Plenty of promising shows scheduled for the fall
Issue 1 - 08.25.05

review by chansi long
Staff Writer

The broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and Fox are launching 38 new shows this fall. Out of the collective 28 hours of new television programming which shows are actually worth watching? Not many. The networks are clearly making some strides away from the reality TV phenomenon, but reality TV still permeates our televisions. Martha Stewart debuts her version of the "The Apprentice" September 21 on NBC, and I optimistically hope it's cancelled. CBS's "Survivor," seems to have a permanent place in the schedule and will start its eleventh season on September 15 at 8 p.m.

Judging by the producers, casts, plots, and characters there are roughly eight new shows that deserve our attention.

"My Name is Earl" is an offbeat comedy about a guy who wins the lottery and tries to right all of the wrongs he's done in his life. It has a solid team behind it including the creator Greg Garcia, responsible for "Family Guy", and Jason Lee ("Chasing Amy"). It is on 9:00 pm Tuesdays starting Sept. 20.

Fox's "Reunion," is definitely the show with the most interesting concept this year. The show confronts time in a similar manner of the successful "24." It chronicles the lives of six friends over the course of 20 years in one season. Each episode covers one year, as the friends experience love, sorrow, marriage, and death. The executive producer, John Harmon Feldman, had a hand in hits like "The Wonder Years, "Dawson's Creek", and "American Dreams." It airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.

"What about Brian", appears to be a compelling drama about a 34 year old guy who is the last single person in his group of friends. It's from the producers of "Lost" and "Alias" and starts September 12, Mondays at 10:00pm on ABC.

My other picks include "Prison Break" (Fox), "How I Met Your Mother"(CBS), "Ghost Whisperer" (CBS), "Bones" (Fox) and "Invasion" (ABC).

As for the shows that have proven theirselves successful and will be back, "Lost", "The OC", "Nip Tuck" and "The Simpsons" are without a doubt some of the best hours on television. "The Chappelle Show" is not coming back anytime soon, or ever, so we can all finally accept it and let the tears flow.

This season runs the gamut on good, bad and mediocre. ABC's high-profile show "Commander-in-Chief" approaches the stations political agenda as they prepare the masses to vote a woman into office. There are three shows that look like they may be science fiction, "Invasion" (ABC), "Surface" (NBC) and "Threshold" (CBS), which hope to mimic the success of last season's "Lost." The networks aren't quick to label them science fiction because it will scare off potential viewers.

There's definitely something for everyone and some shows have real promise, but it's too early to tell what will actually be good. What appears to be good can easily disappoint and vice versa, so we'll just have to watch.