Fall TV Scorecard

What's making the grade in prime time this fall? It's all about the comedies, from new kids on the block like 'Modern Family' and 'Cougar Town,' to returning favorites like 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'The Big Bang Theory.' We're also loving Fox's singing, dancing teens and the return of an 'ER' queen, though for every new and returning hit, there's a new and returning miss (we're looking at you 'Hank' and 'Project Runway') ... By Kimberly Potts

ABC / NBC / CBS / Fox

'CSI' (CBS)
What We Like: Sara (Jorja Fox) is back and will stick around for at least a half dozen episodes.
What We Don't: That hubby Grissom (William Petersen) apparently isn't joining her. Laurence Fishburne is a great actor, but the new team just hasn't jelled.
Grade: C+

CBS

'Accidentally on Purpose' (ABC)
What We Like: The cougar concept is a funny one ...
What We Don't: … and it's being done a whole lot better by 'Cougar Town' on ABC.
Grade: F

CBS

'The Big Bang Theory' (CBS)
What We Like: The whole cast is great, but sitcom stars do not come funnier, with better comedic timing or a more endearing quality, than Jim Parsons as Sheldon.
What We Don't: Sometimes, the show can be ... nope, there's nothing we don't like.
Grade: A+

CBS

'Bones' (Fox)
What We Like: That the Jeffersonian team is being sent to some interesting locales, from an Amish community to a block party, and, of course, the continuing Booth/Brennan flirtation.
What We Don't: The ep with Booth's kid and the sex talk? Ew. That's a plotline usually reserved for bad sitcoms, so a good drama should definitely avoid it.
Grade: B

Fox

'Community' (NBC)
What We Like: It's one of the most promising sitcom pilots we've seen in years.
What We Don't: Despite the charming Joel McHale and the scene-stealing Danny Pudi as pop culture-obsessed Abed, 'Community' is amusing, but hasn't yet delivered on its laugh-out-loud funny potential. And we're already kind of bored waiting for it.
Grade: C

NBC

'Cougar Town' (ABC)
What We Like: As in her best moments as 'Friends'' Monica, Courteney Cox's willingness to make a complete fool of herself, as recently divorced cougar Jules in this case, is comedy gold.
What We Don't: That scene in the pilot where Jules' teen son walks in on her, um, pleasuring her new boyfriend ... ew. That should never happen again.
Grade: B+

ABC

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (HBO)
What We Like: Only self-involved Larry could create the perfect storm of circumstances that would jeopardize a sure thing like a 'Seinfeld' reunion.
What We Don't: We're not missing Cheryl or Loretta, but we definitely want to see more of J.B. Smoove's Leon.
Grade: A

HBO

'Dancing With the Stars' (ABC)
What We Like: Celeb guests like Shakira, Joss Stone and Queen Latifah, and the show's tribute to Patrick Swayze.
What We Don't: Aside from the Kelly Osbourne comeback it's showcasing, the show, after seven seasons, may have finally succeeded in making us tired of D-list celebrities.
Grade: C-

ABC

'Desperate Housewives' (ABC)
What We Like: Gabrielle's being slapped in the face by karma, in the form of the rebellious Ana, who's essentially a Gabrielle-in-training.
What We Don't: How many more season-long new neighbor mysteries do we need? Does Wisteria Lane have some sort of crazy-family magnet?
Grade: B-

ABC