Fall TV preview: Feeling the long-term effects of the writers’ strike
By Casey Gillis on Aug. 27, 2008
(434) 385-5525
Last season was a weird one.
It felt like we were just starting to get to know those crazy kids on “Gossip Girl” or, say, the death-defying work of Ned on “Pushing Daisies” when the writers’ strike swooped in and took them all away.
Some shows returned briefly after the strike, while others - including “Daisies,” “Chuck” and “Heroes” - are returning this fall, after about nine months off the air.
The strike also impacted the networks’ development of new series. Many didn’t have enough time to come up with a full slate of newbies and are rolling out fewer shows than usual. ABC has only one new drama, compared with the eight scripted shows they debuted last year, and CBS has the most, with five.
This season’s new series will also welcome back some familiar faces and big-name stars, like former “Beverly Hills 90210” stars Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty, both of whom are set to appear on the new, updated version.
Joshua Jackson, who played the lovable Pacey Witter on “Dawson’s Creek,” is starring in the new J.J. Abrams supernatural thriller, “Fringe;” Christian Slater is headlining NBC’s “My Own Worst Enemy;” “Saturday Night Live” alum Molly Shannon is on the wacky “Kath & Kim;” and Jay Mohr has left the “Ghost Whisperer” behind to play a divorced dad in CBS’s “Gary Unmarried.”
Read on for everything you need to know about this fall TV season (premiere dates are subject to change):
Monday, Sept. 1
Gossip Girl (8 p.m., CW)
The sophomore season of the popular show, which is based on a series of young adult novels, is sure to be just as full of trauma and drama as the first season. The first episode takes place in the Hamptons, where several of the characters have spent their summer vacations. Also on tap this season: Nate will romance an older woman, and Chuck will rethink his decision to ditch Blair.
Raising the Bar (10 p.m., TNT)
This comes from “NYPD Blue” creator Steven Bochco and follows the lives and loves of a group of lawyers. Bochco teams back up with former “Blue” star Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who plays feisty public defender Jerry Kellerman. See this week’s Couch Potato review for more information.
Also returning: “Prison Break” (8 p.m., Fox) and “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., CW)
Tuesday, Sept. 2
90210 (8 p.m., CW)
The update centers around two Beverly Hills transplants: Annie and Dixon Mills, who move into the ZIP from Kansas after their father takes a job as West Beverly High’s new principal. As mentioned before, original series stars Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth are reprising their roles as, respectively, Brenda Walsh, now a successful theater actress, and Kelly Taylor, West Bev’s guidance counselor. Here’s hoping that Dylan McKay isn’t far behind!
Also returning: The final season of “The Shield” (10 p.m., FX)
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Bones (8 p.m., Fox)
The premiere finds Brennan and Booth working a case in London with Scotland Yard. Former lab rat Zack, who was revealed to be working with a serial killer in last season’s finale, won’t be replaced on the team this season. Instead, a rotating group of interns will filter in and out of the lab in his place. We’ll still see him occasionally, when he functions as a Hannibal Lecter-type consultant on cases while behind bars.
Sons of Anarchy (10 p.m., FX)
An outlaw motorcycle group protects its small California town from drug dealers and corporate developers in this series, which stars Katey Sagal (“Married With Children”) and Charlie Hunnam (“Undeclared”).
Also returning: “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., CW)
Sunday, Sept. 7
Entourage (10 p.m., HBO)
When we last saw movie star Vincent Chase, he was dealing with a healthy dose of humiliation at the Cannes Film Festival, where his passion project, “Medellin,” got a poor reception. When the show comes back, he’s been hiding out in Mexico and heads back to Hollywood to resurrect his career.
True Blood (9 p.m., HBO)
This is the latest from “Six Feet Under” creator Alan Ball and is based on a series of books by Charlaine Harris. The action centers on a world where vampires live out in the open and, thanks to a Japanese scientist’s synthetic blood invention, don’t feed on humans. In the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress who can hear people’s thoughts and finds herself drawn to Bill Compton, a handsome 173-year-old vamp.
Monday, Sept. 8
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (8 p.m., Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Fringe (8 p.m., Fox)
“Fringe” is about a comely young FBI agent who teams up with an eccentric scientist and his estranged son (Joshua Jackson) to solve the mystery behind a plane crash. Think “X-Files” with a little “Lost” and “Alias” mythology thrown in.
Privileged (9 p.m., CW)
Based on “Surviving the Filthy Rich,” a popular teen book, this series is about an aspiring journalist who takes a job as the live-in tutor for a pair of spoiled, rebellious twins in Palm Beach.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Do Not Disturb (9:30 p.m., Fox)
Jerry O’Connell and Nicey Nash co-star in this half-hour comedy about the management team at one of New York’s hippest hotels.
Also returning: “‘Til Death” (9 p.m., Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 16
House (9 p.m., Fox)
Thursday, Sept. 18
Smallville (8 p.m., CW)
When we last saw Clark, bald baddie Lex Luthor had just discovered his secret, and the two faced off in the Fortress of Solitude. Clark’s still missing when the season begins, and members of the Justice League - led by Green Arrow - are searching for him. Lex and portrayer Michael Rosenbaum are out this season, but in his place are two new sinister foes: Tess Mercer, a shady lady searching for Lex, and David Bloome, an EMT who becomes Doomsday, the villain responsible for killing Superman in the comic books.
Supernatural (9 p.m., CW)
Dean’s back from Hell this season, but we don’t know how he got out - and neither does he. We’ll also see how Sam suffered while his big brother was away.
Also returning: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (10 p.m., FX)
Sunday, Sept. 21
Valentine (8 p.m., CW)
This cute-sounding show is about the Valentine family, a group of gods - Aphrodite (played by Jaime Murray, “Dexter”), Eros (Kristoffer Polaha, “Miss Guided”), the Oracle of Delphi (Autumn Reeser, “The O.C.”) and Hercules (Robert Baker - who live among humans and keep their true identities a secret while bringing together soul mates.
Monday, Sept. 22
Dancing With the Stars (8 p.m., ABC)
Among those hoofing it this season are “All My Children” star Susan Lucci, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, former boy bander Lance Bass, USA beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, R&B songstress Toni Braxton, actress Cloris Leachman, former NFL player Warren Sapp, actor Ted McGinley, track star Maurice Greene, comedian Jeff Ross, “Hannah Montana” star Cody Linley, TV host Brooke Burns and reality TV staple Kim Kardashian.
Heroes (9 p.m., NBC)
The previously whiney, kinda annoying Mohinder is stepping up his game this season. After injecting himself with the serum he made to cure Maya, he’ll wind up with some powers of his own.
Worst Week (9:30 p.m., CBS)
A new comedy that follows Sam, a successful magazine editor who always manages to embarrass himself or cause some kind of havoc in front of his girlfriend’s conservative parents. And their latest bit of news has him extra nervous: girlfriend Melanie is pregnant, and they’re planning a shotgun wedding. Adding insult to injury is that Kurtwood Smith, who perfected the disapproving parent-schtick as Red on “That ’70s Show,” plays Melanie’s pop. I’d be scared of him, too, Sam.
Also returning: “The Big Bang Theory” (8 p.m., CBS), “How I Met Your Mother” (8:30 p.m., CBS), “Two and a Half Men” (9 p.m., CBS), “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC) and “CSI: Miami” (10 p.m., CBS)
Tuesday, Sept. 23
The Mentalist (CBS)
Hottie Simon Baker (“The Guardian”) stars as a former fake psychic, who uses his sharp observational skills to help the California Bureau of Investigation solve crimes.
Also returning: “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS), “Law & Order: SVU” (10 p.m., NBC) and “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS)
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Knight Rider (8 p.m., NBC)
Former soap star Justin Bruening (“All My Children”) stars in this update of the 1970s David Hasselhoff series.
Gary Unmarried (8:30 p.m., CBS)
Jay Mohr is a suddenly single painting contractor dealing with the aftermath of divorce. He shares custody of his two kids with controlling ex-wife Allison (Paula Marshall) - who is recently engaged to their therapist - and embarks on a new relationship with Vanessa, a single mother.
Also returning: “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (8 p.m., CBS), “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS), “Lipstick Jungle” (10 p.m., NBC) and “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).
Thursday, Sept. 25
Grey’s Anatomy (9 p.m., ABC)
More love than usual is in the air this season. Usually star-crossed duo Meredith and Derek are going to give their relationship another go, an effort that will include them considering living together; Callie and Erica are going to see where their budding romance takes them; and Kevin McKidd, who starred in last season’s “Journeyman” is coming onboard as Owen Hunt, an Army surgeon who ends up at Seattle Grace after a car accident. He sticks around, and it looks like sparks will fly with Cristina.
Also returning: “Ugly Betty” (8 p.m., ABC), “My Name Is Earl” (8 p.m., NBC), “Survivor: Gabon” (8 p.m., CBS), “The Office”(9 p.m., NBC) and “ER” (10 p.m., NBC)
Sunday, Sept. 28
Desperate Housewives (9 p.m., ABC)
Creator Marc Cherry went all “Lost” on us last season, when he flashed ahead five years to check in with our favorite Wisteria Lane residents: Gabby, now a harried mother of two; Susan, who was caught playing kissy face with someone who was most definitely not hubby Mike; Lynette, who was stressing about her rebellious teen twins and Bree, who seemed to be on the verge of becoming the next Martha Stewart.
Also returning: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m., ABC), “The Amazing Race 13” (8 p.m., CBS), “The Simpsons” (8 p.m., Fox), “King of the Hill” (8:30 p.m., Fox), “Cold Case” (9 p.m., CBS), “Dexter” (9 p.m., Showtime), “Family Guy” (9 p.m., Fox), “Brothers & Sisters” (10 p.m., ABC), “The Unit” (10 p.m., CBS) and “Californication” (10 p.m., Showtime)
Monday, Sept. 29
Chuck (8 p.m., NBC)
The series will welcome several high-profile guest stars this season: Nicole Richie as Sarah’s high school nemesis, John Laroquette as an alcoholic ex-spy who schools Chuck, Michael Clarke Duncan as a bad guy and Melinda Clarke as a black widow Chuck must seduce.
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Pushing Daisies (8 p.m., ABC)
It was one of last season’s best and one of the most inventive, charming series I’ve seen in a long time. This season, Chuck (Anna Friel) just might find out who her real mother is, and David Arquette is set to guest-star in the fourth episode as a socially inept man with a secret that connects him to Ned (series star and dreamboat Lee Pace).
Also returning: “Private Practice” (9 p.m., ABC) and “Dirty Sexy Money” (10 p.m., ABC)
Friday, Oct. 3
The Ex List (CBS)
Elizabeth Reaser, last seen as Alex’s doomed love Rebecca on “Grey’s Anatomy,” stars as a woman revisiting past loves after a psychic tells her she’s already dated her future hubby.
Also returning: “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 p.m., CW), “Ghost Whisperer” (8 p.m., CBS), “Wife Swap (8 p.m., ABC), “The Game” (8:30 p.m., CW), “Supernanny” (9 p.m., ABC), “Life” (10 p.m., NBC) and “Numb3rs” (10 p.m., CBS)
Monday, Oct. 6
Samantha Who? (9:30 p.m., ABC)
Thursday, Oct. 9
Kath & Kim (8:30 p.m., NBC)
Based on an Australian series of the same name, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star as a dysfunctional mother/daughter duo who move in together when the daughter leaves her husband.
Life on Mars (10 p.m., ABC)
Jason O’Mara, last seen terrorizing Brenda as pyromaniac Billy Croelick on “The Closer,” stars in this adaptation of a popular BBC series about a modern-day detective who, after a car accident, wakes up in 1973. He’s still working as a detective, but has to adjust to life in the past.
CSI (9 p.m., CBS)
There are a lot of changes in store for the long-running series this season. Gary Dourdan, who has played CSI Warrick since the pilot, is out, and new investigator Riley Adams, who often butts heads with Grissom, is in. That shouldn’t matter for very long. Grissom (William Petersen) will be saying sayonara to the crime lab after a handful of episodes this season. Catherine and Nick will take the reigns, and Laurence Fishburne will join the cast as a new CSI with an interesting backstory.
Eleventh Hour (10 p.m., CBS)
Rufus Sewell (“Dark City”) stars as a brilliant biophysicist who investigates scientific crimes and oddities in this Jerry Bruckheimer remake of a British miniseries.
Friday, Oct. 10
The Starter Wife (10 p.m., USA)
Debra Messing is back as Molly Kagan, a former Hollywood wife whose world was turned upside-down when her producer husband dumped her in last summer’s miniseries of the same name. This 10-episode series will follow Molly as she begins a new chapter in her life, with a little help from best friends Joan (Emmy winner Judy Davis) and Rodney (Chris Diamantopoulos).
Monday, Oct. 13
My Own Worst Enemy (10 p.m., NBC)
Christian Slater stars as a man with dual identities - a suburban dad with a humdrum life and a globetrotting spy - in this take on the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde story.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Eli Stone (10 p.m., ABC)
Friday, Oct. 17
Crusoe (8 p.m., NBC)
A contemporary take on the classic novel about a man shipwrecked on a remote island for 28 years.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Stylista (9 p.m., CW)
This Tyra Banks-produced reality show follows 11 fashion-minded folks as they compete for an editorial position at Elle magazine, a paid lease on a Manhattan apartment and a one-year clothing allowance at H&M.
Thursday, Oct. 30
30 Rock (9:30 p.m., NBC)
COMMENTS