TV Talk - Your Guide to the Fall Lineup

Months ago, probably almost a year, I had a fortune cookie. I expected something silly, but instead got a statement so poignant, I kept it, and as I look back, I think, how could a stale, crunchy little cookie be so smart?

The statement was this: "Cut your losses. You waited long enough.". While it could apply to anyone, or really anything for that matter, I knew then, what it meant for me. I knew then what it meant, but I didn't want to face it. I knew then, that the man I loved would never love me enough to do what was necessary for us to really go the distance. Alas, I was happy, and in love, and now find myself in a topsy turvy tin of emotions, anger, sadness, loss, regret.

But all of this has lead me to the real theme of the blog this evening, Fall television. Now that it's just me, the kitty, and the DVR, I thought I would help you lost souls with relationships and those with lives find the best programming to watch. For other loners like myself, just compare my notes with your mental ones, and feel free to comment!

MONDAY NIGHT
8P
Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Chuck (NBC)
Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox)
Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
Gossip Girl (CW)
My Pick: If you are solo (and female), it's a no-brainer. "Gossip Girl", which premiered on Labor Day, is off to quite the juicy start. Chuck and Blair and their twisted, ruthless, cutthroat characteristics make the show exciting, and if this season is half as naughty, intriguing, and decadent as the marketing ads, we're in for a treat!

8:30P - For those who think Gossip Girl is going a bit too far, "How I Met Your Mother" is a great show, starring the man who makes it worth watching, Neil Patrick Harris. It's quirky and accessible, and makes you feel like you could easily be a part of their funny little world.

9P -
Two & a Half Men/Worst Week (CBS)
The Closer (TNT)
Heroes (NBC)
Prison Break (Fox)
One Tree Hill (CW)
My Pick: Mondays at 9p, as if there was any other choice, I am fully backing "Heroes". It's really the only respectable option. It's different from any series on television, bringing out the comic book geek in all of us. This season, the theme is Villains, which means, of course the evil baddie we love to hate, Sylar makes quite the appearance. With new characters and interesting twists and turns just in the first few episodes, I'm definitely in for the long haul.

10P
CSI: Miami (CBS)
Raising the Bar (TNT)
My Own Worst Enemy (NBC)
Boston Legal (ABC)
My Pick: The 10p hour is tough to call, since I haven't seen Christian Slater in My Own Worst Enemy yet. For now, I'm pushing the underdog, Raising the Bar, with a really great ensemble cast (Mark Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben (e.r.), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), and J. August Richards (Angel) just to name a few). It's good drama, one that reminds me of Law & Order, in the way that happy endings don't always happen; justice lives in the realm of shades of gray, and the answers aren't always easy. It's emotional, but quality, and until I get a whiff of My Own Worst Enemy, it's my pick du jour.


TUESDAY NIGHT
8P
NCIS (CBS)
Biggest Loser: Families (NBC)
House (Fox)
Opportunity Knocks (ABC)
90210 (CW)
My Pick: It's obvious--90210. Well, of course I'm going to pick 90210! I was from the generation who watched the original, but was probably too young to truly understand the themes (I was young, but have an old soul, so I totally understood the themes). It's not as decadent and distant as those crazy "Gossip" kids, but it does the trick for Tuesday. AnnaLynne McCord (psycho LA vixen spoiled daughter on Nip/Tuck) plays Naomi, a spoiled LA vixen daughter, while Brenda plays a changed woman...or is she? I'm totally down to find out.
I should add that since I own a DVR, I record "House", because even though the general point of the show remains the same, I love him, and the cast old and new. I've been hooked since the season 2 finale, and I'm loving every minute of it.

9P
The Mentalist (CBS)
Fringe (Fox)
Dancing With the Stars (Fox)
Privileged (CW)
Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo)
My Pick: Privileged at 9P is an easy watch. Starring Joanna Garcia (preggars teen from Reba), as a tutor for Palm Beach high society brats with redeeming qualities (I guess we find those out later), and is surrounding by extremely sexy suitors. As a female, it's a really easy series to sit through, and I'll be watching.
PS- thanks to the wonderful world of DVR, I've been recording "Fringe". I haven't actually watched it yet, but it's got Joshua Jackson, so I'm sure I'll tune in sooner or later.
Also, The Mentalist is worth taking a look-- the series stars Simon Baker (Something New, The Guardian), and the first episode piqued my interest.

10P
Without a Trace (CBS)
Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
How to Look Good Naked (Lifetime)
Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo)
My Pick: Um, quite obvious answer here..."Law & Order: SVU"!!! Every season is even darker and grittier than the previous year. The best part is, even though there are special guest stars up the wazoo, the series is still churning out quality product. It's almost as if big stars stopping by causes them to step up their dramatic acting skills. This season, it looks as if it's taking a darker turn, pushing all of our beloved detectives to the edge-- I'm there!
PS- For all of you who live for fashion and style, the "Rachel Zoe Project" is the show for you. I love Rachel and her expressions that will live only on her show, but my absolute fav is Brad, who is the best friend I always wanted. Each episode is a fun ride of shameless name-dropping, loads of fashion, and buckets of drama. If you live for labels you can't afford, this show is right up your alley.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
8P
New Adventures of Old Christine/Gary Unmarried (CBS)
Knight Rider (NBC)
Bones (Fox)
Pushing Daisies (ABC)
America's Next Top Model (CW)
My Pick: Yes, we know I'm all going to be all for Top Model, but I'm going to be picking Bones. It's an entertaining show, that's quirky without being over the top. One show I'm SUPER-anti, that would be Knight Rider. I watched a chunk of it, and I don't know what's more sad; the show's bad dialogue, or the fact that my one time super crush Val Kilmer is playing the voice of KITT...that's right, I'll repeat it: Val Kilmer is the VOICE of KITT.

9P
Criminal Minds (CBS)
Til Death/Til Death (Fox)
Private Practice (Fox)
90210 encore (CW)
Project Runway (Bravo)
My Pick: Since the sudden (but not so surprising) departure of "Do Not Disturb" has left a hole in the Fox schedule...one they are currently filling with, um another episode of Til Death (ugh), and CW is airing encores of "90210" until "Stylista" starts 10/22, my pick is "Private Practice". The Grey's Anatomy spin-off is in its second season, and it seems they plan to throw a wrench into the hip medical practice's dysfunctional family dynamic. The medical side of the series, seems to also be taking an interesting turn, questioning medical ethics, and taking us on the ride. I'm quite intrigued.

10P
CSI:NY (CBS)
Lipstick Jungle (NBC)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Top Design (Bravo)
My Pick: Personally, I'm going to go with "Dirty Sexy Money" for a couple of reasons. The first, is that it's such a caricature of the wealthy elite, it's quite amusing. The second, is that really, it's the only option. "Lipstick Jungle" is terrible ( I remain loyal to the fallen series "Cashmere Mafia"), even though I love the return of Andrew McCarthy as a younger, sexier version of Donald Trump; "CSI:NY" is a parody of the original. The truly awful accents, alone keep me away from the wannabe carbon copy of CSI. With no decent options, I'm left with no choice but to tune in to "Dirty Sexy Money"...and the return of the sexy Blair Underwood.


THURSDAY NIGHT
8P
Survivor: Gabon (CBS)
My Name is Earl/Kath & Kim (NBC)
Hole in the Wall (Fox)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
Smallville (CW)
My Pick: Personally, out of this bunch, I think "Ugly Betty' is clearly my pick out of this bunch. Whether you're a man or woman, the quirky heroine in this series has appeal for all. Also, a point to help sway the dudes, Rebecca Romijn (Mystique in X-MEN, you know, the naked blue chick) is in...and she wears tight skirts...(gals, just forget to mention that she's expecting...)

9P
CSI (CBS)
The Office/Various (NBC)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Kitchen Nightmares (Fox)
Supernatural (CW)
My Pick: Ok, personally, I'm going to fully endorse "Grey's Anatomy". I think the ensemble cast really is outstanding, and the show displays diversity seen nowhere else on TV. I really enjoy the fact that Seattle Grace looks like the hospitals real people visit everyday. The drama is delicious, and I like to tue-in to see what "Mc" they'll come up with next.

10P
Eleventh Hour (CBS)
E.R. (NBC)
Life on Mars (ABC)
Tim Gunn's Guide to Style (Bravo)
My Pick: This is a tough hour...What I can suggest to avoid-"Eleventh Hour", like Fox's now defunct "Vanished" is an hour of deep, complicated, convoluted...I think I'm running out of things to say that truly explain the difficult web that is this show...and that's just based on the extended preview trailer I saw.

FRIDAY NIGHT
8P
Ghost Whisperer (CBS)
Crusoe (NBC)
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? (Fox)
Wife Swap (ABC)
Everybody Hates Chris/The Game (CW)
My Pick: If you're my mom, then you'll be all for "Ghost Whisperer" starring Jennifer "Yawn" Love Hewitt. If you are younger than 60, I suggest checking out the CW tonight. "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game" (although not so much "The Game") are funny shows that find a way to break through their supposed "niche"(a.k.a Black) appeal. Check it out, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

9P
The Ex List (CBS)
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader (Fox)
Supernanny (ABC)
America's Next Top Model encore (CW)
My Pick: Yeah - this is a tough one...luckily, "Californication" is on Showtime at 9:30p, so I'll cruise the internet for an hour...or get away from the television!!!

10P
NUMB3RS (CBS)
Life(NBC)
20/20 (ABC)
My Pick: Ok...if you're home, I'm going to say "Life", since it's a show with a quirky sense of humor, and it really grows on you. A different type of cop show, it finds the funny side of life, and an outside the box thought process. Think "House" but much, much, lighter.

I'm going to skip Saturday...My pick? Go out. Then, come home, and watch SNL. The end.

SUNDAY NIGHT
8P
Amazing Race (CBS)
Sunday Night Football (NBC)
The Simpsons/King of the Hill (Fox)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
Valentine (CW)
My Pick: Well, clearly, I'm all for Sunday Night Football. Okay, that probably wasn't a given, but I love football, so that's my pick...if not that, then I'd say go for "Valentine". Seriously, anything is better than "Amazing Race".

9P
Cold Case (CBS)
Family Guy/American Dad (Fox)
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Easy Money (CW)
Rock of Love Charm School with Sharon Osbourne (VH1)
Army Wives (Lifetime)
Dexter (Showtime)
True Blood (HBO)
My Pick: While I am a big Dexter fan, I'm spoiled by the fact that it comes on at 11p, has 7 other replays throughout the week, AND it's available on-demand. So, with broadcast being so limited, and streaming is only a first choice for 30 Rock (I don't believe I've seen an episode on the TV), I pick "Desperate Housewives". It's dramatic and dark and hilarious. I absolutely love it! I don't love Eva Longoria's five-year-later makeover, but the show as a whole is absolutely clever.

10P
The Unit (CBS)
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Californication/Californication (Showtime)
Entourage/Little Britain USA (HBO)
My Pick: Ah, again, my pick would be "Californication" if it were not for the ample ways I could watch the show. Instead, I'll pick "Brothers & Sisters", the family drama that makes everyone else's family look tame.

Well that wraps up my lineup picks for each night (phew!). Tomorrow, I'll begin to chronicle my adventures in new experiences, including new activities I'm getting involved in, and oh yes, dating. Yes, folks, it's going to get very interesting.