-been territory.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Life on Mars" (10 p.m., ABC) NEW
Series premieres Oct. 9

Starring: Jason O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Sam Tyler (O'Mara) is a detective from the 21st century who travels back in time to the 1970s after a car accident. Tyler clashes with new boss Gene Hunt (Keitel) who doesn't take his coming from the future seriously. Tyler ends up working on a case involving a serial killer that may have something to do with his girlfriend's kidnapping in the present time.
My Prediction: I haven't heard much about the show but based on the premise, it sounds remotely interesting.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Eleventh Hour" (10 p.m., CBS) NEW
Series premieres Oct. 9

Starring: Rufus Sewell, Marley Shelton, Andrew Hedge, Michael Jonsson, Colin Lawrence
Synopsis: (From TV.com) The show follows Dr. Jacob Wood (Sewell), a special science adviser to the U.S. government who saves people from the worst abuses of science. He is accompanied by his feisty female bodyguard, Rachel Young (Shelton).
My Prediction: Like "Life on Mars," haven't heard much, so I can't really determine if it's worthy of viewing. It's another procedural and it's produced by Jerry Bruckheimer so chances are, it'll stay on TV for at least a couple of episodes.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"30 Rock" (9:30 p.m., NBC)
Season 3 premieres Oct. 30

Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Liz Lemon, played by "Saturday Night Live's" Tina Fey, is the head writer of "The Girlie Show." When her old boss dies and a new boss comes in (Baldwin as Jack Donaghy), demanding the addition of a volatile former movie star (and re-branding the show "TGS with Tracy Jordan" in the process), Liz must figure out how to keep things running smoothly without losing her mind.
My Prediction: Last season was the best Fey and company have ever been.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Supernatural" (9 p.m., CW)
Season 4 premieres Sept. 18

Starring: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padelecki
Synopsis: We all know that it's about two brothers who fight evil beings.
My Prediction: Season one was perhaps its best.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (10 p.m., FX)
Season 4 premieres Sept. 18

Starring: Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito
Synopsis: (From TV.com) "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" revolves around four friends who run a bar in the City of Brotherly Love and have to overcome their relentless self-involvement to make their friendship and business work.
My Prediction: The most politically-incorrect comedy (but freakin' hilarious) on television, hands down.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

FALL '08 PREVIEW: WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Wednesdays feature a good mixture of the old and the new. ABC's three-hour slate is perhaps the strongest of all the networks. Several new shows ("Gary Unmarried," "Knight Rider" and "Do Not Disturb") aren't nearly as strong and it would be of no surprise if they were all cancelled before December.

"Pushing Daisies" (8 p.m., ABC)
Season 2 premieres Oct. 1

Starring: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth
Synopsis: Ned the Piemaker (Pace) can bring people and animals back from the dead, but only for a minute, otherwise someone or something else in its vicinity will take its place. That's pretty much the broad overview of the show. But things are made more complicated when Ned brings back his childhood sweetheart and neighbor, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Friel).
My Prediction: This has to be my favorite television series currently on, aside from "The Office." Death is treated with goodnatured humor even though death is, well, a pretty damn depressing thing to think about. The colors of the Coeur d'Coeur world are magnificent and rich, and totally made for Blu-ray. It was the breakout hit of last season and it will definitely create even more ridiculously enriching storylines this year.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Private Practice" (9 p.m., ABC)
Season 2 premieres Oct. 1

Starring: Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, Audra McDonald, Taye Diggs, Amy Brenneman
Synopsis: (From TV.com) "Private Practice" is a spin-off of the highly popular ABC series, "Grey's Anatomy" starring Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, a renowned neonatal surgeon. After realizing that her life isn't advancing at Seattle Grace, Addison packs her bags and heads off to Santa Monica to start a new life. She reunites with her newly divorced med school friends, Naomi (McDonald) and Sam (Diggs), and joins them in their chic private practice.
My Prediction: It'll do just fine. In many ways, I prefer this world over "Grey's Anatomy." I think I've outgrown the latter; I haven't watched it in two seasons.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Dirty Sexy Money" (10 p.m., ABC)
Season 2 premieres Oct. 1

Starring: Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland, Blair Underwood, William Baldwin, Zoe McLellan
Synopsis: (From TV.com) In the season premiere, Juliet's (Samaire Armstrong) new boyfriend Kai tries to adjust to her lifestyle and is asked to appear in Natalie Kimpton's upcoming music video. Tripp (Sutherland) asks for assistance from the Governor to get around the subpoena issued by his son Patrick (Baldwin) for him to appear before the Fantini case. The Governor refuses to get in the way as he is a friend of Simon Elder (Underwood). Nick (Krause) and Brian (Glenn Fitzgerald) try to help Tripp avoid the subpoena instead. Meanwhile, Nick is instructed to hire a private investigator to locate Carmelita. Jeremy (Seth Gabel) and Lisa (McLellan) put up an art dealership, but Lisa initially faces difficulties with running the business.
My Prediction: I have to be honest and say that I haven't caught up on this show at all, however, my friend who regularly tuned in last year said it was fantastic so I'll have to take her word for it.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Gary Unmarried" (8:30 p.m., CBS) NEW
Series premieres Sept. 24

Starring: Jay Mohr, Jaime King, Paula Marshall, Kathryn Newton
Synopsis: (From TV.com) A newly divorced father of two (Mohr) balances life with his new girlfriend and his ex-wife to whom he was married for fifteen years. In the pilot, Gary's ex-wife has got engaged and he finds himself trying to navigate fatherhood and his own new love interest.
My Prediction: Been there, done that.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Lipstick Jungle" (10 p.m., NBC)
Season 2 premieres Sept. 24

Starring: Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, Lindsay Price
Synopsis: (From TV.com) In the premiere, Nico's (Raver) guilt over her affair leads her to decide to do anything to save her marriage. Wendy (Shields) decides to spend more time at home with her family, but things aren't easy when her mother decides to come for a visit. Victory (Price) is having trouble keeping her distance from Joe (Andrew McCarthy) who is trying to get her back. .
My Prediction: The perfect guilty pleasure show that's ten times better than watching "The Hills" or "90210."
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Knight Rider" (8 p.m., NBC) NEW
Series premieres Sept. 24

I will be previewing this show when it premieres in two weeks, so until then, enjoy the photo above!

"Bones" (8 p.m., FOX)
Episode 3 of season 2 airs tonight

Starring: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, T.J. Thyne, Tamara Taylor, John Francis Daley
Synopsis: (From TV.com) In tonight's episode, the body of the host of a popular reality TV show is found partially decomposed in an outhouse, and Booth (Boreanaz) and Brennan (Deschanel) must find out who the killer is. Meanwhile, Booth learns that Brennan is juggling two relationships.
My Prediction: Last week's two-hour premiere was fantastic. I expect nothing less than that all season long.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Do Not Disturb" (9:30 p.m., FOX) NEW
Series premiere airs tonight

Starring: Jerry O'Connell, Niecy Nash, David Franco, Molly Stanton
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Tonight's premiere focuses on an article about the sexual exploits of the staff of The Inn while on the job, which is run at a local New York magazine, causing Rhonda (Nash) to take action and Neal (O'Connell) to try to act on his best behavior. Meanwhile, Molly (Jolene Purdy) helps Nicole (Stanton) with her modeling career, and Gus (Franco) helps Larry (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) with his love life. .
My Prediction: How did this get greenlit? Oh wait ... it's FOX.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass; don't even attempt to watch it, brain cells will evaporate.

"Sons of Anarchy" (10 p.m., FX) NEW
Episode 2 of season 1 airs tonight

Go here for a review of last week's premiere.

FALL '08 PREVIEW: TUESDAY NIGHTS

Tuesdays are filled with new shows all vying to stay in their coveted place. Two have already premiered ("90210," "Greek"), and some of the most anticipated have still yet to come ("House," "Fringe"). Here's a look at a relatively light night of television.

"The Mentalist" (10 p.m., CBS) NEW

Series premieres Sept. 23

Starring: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Amanda Righetti, Owain Yeoman
Synopsis: (From TV.com) "The Mentalist" tells the tale of Patrick Jane (Baker) who is employed as an independent detective working with the California Bureau of Investigation to solve crimes. He has refined his observations skills to a near perfect level and lends these skills to the CBI to help them solve cases. The team that he works with consists of the senior agent, Teresa Gibson (Tunney), agents Kimball Cho (Tim Kang) and Wayne Rigsby (Yeoman) and the rookie, Grace Van Pelt (Righetti).
My Prediction: Saw the pilot and thought it was okay - just that, okay. It's essentially another procedural amid the "CSIs," "Law and Orders" and "Without a Traces," but one could say this is different because it uses a "psychic" (really just a very observant dude in nice suits) to help solve their cases. Sound sort of like "Psych"? Yea, it's pretty much the same, only not a light comedy by any means.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later; it's best to watch this in passing. You're not missing much if you don't.

"90210" (8 p.m., CW) NEW

Episode 3 of season 1 airs tonight

Go here to read my review of "90210."

"Privileged" (9 p.m., CW) NEW

Series premiere airs tonight

Starring: Joanna Garcia, Lucy Kate Hale, Ashley Newbrough, Michael Cassidy

Synopsis: (From TV.com) Yale graduate Megan Smith (Garcia) recently moves to Manhattan with hopes of finding success in the field of journalism. However, when her plans go wrong, she accepts a job as the live-in tutor helping two wealthy high school students in Palm Springs get accepted at a top university.

My Prediction: I'm kind of excited to see it tonight. I haven't had a chance to catch it beforehand, but good things have come out about this show.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later; I've heard from many people that this is perhaps one of the smartest and wittiest comedies of the new season, so give it a chance.

"Fringe" (9 p.m., FOX) NEW

Series premiere airs tonight at 8 p.m. (special time)

Starring: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Mark Valley
Synopsis: (From TV.com) FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Torv) and Peter Bishop (Jackson) are faced with a rapidly spreading unexplained phenomenon of the threatening kind. In an attempt to stop the spread, they enlist the assistance of Bishop's estranged father, the institutionalized scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (Noble).
My Prediction: I saw the two-hour pilot at Comic-Con in July and what I remember is that it was a little on the long side. There were esentially things that were put in there just to try and fill up the time. Hopefully by tonight, the people behind "Fringe" cut it down a little and made it tighter. In the version I saw, the only parts you had to really pay attention to was the beginning and the end - not good for a special premiere. Also, a lot of the lines - especially the ones that Joshua Jackson had - were unnatural and cliche.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV, but with reservations.

"Greek" (8 p.m., ABC Family)

Episode 3 of season 2 airs tonight

Starring: Spencer Grammer, Jacob Zachar, Scott Michael Foster, Jake McDorman

Synopsis: (From TV.com) In tonight's episode, Casey (Grammer) and Rusty (Zachar) organize a casino night in order to help a debt-plagued Ashleigh (Amber Stevens). Elsewhere, Evan (McDorman) struggles with accepting the fine print on his trust fund. Cappie's (Foster) in need of new car. And, Rebecca (Dilshad Vadsaria) wants more from a relationship but she's not sure if she'll get it from Cappie.

My Prediction: I've followed this show since the beginning and loved every minute of it. Loved ... it's time to move on.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Eli Stone" (10 p.m., ABC)

Season 2 premieres Oct. 14

Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Victor Garber, Natasha Henstridge, Loretta Devine
Synopsis: (From TV.com) In a nutshell, this show follows the tale of a San Francisco lawyer (Miller) who finds out he has prophetic powers and decides to use them for good.
My Prediction: Fantastic cast, interesting premise and highly entertaining. "Eli Stone" has to be the most underrated returning series of the new season and that's a shame, because each episode keeps you on the edge of your seat - literally.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"House" (8 p.m, FOX)

Season 5 premieres Sept. 16

Starring: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer
Synopsis: Do we really need to figure out what "House" is about? Let's just say its previous season was by far one of the most intense seasons yet, and that itself is an understatement.
My Prediction: Um ... this show is the quintessential case study for a dramatic comedy. I've seen the first two episodes and they are both perfect in their own ways. You'll see what I mean when they air.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

FALL '08 PREVIEW: MONDAY NIGHTS

Monday nights are quickly becoming the next Thursday night. As you can see here, these are just the highlights of the night; I didn't include CBS' "Two and a Half Men," TNT's "Raising the Bar," " ABC's "Boston Legal" and CBS' "CSI: Miami." Get those DVRs ready; it's going to be a busy night of television.

"How I Met Your Mother" (8:30 p.m., CBS)

Season 4 premieres Sept. 22

Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan

Synopsis: When we last left the fivesome at the end of season 3, Barney (Harris) pined for Ted's (Radnor) former lover, Robin (Smulders). Ted proposed to tattoo removal doctor, Stella ("Scrubs'" Sarah Chalke). Will Stella say yes? Will Barney tell Robin his true feelings?

My Prediction: The third season solidified this CBS sitcom as one of the true standouts in the current television climate. Without a "Friends" or "Seinfeld" to pave the way for half-hour comedies, "How I Met Your Mother" fulfills its newfound role with heart, good-natured humor and realistic, everyday problems. The fourth season leads off with the answers to all the questions in the third season finale, and the characters will have to live with the consequences of their decisions extremely quickly. Can't. Wait.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Worst Week" (9:30 p.m., CBS) NEW

Series premieres Sept. 22

Starring: Kyle Bornheimer, Erinn Hayes, Kurtwood Smith, Nancy Lenehan
Synopsis: In the pilot, Sam (Bornheimer) and Mel (Hayes) intend to reveal her pregnancy to her parents after a quiet dinner. However, when Sam misses the train after having a drunk girl throw up on him, the dinner starts becoming increasingly unlikely.
My Prediction: Not quite sure what to expect from this show, but apparently some TV critics have shown their love for it while others haven't been so forthcoming. We'll see how this one pans out.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"My Own Worst Enemy" (8 p.m., NBC) NEW

Series premieres Oct. 13

Starring: Christian Slater, Madchen Amick, Taylor Lautner, Saffron Burrows

Synopsis: (From TV.com) Edward Albright is a super spy. Henry Spivey is living the normal American dream in the suburbs with his wife, two kids and dog. The two men (Slater) have one thing in common - they share the same body because Edward took part in an experiment several years earlier to create a split personality. Henry has never met his alter-ego Edward, and one day he receives an email from Edward saying that people are coming to kill him. Now, the super spy and the suburban daddy have to learn to live with each other in the same body.

My Prediction: This one could go either way. The concept is interesting, however, that means nothing if the cast and the storylines don't consistently create an intriguing world the viewers truly care about.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"Samantha Who?" (9:30 p.m., ABC)

Season 2 premieres Oct. 6

Starring: Christina Applegate, Jean Smart, Barry Watson, Jennifer Esposito
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Samantha "Sam" Newly (Applegate) is a corporate executive and hit-and-run victim who awakens after being in a coma for eight days, only to find she has amnesia. With no memories of the past, she must rediscover everything about her life and herself by looking for clues from her past. Sam discovers that she wasn't a very nice person to most people and she is determined to change that.
My Prediction: I regret never watching this show when it first started last October because I've heard such great things from everyone who has seen it either online or on TV. Going solely on other people's reactions and reviews, the second season will be one of comedic gold.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Catch Later

"The Big Bang Theory" (8 p.m., CBS)

Season 2 premieres Sept. 22

Starring: Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Sara Gilbert, Jim Parsons

Synopsis: (From TV.com) "The Big Bang Theory" is a sitcom that shows what happens when hyperintelligent roommates/physicists Sheldon (Parsons) and Leonard (Galecki) meet Penny (Cuoco), a beautiful woman moving in next door - and realize they know next to nothing about life outside of the lab. Rounding out the crew are the smarmy Wolowitz (Helberg), who thinks he's as sexy as he is brainy, and Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), who suffers from an inability to speak in the presence of a woman.

My Prediction: I have to be honest here and say that I'm surprised that this show made it past its first season. Although it did have a solid following, I didn't find it that funny at all.

Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Chuck" (8 p.m., NBC)

Season 2 premieres Sept. 29

Starring: Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Baldwin, Sarah Lancaster

Synopsis: (From TV.com) In its season finale, Chuck (Levi) finds a bug in the Buy More, which leads Casey (Baldwin) and Sarah (Strahovski) to take drastic measures to find out whether the truth about Chuck has been discovered. Whilst facing the possibility that he may have to leave his life forever, Chuck loses something very important- the engagement ring for Ellie (Lancaster) entrusted to him by Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin).
My Prediction: Highly entertaining and at the same time, sometimes ridiculous, Levi plays the nerdy computer geek to perfection. (I'm already sold that he is one in real life.) An impressive line of guest stars are already lined up for its sophomore season and we'll finally get to meet Jill, Chuck's first love while he was at Stanford.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV

"Heroes" (9 p.m., NBC)

Season 3 premieres Sept. 22

Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere, Masi Oka, Ali Larter, Adrian Pasdar
Synopsis: (From TV.com) "Heroes" is a serial saga about people all over the world discovering that they have superpowers and trying to deal with how this change affects their lives. (We all know what this show is about.)
My Prediction: Per my roommate who attended the "Heroes" panel at Comic-Con this July, the season premiere is absolutely insane, and in a good way.
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: I recommend Appointment TV, but I will have to Pass.

"Gossip Girl" (8 p.m., CW)
Episode 2 of season 2 airs tonight

Starring: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley, Ed Westwick
Synopsis: (From TV.com) Tonight's episode goes a little like this: Spotted, Lord Marcus (guest star Patrick Heusinger) having a conversation with his mother? The identity of Lord Marcus mother is revealed - which leaves our favorite Upper East Siders shocked. Nate (Crawford) and Serena (Lively) get closer. Chuck (Westwick) and Lord Marcus begin an unexpected friendship and Blair (Meester) makes a revelation.
My Prediction: It's going to be another trashy season!
Pass, Catch Later or Appointment TV: Appointment TV for all the wrong reasons

"One Tree Hill" (9 p.m., CW)
Episode 2 of season 6 airs tonight

Starring: Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton, Sophia Bush, Bethany Galeotti
Synopsis: (From TV.com) For anyone who cares, here's what the next episode is about: Tree Hill residents are surprised to learn that a couple will indeed get married. Brooke (Bush) tries to adjust to life after the robbery at "Clothes Over Bros". Nathan (Lafferty) and Haley (Galeotti) receive devasting news and Nanny Carrie's return creates more blanks than answers, after she kidnaps Dan - whose life is in jeopardy..
My Prediction: They cancelled "Veronica Mars" for this has-been?!
Catch Later or Appointment TV: Pass

"Prison Break" (9 p.m., FOX)
Episode 2 of season 4 airs tonight

Go here for a review of "Prison Break."

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (8 p.m., FOX)
Season 2 premiere airs tonight

Go here for a review of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

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

Fall TV previews coming soon

Yes, I've been slacking with the Fall TV previews. The season officially started last night with the season premieres of "Gossip Girl" (which I have to catch up on) and "Prison Break" (which I already saw; a formal review will be posted here tomorrow). Today, the CW's highly anticipated "90210" will kick off the new series for the fall with a two-hour premiere. Wednesday marks the start of season four of "Bones" (which I watched last night; a formal review will be posted here tomorrow as well). Even though I already talked about "House," which comes back on Tuesday, Sept. 16, a formal review will be up as the date nears. And on and on it goes.

I will be starting the previews on Sunday, with both new and returning shows that will be premiering in the coming months. So look out for those. I am a bit torn in regards to "90210." I'm not sure if I should be watching it, but knowing me, I will probably get sucked into the superficiality and the gossip-ridden lives of these characters.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 7!