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On paper, some new shows are intriguing. But the writers’ strike that disrupted television from November to February also set back series development and production for the broadcast networks.
With the season officially kicking off Monday, only CBS has been able to get most of its new shows into critics’ hands. Everything on NBC remains unseen, as does ABC’s one new drama.
For ABC, the focus this fall is on relaunching series — “Pushing Daisies,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Private Practice” — whose freshman seasons were cut short by the strike. Only two new shows, one unscripted, made ABC’s fall schedule.
NBC will debut three dramas and one comedy while relaunching “Chuck” and “Life.” With Fox and the CW starting their seasons weeks early, the only network with a traditional fall rollout is CBS, which will introduce three dramas and two comedies.
Together, the five broadcast networks offer 20 new series this fall. Here’s a closer look at the season’s new scripted shows, with star ratings for programs that had previews available.
“Valentine”
8 p.m. Sundays on the CW
The CW network farmed out Sunday nights to the independent production company Media Rights Capital, which returns a ridiculous romantic comedy about a family of Greek gods matching up lovelorn mortals. H (out of four)
“Easy Money”
9 p.m. Sundays on the CW
Impressive credits make this dud of a drama even more disappointing. Laurie Metcalf (“Roseanne”) and family run a payday loan business in what’s touted as “a modern-day Dickensian tale of money and identity.” Producers Diane Frolov and Andy Schneider’s previous shows include “Northern Exposure” and “The Sopranos.” So why is “Easy Money” unwatchable? No stars.
“Worst Week”
8:30 p.m. Mondays on CBS
Here’s the shock: It’s funny. In an adaptation of a British comedy, Kyle Bornheimer plays Sam, who’s about to get engaged to girlfriend Melanie (Erinn Hayes). Her parents (Kurtwood Smith and Nancy Lenehan) don’t like him, but he’s determined to win them over — with disastrous results. The opener, which includes Sam in a trash-bag diaper and a mistaken declaration of death, is fast-paced, physical and often hilarious, offering hope that the sitcom isn’t dead after all. HHH
“My Own Worst Enemy”
9 p.m. Mondays on NBC
Christian Slater was a star of the Olympics, at least in NBC’s promos for this unseen drama, a spin on “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” He plays Henry, an ordinary soccer dad, complete with minivan. The twist? Henry shares a body with Edward, an international man of mystery: a superspy and trained killer. “When the carefully constructed wall between them breaks down, Henry and Edward are thrust into unfamiliar territory where each man is dangerously out of his element,” NBC says. Alfre Woodard, Madchen Amick and Saffron Burrows also star. Not previewed.
“The Mentalist”
8 p.m. Tuesdays on CBS
Simon Baker (“The Guardian“) returns to television as Patrick Jane, who was once a sham psychic doing stunts on TV but gave it up after a personal tragedy. Now he uses his powers of observation to help the police crack big cases. “The Mentalist” feels overly familiar, and our hero has been saddled with a too-complicated back story, but Baker is charming, and the drama is a nice fit with other CBS procedurals. HH½ stars.
“Knight Rider”
7 p.m. Wednesdays on NBC
The critically panned, high-rated TV movie inspires a series, starring “the coolest car ever created” and a human cast including Justin Bruening, Bruce Davison, Deanna Russo and Sidney Tamia Poitier. Val Kilmer is the voice of KITT the car. Not previewed.
“Gary Unmarried”
7:30 p.m. Wednesdays on CBS
How much do you like Jay Mohr? Better love him if you plan to sample this loud, obnoxious sitcom with Mohr as a divorced dad and Paula Marshall as his ex-wife, who’s now engaged to their marriage counselor. Rather than laughs, the pilot inspires an urge to call family services to rescue the kids. H½ stars.
“Kath & Kim”
7:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC
Molly Shannon is mom Kath and Selma Blair is daughter Kim in an attempt to adapt a wacky Australian comedy. The plot has Kim ditching her new husband and moving back in with Mom. (And no, Shannon isn’t old enough to be Blair’s mother; that’s part of the joke.) Not previewed.
“Eleventh Hour”
9 p.m. Thursdays on CBS
Rufus Sewell is Dr. Jacob Hood, a government science adviser called in to avert disasters at the last minute, in a thriller from Jerry Bruckheimer that is based on a British miniseries. Rachel Young co-stars as the FBI agent assigned to keep disaster from striking the doctor. Not previewed.
“Life on Mars”
9 p.m. Thursdays on ABC
New York cop Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) is hit by a car and wakes up in 1973 — which might as well be another planet — in an adaptation of a BBC drama. Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos“) also stars, with Harvey Keitel as Sam’s lieutenant and Gretchen Mol as a 1973 rarity: a female detective. This isn’t really a series about time travel, ABC insists. Although Sam wants to go home, he’s stuck in the ’70s. Not previewed.
“Crusoe”
8 p.m. Fridays on NBC
A 13-episode adaptation of the Daniel Defoe classic stars Philip Winchester as 17th-century castaway Robinson Crusoe and Tongayi Chirisa as his man Friday. Look for an elaborate depiction of island life, while Crusoe’s relationship with his wife (Anna Walton) back in England is revealed in flashbacks. Not previewed.
“The Ex List”
8 p.m. Fridays on CBS
Elizabeth Reaser is Bella Bloom, a scattered young woman who is told by a psychic that she’s already met her future husband and that she needs to marry him within a year or she’ll wind up a spinster. Rachel Boston plays Bella’s engaged sister, with Adam Rothenberg, Alexandra Breckenridge and Amir Talai rounding out the cast of the occasionally crude comedy-drama. HH½ stars.
UNSCRIPTED
“In Harm’s Way”
8 p.m. Sundays on the CW
From Craig Piligian (“Dirty Jobs“) comes yet another show about “brave individuals who risk their lives” in their line of work.
“Opportunity Knocks”
8 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC
Be on a game show without leaving the Barcalounger. In this stunt show, conceived by Ashton Kutcher, a prize van will pull up to homes like ours, challenging family members on how well they know one another.
“Stylista”
10 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW
In a competition that will inevitably be compared with “The Devil Wears Prada” but is actually more like a dozen shows that have already aired on cable, fashion-industry wannabes will try out for a job at Elle magazine.
ALREADY PREMIERED
“90210,” CW: 2 stars
“Privileged,” CW: 3 stars
“Fringe,” Fox: 3 stars
“Do Not Disturb,” Fox: 1 ½ stars
