Fall TV Preview ‘09: I Pick the Hits!

I work in TV, so I’m pretty much an expert on this. Here are my top 3 NEW SHOWS premiering this fall:

Glee—Okay, this is not a new show because Fox already showed the pilot episode this spring. I love the cast, the music, the dry humor. I love the glee club teacher and even his crazy wife. I love that Fox remembered Asian people exist and cast an Asian in a sort-of prominent role. I’ll take what I can get. (Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 9PM ET)

Modern Family—This and Glee are tied for the shows I’m looking forward to most. I saw the pilot for this one too, and it was hysterical. All three families are unique and funny. I can’t believe Ed O’Neill is now old. I used to watch Married…with Children all the time. And I really like Jesse Tyler Ferguson. I gave up on his show The Class on CBS (which got canceled anyway), but I promise to be a devoted viewer this time around, JTF! (Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9PM ET)

The Beautiful Life: TBL/Melrose Place—I’m torn on this one. They’re probably going to be the same show anyway. Rich white kids sitting around feeling sorry for themselves and making a mess of their lives. The Beautiful Life has been panned by critics left and right, and I can’t stand Mischa Barton. Yet, I love modeling shows like ANTM and Project Runway, so I’m looking forward to this one even though I have no idea what it’ll be like. Melrose Place has gotten good reviews, but I’m afraid it’ll go the way of the 90210 reboot and be extremely boring. I hope I'm wrong. I used to watch the original MP (but not 90210) and I remember Sydney and Michael and the gang. Maybe Allison and Billy Shue (I forget his character’s name) will show up. (TBL premieres Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 9PM ET--hey, why are all the good shows on Wednesdays at 9P?--and MP premieres Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 9PM ET)

Here are my top 3 RETURNING SHOWS this fall:

Where to start??? I watch everything. Except for Fox sitcoms.

Private Practice—Last season, this show had its dull moments, moments that made me bawl, and moments that had me screaming “NOOOOOOOOO!!!” at the TV (always a sign of good, engaging television). But the season finale, with poor Violet about to be cut open so the crazy woman could take her baby, that had me on the edge of my sofa gripping my fiancé and shielding my eyes. I cannot WAIT to find out what happens! (Premieres Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10PM ET)

The Amazing Race—With the exception of the Family Edition (how boring was that? I didn’t even make it through two episodes), this show is one of the most entertaining week after week, without fail. That is impossible to do for most scripted series (with the exception of my third selection, below), because they always hit a lull point where they focus on characters you don’t care about, or a case you don’t understand (the CSIs and Law & Orders are guilty of this). With The Amazing Race, you know exactly what you’re getting every week—cool competitions, fights between teams, and Phil. I love Phil. He is one of my Old Man crushes (along with Charlie Gibson and Anderson Cooper). One of the best moments of last season was when he explained that the teams had to run around town in their underwear and WHAMMO! the camera pulled back and PHIL WAS IN HIS UNDERWEAR!!! (Premieres Sunday, Sept. 27 at 8PM ET)

Chuck—I’m calmer now. Okay. Chuck. I have his poster on my wall. He’s cute, goofy, and there is absolutely nothing to dislike about the guy. Nothing. I can’t think of a single thing. Also—and this is extremely rare of a TV show—I love every single one of the characters. Sarah. Morgan. Captain and Mrs. Awesome. His boss. Jeffster. Casey!!! I laugh out loud each and every time Casey growls (if you watch the show, you’ll know what I mean). Probably one of the funniest and most exciting shows on TV that also manages to move you emotionally. It does zip in the ratings, and I don’t know anyone personally who watches this show (other than my fiancé, who really likes it), so I’m pretty sure it will get canceled soon. My favorite shows always get canceled. (Premiere date is TBA. NBC said it would air after the Winter Olympics, in March, or during the summer. The SUMMER. Please don't do that to me, NBC.)