The week is finally here, unbounded number of shows descending upon us at once. Not sure whether to feel overwhelmed or jubilant, but they're here to stay.
Boardwalk Empire - HBO, Sunday, September 19, 9:00pm ET
This one is a no-brainer. Interesting concept, time period, Martin Scorsese, and Sopranos scribe Terence Winter.
Chuck - NBC, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET
Despite facing perhaps the toughest network competition the past few years, Chuck managed to survive by a hairbreadth. And because NBC refuses to put the show in a better spot, I'm inclined to think they'll let it linger there until the bitter end. On the bright side, there are at least 13 episodes left to discover what Chuck's mom has been up to and how everything ties together, and if the mythology falls apart, as it already is, I'm sure we'll laugh at all the gags anyway.
House - Fox, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET
Quick, run! A wild Huddy is on the loose!
How I Met Your Mother - CBS, Monday, September 20, 8:00pm ET
Ted, just find the Mother. Though the show title isn't relevant anymore, with the entire cast, there's still much to look forward to, just not anything involving Ted.
The Event - NBC, Monday, September 20, 9:00pm ET
Big mystery, big potential, and possibly NBC's saving grace. Or the next big flop.
Lone Star - Fox, Monday, September 20, 9:00pm ET
I'd be hard to make a comparison to Dallas, especially with a Dallas remake already in production, but the premises seem awfully similar.
Mike & Molly - CBS, Monday, September 20, 9:30pm ET
Hmm... a show about fat people. Will it work?
Castle - ABC, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET
Beckett and Castle back to hunting criminals and dealing with their love lives.
Hawaii Five-0 - CBS, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET
Not only is the title widely recognized, there are also lots of big names and pretty faces tied to the show. Whether that translates into ratings success is another story.
Chase - NBC, Monday, September 20, 10:00pm ET
Kelli Giddish, the one semi-bright spot on Past Life, is back on television with Chase, a generic looking procedural about U.S. Marshals.
NCIS - CBS, Tuesday, September 21, 8:00pm ET
I'll be glad when this Mexican thing is over and we're back to normal proceedings. It's likely the status quo will be restored, even if Gibbs's dirty laundry is exposed. But, hey, that's how the show.
Glee - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 8:00pm ET
Glee is so unrealistic and absurd I view it as a pure comedy. And even then, it's not that funny.
Warehouse 13 - Syfy, Tuesday, September 21, 9:00pm ET
H.G. Wells showed her hand, and is finally making her move. With Pete and Myka down, Artie will have to step in and save the day.
Raising Hope - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 9:00pm ET
Fox's recent track record regarding comedies has been sad, but Raising Hope doesn't sound like the answer.
Running Wilde - Fox, Tuesday, September 21, 9:30pm ET
From Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz comes Running Wilde, a show whose pedigree should be enough to have us at the front door at the very least.
Detroit 1-8-7 - ABC, Tuesday, September 21, 10:00pm ET
Nice to see Michael Imperioli on the right side of the law. It looks like Detroit 1-8-7 sets out to be the next NYPD Blue or Homicide, so it could be good.
Undercovers - NBC, Wednesday, September 22, 8:00pm ET
I doubt J.J. Abrams will succeed without heavy serialization or mystery, so I'm not expecting much from his latest work.
Better With You - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 8:30pm ET
Better With You sounds so boring and generic I'm don't even want to watch the pilot.
Modern Family - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 9:00pm ET
The large, lovable family is back.
The Whole Truth - ABC, Wednesday, September 22, 10:00pm ET
Two legal dramas, one time slot. Which will prevail? Drama (The Whole Truth) or dramedy (The Defenders)?
The Defenders- CBS, Wednesday, September 22, 10:00pm ET
Look above.
The Big Bang Theory - CBS, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET
With the move to Thursday, CBS hopes The Big Bang Theory with skyrocket into the pantheon of sitcom gods, and considering how high the ratings were last year, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
Bones - Fox, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET
Even thinking of Bones makes my brain hurt these days, but that's exactly the way Hart Hanson wants it, the blatant message that Booth and Bones are meant for each other with literally a thousand roadblocks in the way. Yes, it's repetitive. Yes, it's annoying. And yes, it's Bones.
Community - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 8:00pm ET
Going up against TBBT, the already ratings-challenged, Emmy-ignored comedy has a tough order. However, the sharp writing and hilarious characters may be able to stave off an inevitable death.
My Generation - ABC, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET
A lot changes after high school, and My Generations will try to show exactly how a diverse group evolves over a 10 year period. Sounds slightly interesting, but execution is the most important factor.
$#*! My Dad Says - CBS, Thursday, September 23, 8:30pm ET
William Shatner saying random things. Pass.
Fringe - Fox, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET
Olivia trapped in another dimension?!?! I still can't believe the writers went there, but they did, making the boldest late-season move of any TV show last season. Let's see if move pays off in the end.
The Office - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 9:00pm ET
Michael Scott's last season, and I honestly don't care.
Outsourced - NBC, Thursday, September 23, 9:30pm ET
Set in India, Outsourced will probably have a lot of foreigner jokes which could spell disaster. NBC slotted it after The Office, so the executives think it'll be okay.
Supernatural - CW, Friday, September 24, 9:00pm ET
After wrapping up an epic 5 season-long arc, Supernatural hopes to move on--but without maestro Eric Kripke in charge. Hopefully Sarah Gamble will continue the streak of brilliant television.
Blue Bloods - CBS, Friday, September 24, 10:00pm ET
I don't know why CBS tucked away Blue Bloods on Friday, but the cast and concept look mighty fine.