Many shows are expected to arrive at midseason early in 2009, owing to
delays often attributed to the 14-week-long writers strike (and the
networks slow reaction to same).
"24" will return with a self-contained two-hour movie, "24: Redemption," Nov. 23, which will set up the seventh season of the Jack Bauer chase-a-thon. (Notice anything odd about Jack's appearance in this publicity shot?)
"According to Jim" (ABC). It's returning. Thats all I have to say.
"Friday Night Lights" (NBC). DirecTV will have exclusive rights to season three Season 3 on its 101 Network this fall. The episodes will then air midseason on NBC. Sounds unfair, but it beats cancellation.
"Lost" (ABC). Isnt it nice to know where this show is going, kind of, while waiting for the next batch of episodes?
"Medium" (NBC). Allison (Patricia Arquette) teams up again with Manuel (Miguel Sandoval) to solve crimes using her psychic powers. Reaper (the CW): Last year, this was my pick as the best new show, but the bloom was off quickly. Happily, the CW is giving Touched by the Devil another go.
New network: "Scrubs" (ABC). Tired of being jerked around by NBC, the long-running doctor com is moving to ABC, which has actually produced the show all these years.
Here are descriptions of new midseason shows:
"Better Off Ted" (ABC). Office comedy stars Jay Harrington as Ted and Portia di Rossi as Veronica, who orders him to do what were told are morally questionable things for the company.
"Blue Blood" (NBC). Harvard to Harlem, the story of an Ivy League-educated rookie NYPD cop.
"Castle" (ABC). Moonlighting meets Murder, She Wrote -- ew, not a pleasant image -- in this romantic detective series starring Dr. Horrible stud Nathan Fillion.
"The Cleveland Show" (Fox). This Family Guy spin-off features Peter Griffins black neighbor in a new town, but with the same white actor supplying the voice.
"Courtroom K" (Fox). Alfred Molina as a gruff but lovable judge in a Midwestern city.
"Cupid" (ABC). ABC is remaking this 1998 series with Bobby Cannavale in the role of the putative god of love, the same role that put Jeremy Piven on our radar a decade ago. Now if only it will remake "Nothing Sacred."
"Dollhouse" (Fox). Of course were looking forward to Joss Whedons latest creation, which stars Eliza Dushku as a submissive zombie whos rented out to lonely men and is starting to realize her life is not ... normal.
"The Goode Family" (ABC). First impression about this cartoon from Mike King of the Hill Judge is that a family made up of overly zealous PC do-gooders would make a fine set of neighbors for Hank Hill -- but they don't deserve their own sitcom.
"Harpers Island" (CBS). Odd-looking serial-killer show set on a remote isle.
"Kings" (NBC). Ian McShane (Deadwood) in a hard-to-grasp retelling of the David vs. Goliath tale set in a modern metropolis under siege.
"Lie to Me" (Fox). Another crime show kind of like The Mentalist, about an investigator who can read peoples minds through their facial tics.
"The Listener" (NBC). And yet another crime show with a mind- reader, only this one really can read minds.
"Man of Your Dreams" (NBC). Chicago bartender helps his friends find love in this comedy.
"Merlin" (NBC). Like NBCs Crusoe, this show will employ flashbacks to try to put a new spin on a classic characters story. The Office spin-off (NBC). All we know about this is that Amy Poehler is in it. Were not even sure if its an actual spin-off or just from the creators of. And does it really matter? Poehler + Office = were there.
"Outnumbered" (Fox). Parents are outmatched by their large brood of kids in this sitcom.
"The Philanthropist" (NBC). If Oprahs Big Give were a scripted drama, it might look like this.
"Secret Millionaire" (Fox). The most intriguing new reality TV concept combines Oprahs Big Give with Secret Santa, as a wealthy person goes undercover to identify deserving recipients of a big cash gift.
"Single with Parents" (ABC). Alyssa Milano and Annie Potts in a blended-family sitcom.
"Sit Down, Shut Up" (Fox). This highly- anticipated animated comedy from Mitch Hurwitz, who created Arrested Development, follows the travails of eight staff members at a high school. Jason Bateman and Will Arnett are among the voices. You may have read about the labor troubles at this show.
"Surviving Suburbia" (the 6:30 p.m. CT, beginning Nov. 2, the CW). One more trip around the block for Bob Saget, who plays a married dad with midlife issues and new neighbors that spell trouble for him and his family.
"The Unusuals" (ABC). Amber Tamblyn stars as possibly New Yorks youngest and cutest homicide detective. Among her co-stars: ex-Lost star Harold Perrineau.
"Zip" (NBC). Steven Weber has zip to his name. But he lives in a very wealthy ZIP, 90210 to be exact, and hes a con man.
More of Aaron's Fall TV preview: * Fall highlights from new and returning TV shows * What I'm watching RIGHT NOW * Will your TV read "1998-2009" on its tombstone?
