Help a Struggling Series

Every TV season, new shows premiere on the major networks; some are watched in droves by the viewing audience while others languish and disappear all too quickly. I think all of us – whether you are an avid TV viewer like us here at NiceGirlsTV or the occasional viewer – have had certain shows over the years that touched a special place in your heart.

For me those shows include Prey, Firefly, Pushing Daisies and Moonlight (just to name a few). These and MANY other shows aired for a very short amount of time; many not even getting a full season order from their respective networks.

This year is no different. There are a number of struggling newcomers out there that are either getting overlooked by the TV audience because they are simply being forgotten (i.e. the ABC series The Forgotten); the competition is too steep in their timeslot (i.e. the CBS medical drama Three Rivers) or, unfortunately, the show just hasn’t garnered the desired response from the viewing public (i.e. the NBC medical drama Trauma).

There is one other new series that is having a hard time keeping eyeballs glued to the screen – for whatever reasons – and that series is: ABC’s Eastwick. This series had been languishing at the network for years with several failed attempts to bring the John Updike novel and box office hit Witches of Eastwick to the small screen. This year finally seemed to be the right time for the show to emerge from the pack of newcomers, but the ratings just have not been there.

Debuting on September 23, Eastwick garnered a fairly respectable 8.5 million viewers; however, one week later it dropped down to 6.6 million and the following week the series got only 5.28 million viewers. Its fourth and fifth episodes received a dismal 5.09 and 4.93 million viewers, respectively. This progressive decline is not good for any new show and admittedly the network will probably quietly cancel this show simply because the viewership is too low.

Therefore, I would like to make an open plea to all the women out there: Please watch Eastwick tomorrow night on ABC at 10 PM. Tell your friends, family members and co-workers about this show that has been called a cross between Desperate Housewives and Charmed. It really is a delightfully funny and wickedly smart series with plenty of eye candy for both men and women. As everyone knows from the advertising, Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman star as the witches of Eastwick.  These lovely ladies are surrounded by Paul Gross (Due South), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Johann Urb (Dirt) and Jack Huston (TV’s Spartacus).  The storylines are witty and never cookie cutter.  There is much more to the show than just witches romping around in the town’s fountain.  Give it a try and you just might like it.

Double TV Jeopardy

Every TV season new shows come and go – sometimes too quickly – while some returning shows fail to meet up to expectations of both the viewing audience and the powers that be at the networks. The reasons for these – shall we say – failures are varied, ranging from little to no publicity by their home network, extremely stiff timeslot competition, poor writing or production value, etc.

This year there are several new shows as well as a few returning series that are currently in jeopardy mainly because of low ratings. And, while I don’t watch all of the shows mentioned below, they are the series currently in double TV jeopardy.

First, let’s start with the new shows:

1. Three Rivers on CBS – The drama that should have taken over for ER in terms of gripping medical stories, likeable characters (for the most part) and a worthy cause (organ donation) has, unfortunately, flatlined. Much behind the scenes drama has taken place with this new Alex O’Loughlin vehicle – namely recasting, reshoots of the pilot and then a network decision to air episodes out of order. Not to mention tough competition in the 9 PM Sunday night timeslot and an unrelenting machine called Sunday football.

The show opened with 9.1 million viewers, sank to roughly 7.3 million viewers the following week and received around 7 million this past weekend. And, while these numbers aren’t awful, when compared to the oppositions’ ratings – it’s not good – and the networks “need” for the 18-49 year old market just isn’t helping this show along at all.

2. The Forgotten on ABC – Much like the show’s title this new Christian Slater-led series is being forgotten by the viewers simply because of poor advertising by its home network and tough competition in the form of Julianna Margulies and her new series The Good Wife on CBS.

The series opened fairly well with 9.5 million viewers, but has maintained an average of 7.6 million viewers for the last 3 airings. Again, these aren’t terrible numbers – especially in the age of countless viewing options – but it’s not going to be enough to keep the show on the radar for much longer, as if it was even on most viewers’ minds to begin with.

3. Trauma on NBC – This action-packed drama about emergency responders in San Francisco had an extensive publicity machine behind it (thank you, NBC, I think) with countless promotion on TV, the internet, billboards, radio commercials and much more. However, all that publicity has obviously turned viewers away as each week, since its debut, the show has sunk lower and lower in the ratings with its last two airings only garnering 5.5 million viewers. This show, unfortunately, is solely existing on life support now.

4. Eastwick on ABC – This new series based on the John Updike novel and the box office movie The Witches of Eastwick had a strong opening with 8.5 million viewers, but has dropped significantly each week since then. The network has recently stated it is sticking with the show right now, having no plans to cancel it despite the low ratings, but that assurance could easily vanish as quickly as any spell cast by the lovely witches in the series.

The returning shows that are facing serious problems are:

1. Dollhouse on FOX – The network recently announced they plan to air all 13 episodes of the second season of this new Joss Whedon creation; but given the fact not one episode thus far has cracked 3 million viewers (and even performed lower than the new Syfy series Stargate Universe), how can the network stand behind a series that obviously costs them more each week in production value than they are making back in advertising revenue. The ratings numbers simply don’t support a continuation of the series, but the network, for whatever reason, seems to be on the side of this series at least for now.

2. Cold Case on CBS – For a show that had always been a fairly strong performer for the eye network and has been on the air for 7seasons, the ratings slump that this cop drama has found itself in is a bit surprising. Part of the problem could be the weak lead-in from Three Rivers, the overruns of Sunday football, which is either bumping the airing of new episodes entirely, pushing into a later timeslot or the competition from other networks; but it just strikes odd that this show is under-performing.

3. Heroes on NBC – What was once a ratings giant for NBC, Heroes lost a huge portion of viewers during its very weak second and third seasons, driving fans away in droves. With the return of the show for its fourth (and probably final) season this fall, fans have seemingly given up on this band of super-powered humans; which is a shame, as the show has somewhat finally found its rudder and is drifting along in the choppy TV waters at a better pace. This revival of better storylines and focus is largely going unnoticed by the general viewing audience; especially when you consider the show has only averaged about 5.7 million viewers every week since its debut.

4. Smallville on the CW – This Superman-in-the-making series has been on the air for an astounding 9seasons and with its move to Friday nights, it would seem that the viewers (if not the network) has seen this move as the final nail in the coffin of the series’ longevity. Each week the show has averaged a disappointing 2.5 million viewers, making this probably the least watched season of the show’s history. Creatively the show may be moving closer and closer to the Superman legend, but it seems like too little too late, as the viewers have moved on. The Justice League, the Watchtower and even the impenetrable Lois Lane cannot seem to save this series that once was one of the cornerstones of this newly monikered network.

So, there you have it: A look at some of the shows that are in double jeopardy at the major networks. They certainly aren’t the only ones “on the bubble” or simply waiting for the cancellation axe to fall, and they won’t be the last. It will be up to each shows diehard fans to make a stand for each series, for the networks to take another chance on them or for the fates to play their hand, ending each one as painlessly (hopefully) as possible.

Are there any new or returning shows that you are concerned about? NGTV would love to hear your thoughts.

A Report Card for the 2009-2010 TV Season

With the majority of the new shows having debuted (and most of the returning series making their season premieres), I thought it was appropriate to make a report card (of sorts) on the new shows that have caught my attention, those that I have decided to pass on, and the few that will, unfortunately, (more likely than not) end up hanging by a thread in the very near future.

It is too soon to determine just how long any of the new shows will remain on the air or which ones will become the hits of the new season, so this will stand as my early predictions for what to expect – or to be more precise – what I hope will happen. Please keep in mind I am not covering ALL the new shows (and will not comment on the comedies since I don’t watch those). This coverage will only be on the shows that I have actually seen and for which I have formed an opinion.

The grade I have given to each is not only based solely on the ratings each series has received thus far, nor just on the critics reviews but also on my overall impression of each episode I have seen, each show’s basic premise, the characters and the casting for each series.

ABC:

The Forgotten (Tuesdays at 10 PM) – This series that stars Christian Slater as the leader of a volunteer group of amateur sleuths who investigate cold cases involving unidentified victims of crimes that even the police aren’t able to solve came out of the box during its premiere with an astounding 9.5 million viewers. The pilot was not as weak as I had anticipated, but I fear the show is attempting to be too ambitious and falling short of its intentions. And, while I would like nothing better than to see a Christian Slater-led series work (unlike his maligned former NBC series My Own Worst Enemy), I don’t really see audiences flocking back to this show week after week. I predict the show will reach about 5 episodes and then the network will have a decision to make about pulling the plug. Grade: B-

Eastwick (Wednesdays at 10 PM) – While critics and bloggers alike have been divided on this whimsical series based on the John Updike novel and inspired by the box office smash Witches of Eastwick, this magical show, which stars Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price and Jaime Ray Newman as a trio of awakening witches with unique powers, garnered an impressive 8.5 million in its debut. And when you compare that to its CSI: NY competition on CBS, that number isn’t too bad. I want to believe that women will grab onto this show and not want to let go especially once they get a good look at all the eye candy – Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Jason George (Eli Stone) – who will be joining the show for a few episodes – Johann Urb (Dirt), Jon Bernthal (Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian), Jack Huston (Outlander) and, of course, Paul Gross (who plays “devilish” Darryl Van Horn). I predict the show will still have a battle on its hands with ABC probably wavering on what to do, but will hopefully stick with it for at least the full order of the series. Grade: B-

FlashForward (Thursdays at 8 PM) – The most-talked about, highly-anticipated series of the fall season is hands-down FlashForward; the one series that has been likened to Lost – in terms of its cast heavy highly-serialized format. In its series debut the show racked up 12.4 million viewers, had the internet buzzing the next morning and the viewing public wanting more. I don’t think the network will have to worry about making a decision on this show, as the audience has already made it very clear they want FlashForward to stick around for quite some time. The premise of the series is a worldwide catastrophe occurs with everyone on the planet blacking out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, seeing glimpses of their lives six months in the future. The ramifications of this universal black out will be profound. Grade: A

CBS:

NCIS: Los Angeles (Tuesdays at 9 PM) – This spin-off of NCIS (which itself was a spin-off of the highly successful CBS series JAG) came out of the gate and wiped the floor with its competition, hitting the ratings mark of 18.3 million viewers in its debut. Set against the backdrop of California and covering the lives of agents working undercover surveillance for the Office of Special Projects, a division of NCIS, who are charged with apprehending dangerous criminals that pose a threat to the nation’s security, really seemed to capture viewers and take them on a roller coaster ride of action and intrigue. Whether you are a fan of the series or averse to procedurals, the truth of the matter is the ratings were phenomenal for this series and CBS would be foolish to do anything with this series except keep the episodes coming. Grade: A+

The Good Wife (Tuesdays at 10 PM) – Making a triumphant return to television, playing yet another lawyer (previously appearing in the short-lived FOX series Canterbury’s Law) is Julianna Margulies. The Good Wife is about a wife and mother who must assume full responsibility for her family and re-enter the workforce as a defense attorney after her husband’s (Chris Noth) very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. The series was watched by 13.7 million viewers on its debut night. Compared to previous series that aired in that time period, this is a fantastic number, which will move the network to keep the series around for the long haul. Grade: B-

Three Rivers (Sundays at 9 PM) – This new medical drama should be a hit with the viewers, as it has the prerequisite good looking doctors and what appears to be intense and gripping stories: organ transplants at one of the preeminent hospitals in the country. What could be a good show may hold up (at least for the short term) or it could possibly turn out to be a dud despite the creative team and cast involved. The pilot was not as weak as I had anticipated, but I will hold my full judgment on the show until I see a couple more episodes. Grade: C

FOX:

Glee – (Wednesday at 9 PM) – This musicomedy created a storm of interest among viewers and critics alike starting earlier this year and hasn’t really disappointed. This unique series about an optimistic high school teacher who volunteers to run the school’s Glee Club with the hope of returning it to its former glory may not be everyone’s idea of a family-friendly drama, as it can be brazen and harsh in its stereotyping, but it can also be enlightening and rip-roaringly hysterical. The dialogue is whip-smart (and smart aleck), the musical numbers are extremely entertaining and the skills of the talented cast are second to none. While the premiere and subsequent episodes have garnered 7 million viewers or less, I doubt the network that has been home to The Simpsons for 20 years, will let this one go without a fight. And, Glee is the first new show to be picked up for a full season. Grade: B+

NBC:

Trauma (Mondays at 9 PM) – This adrenaline-filled, high-octane medical drama is set in the field, focusing on first responder paramedics who work for San Francisco General and reach victims of emergencies by land, sea or air. The pilot episode was watched by 6.9 million viewers and is a different look at what a medical show can be, but I think the show is too big for its own good. I honestly believe it will be hard for the show to live up to its own intentions, as how many disasters will the viewing public want to see on a weekly basis. Therefore, I think the series will perhaps last until mid-season and then the network will have to make the decision to let the show go. Grade: C-

Mercy (Wednesdays at 8 PM) – Watching the pilot of this very uneven, helter-skelter medical drama that focuses on the lives of the people who work at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best – its nurses – should have been like watching a grittier version of ER; but it has, thus far, not turned out that way. The characters, unfortunately, are not that likeable and the pilot seemed to have been pieced together by an inexperienced cast and crew. The debut episode garnered 8.2 million viewers, but whether the series can maintain that level is questionable at best. The only good things about the show are James Tupper (Men In Trees), who is simply wasted in a McDreamy-like role that could be SO much better and a crew which includes Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts (from Pushing Daisies) and Elizabeth “Liz” Heldens (from Friday Night Lights) who have stellar resumes and know how to make a much better show that this. The network will, more than likely, pull the plug on this disaster very quickly. Grade: D+ (and that’s only because I respect the creative team behind the show).

The CW:

The Vampire Diaries (Thursdays at 8 PM) – Based on the books by L. J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries focuses on Elena Gilbert and brother Jeremy, who tragically lost their parents in a car accident. Enter the mysterious new student at school, Stefan Salvatore, who isn’t all he seems – he’s a vampire – as is his brother, Damon – and you’ve got a love story in the making. The series, thus far, has performed well in the ratings – at least according to the CW’s standards – ranging between 3.8 and 4.8 million (which given the competition on Thursday nights at 9 PM is actually pretty good for this 5th-ranked network) and appears to have built up a loyal following already. Since the network needs a hit, and the show’s debut episode was the most watched premiere ever for the relatively newly monikered network, I don’t see it going anywhere. Grade: B+

Other:

Stargate Universe (Fridays at 9 PM) – As the next installment in the long-running Stargate franchise, this new version will feature a team of scientists, soldiers and civilians who flee for their lives through a Stargate portal, ending up stranded on an Ancient ship that is unable to change its programmed mission, causing the new inhabitants to encounter new races, new technologies and new enemies across the vastness of the universe. The reviews by critics and bloggers alike have been solid and if past history is any indication, this new version of the Stargate world will be off to a great start with longevity in its future. I predict Syfy will hold onto this series tightly. And, my impression based solely on the two-hour premiere is that I want to see and learn more about this darker and grittier world. Grade: B+

Coming Up:

V (Tuesdays at 8 PM) – This new ABC series will not debut until November 3 and has been hampered by not only a “temporary” shut-down in production (that lasted six weeks rather than the intended two weeks) but also the recently announced interruption of airings after only 4 episodes are shown because of the upcoming Olympics. However, this remake of the 1980’s mini-series turned short-run TV series is very much like the original only better. Giant spaceships appear over major cities all over the world, but this time an attractive woman appears via video on the outer panels of the ships, sending a message of peace to all below. These Visitors bring hope, cure disease and seem to be exactly what they claim to be: friendly. But also as in the original, these Visitors are more than they appear and that could be Earth’s undoing. The buzz has been strong despite the setbacks and I believe this show will garner interested viewers for at least the first few episodes. It will then be up to the writers to keep the stories solid and the actors to make the characters appealing, scary and interesting enough for the viewers wanting more. Grade: B+

White Collar (Fridays at 10 PM) – The USA Network will be debuting another new series to their already impressive line-up of shows. White Collar will premiere on October 23 and stars Matt Bomer (Chuck) as Neal Caffrey, a master con artist/thief who FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) springs from jail on the condition he help him catch bad guys. The rest of the cast includes Willie Garson (Sex and the City) and Tiffani Thiessen (90210) as Peter Burke’s wife Elizabeth. The trailers for this series make it appear comedic, action-packed and very entertaining (much like what the USA Network has become known for). I want to see the show perform well. Grade: B+

Cancellation:

The first cancellation of the 2009-2010 TV season came in the form of the CW series The Beautiful Life, which aired only two episodes and garnered roughly one million viewers each airing.

The 2009 Paley Preview Parties

As Louise wrote last week, she attended nearly all of the preview parties held at the Paley Center for Media, screening episodes from the major networks prior to their airing on their regular nights. I, too, had the chance to attend three of the five preview parties: those for NBC, CBS and ABC.

For NBC’s night, most of the cast and major crew from the new comedy Community were on hand for a short Q&A after the pilot episode was screened. Since I am not a fan of half-hour comedies, I will refrain from giving a review of the episode, letting those of you who are interested in the show to enjoy it for what it is. However, I will say that the comedy stars Joel McHale (The Soup) and legendary comedic actor Chevy Chase and chronicles the lives of a unique band of students at a “lowly” community college.

The dramas from NBC that were also featured that night included both new medical series by the network: Mercy and Trauma. Most critics’ reviews for Mercy have been harsh and unyielding. And, unfortunately, I must agree with their assumptions of the show. It is an awkwardly pieced-together series with grand intentions but short-sighted in its delivery. The protagonist, as portrayed by newcomer Taylor Schilling, is a rather unlikeable nurse who served in Iraq. She is now home, unhappy with her life and her job, working with what she feels are inferior doctors and reeling from an affair she had with a doctor while over there.

The other characters such as Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) and Jaime Lee Kirchner (Just Legal) are pale caricatures of what their characters should actually be.  James Tupper (Men In Trees) and well-known movie actor Delroy Lindo are simply wasted in this weak version of what a gripping medical drama should be.

As far as Trauma is concerned, the pilot was a bit stronger than Mercy; but still lacked the right punch to make it a successful show in my opinion. The cast includes Cliff Curtis (Live Free and Die Hard), Anastasia Griffith (Damages) and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher) as part of a team of first responders who handle emergencies by land, sea and air. The one shining light in the show is Jamey Sheridan (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as the chief at San Francisco City Hospital. This series has a slightly better chance of succeeding than Mercy.

On the night of CBS’s party, word spread quickly that the network would not be airing the pilot of their new medical drama Three Rivers, but rather NCIS: Los Angeles as well as episodes of Medium, The Good Wife and new comedy Accidentally on Purpose. The entire cast and crew of Medium appeared for the Q&A session that night followed by the season premiere of the series that resolved the cliffhanger ending from its previous network, NBC. NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife aired next, winning the audience over with terrific action and great character chemistry in both. The new comedy, starring Jenna Elfman, aired last.

The final night of the preview parties was for ABC and featured episodes of four new comedies: Hank, starring Kelsey Grammer, The Middle, starring Patricia Heaton, Cougar Town, starring Courteney Cox and Modern Family, starring Ed O’Neill and Julie Bowen (among others). Again, since I’m not a comedy viewer, I will provide no review; but I will say that I was somewhat troubled to see Jordan Hinson (who appears as Zoe Carter in the Syfy series Eureka) appearing as the daughter of Kelsey Grammer’s character in Hank. As a fan of Eureka, that just didn’t feel right to me.

The sole ABC drama to be featured is the highly-anticipated David S. Goyer/Brannon Braga series FlashForward. The hour series that is being touted as the potential successor to Lost did not disappoint, providing plenty of mystery, intrigue and action as well as characters rich with history just waiting to be unfolded. If there is one series that you must watch this fall, it is FlashForward.

Before I forget to mention, the Q&A for ABC’s night included Busy Phillips from Cougar Town, Sonya Walger from FlashForward, Patricia Heaton from The Middle and Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell from Modern Family as well as the executive producers from each series.

If you would like to see any of the above series when they debut, here is a run-down of their details:

ABC:
Modern Family starts on Wednesday, September 23 at 9 PM
Cougar Town starts on Wednesday, September 23 at 9:30 PM
FlashForward starts on Thursday, September 24 at 8 PM
The Middle starts on Wednesday, September 30 at 8:30 PM
Hank starts on Wednesday, September 30 at 8 PM

CBS:
Accidentally on Purpose starts on Monday, September 21 at 8:30 PM
NCIS: Los Angeles starts on Tuesday, September 22 at 9 PM
The Good Wife starts on Tuesday, September 22 at 10 PM
Medium returns on Friday, September 25 at 9 PM

NBC:
Mercy starts on Wednesday, September 23 at 8 PM
Trauma starts on Monday, September 28 at 9 PM
Community starts on Thursday, September 24 at 9:30 PM

Fresh Faces for Fall

With the bulk of the fall shows on the major networks ready to either debut or make their season premieres this week, we here at NiceGirls thought it would be a good idea to focus on some of the fresh new faces that will be gracing our TV screens. Some of these newcomers have been ‘around for awhile’ (but still are only somewhat recognized by audiences) while some are getting their first big break with new or returning series.

Rueben’s Fresh Faces for Fall

Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) – This new series will debut on CBS on Tuesday, September 22 at 10 PM. Archie Panjabi, best known for her role as Pinky in the big screen movie Bend It Like Beckham, plays Kalinda, the in-house investigator for the law firm featured prominently in the series. (CBS)

Zachary Knighton (FlashForward) – Making its series premiere on ABC on Thursday, September 24 at 8 PM, this much-anticipated series chronicles the events that take place after every person on the planet blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds, seeing glimpses of their lives 6 months in the future. Zachary will play Dr. Bryce Varley.  He was last seen in the horror movie The Hitcher with Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill). (ABC)

Christine Woods (FlashForward) – Newcomer Christine Woods will also star in FlashForward when it debuts on ABC on September 24 at 8 PM, playing FBI agent Janis Hawk. She had a recurring role in the short-lived series Welcome to the Captain. (ABC)

Tabrett Bethell (Legend of the Seeker) – Tabrett will be joining the syndicated series Legend of the Seeker when it returns for its second season on November 7 (check your local listings for time and channel), portraying the Mord Sith, Cara, who will be a new traveling companion to Richard, Kahlan and Zed. Tabrett has two Australian films and theatre work under her belt; but this is her first big TV role. (Syndicated)

Agam Darshi (Sanctuary) – Agam will portray Kate Freelander, a swindler, con artist and theif who finds an unlikely alliance with Dr. Magnus (Amanda Tapping) on Sanctuary, which returns for its second season on Syfy on October 9 at 10 PM.  She has previously been see in the box office movie Snakes on a Plane. (SyFy)

Christopher J. Hanke (Three Rivers) – As an accomplished theater actor, Christopher has performed on Broadway in numerous plays, including Rent and Cry Baby.  But , this is his first foray into television.  He will play Ryan Abbot, an inexperienced new transplant coordinator for the preeminent transplant hospital in the country, located in Pittsburgh for which provides the show its name.  Three Rivers will have its series premiere on October 4 at 9 PM. (CBS)

David Blue (Stargate Universe) – Being best known for his recurring roles on Ugly Betty and Moonlight, David will be seen in the much-hyped Syfy series Stargate Universe, starring as Eli Wallace a technology wunderkid brought into the Stargate world to held solve a power dilemma within the Chevrons; the codes which allow the Stargates to operate.  Stargate Universe will debut on October 2 at 9 PM. (SyFy)

Katie Cassidy (Melrose Place) – Being an actor is part of Katie’s heritage, being the daughter of 70’s hunk David Cassidy, niece to Shaun and Patrick Cassidy and granddaughter of legendary screen actress Shirley Jones. Most recently seen in the short-lived CBS series Harper’s Island, Katie can now be seen as Ella Simms, a publicist who wants to the reach the top at any cost.  Melrose Place can currently be seen on the CW on Tuesday nights at 9 PM. (the CW)

Travis Van Winkle (90210) – Travis will portray Jamie, a football player and frat boy who crosses paths with Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) on 90210, which airs on Tuesday nights on the CW at 8 PM.  Travis was previously seen in the spoof movie Meet the Spartans. (the CW)

Kevin McHale (Glee) – Playing Artie Abrams, the bespecled, guiltar-wielding, wheelchair bound glee club member, Kevin McHale has the unenviable task of playing against type (so to speak); but he does it will aplomb and, well, glee.  Check out this new series on Wednesday nights on FOX at 9 PM. (FOX)

Smith Cho (Ugly Betty) – Korean actress Smith Cho is expected to portray Betty’s new officemate when Ugly Betty returns to ABC on October 9 at 8 PM.  She will also be seen in the mid-season comedy 100 Questions.  Her previous work was on the short-lived NBC series Knight Rider. (ABC)

Chris Colfer (Glee) – This fresh faced 19-year-old from Fresno has been thrust into the limelight by his portrayal of loveable, talented effeminate Kurt Hummel on the ridiculously silly and addictive FOX series Glee, which airs on Wednesday nights at 9 PM.  This is Chris’ first big break into the business. (FOX)

Daniela Ruah (NCIS: Los Angeles) – A well-known actress in Portugal, Daniela stars as Special Agent Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles, which debuts on Tuesday, September 22 at 9 PM on CBS.  The series delves into the world of undercover surveillance through a division of NCIS known as the Office of Special Projects.  This is Daniela’s first big American role. (CBS)

Maiara Walsh (Desperate Housewives) – Playing Ana Solis, the sexy, conniving niece of Carlos Solis (Ricardo Chavira) on Desperate Housewives, Maiara has been made a series regular this season (after appearing in 3 episodes last season).  The series will return for its 6th season on Sunday, September 27 at 9 PM.  Her previous work was on the Disney Channel’s series Cory in the House. (ABC)

Dawn Olivieri (Heroes) – Dawn will portray carnival worker Lydia, who is an empath with mysterious body tattoos that move and change, on Heroes when it returns to NBC on Monday, September 21 at 8 PM. S he made guest appearances on shows like Stargate Atlantis, Knight Rider and My Boys, but this is her first major TV role. (NBC)

Jurnee Smollett (Friday Night Lights) – When the critically-acclaimed series Friday Night Lights returns to DirecTV for its fourth season on Wednesday, October 28, Jurnee Smollet will join as a recurring cast member, playing Jess, the daughter of a onetime NFL hopeful who knows the game and helps raise her siblings with the help of her father.  She was last seen as Samantha in the box office movie The Great Debaters. (DirecTV/NBC)

Aimee Garcia (Trauma) – Aimee will star as helicopter pilot and former Iraqi vet Marisa Benez in Trauma, which debuts on NBC on Monday, September 28 at 9 PM.  The series focuses on medical first responders in San Francisco who reach emergency victims by land, sea and air.  Aimee is probably best known for her role of Veronica in The George Lopez Show. (NBC)

Logan Huffman (V) – Starring in the remake of the 80’s classic series V about out-of-this-world visitors whose ships descend on major cities around the globe, declaring they come in peace – which will debut on ABC on Tuesday, November 3 at 8 PM -newcomer Logan Huffman will portray Tyler Evans, son of Elizabeth Mitchell’s (Lost) character, FBI agent Erica Evans.  Logan was last seen in the independent movie Lymelife. (ABC)

Bethanne’s Fresh Fall Faces

Mark Pelligrino (Supernatural) – Mark is on board for Supernatural’s fifth season playing Lucifer. Mark appeared in the show’s season premiere on Sept. 10th on the CW. We do not yet know if this will be Supernatural’s final season, but we do know that this season is the most highly anticipated of all for the show. Lucifer is loose in the world and it will be up to the boys to gather the forces together that will defeat him.

Willie Garson (White Collar) – Although he’s recognizable as one of Carrie’s BFF’s on Sex and the City, White Collar marks Willie Garson’s first regular role on a series. Willie plays Mozzie, Neal Caffrey’s best friend on the show. He has deep connections in the criminal underworld and can get just about anything for Neal, from classified secrets to cutting edge technology. (USA)

Steven R. McQueen (The Vampire Diaries) – Steven plays Jeremy Gilbert, Elena’s brother on the show. Jeremy is a troubled teen on a dangerous and self-destructive path since the death of his parents. (CW)

Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries) – Nina is Elena Gilbert on the CW’s new hit series. Still reeling from a tragic incident, Elena heads into the new school year hoping to just look normal, even if she doesn’t feel normal. Instead, she becomes the focus of the two vampire brothers, Damon (Paul Wesley) and Stefan (Iam Somerhalder). (CW)

Jamie Ray Newman (Eastwick) - Jamie will play Kat Gardener on the ABC series Eastwick, premiering Sept. 23rd. Kat wants a change in her life. A nurse, she possesses natural healing abilities and has an uncanny green thumb. But her powers can be destructive too, as she discovers when Raymond, her unemployed husband who spends his days observing life from a hammock with a can of beer, becomes their unintentional target. (ABC)

The Peacock Network: NBC’s Fall Season Premieres

NBC has announced their fall premiere dates. Mark your calendars:

Monday, Sept. 14
10 p.m.: The Jay Leno Show

Tuesday, Sept. 15
8 p.m.: The Biggest Loser

Thursday, Sept. 17
8 p.m.: Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday
8:30 p.m.: Parks and Recreation
9 p.m.: The Office
9:30 p.m.: Community

Monday, Sept. 21
8 p.m.: Heroes

Wednesday, Sept. 23
8 p.m.: Parenthood
9 p.m.: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Friday, Sept. 25
8 p.m.: Law & Order
9 p.m.: Southland

Saturday, Sept. 26
11:30 p.m.: Saturday Night Live

Monday, Sept. 28
9 p.m.: Trauma

Thursday, Oct. 8
8 p.m.: Community (regular time slot premiere)

Thursday, Oct. 15
9:30 p.m.: 30 Rock

NOTE: Please keep in mind Chuck will air in mid-season. It has NOT been canceled.

(Source material provided by: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b131109_nbcs_fall_premieres_make_room_lotta_leno.html)