Getting Ready for Fall TV (Part 1)

It’s nearly that time of year again – the start of the new fall TV season, which is only (GASP!) a few weeks away. That means TV viewers will have a plethora of new and returning shows to watch. And, as any NiceGirl knows, trying to figure out our TV schedules for each night of the week can be a challenge.

It is my hope that by providing the following charts and additional information – spread out over my next three weekly columns – will help our readers decide what to watch once the 2011-2012 TV season unfolds.

Each chart shows the full schedule for each night of the week for the major networks with the new shows highlighted in red. The season premiere or debut night is also provided for each returning and new show.

Beneath each chart will be a description of each of the new dramas (and only the dramas) that air that specific night. Additionally, for each night that is applicable, there will be details on the summer cable shows that are coming to an end and any new cable shows that will be back for new episodes this fall.

Let’s get started, shall we:

MONDAYS NIGHTS:

Monday Night TV Schedule

New Show Descriptions:

Terra Nova on FOX follows an ordinary family on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149, the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped and overcrowded, with the majority of plant and animal life extinct. The future of mankind is in doubt, and its only hope for survival is in the distant past. When scientists unexpectedly discover a fracture in time that make it possible to construct a portal into primeval history, the bold notion is born to resettle humanity in the past – a second chance to rebuild civilization and get it right this time. The cast includes Shelley Conn, Christine Adams, Stephen Lang, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Jason O’Mara and Naomi Scott.

Hart of Dixie on The CW focuses on fast-talking New Yorker and brand new doctor Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) has it all figured out. After graduating top of her class from medical school, she will follow in her father’s footsteps, becoming a cardio-thoracic surgeon. But when her dreams fall apart, she decides to accept an offer from a stranger, Dr. Harley Wilkes, to work with him at his small practice in Bluebell, Alabama. Things go quite awry once she ends up there, though. The cast includes Jamie King, Wilson Bethel, Cress Williams, McKaley Miller and Scott Porter.

The Playboy Club on NBC is set in the early 1960’s inside the legendary doors of the gentleman’s club in Chicago. Eddie Cibrian stars as Nick Dalton, a man who once worked for the mob but is about to run for district attorney. He is a regular at the club where he ends up helping the newest “Bunny” – Maureen (Amber Heard), who accidentally kills one of the Windy City’s most powerful mafia bosses. The rest of the cast includes Naturi Naughton, Laura Benanti, David Krumholtz, Leah Renee, Jenna Dewan and Wes Ramsey.

What Cable Has To Offer On Monday Nights:

REVISED:
The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles – Each show will air four more new episodes between now and September 12 when both of their mid-season finales will air at 9 and 10 PM respectively on TNT. Each show will return for the remainder of their current season on November 28.

The Protector – There are four more new episodes of the Lifetime police drama to air between now and September 12 when the season finale is anticipated to air at 11 PM (check local listings for airtime).

Eureka – There are still five new episodes of the Syfy series to air between now and when the season finale is set to air on September 19 at 8 PM.

REVISED:
Warehouse 13 – The Syfy series still has 7 more new episodes to air between now and its planned season finale on October 3 at 9 PM.

REVISED:
Alphas – The new drama on Syfy has another 6 new episodes to air between now and its planned season finale on September 26 at 10 PM. NOTE: There will be a marathon of episodes of Alphas on September 26 as well (check local listings for airtimes).

The Lying Game – This new drama debuted last night on the ABC Family Channel at 9 PM, but will move to the 8 PM time slot on Monday nights as of September 12 and will continue through October.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager – This ABC Family Channel series, that airs at 8 PM, will air three more new episodes between now and September 5 when its season finale will air. At this time it is unclear if the cable network has renewed the show for a fifth season.

NOTE: Teen Wolf completed its first season on MTV last night. The show has been renewed for a second season, which should air sometime next year.

TUESDAYS NIGHTS:

Tuesday Night TV Schedule

New Show Descriptions:

Ringer on The CW brings Sarah Michelle Gellar back to TV as identical twin sisters who are complete opposites; Bridget is an exotic dancer who witnessed a murder while Siobhan is the trophy wife of a wealthy New Yorker. Rather than testify to what she saw, Bridget goes on the run, hiding out in her twin’s life after Siobhan disappears out at sea, with Bridget as the only witness. The cast includes Kristoffer Polaha, Ioan Gruffudd, Tara Summers and Nestor Carbonell.

Unforgettable on CBS stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. The show co-stars Dylan Walsh, Michael Gaston, Kevin Rankin and Daya Vaidya.

What Cable Has To Offer on Tuesday Nights:

Sons of Anarchy – The FX series will be back for its fourth season at 10 PM with a 90-minute premiere starting on September 6. There are 13 episodes to this current season.

The Nine Lives of Chloe King – The season finale of this ABC Family Channel series will air tonight at 9 PM and the future of the series is unclear at this time as the network has not announced a renewal.

Pretty Little Liars – This ABC Family Channel series, that airs at 8 PM, will air three more new episodes between tonight and August 30 when its mid-season finale is set to air. There are 13 more episodes for this current season yet to air. A definitive answer has not been announced as to when those remaining episodes will air.

Memphis Beat and Hawthorne – Both of these TNT series will air their season finales tonight at 9 and 10 PM. It is unclear at this time if the shows will return for another season, as nothing official has been announced.

It is a lot of programming for which to keep track, but if you make up a calendar of premiere and ending dates as well as follow your local listings, you should be able to enjoy the madness that is the fall TV season.

Part 2 of Getting Ready for Fall TV will be posted next Tuesday.

NOTE: Thanks to the folks over at Entertainment Weekly for the nightly TV charts.