Baseball's working its way to the postseason; Football is literally kicking off and broadcast TV is firing up the engine after the long burning and wet summer. This September is admittedly a little different with DVRs, iTunes, series on DVD, online viewing and the staggered (or delayed) starts, but it still is the time of year where the largest concentration of new (and returning) programming enters our worlds.
Over the five broadcast networks we've got a total (including midseason on the network grids) of 18 new dramas, 10 new sitcoms, surprisingly one reality show and one variety show. The biggest change is the deletion of five hours of drama programming on NBC. It's arguably the biggest change to how Primetime is presented since the 7:30pm half-hour was returned to affiliates in 1972. (The creation of Fox, UPN, the CW and the WB aside.) It could have a direct impact on viewing habits and already has had a big effect behind the scenes in Hollywood -- presumably five fewer opportunities for writers, actors, directors, grips, etc. to find work.
There's all kinds of (varying degrees) of buzz surrounding a lot of different shows. The biggest difference on this year's slate is the strip of The Jay Leno Show at 10pm, Monday though Friday. Whether it succeeds or not (everybody debate the meaning of "succeeds" for NBC...go!), it really shakes things up. ABC and CBS' 10pm entries now have one less drama to compete with.
CBS' returning How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory both became bonafide hits in their fourth and second seasons, respectively. They'll help CBS own comedy...and Monday night. Their NCIS: Los Angeles is their new entry that's all but a guaranteed hit.
Aside from the Leno fun, the new entries on NBC don't really shake up the house, although midseason entries Day One and 100 Questions have some potential.
Fox, of course, has American Idol and 24 that return in January, but before that, they are doing pretty well with House, Bones and the first-time fall appearance of So You Think You Can Dance. This means we've got two dancing shows taking up five to six hours of Primetime. Their new Glee is Fox's only new fall drama and is hot. Let's see if it keeps the heat.
ABC's hopes are riding on an all-new Wednesday and they've got a lot of attention for the new FlashForward and the November-launching V.
Lastly the CW is simply continuing more of the same. Of course, if you're not a woman under 35, you probably don't know the CW exists -- and that's fine with them.
NCIS: Los Angeles and Glee seem like they could be breakout hits...at least right now. I'm going to take a flyer and say that the forgotten is my reluctant candidate for First to Die. But I make that very unconfidently.
Nice to see Fox renew Dollhouse, NBC renew Southland and ABC renew Castle. Perhaps they are actually letting a small, but loyal audience grow?
I know you'd like to get to the grids, so I'll pipe down. (Remember, midseason shows are only on network grids.) Thanks for your eyes, I hope you enjoy the Preview. Drop a line and say hi. Lastly, if you spot a typo, grammer goof or something like that, please let me know. Go Yankees. (BTW, Here are selected cable/satellite premieres.)
