The 2008 Fall TV Season: Thrills, Chills and Do-Overs

Grab the remotes, Folks! It's the 2008 Fall TV Season and shows are coming at us faster than political shots from Obama and McCain. Or Tina Fey and Sarah Palin. Or Biden and...you get what I mean.

Between the new shows and the returning shows---"House" starring Hugh Laurie (pictured left) is one of my favorites and returns tonight---my DVR and I are working hard to bring you, dear Megan's Minute readers, all the info there is to know about what's good or will be good this fall.  There's even a show about me, Megan Smith.  Well, sort of...but more on that in a minute.

The writers' strike last season was a good news/bad news situation for a whole bunch of shows. That's because, though they never came back after the strike, they get to have a do-over this fall.

Now obviously I haven't seen every show, but I'll being checking in with more shows as the season progresses.

New Shows I've Seen

True Blood: The best of the new shows I've seen so far.  And that's not just because I'm a sucker for good vampire stories.  Based on the books by Charlaine Harris and brought to the small screen by Alan Ball of "Six Feet Under" fame, "True Blood" stars Anna Paquin as waitress Sookie Stackhouse and Stephen Moyer (pictured left) as vampire Bill Compton.

This show is about modern day vampires coming out of their cryptic closets. That's right, after years of moping in their mausoleums, the production of synthetic blood has allowed vamps to come out, acknowledge their existence and fight for equal rights. 

Since they're still seen as threatening oddities, anyone who associates with them is suspect and that includes Sookie who's drawn to Bill's simmering gaze and mysterious ways. 

Sookie has her own secret.  She's telepathetic...er, sorry, telepathic, and can hear the thoughts of anyone in her vicinity.  Another reason she's drawn to Bill is her inability to "hear" him. 

Plot-wise I'm not sure where the show is going, but for now, I'm ready to follow the show and Stephen Moyer just about anywhere. 

A little trivia, Anna Paquin won an Oscar in 1994 as an 11 year old for her role in "The Piano."

HBO, Sundays 9 PM

Fringe: Okay so by now I'm sure you've heard the "X-Files" comparisons about this show.  It's the latest from J.J. Abrams and that alone is worth giving it a look if you liked "Alias" or "Lost." It's got weird science, conspiracy theories and high tech gadgets that only a select few know about.  Throw in a secret FBI investigative unit and that's why "X-Files" keeps coming up.

The pilot was well done, but I have to admit, it took me about half of the 90 minute episode to get caught up in the characters or the plot.  My first problem was Anna Torv as FBI agent Olivia Dunham.  Dunham is the guiding force behind the pilot's plot and Torv wasn't dynamic or compelling enough to pull it off.

Joshua Jackson (pictured left) as Peter Bishop, a college dropout who also happens to be a genius scientist, was more convincing and it wasn't until he showed up that the show got interesting. Jackson, wore his role as comfortably as Torv didn't, but it's only the first episode and I'm willing to give J.J. the benefit of the doubt. 

FOX, Tuesdays 9 PM

90210: One of the most anticipated shows of the fall season, this remake of the classic teen soap that helped make the FOX network, is pretty much like the original, except with hotter parents, an adopted black son and the family comes from Kansas instead of Minnesota.

It stars Lori Loughlin, Rob Estes, Shenae Grimes and Dixon Wilson.  Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) show up from the original for multi-episode cameos and we even get an updated Peach Pit.

Based on the first two episodes the show was exactly what it was supposed to be:  pleasant, soapy entertainment contrasting the wide-eyed, newbie teens with the rich, West Beverly Hills High crowd. 

CW, Tuesdays 8 PM

Somebodies:   Surprise, surprise, BET is the outlet for this gem of a comedy.  Better known for their booty shakin', hoochie mama, images of black women, BET shocked the hell out of me because "Somebodies" has none of those.  Instead it has a loveable main character who you can't help but root for.

Hadjii (pictured left) is the creative force behind this show about a "professional college student" named Scottie.  On the BET website he describes Scottie this way:

Scottie is on a quest to become a better man with assistance from his family; his friends; his ex-girlfriend, who is now his best female friend; the church and others in the community. Only problem is that the people in his life are all crazier than he is.

I saw the first two episodes and laughed out loud several times as poor Scottie tried to get his act together while surrounded by a hilarious cast of characters.  Like his ex-girlfriend Diva (Kaira Akita) who "helps him out" by redecorating his new pad like something out of "Trading Spaces," including a huge portrait of herself above his mantel.  Then there's Scottie's preacher (Tyler Craig) who sermonizes from the pulpit like a holy James Brown.

BET, Tuesdays 10:30PM

New Shows I'm Looking Forward to Seeing

Privileged:  The voice over on the trailer says, "Megan Smith just got a ticket to the good life."  No, not me, Megan Smith, the Contributing Editor for BlogHer, her Megan Smith, the lead character in "Privileged."  She's the tutor for two debutantes who need to get their privileged butts into college. 

Even though it started last week, I haven't seen the complete pilot because it was either tape "Fringe" or tape "Privileged" and last week I chose "Fringe."  And the CW, for whatever reason, won't let their website show me the complete pilot.   The software jams up and call me paranoid, but what do you wanna bet it has something to do with my name?

CW, Tuesdays 9 PM

My Own Worst Enemy:  The last time I saw Christian Slater in a movie was in 1996's "Bed Of Roses." It's been so long, I don't remember why I liked him in that movie, but I did.  Of course I know he's worked since then, but except for two episodes of "Alias," I haven't seen much of him since.

Now he has his own TV series and if done right, I think this one could be a keeper.  Slater plays dual personalities Henry and Edward.  Henry is an ordinary suburban husband and Edward is a super-spy.  Due to some kind of mental gymnastics, neither Henry or Edward is supposed to know about the other, but eventually the two personalities become conscious of, and dependent on each other.

NBC, October 13th 10 PM

Chocolate News: Starring David Alan Grier, this show sounds like a cross between "The Daily Show" and a black version of "20/20."  Well, maybe more like the former than the latter, but from a decidedly urban pop culture perspective.  David Alan Grier can be very funny, so I think this one's got potential.

Comedy Central, October 15th 10:30 PM

Crusoe: Its the classic story of Robinson Crusoe with a big NBC TV budget.  Based on the preview I saw, it's got fabulous on location settings, great costumes, and swashbuckling men and women.  Now if it just has a half-way decent plot, it might rise above it's Friday at 8 PM time slot.  I hope so, because I love this kind of stuff when it's done well.

NBC, October 17th 8 PM

Dollhouse: "Dollhouse" is still in the works but because it comes from "Buffy The Vampire Slayer's" Joss Whedon and stars Buffy alum, Eliza Dushku it's getting a lot of buzz and is expected to either be a mid-season replacement or premiere in January on Fox.  It's about a group of people whose thoughts and feelings are erased and re-programmed over and over.  I know, I know.  Like I said, it's from Joss Whedon, so I'll give it a chance. 

Do-Over Shows I'll Try Again

Dirty, Sexy, Money:

ABC, October 1st 10 PM

Private Practice:

ABC, October 1st 9 PM

Returning Shows I Have To See

House: Fox, September 16th 8 PM
Ugly Betty: ABC, September 25th 8 PM
Grey's Anatomy: ABC, September 25th 9 PM
Dexter: Showtime, September 28th 9 PM
Desperate Housewives: ABC, September 28th 9 PM

Damages (January)
American Idol (January)
24  (January)
Lost (January)
Battlestar Galactica (January)

Reality Shows I'll Stick With As Long As They Don't Bore Me

Dancing With The Stars: ABC, September 22nd 8 PM

Survivor: CBS, September 25th 8 PM

The Amazing Race: CBS, September 28th 8 PM

Project Runway - The Lifetime Version (January)

Veteran Shows Getting A Jolt Of New Blood

ER:  Angela Bassett is coming on board as the new head of the ER.  She's enough to peak my interest. 

NBC, September 25th 10 PM

CSI:  Laurence Fishburne will be the new hot shot expert in criminal behavior as William Petersen departs the show.  Here also, he's enough to peak my interest. 

CBS, October 9th 9 PM

You might notice I only have one sitcom, "Somebodies" on my list.  Well that's because when it comes to sitcoms, "How I Met Your Mother" and "Everybody Hates Chris" are the only two returning comedies I'll make an effort to see for pleasure.  I'm beyond bored with the sitcom format and for me, hour long dramas or dramedys are where it's at.

What shows have you seen?  What are you looking forward to seeing?  Feel free to let fly.

Related Links

Laurel at Laurel's TV Picks has the full fall schedule all laid out.

Kiss Your TV has the DL On Fall TV.

"Pale Period Pieces and Other Road Blocks:"  Fourth Breakfast's insightful take on why it's so hard to find leading characters of color on TV.

Jerri Ann at TV Boyfriends gives the lowdown on Joshua Jackson of "Fringe."

Stephen Moyer photo Courtesy HBO

Joshua Jackson photo Courtesy Fox

Hadjii photo Courtesy BET

Cross Posted From BlogHer

New Shows I've Seen

True Blood: The best of the new shows I've seen so far.  And that's not just because I'm a sucker for good vampire stories.  Based on the books by Charlaine Harris and brought to the small screen by Alan Ball of "Six Feet Under" fame, "True Blood" stars Anna Paquin as waitress Sookie Stackhouse and Stephen Moyer (pictured left) as vampire Bill Compton.

This show is about modern day vampires coming out of their cryptic closets. That's right, after years of moping in their mausoleums, the production of synthetic blood has allowed vamps to come out, acknowledge their existence and fight for equal rights. 

Since they're still seen as threatening oddities, anyone who associates with them is suspect and that includes Sookie who's drawn to Bill's simmering gaze and mysterious ways. 

Sookie has her own secret.  She's telepathetic...er, sorry, telepathic, and can hear the thoughts of anyone in her vicinity.  Another reason she's drawn to Bill is her inability to "hear" him. 

Plot-wise I'm not sure where the show is going, but for now, I'm ready to follow the show and Stephen Moyer just about anywhere. 

A little trivia, Anna Paquin won an Oscar in 1994 as an 11 year old for her role in "The Piano."

HBO, Sundays 9 PM

Fringe: Okay so by now I'm sure you've heard the "X-Files" comparisons about this show.  It's the latest from J.J. Abrams and that alone is worth giving it a look if you liked "Alias" or "Lost." It's got weird science, conspiracy theories and high tech gadgets that only a select few know about.  Throw in a secret FBI investigative unit and that's why "X-Files" keeps coming up.

The pilot was well done, but I have to admit, it took me about half of the 90 minute episode to get caught up in the characters or the plot.  My first problem was Anna Torv as FBI agent Olivia Dunham.  Dunham is the guiding force behind the pilot's plot and Torv wasn't dynamic or compelling enough to pull it off.

Joshua Jackson (pictured left) as Peter Bishop, a college dropout who also happens to be a genius scientist, was more convincing and it wasn't until he showed up that the show got interesting. Jackson, wore his role as comfortably as Torv didn't, but it's only the first episode and I'm willing to give J.J. the benefit of the doubt. 

FOX, Tuesdays 9 PM

90210: One of the most anticipated shows of the fall season, this remake of the classic teen soap that helped make the FOX network, is pretty much like the original, except with hotter parents, an adopted black son and the family comes from Kansas instead of Minnesota.

It stars Lori Loughlin, Rob Estes, Shenae Grimes and Dixon Wilson.  Kelly (Jennie Garth) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) show up from the original for multi-episode cameos and we even get an updated Peach Pit.

Based on the first two episodes the show was exactly what it was supposed to be:  pleasant, soapy entertainment contrasting the wide-eyed, newbie teens with the rich, West Beverly Hills High crowd. 

CW, Tuesdays 8 PM

Somebodies:   Surprise, surprise, BET is the outlet for this gem of a comedy.  Better known for their booty shakin', hoochie mama, images of black women, BET shocked the hell out of me because "Somebodies" has none of those.  Instead it has a loveable main character who you can't help but root for.

Hadjii (pictured left) is the creative force behind this show about a "professional college student" named Scottie.  On the BET website he describes Scottie this way:

Scottie is on a quest to become a better man with assistance from his family; his friends; his ex-girlfriend, who is now his best female friend; the church and others in the community. Only problem is that the people in his life are all crazier than he is.

I saw the first two episodes and laughed out loud several times as poor Scottie tried to get his act together while surrounded by a hilarious cast of characters.  Like his ex-girlfriend Diva (Kaira Akita) who "helps him out" by redecorating his new pad like something out of "Trading Spaces," including a huge portrait of herself above his mantel.  Then there's Scottie's preacher (Tyler Craig) who sermonizes from the pulpit like a holy James Brown.

BET, Tuesdays 10:30PM

New Shows I'm Looking Forward to Seeing

Privileged:  The voice over on the trailer says, "Megan Smith just got a ticket to the good life."  No, not me, Megan Smith, the Contributing Editor for BlogHer, her Megan Smith, the lead character in "Privileged."  She's the tutor for two debutantes who need to get their privileged butts into college. 

Even though it started last week, I haven't seen the complete pilot because it was either tape "Fringe" or tape "Privileged" and last week I chose "Fringe."  And the CW, for whatever reason, won't let their website show me the complete pilot.   The software jams up and call me paranoid, but what do you wanna bet it has something to do with my name?

CW, Tuesdays 9 PM

My Own Worst Enemy:  The last time I saw Christian Slater in a movie was in 1996's "Bed Of Roses." It's been so long, I don't remember why I liked him in that movie, but I did.  Of course I know he's worked since then, but except for two episodes of "Alias," I haven't seen much of him since.

Now he has his own TV series and if done right, I think this one could be a keeper.  Slater plays dual personalities Henry and Edward.  Henry is an ordinary suburban husband and Edward is a super-spy.  Due to some kind of mental gymnastics, neither Henry or Edward is supposed to know about the other, but eventually the two personalities become conscious of, and dependent on each other.

NBC, October 13th 10 PM

Chocolate News: Starring David Alan Grier, this show sounds like a cross between "The Daily Show" and a black version of "20/20."  Well, maybe more like the former than the latter, but from a decidedly urban pop culture perspective.  David Alan Grier can be very funny, so I think this one's got potential.

Comedy Central, October 15th 10:30 PM

Crusoe: Its the classic story of Robinson Crusoe with a big NBC TV budget.  Based on the preview I saw, it's got fabulous on location settings, great costumes, and swashbuckling men and women.  Now if it just has a half-way decent plot, it might rise above it's Friday at 8 PM time slot.  I hope so, because I love this kind of stuff when it's done well.

NBC, October 17th 8 PM

Dollhouse: "Dollhouse" is still in the works but because it comes from "Buffy The Vampire Slayer's" Joss Whedon and stars Buffy alum, Eliza Dushku it's getting a lot of buzz and is expected to either be a mid-season replacement or premiere in January on Fox.  It's about a group of people whose thoughts and feelings are erased and re-programmed over and over.  I know, I know.  Like I said, it's from Joss Whedon, so I'll give it a chance. 

Do-Over Shows I'll Try Again

Dirty, Sexy, Money:

ABC, October 1st 10 PM

Private Practice:

ABC, October 1st 9 PM

Returning Shows I Have To See

House: Fox, September 16th 8 PM
Ugly Betty: ABC, September 25th 8 PM
Grey's Anatomy: ABC, September 25th 9 PM
Dexter: Showtime, September 28th 9 PM
Desperate Housewives: ABC, September 28th 9 PM

Damages (January)
American Idol (January)
24  (January)
Lost (January)
Battlestar Galactica (January)

Reality Shows I'll Stick With As Long As They Don't Bore Me

Dancing With The Stars: ABC, September 22nd 8 PM

Survivor: CBS, September 25th 8 PM

The Amazing Race: CBS, September 28th 8 PM

Project Runway - The Lifetime Version (January)

Veteran Shows Getting A Jolt Of New Blood

ER:  Angela Bassett is coming on board as the new head of the ER.  She's enough to peak my interest. 

NBC, September 25th 10 PM

CSI:  Laurence Fishburne will be the new hot shot expert in criminal behavior as William Petersen departs the show.  Here also, he's enough to peak my interest. 

CBS, October 9th 9 PM

You might notice I only have one sitcom, "Somebodies" on my list.  Well that's because when it comes to sitcoms, "How I Met Your Mother" and "Everybody Hates Chris" are the only two returning comedies I'll make an effort to see for pleasure.  I'm beyond bored with the sitcom format and for me, hour long dramas or dramedys are where it's at.

What shows have you seen?  What are you looking forward to seeing?  Feel free to let fly.

Related Links

Laurel at Laurel's TV Picks has the full fall schedule all laid out.

Kiss Your TV has the DL On Fall TV.

"Pale Period Pieces and Other Road Blocks:"  Fourth Breakfast's insightful take on why it's so hard to find leading characters of color on TV.

Jerri Ann at TV Boyfriends gives the lowdown on Joshua Jackson of "Fringe."

Stephen Moyer photo Courtesy HBO

Joshua Jackson photo Courtesy Fox

Hadjii photo Courtesy BET

Cross Posted From BlogHer