Fall TV 2009 New Shows

Fall TV 2009 - New Shows

Dramas! Comedies! Musicals! Talk shows! This fall is jam-packed with juicy new TV goodness for whatever mood you're in. But one can't make television-watching decisions lightly -- or, if history has taught us anything, based solely on the previews. So we're breaking down every new show in the fall TV crop, so you'll know exactly what they're about ... and what we really thought of them. -- By Maggie Furlong, Kimberly Potts and Kelly Woo

FOX, NBC, ABC (2)

'Accidentally on Purpose'
Airs Mon., 8:30PM on CBS | Premieres Sept. 21
Premise: Single gal Billie has a one-night stand with a much younger boy toy, Zack -- and winds up pregnant. Oops!
Our Take: Jenna Elfman as Billie is as bubbly as in her 'Dharma' days ... except that she's grown up. And we like it! Leave it at that please, CBS.

CBS

'The Beautiful Life'
Airs Wed., 9:00PM on CW | Premieres Sept. 16
Premise: Farm boy Chris navigates the glamorous, cutthroat world of modeling with the help of rising star Raina.
Our Take: The cast is gorgeous, and the show has the requisite teen-soap angst (and sex). Mischa Barton is perfectly cast as a supermodel with secrets.

CW

'Bored to Death'
Airs Sun., 9:30PM on HBO | Premieres Sept. 20
Premise: Jason Schwartzman is a Brooklyn scribe with writer's block who hangs with his boss (Ted Danson) and his comic book artist pal (Zach Galifianakis).
Our Take: Schwartzman, Danson and box office It Guy Galifianakis in an HBO comedy? Sounds better than a 'Hangover' sequel.

HBO

'Brothers'
Airs Fri., 8:00PM on FOX | Premieres Sept. 25
Premise: When retired NFL star Mike returns home, he and his brother Chill must run a restaurant together … without killing each other.
Our Take: We're glad to see Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, CCH Pounder and Carl Weathers again, but we just wish it weren't in this painfully unfunny sitcom.

FOX

'The Cleveland Show'
Airs Sun., 8:30 PM on FOX | Premieres Sept. 27
Premise: Cleveland Brown leaves Quahog -- and 'Family Guy' -- to start a new life in Virginia, where he reunites with his old high school crush.
Our Take: Not copying 'FG' has served this show well, but it feels like only a matter of time before it slips into mocking celebs to fill episodes.

FOX

'Community'
Airs Thurs., 9:30PM on CBS | Premieres Sept. 17
Premise: In this comedic version of 'The Breakfast Club,' a group of community college misfits form a very unlikely study group.
Our Take: Star Joel McHale of 'The Soup' is hilarious (as always), and his banter with Chevy Chase and the rest of the cast is spot-on.

CBS

'Cougar Town'
Airs Wed., 9:30PM on ABC | Premieres Sept. 23
Premise: Recently divorced mom Jules decides to do what every other woman of a certain age is doing -- take up a younger lover.
Our Take: In a comedy all-star ensemble, Cox makes us remember why she was one of the funniest 'Friends.' But tone down the physical gags, please.

ABC

'Eastwick'
Airs Wed., 10:00PM on ABC | Premieres Sept. 23
Premise: When a mysterious stranger comes to town, three women develop supernatural powers in this drama based on the movie and novel.
Our Take: The leading ladies are likable in this supernatural 'Desperate Housewives,' but everyone else (especially the men) is dull or annoying.

ABC

'FlashForward'
Airs Thurs., 8:00PM on ABC | Premieres Sept. 24
Premise: Everyone in the world loses consciousness at the same time, getting a glimpse at their life in six months' time.
Our Take: Just when you think you know where it's headed, a twist reminds you that this much-anticipated drama is way more complicated. We're in.

ABC