With tonights premieres of 90210, RINGER and PARENTHOOD effectively marking the start of the much-anticipated Fall television season after three long months of a steady diet of reality and reruns we thought it might be fun to offer up a little how-to. As in, how-to make the most of the 21 weekly hours of prime-time television with our “Ultimate Fall TV Schedule.” Enjoy… or feel free to burn our name in effigy politely let us know what must see TV we neglected to include in the comments below.

Can Sarah Michelle Gellar do for the CW what she did for the WB?
A long time ago in a television landscape not-so-far-away, the fate of the then fledgling WB network rested on the pint-sized shoulders of a plucky young vampire slayer named BUFFY. So it’s only fitting that as newly-appointed CW President Mark Pedowitz attempts to carve out an identity, not to mention an audience, for the perennial fifth place also-ran he has once again decided to look towards that very same blond beauty. Sarah Michelle Gellar, the actress who inspired an entirely new breed of young female action heroines, is back. Of course, whether an audience that has been weaned on teenagers behaving badly (see: 90210, ONE TREE HILL, GOSSIP GIRL) have the inclination (or brain power) to follow RINGER’s dark, twisty and decidedly grown up plot is an entirely different story.

Did THE X FACTOR miss Its wIndow?
Despite announcing their intention to bring Simon Cowell’s magnum opus to America almost two years ago, a funny thing happened on the way to Fox finally raising the curtain on THE X FACTOR. That funny thing: THE VOICE. Did last season’s unexpected smash steal THE X FACTOR’s thunder? Does anyone care about Simon and Paula reuniting? Between AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA’s GOT TALENT, THE VOICE and THE SING-OFF is there really room for yet another massively overhyped product-placement-filled music competition? Well, hold onto your hats folks, because we’re about to find out.

Can the Big 5 bring Friday back from the dead?
If you had told us three years ago that Fall of 2011 would feature some of the most original and addictive shows the small screen has to offer, odds are fairly certain that we would have responded with something along the lines of “Watchatalkingaboutwillis?” Yet here we are, on the eve of the start of the 2011-12 television season staring at a schedule in which a lack of timeslots and the proliferation of the PVR/DVR has resulted in a Friday night featuring the likes of high profile newcomers such as A GIFTED MAN and GRIMM joining fan favorites like FRINGE, SUPERNATURAL, NIKITA, and CHUCK. In other words, the Networks have done their part and built it, now all that’s left to see is whether or not audiences will audiences come.

Is J.J. Abrams capable of thinking inside the CBS procedural style box?
If a decade of remarkable television productions has taught us anything about J.J. Abrams, it’s that when it comes to mythologically-rich maddeningly-addictive television, he has no equal. Unfortunately, mythologically-rich maddeningly-addictive television isn’t quite CBS’ cup of tea. Which, is what makes us all the more interested in PERSON OF INTEREST, Abrams latest endeavor that sees him teaming up alongside story-teller extraordinaire Jonah Nolan (The Dark Knight, Man of Steel, The Prestige). Will the talented twosome be able to successfully balance the Tiffany Network’s need for a close-ended procedural while managing to inject enough of a mythology into the show for those who have tuned into see the mysterious Michael Emerson do what he does best? Or will we have another UNDERCOVERS on our hands?

Can Ashton Kutcher save TWO AND A HALF MEN?
Does Mr. Demi Moore have what it takes to replace whatever it is that Charlie Sheen brought to the table so that creator Chuck Lorre will be able to fulfill his dream of swimming in an actual pool of money Scrooge McDuck style? Sadly, and please understand how much we loathe ourselves for even having to write this sentence, we will be among the millions of curious viewers tuning into TWO AND A HALF MEN’s season premiere to find out just that.

How long until NBC moves UP ALL NIGHT to Thursday?
After years of trying to find a broad relatable and hilarious hit that — with apologize to the brilliance of PARKS AND RECREATION, COMMUNITY and 30 ROCK — might actually strike a chord with Americans who don’t live in New York or Los Angeles, the Peacock Network has finally done it! That’s the good news. The bad news is that rather than schedule Will Arnett, Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph’s UP ALL NIGHT in the plum-post OFFICE timeslot that the half hour laugher so richly deserves, the proverbial powers that be have made the curious decision to put it up against some little music competition called THE X FACTOR. Evidently, when it comes to NBC, the more things change, the more they stay the same (See: Last year’s decision to schedule OUTSOURCED following THE OFFICE versus PARKS AND RECREATION)

Will ABC be able to replace their aging roster of hits?
Remember how NBC spent the better part of FRIENDS’ 10 seasons on the air failing to capitalize on its success? Well, that’s sort of how we feel about ABC over the course of the past few seasons. Particularly this one that sees DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES about to follow in LOST’s footsteps and most of the original cast of GREY’S ANATOMY eyeing the exit. Do any of the Alphabet Network’s approximately 323 new shows have what it takes to step up and fill the void that will invariably be left by those about to say farewell. Having seen LAST MAN STANDING, MAN UP! WORK IT, CHARLIE’S ANGELS and and G.C.B, we’re going to go out on a limb and say no.

Can GLEE get its groove back?
Although you wouldn’t think it based on their sold out concert tour, chart full of bestsellers, not to mention the inordinate amount of headlines generated anytime Ryan Murphy opens his mouth, GLEE’s second season wasn’t exactly music to our ears in terms of enjoyability and coherent storytelling. Can an actual writer’s room and what Murphy promises as a refocus on the show’s core characters get this once entertaining show back on track? Stay tuned.

Can TERRA NOVA possibly live up to the hype?
Now that the question over whether or not the oft-delayed time-travelling dinosaur-infused science fiction family epic will actually air as scheduled is off the table (Note: On September 26th at 8PM set your TiVo to season’s pass! Trust us), the only question really remaining isn’t just whether or not the Steven Spielberg executive produced series can possibly live up to the hype, but if enough viewers will tune in to sustain this multi-million dollar series to infinity and beyond.

Whose bright ideas was it to premiere all of these amazing shows up against one another?
Yes, we realize we ask this every year. That said, we’ve always found it curious as to why Networks that spend hundreds of millions, heck probably billions of dollars annually to develop a handful of television shows from page to screen would choose to premiere them all within the span of the exact same week or two. Seriously. There’s a very good reason movie studios don’t schedule the opening of their two-hundred million dollar Batman adventure up against an equally expensive Spider-man saga. For lack of a better word, it’s just plain stupid. Raising the slightly awkward albeit painfully obvious question: Would it not make far more sense economically to implement some sort of system in which each of the major networks rotate premiere weeks on a yearly basis in an attempt to give each of their shows the best chance to succeed? We’re just sayin’

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s subject being Fox’s NEW GIRL.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Plot: Created by Liz Meriwether (No Strings Attached), NEW GIRL is a new single-camera ensemble comedy starring Zooey Deschanel ((500) Days of Summer) as an adorkable girl (Jess) who moves in with three single guys, changing their lives in unexpected ways.

The First Impression: As one might expect, ones first impression of Fox’s latest attempt to find success in the live-action comedy arena pretty much boils down to how you feel about titular NEW GIRL Zooey Deschanel. If you find her histrionics (Including, but not limited to a post-break up obsession with Dirty Dancing, a complete and utter inability to flirt with members of the opposite sex, and the occasional penchant for singing aloud) akin to fingernails on a chalkboard, this new girl may in fact not be for you. Luckily for Fox, we just so happen to find Deschanel, for lack of a better word, delightful. So much so that we’re only too willing to go out on a limb and proclaim this that this NEW GIRL has Fall TV’s IT girl written all over it.

The Concern: Well, putting aside the fact that based on Fox’s description of this series, they’re actually trying to make “adorkable” happen, our only real issue with the NEW GIRL are the three new guys Deschanel’s character Jess moves in with following her break up. Admittedly, we’ve only seen the pilot, but for this show to really succeed, the writers are going to have to have to spend a little less time making Deschanel “adorkable” (dammit, it’s happening already) and more of their energy rounding out the cliché-ridden roles that have been crafted for supporting players Max Greenfield (“The Douchebag”), Jake Johnson (“The Love Interest”) and Lamorne Morris (Who replaces Damon Wayans Jr. after the unexpected, albeit welcome pickup of ABC’s HAPPY ENDINGS for a second season). Especially if they they hope to turn this NEW GIRL into a not-so-new TV veteran.

The Verdict: Thanks to a plum post-GLEE timeslot, and the off-the-charts likeability factor of Deschanel, don’t be surprised if this NEW GIRL looks to have serious staying power.

NEW GIRL premieres on Tuesday, September 20th at 9PM on FOX (CityTV in Canada)

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s subject being PERSON OF INTEREST.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Plot: PERSON OF INTEREST stars James Caviezel, Emmy Award winner Michael Emerson and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson in a crime thriller about a presumed dead former-CIA agent, Reese, who teams up with a mysterious billionaire, Finch, to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice. Reese’s special training in covert operations appeals to Finch, a software genius who invented a program that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes. Using state-of-the-art surveillance technology, the two work outside of the law, using Reese’s adept skills and Finch’s unlimited wealth to unravel the mystery of the “person of interest” and stop the crime before it happens. Reese’s actions draw the attention of the NYPD, including homicide detective Carter, and Fusco, a cop whom Reese uses to his advantage. With infinite crimes to investigate, Reese and Finch find that the right person, with the right information, at the right time, can change everything.

The First Impression: Is probably a predictable one considering the talent involved both in front and behind the camera. Which is to say, PERSON OF INTEREST definitely captures ours thanks to the winning combination of actor Michael Emerson (Who, having spent the better part of the past four years LOST on some island in Hawaii knows a thing or two about playing morally ambiguous puppet-masters) and storyteller extraordinaires J.J. Abrams and Jonah Nolan. The latter of whoms writing credits include a few movies you may have heard such as The Dark Knight, The Prestige, Memento and the upcoming Superman reboot Man of Steel. Of course, as with any J.J. Abrams small screen project that attempts to weave his trademark penchant for maddeningly addictive mythology into a procedural-of-the-week (See: FRINGE Season 1 and last season’s short-lived kitchen caper UNDERCOVERS) we do have one issue with an otherwise stellar show. Which brings us to…

The Concern: While the pilot was quick to suck us in courtesy of the mysterious circumstances surrounding what led to presumed dead former-CIA agent Reese’s (Caviezel) resurface in New York in addition to what horrible occurrence turned billionaire Finch (Emerson) into the modern day equivalent of Charlie’s Caviezel’s Angel, our interest was left seriously waning when it came to the crime-of-the-week — or in the parlance of the show — person of interest. In otherwords, what remains to be seen is whether or not the show will be able to pull off the tricky balancing act required by the proverbial powers that be at CBS to service those tuning in for the procedural aspect versus those, like ourselves, more interested in the show’s mythology. Also somewhat of a concern is Caviezel, who while doing an admirable job of delivering a Bourne meets Batman anti-hero, completely lacks the charisma and character that now goes hand-in-hand with many of the small screen’s leading men and woman (See: Simon Baker, Hugh Laurie, Dana Delany to name a few).

The Verdict: Luckily for CBS, Michael Emerson not only has enough charisma for the both of them, is reason enough to give this show more more than a passing level of interest.

PERSON OF INTEREST premieres on Thursday, September 22nd at 9PM on CBS (CityTV in Canada)

With apologies to both students and teachers who are more than likely dreading the return to the classroom after a glorious two month vacation, September is — at least for those of us who have been diagnosed with a somewhat worrisome addiction to television — the most wonderful time of the year.

So much so that we liken the August calm before the storm that is the upcoming slew of September series and season premieres to Major League Baseball’s Spring Training. Which is to say that despite the fact that by June the dominating New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will more than likely be sitting atop of the standings, everybody — even the lowly Kansas City Royals — has a shot at a Pennant in April. A comparison that was made all the more apt at the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour in Los Angeles.

Be it the Network Presidents that were brimming with confidence as they unveiled their Fall Schedule filled with show after show that… would you believe it… “tested through the roof,” to actors insisting that their co-stars weren’t so much a cast but a “family,” hope was in the air. And while the somewhat cynical portion of our brain couldn’t help but wonder if said aforementioned Network Presidents have seen the entirety of their Fall lineup, or if cast members realized that based entirely on their show’s Pilot there is a fairly good chance that their “family” will be headed for a messy divorce come November, a slightly larger portion — also known as the part of us that can’t bring ourselves to write Fall TV Previews for the likes of LAST MAN STANDING, MAN UP and THE PLAYBOY CLUB — would prefer not to rain on everybody’s parade. At least not yet.

Call us crazy, hopelessly naive, or what have you, but there’s is simply something inexplicably exciting about this time of year. Can TERRA NOVA possibly live up to the hype, not to mention its reported 10 million dollar price tag? Will RINGER’s Sarah Michelle Gellar make a successful return to the small screen? Does newly-minted President Robert Greenblatt have what it takes to reverse NBC’s disastrous downward spiral? As corny as this sounds, all we know for sure is that we’ll be rooting for all of them — even Whitney Cummings — as we countdown to Fall. Which in case you’re wondering, is T-Minus 28 days away.

When we last left CASTLE, Nathan Fillion’s titular character had just revealed to Beckett that he loves her. Unfortunately for fans who may-or-may-not have been waiting the better part of three seasons for that little exchange, Beckett — who had just found herself on the wrong end of a sniper’s rifle — may not have heard him. Or did she?

“I think she heard,” teased a very coy CASTLE executive producer Laurie Zaks at ABC’s recent TCA cocktail party in Los Angeles. “There will be a lot of questions in the premiere episode that will dictate and illuminate as to how Beckett will be dealing with what she went through and how their relationship will evolve.”

And while it probably won’t come as much of a surprise to any veteran TV Addict that the start of the hit ABC series’ much-anticipated fourth season will spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with both the physical and emotional aftermath of May’s shocking season finale shooting, what just might come as a surprise is that the finale that fans have spent a good portion of the summer reeling over almost didn’t happen.

“There was a big discussion when we got the script for the final episode about whether Nathan should say ‘I love you’ or not,” admitted Zaks. “But once everybody saw him do it, it was like ‘Oh my God he has to say it… he has to do it!’ Then it was like ‘Now what do we do’?”

Suffice it to say, when a massive part of your show’s appeal is the tricky balancing act that involves keeping your leading players close — but not too close — to getting together, ‘Now what do we do?’ is a question that comes up often. Explained Zaks, “It’s a big challenge for the writers and I think that everybody is very aware of it going on with the will-they-or-won’t-they and that’s part of the fun.”

Which naturally raises the slightly awkward albeit painfully obvious question as to just what Zaks — a twenty year industry veteran who has played an integral role in guiding the series from day one — is hoping happens as we head closer and closer to CASTLE’s September 19th season premiere: Should this be there year that Castle and Beckett go… well, you know?

“I would bet no, I hope not… we’re going to wait until BONES does it and see how that works out!” said Zaks, who responsed after we politely informed her that after Booth and Brennan did just that during the tail end of last season. “Oh damn, I’m going to call [BONES Executive Producer] Stephen Nathan.”

New episodes of CASTLE return to ABC on Monday September 19th at 10PM. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Actually, check that. it’s not the most wonderful time of the year… at least not yet. But as a result of the the approximately 526,600 emails that have inundated our inbox asking when we’re going to post our traditional Fall TV Season Premiere calendar, we thought now might be as good a time as any to jump the gun. Thus, here to ensure you don’t miss a moment of your soon-to-be favorite new and returning shows is theTVaddict.com’s now world-famous printable calendar. Accept no substitutes available by clicking on either of the following links: High Quality PDF or JPG and get comfortable.

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s subject being TERRA NOVA.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Plot: TERRA NOVA follows an ordinary family on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149, the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped and overcrowded, with the majority of plant and animal life extinct. The future of mankind is in doubt, and its only hope for survival is in the distant past. When scientists unexpectedly discovered a fracture in time that made it possible to construct a portal into primeval history, the bold notion was born to resettle humanity in the past – a second chance to rebuild civilization and get it right this time.

The First Impression: Much to the chagrin of many industry observers who have spent the better part of the past year taking cheap shots at Fox for failing to unveil TERRA NOVA last season, fans will be pleased to discover that it was more than worth the wait. No really, forget everything you may have heard about the show via Twitter, because it not just lives up to the hype, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen on television before. Suffice it to say, courtesy of some truly awe-inspiring visuals from both the dystopian future and the prehistoric past, every one of the Pilots reported 10 million dollar price tag is oozing off of the screen. What’s more, thanks to a stellar cast, beautiful score and the inclusion of a couple of surprisingly stellar plot twists that both SMALLVILLE and LOST fans alike will find intriguing, there is no doubt in our mind that when Fox finally does launch this much-anticipated new series, audiences of all ages will be clamoring to find out what happens next. After-all, it should probably go without saying that Dinosaurs are least of the Colonist’s problems.

The Concern: Despite the fact that we’re already primed to proclaim TERRA NOVA our most anticipated new series of the Fall, it’s not perfect. Which is to say, when our inner-ten year old wasn’t busy marvelling at the Dinosaurs reminiscent of Jurassic Park, we were shaking our head at some of the clunky dialogue and predictability of the plot, particularly where the eldest two Shannon children are involved. Also of concern, is as a result of the what are being touted as groundbreaking industry visual effects, it remains to be seen if Fox can actually deliver on their 22 13 episode first season commitment. That said…

The Verdict: Will most definitely have us rooting for this epically ambitious series.

TERRA NOVA launches on Monday September 26th at 8PM on FOX (CityTV in Canada)

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s subject being A GIFTED MAN.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Plot: A GIFTED MAN is a drama about a brilliant, charismatic surgeon whose life changes forever when his deceased ex-wife begins teaching him the meaning of life from the “hereafter.” Michael Holt (Patrick Wilson) is an exceptional doctor who lives a materialistic life of luxury thanks to his work-obsessed career and powerful and wealthy patients; however, Michael’s ordered world is rocked when his ex-wife, Anna (Jennifer Ehle), an idealistic free-clinic doctor and the love of his life, mysteriously appears to him. Michael’s off-beat sister, Christina (Julie Benz), a single mom to her teenaged son, Milo (Liam Aiken), is thrilled that Anna’s back in her brother’s life, even as an “illusion,” because Michael was always a better person with her. Curious about Michael’s sudden change in behavior is his efficient assistant, Rita (Margo Martindale). When Anna asks Michael to go to her clinic to help keep it running, he meets Autumn (Afton Williamson), a volunteer carrying on Anna’s work with the underprivileged. Touched by those in need and accepting of Anna’s compassionate “presence,” Michael’s attitude toward serving the rich and poor is turned upside down, and he begins to see that there’s room in his life for everyone.

The First Impression: Is one of deja vu. Luckily for the series — which thanks to a central conceit eerily reminiscent of the likes of EVERWOOD, ELI STONE, HOUSE and THE GHOST WHISPER — won’t soon be accused of breaking new ground, A GIFTED MAN has three things going for it. Or to be more specific, an impressive core cast (Including titular character Patrick Wilson, his dearly deceased ex-wife played by Jennifer Ehle and sister Julie Benz) to help elevate what in any other hands would be your typical CBS procedural into an immensely appealing show that we might actually considering tuning into on a semi-regular basis.

The Concern: Curiously enough lies in the show’s central pairing. Will television audiences that love their “will-they-or-won’t they’s” be open to investing in a relationship between Wilson’s Holt and Ehle’s Anna that can never come to fruition? If they can…

The Verdict: Looks to be another winner for CBS.

A GIFTED MAN premieres on Friday September 23rd at 8PM on the CBS (GlobalTV in Canada).

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve heard the hype. Now there’s only one thing you want to know: Which of the new fall shows are worth watching and which should be avoided at all costs? In this continuing series, we give you the scoop on some of the most highly-anticipated shows of the season, with today’s subject being Sarah Michelle Gellar’s much-anticipated return to the small screen in RINGER.

The Boilerplate: Since these pilot presentations may go through numerous rewrites and casting changes prior to premiere, this by no means should be considered an official review. Rather a preview of what one can expect come Fall.

The Plot: Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin sister – only to learn that her sister’s seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she’s trying to leave behind. Bridget is six months sober and starting to turn her life around when she is the sole witness to a professional hit. Despite the assurances of her FBI protector, Agent Victor Machado, Bridget knows her life is on the line. She flees to New York, telling no one, not even her Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, Malcolm. In New York, Bridget reunites with her estranged twin, Siobhan. Wealthy, pampered and married to the strikingly handsome Andrew Martin, Siobhan lives what appears to be a fairy tale life – a life where no one knows that Bridget exists. The sisters seem to be mending their frayed relationship, until Siobhan disappears overboard during a boat trip, and Bridget makes the split decision to take on her sister’s identity. She discovers shocking secrets, not only about her sister and her marriage, but also about Siobhan’s best friend, Gemma, and Gemma’s husband, Henry. And when someone tries to kill Bridget in her sister’s penthouse, she realizes she is no safer as Siobhan than she is as herself.

The First Impression: Is cautiously optimistic. On the one hand, despite a slew of storylines that fit perfectly within the confines of the network that gave us GOSSIP GIRL, ONE TREE HILL and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (Read: love triangles, betrayals and murders oh my!), RINGER is unequivocally unlike anything the CW has ever aired. Suffice it to say, dark and twisty doesn’t even begin to describe the almost Hitchcockian manner in which the pilot unravels as it begins to peel back the surprising and plentiful layers of twin sisters Bridget and Siobhan convincingly played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Adding to the intrigue are supporting roles for LOST alum Nestor Carbonell as an FBI agent on the hunt for Bridget, unsuspecting best friend Gemma played by Tara Summers and obligatory eye-candy courtesy of Ioan Gruffudd, THE GOOD WIFE’s Mike Colter and LIFE UNEXPECTED’s Kristoffer Polaha.

The Concern: Did we mention RINGER is unequivocally unlike anything the CW has ever aired? Because honestly, it bares repeating. In fact, with the exception of one teenage character (Bridget’s not-so-welcome step daughter from hell), the show, which was originally developed for CBS, has an incredibly grown-up vibe to it. One that demands audiences pay close attention or risk losing track of who-did-what-to-whom-where! Which bring us to…

The Verdict: Having already re-watched the pilot on three different occasions to ensure we caught every piercing character gaze and ominous reaction, paying close attention to this daring attempt by the CW to redefine itself as a network shouldn’t be a problem.

RINGER premieres on Tuesday September 13th at 9PM on the CW (GlobalTV in Canada).