The networks have proclaimed their Fall schedules, the new series have been (partially) unveiled, so... what now? What will actually be worth watching when network TV comes back to life in a few months? SHOWBUZZDAILY is here to help you out. The good news is that since virtually all TV series are available these days via DVR, on-demand and online streaming, we're well past the days when you had to choose one show in a timeslot and live with it--so where a slot offers a multitude of worthwhile entries, well, the only thing better than spending an hour watching TV is spending 2. Also, these are "1st Drafts" because once the pilots come to light, some arrivals may look even better than they do now, while others will be far less impressive. So consider this a work in progress.
8PM: TERRA NOVA can't be ignored, since it's the 600-ton tyrannosaur of the new Fall shows. The guess here, though, is that after the pilot, the special effects will become a bit sketchier, and it'll start looking more like a B-movie than a blockbuster--that's when it'll be time to go back to reliable old favorites. For some that will mean DANCING WITH THE STARS or GOSSIP GIRL, but on this TV, it's HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, now paired with TWO BROKE GIRLS. That one looks somewhat overly brassy, but has the tremendously talented Kat Dennings in the lead.
9PM: Here's hoping The CW's HART OF DIXIE has some spark to it, because it's the only new life in a timeslot of returnees (admittedly, fans of 2 1/2 MEN and/or Ashton Kutcher may be more excited by this timeslot).
10PM: THE PLAYBOY CLUB has only looked moderately promising from what we've seen so far--handsome but predictably soapy. Still, it's certainly a change of pace from the procedurals CASTLE and HAWAII 5-0 that are slated against it, and worth some encouragement on that count alone.
WHAT TO WATCH THE REST OF THE WEEK:
ALSO SEE MITCH METCALF'S PREDICTIONS OF FALL 2011 RATINGS:
