# New TV season -- what's the must-see? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 8, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701 "2008-09-08T23:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/1 "2008-09-08T23:38:31Z")
Haven’t heard much buzz (my local paper has completely dropped the ball). So what new shows debuting this fall look promising? And conversely, which ones are already emanating the stink of failure? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/2 "2008-09-08T23:51:20Z")
I was thinking of starting this thread. It is that time of year. [Here’s the major networks’ schedule for this season.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_United_States_network_television_schedule) Nothing seems to jump out at me, except Knight Rider. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9c0ed/32.png) [@El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Perro_Fumando)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/3 "2008-09-09T01:03:41Z")
As far as new shows go, I’m going to give Fringe a chance (the new JJ Abrams series on FOX), but then stick by my old favorites. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/4 "2008-09-09T01:08:48Z")
I want to see _The Mentalist_. I’ll probably also give _Life on Mars_ a look, and _Eleventh Hour_, if only for Rufus Sewell. Norhing else leaps out at me, to tell the truth. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/5 "2008-09-09T01:15:54Z")
Another vote for _The Mentalist_ – I’m also planning to check out _The Ex List_, which strikes me as possibly good in a chick flick kind of way. Mostly, though, I’m looking forward to the return of my old favorites: _NCIS, The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars,_ etc. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/6 "2008-09-09T02:13:05Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Haven’t heard much buzz (my local paper has completely dropped the ball). So what new shows debuting this fall look promising? And conversely, which ones are already emanating the stink of failure? I’ll definitely try _Fringe_. And _Worst Week_ Looking forward to faves like _Big Bang Theory_, _House_ and _Criminal Minds_. And ABOVE ALL!!! _ **Kitchen Nightmares** _ The revisit was fun, I can’t wait to see the new stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/7 "2008-09-09T03:52:16Z")
Television writer here with some advance copies of stuff. I recommend taking a look at Fringe. Eleventh Hour, if it manages to hold onto its slot, may have some interesting material. Lots of hype around other shows, nothing that really stuck out in my mind this year. Old favs are back, with some pretty strong season openers. Twickster, you won’t be disappointed. Ziva’s got one HELL of a dress… _cough_ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/8 "2008-09-09T04:02:09Z")
As far as new shows, I’m looking forward to Fringe, Dollhouse, and My Own Wost enemy. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/9 "2008-09-09T04:13:12Z")
I must-see “The Mentalist” despite the dopey title because it has the hottest looking actor around. And yes, its Television, I’m allowed to be shallow. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/10 "2008-09-09T12:07:41Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > As far as new shows, I’m looking forward to Fringe, Dollhouse, and My Own Wost enemy. Dollhouse should be a ton of fun. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t become another victim of the Whedon/Minear FOX curse. Of course, you never know – things CAN be hit or miss, even with Whedon. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/11 "2008-09-09T12:31:38Z")
Cavemen’s not coming back!?!?! I’ll check out Kath & Kim and definitely Dollhouse (yay Eliza!) ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/12 "2008-09-09T14:18:50Z")
The first episode of Fringe is fun. I watched a lot of early pilots last year and decided it wasn’t worth it. Some shows that have great pilots are dead-on-arrival, and it’s just depressing. For instance, The Black Donnellys. ---
**Author:** ![Pollux\_Oil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@Pollux\_Oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pollux_Oil)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/13 "2008-09-09T15:59:26Z")
I’m definitely catching Fringe, and My Own Worst Enemy looks interesting but I don’t have much faith that it’ll actually last past one season. I’m also interested in The Mentalist and Eleventh Hour, but I’m going to wait and see if they do well first as I don’t want to get invested in them and have them cancelled. Dollhouse is a definite must-see when it starts in the spring. I’m actually more interested in seeing the British version of Life on Mars than the American version. I also plan on trying to catch Life this season, as I caught one episode last season and really enjoyed it and I’m hoping it does well since it was one of the shows on the bubble. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/14 "2008-09-09T16:37:03Z")
Are there fewer shows debuting this fall than usual? Looking at the list on the wiki link, it seemed kinda sparse. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/15 "2008-09-09T17:27:14Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I’ll check out Kath & Kim Just to warn you, that’s the new show starring Molly Shannon. I’ve never in my life encountered ANYBODY who want to see something because Molly Shannon was involved. Infact I had to change the channel whenever I saw that she was gonna be in the next SNL sketch. Until Dollhouse starts up, I’m gonna be focused on catching up on the shows from LAST season that lasted. I’ve been watching Terminator in all its 1080p glory, and its surprisingly much better than I expected it to be… ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-tv-season-whats-the-must-see/462701/16 "2008-09-09T20:33:55Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Are there fewer shows debuting this fall than usual? Looking at the list on the wiki link, it seemed kinda sparse. Well, after the writers’ strike, it was hard to get together too many. \*\*Pushing Daisies \*\*is not new, but it will feel new since it only aired a few episodes last year before the strike. I highly recommend it. I plan to watch **Fringe** and **Dollhouse**.