Fall TV Schedule: Freaky Friday

It turns out that Friday actually isn't so freaky, with only one show that I'm moderately interested in watching. In case the picture hasn't given it away, it's The Starter Wife (Oct. 10) at 10/9 on USA, although it'll likely run a few more times because it's on USA. I enjoyed the miniseries last year, so I'm looking forward to see where they're going with it now. And Judy Davis is sublime. Other shows on the night are listed after the click. In case you're wondering, there won't be any post for Saturday, which is generally a barren wasteland for television. We should all be out partying anyway! Or working to catch up on stuff on which we got behind during the week because we were watching television. Whatever.

Returning Network Shows:

Wife Swap (Oct. 3) ABC 8/7
Supernanny (Oct. 3) ABC 9/8
20/20 (underway) ABC 10/9
Ghost Whisperer (Oct. 3) CBS 8/7
Numb3rs (Oct. 3) CBS 10/9
Life (Sept. 29) NBC 10/9
Everybody Hates Chris (Oct. 3) CW 8/7
The Game (Oct. 3) CW 8:30/7:30
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (underway) FOX 8/7
Don't Forget the Lyrics! (underway) FOX 9/8

New Network Shows:

The Ex List (Oct. 3) CBS 9/8 - Woman revisits exes after psychic tells her that she's met the one. [Does she ever consider that the psychic might be hitting on her?]
America's Toughest Jobs (underway) NBC 8/7 - Ordinary people attempt dangerous jobs.
Crusoe (Oct. 17) NBC 9/8 - Like Robinson Crusoe, as primitive as can be. Just like Robinson Crusoe.

Cable:

Crash (Oct. 17) Starz 10/9 - Based on the film that stole won the Oscar.

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Fall TV Schedule: Thursday

Yup, it's time to give Thursday a good going-over. This is the best-looking night on television (and I'm not talking about the programming), so I may not always be thinking coherently. To find out what I'm getting at (or would like to), click it. [As always, Eastern/Central time and (premiere date) are given.]

I should probably feel guilty for the way I feel about the programs on Thursday nights, but I figure that I should be allowed to be shallow for one night out of the week. For me, Thursday is all about the pretty. First up at 8/7 on the CW is Smallville (Sept. 18) starring Tom Welling, who is possibly the most beautiful man walking the Earth. As an added bonus, Justin Hartley (also very pretty) is supposed to be returning as a series regular in his role as Green Arrow. Now, this show has sagged somewhat in recent years, but I felt that it made something of a comeback last season. Hopefully, they can keep the momentum going. As much as I do enjoy the pretty, it's nice to enjoy the show for other qualities every now and then. After that, at 9/8 on the CW is Supernatural (Sept. 18) starring Jensen Ackles (pretty) and Jared Padalecki (more pretty). As much as I do enjoy the gorgeous boys, the show is actually worth watching for other reasons. The guys have excellent chemistry and, in an extreme rarity for a television show, it's actually managed to scare the hell out of me a time or two. If this type of show isn't your thing, however, there is always the scenery to enjoy. And if we're really lucky, the scenery will take off an article of clothing or two every now and then. Okay, NOW I feel guilty. By the way, if you didn't notice those premiere dates are TONIGHT! Anyway, the last hour of primetime is empty for me, which is good, because I can use it to pursue very serious issues as my penance for the previous few hours. Other Thursday shows are below.

Returning Network Shows:

Ugly Betty (Sept. 25) ABC 8/7
Grey's Anatomy (Sept. 25) ABC 9/8
Survivor: Gabon (Sept. 25) CBS 8/7
CSI (Oct. 9) CBS 9/8
My Name Is Earl (Sept. 25) NBC 8/7
The Office (Sept. 25) NBC 9/8
30 Rock (Oct. 30) NBC 9:30/8:30
ER (Sept. 25) NBC 10/9
Kitchen Nightmares (underway) Fox 9/8

New Network Shows:

Life on Mars (Oct. 9) ABC 10/9 - Modern cop finds himself in the 1970's.
Eleventh Hour (Oct. 9) CBS 10/9 - Biophysicist solves crimes like pretty much everyone else on TV.
Kath & Kim (Oct. 9) NBC 8:30/7:30 - A mother deals with her adult but immature daughter returning home.
Hole in the Wall (underway) Fox 8/7 - Game show where people fit through a hole in a wall. Seriously. [Hey, network guys, if you're THIS desperate for crappy show ideas, give me a ring. I'd be happy to give you crap in exchange for your money.]

Cable:

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Sept. 18) FX 10/9
The Sarah Silverman Program (Oct. 16) Comedy Central 10:30/9:30

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Fall TV Schedule: Wednesday

Judging from my inability to come up with a pop-culture referencing title, Wednesday may be the most boring day of the week. Although, Thursday is still in the running. I thought about making some questionable reference to "Hump Day," but I have far too much class for that. (You, in Illinois, stop snickering!) As for the schedule, it looks better than Tuesday, but not by much. The same rules still apply [East./Cent., (premiere date)]. Click on through to the other side!

Starting off Wednesday will be one of my most anticipated returns, Pushing Daisies (Oct. 1), at 8/7 on ABC. I've missed the pie maker, the pie-serving chanteuse, the surly detective, the one-eyed mermaid, the two-eyed mermaid, and the living-dead girl (and dog). Yes, it's just your typical collection of characters, but they somehow make it fresh and enjoyable. After that, there is an empty hour where nothing interests me. Then at 10/9, I have tentative plans to watch Dirty Sexy Money (Oct. 1) on ABC. I say "tentative" because I watched this show last year and I was just about ready to give it up when the writers' strike occurred. I'm going to give it another chance this season and see if they've managed to pep it up a bit. It wasn't bad, it just failed to hold my interest for an hour. There would be interesting parts and then parts to snooze through. I really hope they cut back heavily on Nick's wife, who manages to suck all of the energy out of every scene in which she appears. I'd like to see this show succeed because there is a lot of legitimate talent here (and because Peter Krause and Seth Gabel are nice to look at). If it doesn't do it for me, then there is always South Park (Oct. 8) on Comedy Central. Of course, I'll be watching it anyway at some point since Comedy Central is nice enough to rerun it frequently. As usual, other shows of the night can be found below.

Returning Network Shows:

Private Practice (Oct. 1) ABC 9/8
The New Adventures of Old Christine (Sept. 24) CBS 8/7
Criminal Minds (Sept. 24) CBS 9/8
CSI: NY (Sept. 24) CBS 10/9
Deal or No Deal (underway) NBC 9/8
Lipstick Jungle (Sept. 24) NBC 10/9
America's Next Top Model (underway) CW 8/7
Bones (underway) Fox 8/7
'Til Death (underway) Fox 9/8

New Network Shows:

Gary Unmarried (Sept. 24) CBS 8:30/7:30 - Divorced dad takes a swing at finding love while being a divorced dad.
Knight Rider (Sept. 24) NBC 8/7 - Retread Update of the 80's show.
Stylista (Oct. 22) CW 9/8 - A bunch of fame-hungry fools humiliate themselves to impress Elle editor who probably has no business judging anyone. [Can you tell that I am SO sick of this "reality" crap?]
Do Not Disturb (underway) Fox 9:30/8:30 - Follows the wacky antics at a Manhattan hotel.

Cable:

Sons of Anarchy (underway) FX 10/9 - Biker gang drama.
Chocolate News (Oct. 15) Comedy Central 10:30/9:30 - Sketch comedy.

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Fall TV Schedule: Ruby Tuesday

Yes, it's Tuesday, so I'll be taking a look at what is on Tuesdays this Fall. (As it turns out, not much.) Time is East./Cent. and (premiere date) is, yeah, like that.

Despite the title of this post, Tuesday doesn't look like a gem to me. That night seems pretty empty, which is good because I'm sure I can use those few hours to catch up on something important, like any shows I'm behind on viewing. The only thing I'll be watching Tuesday is Eli Stone (Oct. 14) at 10/9 on ABC. I've basically fallen in really-like with the charming Jonny Lee Miller as the title character who has prophetic visions. He will apparently still be having them after undergoing surgery for the aneurysm that was thought to cause them. I'm wondering if they'll continue the George Michael theme or move to something else. I could probably find the answer online, but I want to be surprised! Other Tuesday night shows follow below.

Returning Network Shows:

NCIS (Sept. 23) CBS 8/7
Without a Trace (Sept. 23) CBS 10/9
The Biggest Loser: Families (Sept. 16) NBC 8/7
Law & Order: SVU (Sept. 23) NBC 10/9
House (Sept. 16) Fox 8/7

New Network Shows:

Opportunity Knocks (Sept. 23) ABC 8/7 - Game show that tests family knowledge.
The Mentalist (Sept. 23) CBS 9/8 - A Psych ripoff with a guy who thinks that all gay men and/or only gay men get pedicures.
90210 (underway) CW 8/7 - A retread An update of Beverly Hills, 90210.
Privileged (underway) CW 9/8 - College grad tutors a pair of teenage heiresses.
Fringe (underway) Fox 9/8 - Follows investigators of "fringe" science cases. [Seems very X-Files-ish and I thought about giving it a shot, but Joshua Jackson annoys me for some reason that I can't explain.]

Cable:

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Oct. 7) Bravo 9/8 - The latest in the Real Housewives franchise.
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Fall TV Schedule: Manic Monday

Today, I continue my look at the Fall TV schedule by going over what is playing on Mondays. As before, times are shown in Eastern/Central format with expected season-premiere dates in parentheses. After the click, you can see what I'll be watching.

My Monday night will be all about NBC. It actually could be a full night of viewing for me if the new show NBC is rolling out is any good. First, at 8/7, I'll be tuned to Chuck (Sept. 29) to see what spy shenanigans Chuck and the gang are into this season. Then, at 9/8, I'll stay on NBC for the return of Heroes (Sept. 22). I'm hoping the show can recapture the magic of the first season after seemingly going off track a bit last year and that they continue to exploit the wholesome goodness that is Milo Ventimiglia in some state of undress. Finally, I plan to check out the new show, My Own Worst Enemy (Oct. 13) starring Christian Slater, that is scheduled after Heroes. Slater stars as a man with two distinct personalities sharing his body, one of which is a spy. It's all a part of some secret government project. I'm looking forward to seeing what Slater can do in the role and whether the material is worthy of him. You can see what else is on Mondays below.

Returning Network Shows:

Dancing With the Stars (Sept. 22) ABC 8/7
Samantha Who? (Oct. 13) ABC 9:30/8:30
Boston Legal (Sept. 22) ABC 10/9
The Big Bang Theory (Sept. 22) CBS 8/7
How I Met Your Mother (Sept. 22) CBS 8:30/7:30
Two and a Half Men (Sept. 22) CBS 9/8
CSI: Miami (Sept. 22) CBS 10/9
Gossip Girl (underway) CW 8/7
One Tree Hill (underway) CW 9/8
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (underway) Fox 8/7
Prison Break (underway) Fox 9/8

New Network Shows:

Worst Week (Sept. 22) CBS 9:30/8:30 - Accident-prone schlub tries to impress future in-laws.

Cable:

Raising the Bar (underway) TNT 10/9 - Another lawyer show.

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