Fall TV Night-By-Night: Thursday

Only one new show tonight but a considerable amount of new attitude scattered around the schedule, and Sunday night's Emmys could add some more for "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office" and others.

The new show is ABC's "Big Shots," at 10, which delivered a very funny press conference from stars Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Joshua Malina and Christopher Titus, and could be a ratings winner. They're four reasonably powerful and successful guys, but the show follows mainly their romantic and domestic difficulties. It was at least unofficially called "Big Dicks" in the beginning, and seems intended to take a male-centric view of the world. But as it follows the guest-star-laden "Ugly Betty" at 8 and "Grey's Anatomy" at 9, I think ABC is counting on a large number of women sticking with the network to eyeball Vartan and McDermott. Not a bad bet, actually, though I didn't much like the show. All three debut Sept. 27.

CBS stands pat on the night with three dependables: "Survivor" (Sept. 20), "CSI" and "Without a Trace" (both Sept. 27). Not much to report here except A) one has to wonder when the "CSI" juggernaut will cool, and B) "Survivor" is going to China this fall for an inland episode, as seen at left.

Ratings have usually dipped when this series strays from its foundation of beach, palm tree, bikini. Also, the potential for cultural upset is greater here than with the obscure Central American and Pacific tribes whose culture is usually ransacked for stupid tribe names and games. Still, the new setting might bring back a few of the viewers who have strayed, and this is always potential fun, depending on the contestants.

CW, like its older corporate sibling, also stands pat with "Smallville," which welcomes a hot new Supergirl, and "Supernatural," which also has some cast additions. "Smallville" bows Sept. 27, followed by "Supernatural" on Oct. 4.

Fox leaves me with absolutely nothing to say by returning "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" and "Don't Forget The Lyrics" to the schedule. Both premiered for the season already.

Finally we come to NBC, which continues with its brilliant if underwatched four-comedy lineup of "My Name is Earl," "30 Rock," The Office" and "Scrubs," followed at 10 by the insanely repetitive and to me now unwatchable "ER" at 10. "30 Rock" returns on Oct. 4, the rest are listed a week earlier, but stay attuned to the grids. NBC really seems to have committed to this lineup - they had a joint comedy press conference this summer that was a scream - and there will be four hourlong episodes of "The Office" around the beginning of the season. For all of you John Krasinski fans out there, that has to be good news.

Comments

[LindsayW]

I cannot wait until October 4th for the new season of Supernatural! I bug the heck of people talking about the virtues of this show and I don't plan on stopping!

This is hands down the best show I've ever watched!

The "brotherly" moments, the drama, the suspense, the "jump out of your seat" scares and the general butt kicking we get to see each week rocks my world!

[Jasmine]

I love Supernatural! It has supsense/horror, brotherly love,great acting and comedy. I can't wait until the season starting Oct.4!

[Summer]

I have been waiting all summer for the return of Supernatural. It is by far the best hour of television! Can't wait to see what's in store for the Winchesters this season!!