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

Eliza Dushku stars as Echo on Dollhouse. Image:FOX promo.

We are less than a day away from the premiere of the new series by Buffy the Vampire Slayer mastermind, Joss Whedon. Starring former Buffy alumna, Eliza Dushku, Dollhouse follows a group of people who are called “actives” that get their memories wiped and then re-written for certain tasks. This secret agency hires out their actives to clients that need a certain job performed that requires a specific skill, or they want a fantasy played out for them. Whatever they need, they can get. Dushku stars as Echo, an active that is becoming aware of herself, and wonder why she volunteered to become a “doll” in the first place.

Overall, this is the first series by Joss Whedon since Angel went off the air in May 2004. So it’s good to have a new series by him, but also to keep in mind, he had Firefly on FOX, on Friday also, and that didn’t do so well, despite the acclaim (wonderful show, if you haven’t seen it, I recommend catching the pilot episode on Hulu.com, or better yet, renting/buying the complete series on DVD (now on Blu-Ray)).

But through it all, one thing you have to admit, Joss Whedon’s shows are creative, and among the best you can ask for from television. If you’re not gonna go to the movies (afterall the same movie will be playing on Saturday), and you’re not gonna be on a date (might as well hold for Saturday, being Valentine’s Day), and you love quality scripted programming, then might I suggest tuning to FOX on February 13th (FRIDAY) at 9PM ET for the series premiere of Dollhouse. And then afterwards, tune to CBS at 10PM for a new Numb3rs, with special guest (I say special guest, they may not) James Marsters (Spike from Buffy/Angel and Brainiac from Smallville).

Grailwolf on Dollhouse | TV.Com