Everything from big budget science fiction mysteries (“Fringe”) to game shows that appear on your doorstep (“Opportunity Knocks”) will be out for viewers’ time.
A handful of imports from across the pond hit our shores this year in what seems to be the biggest repercussion from the 100-day strike - no one had any original ideas. British shows with an American twist can be successful (“The Office”) or they can fall into obscurity (“Viva Laughlin”).
Since so few new shows are fighting for spots, favorites and shows that were on the bubble are back. FOX’s cranky but brilliant Dr. House returns, as does the crime-solving anthropologist Temperance “Bones” Brennan.
On ABC, the “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off “Private Practice” returns for a second try. However, the network still has “Dancing with the Stars” and “Desperate Housewives” ready and waiting.
NBC and CBS seem to bring the most solid line-ups back for the fall.
NBC’s Thursday night of comedy is intact with “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “My Name is Earl” holding the foundation together. Both “Law and Order” franchises, “ER” and “Heroes” fill in the gaps.
With two “CSI” shows and America’s highest rated comedy “Two and a Half Men,” CBS is ready to push itself back to the top of the pile after FOX dethroned them this year. New dramas “Eleventh Hour” and “The Mentalist” are their first attacks followed up by reality TV mainstay “Survivor: Gabon.”
So sit back and relax. Turn the TV on and your mind off and hope those pesky writers don’t get all high and mighty and ask for their fair share again.
FOX
Fringe: 8 p.m. Sept. 9
FBI agents Olivia Dunham and Peter Bishop are faced with a rapidly spreading unexplained phenomenon of the threatening kind.
“Dawson’s Creek’s” Joshua Jackson will play the lead role of Peter Bishop and Anna Torv will play Olivia Dunham. Also cast in the series are Kirk Acevedo and Mark Valley. “Lost” mastermind J.J. Abrams created this highly anticipated sci-fi drama.
Hole in the Wall: 7 p.m. Sept. 11
The U.S. version of a Japanese game show in which contestants must become pawns in a human game of Tetris by quickly maneuvering their bodies through strangely-shaped holes in a moving wall.
Also debuting: Do Not Disturb (8:30 p.m. Sept. 10)
Returning: Prison Break (8 p.m. Sept. 1), Bones (7 p.m. Sept. 3), House (7 p.m. Sept. 16)
CW
Privileged: 8 p.m. Sept. 9
Originally called “Surviving the Filthy Rich,” this drama is an adaptation of the popular Zoey Dean novel “How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls.”
In the series, Yale graduate Megan Smith moves to Manhattan with hopes of finding success in the field of journalism. However, when her plans go wrong, she accepts a job as a live-in tutor helping two wealthy high school students in Palm Springs get accepted at a top university.
Also debuting: “90210” (7 p.m. Sept. 2 - see page 2 for details), Stylista (9 p.m. Oct. 22)
Returning: Gossip Girl (7 p.m. Sept. 1), One Tree Hill (8 p.m. Sept. 1), America’s Next Top Model (7 p.m. Sept. 3)
ABC
Life on Mars: 9 p.m. Oct. 9
A remake of the BBC drama with the same name. This show stars Jason O’Mara as Sam Tyler who is a detective from the 21st century who travels back in time to the 1970s after a car accident. Tyler clashes with his new boss who doesn’t take his coming from the future seriously. Tyler ends up working on a case involving a serial killer that may have something to do with his girlfriend’s kidnapping in the present time.
Also debuting: Opportunity Knocks (7 p.m. Sept. 23)
Returning: Dancing with the Stars (8 p.m. Sept. 23), Grey’s Anatomy (8 p.m. Sept. 25), Desperate Housewives (8 p.m. Sept. 28)
NBC
My Own Worst Enemy: 9 p.m. Oct. 13
Edward Albright is a super spy. Henry Spivey is living the normal American dream in the suburbs with his wife, two kids and dog. The two men have one thing in common - they share the same body because Edward took part in an experiment several years earlier to create a split personality. One day he receives an e-mail from Edward saying that people are coming to kill him.
Also debuting: Knight Rider (7 p.m. Sept. 25), Kath & Kim (7:30 p.m. Oct. 9), Crusoe (7 p.m. Oct. 17)
Returning: Heroes (8 p.m. Sept. 22), The Office (8 p.m. Sept. 25), ER (9 p.m. Sept. 25), Chuck (7 p.m. Sept.29)
CBS
Eleventh Hour: 9 p.m. Oct. 9
This Jerry Bruckheimer (“CSI”) produced sci-fi series is an adaptation of a British thriller of the same name. The show follows Dr. Jacob Wood (Rufus Sewell), a special science adviser to the U.S. government who saves people from the worst abuses of science.
The Mentalist: 8 p.m. Sept. 23
“The Mentalist” is the tale of Patrick Jane who is employed as an independent detective working with the California Bureau of Investigation to solve crimes.
Also debuting: Worst Week (8:30 p.m. Sept. 22), Gary Unmarried (7:30 p.m. Sept. 24), The Ex-List (8 p.m. Oct. 3)
Returning: Two and a Half Men (8 p.m. Sept. 22), CSI: Miami (9 p.m. Sept. 22), Survivor: Gabon (7 p.m. Sept. 25), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (8 p.m. Oct. 9)
