New shows to watch for

There are 13 new primetime shows this fall on the big networks. The truth is, only about one in six new shows ever make it to a second season. This isn't necessarily because the show is bad. If not promoted well, it can be very difficult to stir up an audience. Also, there is the phenomenon that I have referred to as "slot doom." This means the new show was put into a timeslot up against an established ratings winner, making it even harder to find viewers. Of the 13, here are the top five that may warrant your consideration.

5. Worst Week Mon 9:30/8:30c CBS
Journeyman actor Kyle Bornheimer gets his chance to star as Sam in the new sitcom Worst Week. It is an adaptation of the BBC show Worst Week of My Life. Sam has gotten his girlfriend pregnant, and they have decided to get married. Now Sam is going to meet his soon-to-be in-laws and tell them the awkward news. Kurtwood Smith (Red Foreman from That 70's Show) returns to TV as Sam's potential father-in-law. That alone should make this show at least somewhat amusing. Worst Week will not have to worry about slot doom, as it is sandwiched between hits Two and a Half Men and CSI:Miami.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/fall_preview_2008/video.php?cid=746965641&pid=yUcALmkbniN4rDXhnwRQRLJrHJav__pn&play=true&cc=0

4. Gary Unmarried Wed 8:30/7:30c CBS
One way to get some attention for your new show is to get a well-known actor for your starring role. Jay Mohr returns to television as a recently divorced man, Gary, trying to re-adapt to single life while still being a good father. The preview scene on CBS.com is a very funny, and from what I can tell the actor that plays his son is pretty good. There may be other things in this time slot that I would recommend above this show, but I am at least going to give it a shot.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/fall_preview_2008/video.php?cid=746965641&pid=9gib3X5klpO7TzKZXhJGdLzwkcF9nA5m&play=true&cc=0

3. Eleventh Hour Thu 10/9c CBS
Rufus Sewell stars as Dr. Jacob Hood, a brilliant biophysicist recruited by the FBI to investigate the rapidly growing number of crimes of a scientific nature. In the series premiere, Dr. Hood investigates a laboratory suspected of experimenting with human cloning.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/fall_preview_2008/video.php?cid=740532228&pid=v2oJ4IoLNChXIu0gkHOQOD4mfy3_MJFb&play=true&cc=0

2. Fringe Tue 9/8c on FOX
J.J Abrams, executive producer of shows such as Alias and Lost brings us an all-new sci-fi thriller this fall on FOX. With direction by The West Wing's Alex Graves, Fringe clearly brings an impressive production team to the table. The pilot episode begins with a plane landing safely at Boston's Logan Airport, but when the skycaps come inside, the entirety of the passengers and flight crew is dead. What happened here? A team of FBI agents enlist the help of a genius named Dr. Walter Bishop. The only problem is Dr. Bishop has been in a mental institution for many years, and his beautiful mind is teetering on the edge of destruction. FOX will be the place for TV on Tuesday nights, as Fringe will be preceded by all-new episodes of House. Also, note that Fringe will premiere Sept. 9th at 8/7c before moving to its regular time the following week.

http://www.fox.com/programming/shows/new/fringe_video.htm

1. Life on Mars Thu 10/9c on ABC
Unfortunately for Eleventh Hour, this fall's most exciting new show is premiering in the same time slot. Life on Mars is based on the hit BBC show of the same name. NYPD Detective Sam Tyler is just doing his job like any other day, when he is hit by a car and put into a coma. When he wakes up, he is not in a hospital. He is in the year 1973, at his same job in the 125th precinct. Sam must now adapt to a world of crime fighting without all of the technologies of the present, all while trying to figure out what happened to him. Can he ever get back?
With these two intriguing new shows head butting with an aging but still popular ER, it should be an interesting ratings game Thursdays this fall at 10/9c.

http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars/index?pn=about

What's On?
Tonight at 8/7c the 39th annual World Series of Poker premieres on ESPN with the final table of the $10,000 buy-in pot-limit Texas Hold'em tournament. Tuesday will be Poker Night on ESPN every week from tonight until their almost-live coverage of the final table of the main event on November 11th, where the champion will win over $9 million.