Many, many, many TV-related sites have all their ‘Returning TV’ lists as well as ‘New TV’ lists; an all in one guide to this fall TV season (I’ve done a ‘new series to watch list’ after the upfronts, in two parts: Part One (ABC/FOX/NBC), Part Two (CBS/CW), in case you’re interested). *Note, I have since decided not to watch a few, since it’s difficult to find time to watch all these shows (unless I got paid, which would be sweet, BTW, as retail sucks), also a few video clips appeared to have expired, I’ll update it when they premiere and I can review them further.

Back to what I’m getting at here.

I watch a ton of TV shows, I counted 19 shows returning this season (3 of which had already returned) just on the broadcast nets alone (ABC/FOX/CBS/NBC/CW). Monday is a big day, with 9-20-10 seeing the returns of How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 6th season), House (FOX, 7th), Chuck (NBC, 4th), in the 8pm hour alone. Of course, I love them all, but I push Chuck more, since Mondays are so blah, Chuck is the fun-fast action-spy-adventure that takes away the Monday blah. Plus, another reason to watch this season: Linda Hamilton (yo, it’s Sarah Connor, dudes), Eric Roberts (who was in Less Than Perfect with Zac Levi, and will be in the upcoming Syfy Sharktopus, and in The Expendables), Olivia Munn, Dolph Lungdren (you know, from Rocky IV, as well as this year’s The Expendables), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk, dudes), Bronson Pinchot (remember, Balki Bartokomous), Isaiah Mustafa (Old Spice dude), Harry Dean Stanton (Alien), and Timothy Dalton (James Bond #4, I think), phew, that’s a lot of guest stars. Check out a 5 min look at Chuck:

And of course, ABC’s Castle (3rd) comes back that day as well, in the 10pm hour. Tuesday already saw the return of CW’s Life Unexpected (9pm, 2nd) and NBC’s Parenthood (10pm, 2nd), and on 9-21 will be the return of NCIS (8th) at 8pm on CBS (plus the spin-off series 2nd season, which I ended up stop watching). Wednesday, 9-22, is all about the return of ABC’s comedy lineup, including EMMY winning series for Best Comedy, Modern Family (9pm, 2nd), and at 9:30pm Cougar Town (2nd), which will feature guest Jennifer Aniston (cue Friends reunion), and on the serious side, CBS’s Criminal Minds (9pm, 6th) continues to be a powerful night, it’s one crime-procedural that continues to improve itself (like NCIS, this year it’ll have a spin-off series in the midseason). Thursday, we saw the return of CW’s hit The Vampire Diaries (8pm, 2nd), which I like watching, but admit there are lots of room for improvement (it’s not Buffy, that’s for damn sure), and on 9-23, FOX’s Thursday brings us the return of Bones (8pm, 6th) and Fringe (9pm, 3rd).

New paragraph, as September 24th, 2010 is the most important night in television, remember it. The CW has it’s most powerful night (sorry for using the word ‘powerful’ again), but it really is. 8pm start it off with the TENTH (yes, 10th) and FINAL season of one of the most beloved series from the WB era that transitioned to the CW (it’s 5 on WB and now 5 on CW, kind of like Stargate SG-1, which had 5 on Showtime and 5 on what was the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy). Smallville is monumental, because, knowing it’s the last, means they can pull out all the stops and close the series that’ll give it justice. Also, it will beat SG-1 in terms of having the most produced episodes for a sci-fi/fantasy series in the US (they’re still tied in terms of there being 10 seasons). And hey, Clark may (hopefully) now finally FLY. Actually, I believe they said they will finally do that, plus the teaser with the Superman suit (from Superman Returns). Check out this CW official video clip, highlighting Clark through the seasons, it’s just purely awesome:

And then at 9pm, the 6th season of the BEST TV SHOW, Supernatural (sorry for the shouting, it’s just all too exciting). Last season, was all about the impending apocalypse, now, with Sera Gamble now taking the helm as showrunner, it’ll be more about the monsters that go “bump in the night.” The premiere is set a year after the events of the 5th season finale. And thanks to TNT, next week, starting on the night of Sept. 23 at midnight and ending at 8pm the next day, a beautiful 20 hour Supernatural marathon. Catch a few, including the end of the 5th, and watch the premiere of season 6 on the CW at 9pm (might as well watch Smallville before it, the marathon does end at 8pm, so why not?). Check out this preview clip from the CW:

And then there is Sunday, which has FOX’s ‘Animation Domination,’ with the 22nd season premiere of The Simpsons, plus returns of Cleveland Show, Family Guy and American Dad.

Obviously, the series I like the most are highlighted by embedding video clips, but I also push FOX’s Thursday with Bones and Fringe as well as Criminal Minds on Wednesday, and just to pick one series on Tuesday, my favorite is Parenthood (Lauren Graham, come on Emmy people, recognize brilliance), and my fave Sunday is Family Guy, but I want to keep this post from getting too long. Too many video clips can be annoying.

And, remember, this is just broadcast, there are a few cable ones too, but I won’t get into that now.

With three schedules already announced (NBC, FOX, and ABC), and two more left (CBS and CW), it’s time to look at what new series might be worth watching. Now, my way of choosing what I’ll watch varies from if there is someone I really, really like (such as Matthew Perry’s new series Mr. Sunshine), the creator of a series (like checking out anything J.J Abrams does, so that means the new NBC series, Undercovers), and/or even just the director of a pilot episode is maybe enough for me to check it out. But, there are times when the plot is enough to hold its own.

To start off, FOX is pretty light. With them having actually renewed quite a bit of their programming (including Human Target and Lie to Me, which I think was partly due to not wanting to change much of what is working for them in ratings, and, in the case of Human Target, in need of a 24 replacement (although, Human Target is gonna move to Fridays, so it could just be used as filler instead). Either way, FOX doesn’t have much in new series on the schedule, and further more, of what they have, only one midseason series that’s not even on the schedule yet is worth watching. Terra Nova is from Executive-Producer Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24) and David Fury (Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and is about a family that goes back in time to prehistoric Earth. Now, this could just be an excuse for Spielberg to bring out the dinosaur toys again, but deals with Earth dying, and this team gets sent back for the sole purpose of possibly preventing humans from making the same mistake. Something tells me, with good marketing, FOX may want to consider premiering this, I don’t know, April 22, 2011? (eh, maybe just sometime in that week, since that’s a Friday).

FOX has one potential comedy from Will Arnett called Running Wilde (set to air this fall, Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c PM). And premiering this summer, is The Good Guys (premiering Monday, set in the fall on Friday 9/8c PM), which I may catch as it stars Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks. Everything else appear to be duds, but you can take a look at the trailers available: FOX 2010-2011 Trailers

ABC also has a weak pack, with the main highlight (in my opinion) being the wonderful Matthew Perry in his own show, Mr. Sunshine. Unfortunately, it’s midseason without a confirmed airdate.

Another possible series is No Ordinary Family, which stars Michael Chiklis (The Shield) and Julie Benz (Dexter, Buffy/Angel), where a family are involved in a plane crash and find themselves with powers. Set to air this fall on Tuesday, 8/7c PM.

View Other ABC Trailers

And then there’s NBC, where Heroes is canceled, and a new series starring Summer Glau emerges in the form of The Cape, where a man is framed for crimes he didn’t commit, fakes his death, and assumes the identity of his son’s favorite comic book hero. (Set for midseason)

The next notable series is Undercovers from J.J. Abrams (the man behind Alias, Lost, Fringe, and the 2009 Star Trek movie). The spy-drama, is about two spies that fell in love, retired, but are forced back in when another spy, and friend, goes missing. (Set to air this fall on Wed. 8/7c PM).

Next, The Event, starring Jason Ritter (Joan of Arcadia, the Class), Laura Innes (ER), Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls, and Emmy winner Zeljko Ivanek (Damages). Looks like it could be pretty interesting, got a whole thriller conspiracy thing workin’ for it. (set for Mondays, 9/8c PM, after Chuck)

As for comedies, NBC has been hitting lows lows, and lows with their comedies lately. I’ll mention Friends with Benefits since Oscar and Emmy winner Brian Grazer is behind it (A Beautiful Mind, Arrested Development), and it stars Ryan Hansen (who played Dick Casablancas on Veronica Mars, and currently in the Starz series Party Down) and also Fran Kranz (Topher from Dollhouse). (set for midseason).

FOX’s 2010 Fall/Preliminary Winter 2011 Schedule – the futon critic
ABC’s 2010 Fall Schedule – the futon critic
NBC Fall 2010 Schedule – the futon critic

Coming soon, CBS and CW new series lineup.

Eliza Dushku stars as Echo. FOX promo.

Tomorrow night, September 25, at 9/8c Dollhouse returns with its second season, and this time, Joss Whedon has control over it.

The first season suffered from network b.s., thinking they know better than Joss, but this season, it’s all JOSS WHEDON, as they aren’t gonna butt in to the creative genius’ vision of what Dollhouse is.

This season will see numerous guest stars, including two other former Whedon alums, Alexis Denisof (Angel) and Summer Glau (Firefly, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles), a few more Battlestar Galactica actors (Jamie Bamber and Michael Hogan), as well as Ray Wise (Reaper, Twin Peaks) and Oscar winner Keith Carradine.

FOX Staying out of Dollhouse, Whedon’s Kitchens – TV.Com

Joss Whedon back in control of Dollhouse – TV.Com

My Thursdays are now complete (though CSI doesn’t come back ’til next week, I have to drop that show in my long list of shows, since my DVR only records two shows at once (like they all do) and I have, currently, 3 shows in the 9pm hours as it is). Tonight, is the season five premiere of Bones at 8/7c, and the second season premiere of Fringe at 9/8c on FOX. Along with giving the CW’s The Vampire Diaries and 2nd try at 8/7c and continuing the love I have for the best show on air, the CW’s Supernatural at 9/8c, which tonight will see the return of Ellen and Jo (The 4400‘s Samantha Ferris and Veronica Mars‘ Alona Tol), my Thursdays are pretty full now, and the rest of the fall doesn’t come back until next week. Luckily, I have my DVR and DVD Recorder (DVR records 2, DVD-R can take one more, usually FOX shows given I have to go over-the-air for it).

But tonight is now about the premiere of FOX’s new Thursday night lineup, where Bones picks up about 6 weeks after Booth’s brain surgery (remove a tumor), with him trying to get back into the game. Guest stars Cindy Lauper as a psychic who led Booth and Brennan to a grave of 11 bodies. And on Fringe, Olivia returns to the alternate reality she traveled to in the first season finale where she met Massive Dynamic’s founder William Bell, and Peter tries to find information about her visit, while Walter prepares custard for his son’s birthday.

Oh, and NBC has a new comedy, Community, which might be worth checking out. It premieres tonight as well at 9:30/8:30c, but will move to the 8/7c timeslot in October.

Last week’s episode of FOX’s Dollhouse was a great example of the extraordinary writing behind the show, and the overall creative genius that is Joss Whedon. Those of us that watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly have already known of this genius, and just want to help others broaden their TV habits to go beyond that of mindless American Idol or ridiculous reality shows after reality shows (such as that of this stupid I’m a Celebrity, get Me Out of Here that NBC is gonna air). TV has the ability to expand into a bright imagination, or colorful characters and engaging plots. Dollhouse is one of these shows. With a cast that has proven they are capable of a multitude of different kinds of characters (smart negotiators, talented singers, thrill seekers, lovers, assassins, spies, etc, etc).

But last week’s “Briar Rose” has definitely shown that Dollhouse has finally found its mark. There have been several episodes before, that kept us engaged, but “Briar Rose” gave us a twist, that no one saw coming. We know that Alpha was gonna be revealed, but we didn’t know that Alan Tudyk (who played Wash on Whedon’s Firefly), who was introduced on the show as a nervous, coward architect of the Dollhouse’s self-sustaining system, who Ballard found and asked for his help, was in fact, the doll that malfunctioned, slaughtered many dolls and staff, left Echo alive in the middle of dead bodies, carved up Dr. Saunders face, the mysterious Alpha.

Never saw it coming. Now Alpha, after getting into the Dollhouse, taking advantage of Ballard’s need to save Caroline (“Echo” before she was an active) played by the wonderful actress Eliza Dushku (played a slayer on Buffy andAngel), Alpha now has Echo and imprinted her with a personality of, well we don’t know yet, but they seem to know each other, quite well.

So, in conclusion, tune your TV’s live to your local FOX affiliate, Friday May 8th, at 9PM ET to watch the exciting conclusion of this season (and let’s keep it season as oppose to the dreaded series finale), which, knowing Joss and finales, is gonna leave you wanting more…

Your DVRs can record your other shows, remember, Friday Night Lights is safe for two years, thanks to DirecTV. And Flashpoint is a Canadian production, so even if CBS doesn’t want it (which wouldn’t make sense, since CBS isn’t gonna do any better) it could still survive in Canada, and I don’t know what’s on NBC, nor do I really care. As far as movies go, Star Trek will still be playing on Saturday and Sunday, and in some areas, maybe you can catch a matinee.

If you missed the last episode: here it is, right from Hulu.com:

Catch more full episodes, for free, at Hulu.com

TWO FREAKIN’ MONTHS I’ve been waiting for new Fringe, and what the frak happens? Instead at starting at 9:01 PM, the complete insult to not only television, but music as well, dim-witted reality/competition series American Idol, goes on for about another eight or nine minutes, causing anyone who had DVR’d Fringe to miss the last, well, eight or nine minutes. Now, luckily, I wasn’t at work (and I would have been infuriated, since I would’ve set my DVD-Recorder and get the digital OTA signal instead, since it’s much much clearer (and I have my DVD-Recorder set to letterbox, so I get the whole show), and I too would’ve missed the ending).

But this has got to stop. There has to be some way to convince these Idol worshipers to turn on their brains and watch something a little more fulfilling, such as NCIS, or how about the totally unappreciated Reaper. The truth is, I don’t care how well brain farts do on TV, it doesn’t give them the right to screw up everything else, ’cause some of us, actually have brains to watch engaging TV.

I don’t want to keep complaining about American Idol, and I know it’s my opinion, and blah blah blah, but, the only thing that has a right to pre-empt in this manner, are major sports programmings, at least with those, one would know to extend their recordings (though I myself have missed a few because of NASCAR), but I try to check Sundays for any possible sports on FOX that could screw up my TV viewing an adjust accordingly (at least an extra 30 minutes). But another weekly series should NOT do this, and the producers of that dumbass show need to get their heads together and get it into the hour, because I used to watch House when it was after, and can’t remember a time when it was delayed by almost ten minutes. Plus, last year, and the year before, I happen to know Idol didn’t have so many two-hour episodes, so FOX is really, really, really, EVIL!

Death to American Idol. Bring back quality scripted shows. No more reality! No more reality!

Watch NCIS on CBS Tuesday at 8PM! We can do this! We CAN do this!

Of course, what we really need is a better TV Rating system, one that’s less reliant on a very, very, very, small fraction of the TV Viewing public. And networks are gonna have to factor in DVRs and online viewership (legal ones, not the illegal variety). Then maybe show like Pushing Daisies could make it. And shows like Dollhouse and Chuck can be a little safe for renewal, at least.

We want QUALITY, not STUPIDITY (okay, not a good chant, but I’m tired and must watch Criminal Minds…now