Fall TV - Shows in Their Sophomore Seasons

Fall TV 2009: Sophomore Shows

Fall TV season is like the debutante ball circuit for new fall shows. But what about the freshman series' older siblings, shows entering sophomore year -- some returning after their own frosh terms earned less-than-stellar reviews and ratings? Read on for a rundown of what second-year series have in store to try to keep their dance cards full and beat the dreaded sophomore slump ... -By Kimberly Potts

CBS / Fox

'The Mentalist' (CBS)

Last season: One of the few true hits on network TV last season, the Simon Baker drama finished in the Nielsen top 10 with every episode and won the Favorite New TV Drama trophy at the People's Choice Awards, while Baker earned an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

This season (Sept. 24, 10PM): It should be fairly smooth sailing for the fake psychic series. Even though the show moves from Tuesday nights at 9PM to Thursday nights at 10PM, its competition is a bit lighter: 'Private Practice' and 'The Jay Leno Show,' versus its freshman-season time-slot rivals, 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'The Biggest Loser.'



Get a recap of season 1

CBS

'Fringe' (FOX)

Last season: So-so ratings and above average critics' reviews marked the first season of Fox's sci-fi FBI thriller, which gained new fans as it wound down to its season finale, with a Leonard Nimoy guest appearance and the shocking glimpse of the still-standing Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

This season (Sept. 17, 9PM): The show moves to Thursday night, where its competition is now 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'CSI,' 'Supernatural' and NBC's combo of 'The Office' and 'Community'/'30 Rock.' In other words, 'Fringe' now finds itself in one of the toughest time slots in primetime, and even though producer Roberto Orci says he considers it to be a boon that 'Fringe' has 'Bones' as a lead-in, going up against a lineup of such established shows definitely puts the Joshua Jackson series in the underdog spot.



Fox

'Castle' (ABC)

Last season: Thanks to the charming Nathan Fillion, the dramedy about a mystery writer who uses his genre knowledge to help the NYPD solve cases won a sizable fan base with its 10-episode midseason run on ABC.

This season (Sept. 21, 10PM): 'Castle''s back in its Monday-at-10PM time slot, where its competition is the new 'Jay Leno Show' and CBS' hit 'CSI: Miami.' Still, for viewers seeking a lighter, but still scripted option, 'Castle' is it, and the continuing will-the-or-won't-they relationship between Castle and Det. Beckett (Stana Katic) adds a little romance to the mix.

ABC

'Lie to Me' (ABC)

Last season: The crime procedural starring Tim Roth started off with some great reviews and 12 million viewers, but by the end of its 13-episode midseason run had lost more than 2 mil of those watchers.

This season (Sept. 28, 9PM): Mekhi Phifer becomes a regular in season 2, and producers say the Fox show will focus less on deception expert Lightman's (Roth) scientific work and more on his personal life. Most promisingly: executive producer Shawn Ryan ('The Shield') takes over as showrunner for the second season, though we can't lie, the show's competition is fairly daunting: 'Dancing With the Stars,' 'Gossip Girl,' 'Two and a Half Men'/'The Big Bang Theory' and NBC's new medical drama 'Trauma.'

Fox

'90210' (CW)

Last season: Big ratings for the CW show's series premiere were followed by a declining viewership for the rest of the premiere season, and a lack of any real buzz for the series, outside the occasional appearance by a member of the original 'Beverly Hills 90210' cast.

This season (Tues., 8PM): The show's hanging on to its time slot, and serves as the lead-in for another remake -- the CW's 'Melrose Place,' which failed to make a splash with its series premiere -- but the show's focus on downward-spiraling Annie and her guilt over the hit-and-run incident from the season 1 finale and Naomi's trashy affair with the married man have us hoping '90210' may finally become the guilty pleasure it has the promise to be.

CW

'Gary Unmarried' (CBS)

Last season: Essentially a male version of 'The New Adventures of Old Christine,' the Jay Mohr comedy's ratings were up and down for its first season, but its broad appeal made it the perfect pairing with 'Christine' on CBS' Wednesday nights.

This season (Sept. 23, 8:30PM): The 'Christine'/'Gary' combo on Wednesday night continues for 'Gary''s sophomore season, and producers plan to keep Gary and his ex-wife from re-coupling (for now, anyway), as they both find new love interests and Gary contemplates a whole new career. As for time-slot competition, 'Gary' is up against 'So You Think You Can Dance,' 'America's Next Top Model' and NBC's new medical drama 'Mercy'; but the real question may be: Will sitcom fans prefer the 'Christine'/'Gary' pairing, or the combo of ABC's new sitcoms 'Hank,' with Kelsey Grammer, and 'The Middle,' with Patricia Heaton.

CBS

'Parks and Recreation' (NBC)

Last season: It comes from the people who make 'The Office' and it stars Amy Poehler, the charmingly goofy -- and winningly funny -- 'Saturday Night Live.' Yet, the consensus on the NBC sitcom's six-episode first season was that 'Parks and Recreation' was definitely not must-see-TV.

This season (Sept. 17, 8:30PM): Producer Greg Daniels promises that there will be even more Poehler this season, and her 'SNL' cohort Fred Armisen is set to guest star, but even with the very likable cast (which includes Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman and 'Everwood' star Chris Pratt), we remain unconvinced that 'Office'-level humor can be wrung from the public parks concept.

Get a sneak peek of season 2

NBC

'Dollhouse' (FOX)

Last season: The show's lackluster first-season performance -- despite months of anticipation from fans of creator Joss Whedon -- had most TV insiders assuming 'Dollhouse' wouldn't live to see a second season. So the announcement last May that Fox was ordering up a 13-episode renewal came as a major surprise.

This season (Sept. 25, 9PM): Whedon and company had to accept a budget cut, but 'Dollhouse' keeps its Friday-night time slot as it heads into its sophomore season. The 'Buffy' vet has also added some major names in the world of sci-fi to his cast, including Alexis Denisof ('Angel') as a senator, 'The Sarah Connor Chronicles' star Summer Glau, and 'Battlestar Galactica' alums Jamie Bamber and Michael Hogan, which should keep current 'Dollhouse' devotees happy and draw a few new ones, as well.

Fox

'Southland' (NBC)

Last season: The critically acclaimed midseason cop drama started out strong on NBC, but its ratings dwindled as the season went on. Still, the quality of the writing and stellar acting -- from Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy and 'The O.C.''s Benjamin McKenzie -- created a buzz and earned a loyal fan base that will likely pick up with the show for its sophomore season.

This season (Sept. 25, 9PM): 'Southland' moves from Thursday nights to Fridays at 9PM, where it's up against 'Ugly Betty,' 'Medium' and 'Dollhouse.' In other words, not ideal, though still a great place to be if viewers are looking for a substantial, non-sci-fi drama. Plus, producers promise to delve more into the LAPD officers' personal lives this season, including a possible romance for King's Lydia (in the form of 'Prison Break' star Amaury Nolasco) and Cudlitz's gay officer Cooper.

NBC