Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles in Supernatural Season 5. the CW 2009.

Tomorrow is September, yep already. With majority of Summer TV winding down (oh, the season finale of HBO’s True Blood is September 13th, sucks we have to wait two weeks, but I can’t wait), the broadcast networks of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and CW are about to premiere their television lineup of favorites and new series, with the CW pretty much leading the way with 90210 and Melrose Place on September 8th. But the biggest premiere of all of TV, comes from the CW’s very own Supernatural, returning for a milestone 5th season with the rise of Lucifer, on September 10th. But instead of following Smallville (which doesn’t return until Sept. 25), a new series will premiere in the Thurs 8PM slot, The Vampire Diaries, which, like True Blood and Twilight, is based on books, but more closer to Twilight in that its teeny, so I don’t expect much from it, it won’t even touch the greatness the WB had with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much less touch the latest TV-Vamp sensation, True Blood. Anyway, it’s got vamps, I’ll still check it out. There are other CW shows, but if I mention all shows coming back, this will be a long post, so I’ll stick with what I’m watching (note, that doesn’t include Melrose or 90210, those were just for the purpose of noting the main beginning to Fall TV).

FOX is next in line, with their own Thursday night lineup, with Bones (also 5th season) and the 2nd season of Fringe on Sept. 17. NBC’s comedy night returns, but w/o Earl, the only show I think worth checking out is Community, which will start in the 9:30 slot, before moving to 8PM in early Oct. and stars Chevy Chase.

And then there’s CBS and ABC, and very few NBC shows to watch (mostly due to the Jay Leno Show, starting Sept 14):

Monday, September 21 will mark the, yeah, 5th season of How I Met Your Mother on CBS at 8PM (actually all of CBS Monday Comedy night, and one drama). ABC will also bring back Castle on Sept. 21 as well at 10PM. NBC’s Heroes returns to a 4th season at a new time (8PM), and the 6th season of FOX’s House at 8PM as well (busy busy Monday, certainly make full use of DVR & my DVD Recorder).

CBS’s 7th season of NCIS returns Tuesday, Sept. 22, along with the new spin-off series, NCIS: LA. ABC’s V premiere’s Nov. 3 on Tuesday 8PM. Wednesday, Sept. 23 will bring back CBS’s Criminal Minds (no surprise, a lot of 5th seasons), and also that night ABC’s comedies, including Courteney Cox’s new show Cougar Town (9:30PM), and the TV adaptation of Witches of Eastwick, simply titled Eastwick at 10PM. NBC also has a new series, starring former Buffy alumna Michelle Trachenberg, in Mercy, airing at 8PM.

Thursday, Sept 24 will see the 10th season return of CSI, unfortunately, with FOX’s moving of Fringe, and Superntural still on, and for a few weeks, the new NBC comedy Community, I won’t be watching it, but I feel need to mention it, as I did like it, a little. ABC also has a new show, Flash Forward at 8PM that may be worth checking out.

Eliza Dushku stars as Echo. FOX promo.

And Friday, September 25th, we will once again enter the Dollhouse on FOX at 9PM, plus the CW’s move of Smallville to Friday at 8PM, and CBS bringing Medium back and premiering it in the 9PM slot, between Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs (which I’ve lost interest in).

And, then there’s the FOX animation-domination night (really, it’s a Seth MacFarlane animation-domination night), coming back Sept. 27, with new series The Cleveland Show, a Family Guy spinoff, which will still lead into the other MacFarlane show, American Dad. And, the record-breaking season of the Simpsons (officially, the 21st season now), starting it all at 8PM. (note, there is an NFL overrun, so set DVRs accordingly). CBS’s new series Three Rivers premieres Oct. 4th, which stars Alex O’Loughlin, aka Mick St. John from CBS’s canceled vampire series Moonlight which I’m still pissed about (one year later, and it would have still been on).

And let’s not forget the cable shows, though most bring in the goods during the summer, doesn’t mean they don’t try to take over from fall nights.

Recently premiered returns of Monk and Psych on USA’s Fridays overlap into the fall, well, Monk appears to be airing it’s final season through, while Psych goes on hiatus after Oct. 16 to make room for the new series White Collar (Oct. 23), which seems to be USA using the final season of Monk to lead into a new show, to gain viewers, so when Psych returns, they both end this season together and become the new Friday-night pair for the USA network. Also, we still of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters on Wed. 9pm, and its buddy Destination Truth returns on Sept 9 at 10PM. Comedy Central’s South Park returns on Oct. 7. F/X will bring back Nip/Tuck for its 6th season on a new night, Wednesday at 10PM on Oct. 14.

And of course, SyFy has their Friday nights, with the latest Stargate spin-off, Stargate Universe on Oct. 2 at 9PM (2 hour premiere), and the next week will see the return of Sanctuary. (BUSY busy, Friday for me too).

And then there are midseason shows, including the return of Chuck on NBC, which will be in March, after the Winter Olympics.

Full Guide to Fall 2009 by the futon critic

..the fate of Chuck. Looks like we’re gonna have to wait a week or two. Until then, fans are encouraged to watch Chuck online at NBC.com or Hulu.com, actually, specifically “Chuck vs the Colonel” tonight at 8PM, to show NBC we mean business. (ChuckTV.net).

My Name is Earl, Life, Law and Order are also unknown, and actually, so is Knight Rider‘s fate, which is strange, no official word on cancellation, despite that being a shoe-in for getting canned. Oh well, NBC, I guess, is trying to figure in what they can have, since they now have to factor in the 5-night-a-week Leno Primetime show (which, I like Jay Leno, but 5 nights at 10PM? Why not have done a, say, 2 nights a week kind of deal? That removes two hours, giving us back 3 hours.) Anyway, I could decide to completely go without posts until then, but with no actual certainty of when NBC will finally tell us, I won’t. BTW, we should definitely know by May 19th, seems to be when NBC will actually have a schedule ready, will be interesting to see that.

I will, however, get to the new series NBC picked up.

There were only two that I figured I’d watch based on nothing more than plot summaries, an cast/crew information from the futon critic. And those were Parenthood (which is actually a second series based on the movie of the same name, first didn’t do so well, but maybe a second could prove better?), and Community, a comedy with Chevy Chase.

PRESS RELEASE on Community: From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) comes “Community,” a smart comedy series about higher education — and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, “Community” focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, “The Soup”), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs (“The Book of Daniel”); Yvette Nicole Brown (“Rules of Engagement”); Danny Pudi (“Greek”); Alison Brie (“Mad Men”); and comedy legend Chevy Chase (“Saturday Night Live”).

PRESS RELEASE on Parenthood: From the executive producers of the box-office hit “Parenthood” — Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for “A Beautiful Mind”), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims (“Friday Night Lights”) — this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family — four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, “ER”), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, “In Treatment”) and Drew (Miles Heizer, “ER”), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, “Family Stone,” “Coach”), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, “Heart Like a Wheel”), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings — sister, Julia (Christensen, “Traffic”), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, “Baby Mama”) and Adam (Krause, “Six Feet Under”) — all struggling with issues of their own, it’s clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life.

As for the other shows?

Those one about nurses called Mercy: “Mercy,” a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best — its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, “Dark Matter”) returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq — and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, “Rescue Me”) and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, “Gossip Girl”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world.

Then there’s one about paramedics called Trauma: Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”) delivers “Trauma,” the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, “Trauma” is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics.

Seeing a theme yet? Guess ER ending means NBC wants to find a fitting medical drama, with more interest to other staffers other than doctors.

And then there’s Day One, which seems to be NBC’s Jericho: From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander (“Heroes,” “Lost,” “Alias”) and director Alex Graves (“Fringe,” “Journeyman”), “Day One” tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world’s infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors — played by Adam Campbell (“Date Movie”), Catherine Dent (“The Shield”), Julie Gonzalo (“Eli Stone”), David Lyons (“ER”), Derek Mio (“Greek”), Carly Pope (“24″), Thekla Reuten (“Sleeper Cell”) and Addison Timlin (“Cashmere Mafia”) — strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future.

Then the other comedy, 100 Questions for Charlotte Payne: Emmy winner James Burrows (“Will & Grace,” “Friends”) directs “100 Questions,” a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan (“For Your Consideration”) that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, “Peep Show”) is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals — but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, “The Ex List”) – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, “Women’s Murder Club”), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s “Law & Order”), Mike (Christopher Moynihan “For Your Consideration”) and Wayne (David Walton “Quarterlife”). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship.

Oh, and then there’s that whole Leno thing.

I would post the videos for all, but the futon critic did that already, so I’ll just provide the link:
NEW NBC Series Videos

Chuck 'Chuck vs the Ring', from Sci-Fi Wire. NBC.

There will not be another post, no matter how important the news update is, until next Monday (May 4th or Tuesday the 5th, found two different dates, but the futon critic says 4th) when the NBC Upfronts take place, and we’ll know the fate of the truly AWESOME show.

I won’t go into too much detail on the finale (I’m sticking with just finale for now, until we know otherwise), since there are DVR user who may not have gotten to the episode yet (another reason why the current ratings system needs a complete overhaul, since advertisers don’t care for DVR viewings b/c of the magic fast-forward button), but let me way: WOW!.

First the struggle to get the wedding done with, as Ted Roark (come on, are you telling me Chevy Chase is not enough to help the ratings for this marvelous show?) is alive and will stop at nothing to have Chuck’s head on a stick (he may not have said it that way, but close enough). We had Scott Bakula back playing Chuck and Ellie’s father (who happens to be Orion also), and Devon’s (aka, Captatin Awesome) parents return (played by Morgan Fairchild and Bruce Boxleitner). And Bryce Larkin (Matthew Bomer), Chuck’s former friend-now semi-nemesis, returned as well.

All the spies, family and friends, gathered together to witness the union of Devon Woodcomb and Ellie Bartowski. Pure magic.

And with Chuck without the Intersect in his head, will he finally live a normal life. I don’t think it would be too spoilery to say, eh, not-so-fast Bartowski. The show may be on the bubble, but it had to go as if there will be a 3rd season, which means, the end, oh the end. Let’s just say, it ends with a bang and a BIG…to be continued.

But, if you want the rundown, SCI-FI WIRE has posted a nice little article to sum it up–> Did Chuck’s Finale Deliver? – SCI-FI WIRE.

And, in my opinion, it DELIVERED.

As far as saving Chuck, the campaign is to buy a $5 footlong at Subway, since they are one the major sponsors. Actually, enjoy this little video on Chuck himself, Zachary Levi, leading 400 conventioners (from the Starfury Convention to be exact) to a Subway, and even getting behind the counter to make the sandwiches himself:

Chuck Campaign – ChuckTV.Net

You know how if you say a word a gazillion times in a row, it tends lose meaning? Well there is one word that seems to not, and that word is…”Awesome.”

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome, Awesome, yep, still Awesome.

And you know what comedy is awesome?

How I Met Your Mother on CBS:

And what is even more Awesome (happens to be on at the same time)? That’s right, Chuck:

…so don’t miss any minute of it.

Last week in “Chuck Vs the First Kill”, Chuck teamed up with his ex-girlfriend and FULCRUM agent to get his father back, and ended up letting her “escape.” Afterwards, Beckett ends up shutting down the program all together, ordering for Chuck to go into hiding (basically a prison meant to keep him safe, and all those government secrets in his head. Sarah goes against protocol and takes Chuck away. Preview for the next new episode looks good…

'Chuck Vs. Dream Job' (Ep# 2.19) with guests Chevy Chase (left) and Scott Bakula (right), and series star Zachary Levi (middle). From NBC.Com

Episode 21: “Chuck Vs. the Colonel” Chuck and Sarah (on the lam) go rescue Chuck’s dad themselves. Plus, are we finally gonna have Chuck and Sarah get together? Guest Stars Scott Bakula as Chuck’s father, Steve, and Chevy Chase as Ted Roark.

Episode 22: “Chuck Vs the Ring” Ellie’s big day has arrived, but will Ted Roark ruin everything?

This is a wonderful show, and there are many fans out there, some of which have made some videos to help recap some classic Chuck scenes. ChuckTV.Net is a great little fan site, so check that out.

Here’s one video I think sums up Chuck very well, giving viewers 10 Reasons to watch this truly AWESOME show:

Oh, and outside all the government stuff, there’s some major changes over at the Buy More, as Morgan was “tricked” by Emmet when human resource was evaluating the manager (not Emmet as everyone was made to believe). The plan was to make Emmet look good so he’d be promoted away from the Buy More, instead, it made Big Mike look bad, promoting Emmet to manager. Now, Morgan is now a pariah. Then there’s the whole Ellie and Devon wedding going on as well.

Did I mention Chevy Chase and Scott Bakula?

And if you’ve missed any episodes, you can view full episodes at NBC.Com or Hulu.com, or buy from iTunes. Season One is available on DVD and Blu-Ray now.