1. Heroes, 9PM Mondays on NBC. Stars? ***** (out of 5)
This show did it again, and captivates you from the open to close. Glad to see it back and still extremely strong, character-wise and story-wise. Looks like this will be a long series of kept fresh and gripping. Sylar’ s back and that is enough to make people see of the “heroes” get him in the end. Sad to see Sulu killed off though in the season opener. I mean, he wasn’t even wearing a red shirt!

2. Back To You. 8PM Wednesdays on FOX. Stars? ***** (out of 5)
Cut from the same cloth as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, WKRP, and Newsradio. Strong characters and great comedy that doesn’t seem forced. This show could be the Fox network’s first real long-run (7+ years perhaps) situational comedy hit that isn’t animated if they can keep the network from bombing on it. Grammer is Grammer, and it’s fabulous to see the witty and super-sarcastic Fred Willard back on regular TV gig. The only downside is the guy is obviously just trying too hard to be a Chris Farley clone. After 2nd episode, this character is a bit better and the station comraderie seems to be coming online.

3. Journeyman, 1OPM Mondays on NBC. Stars? *** (out of 5)
Made in the same vein as Quantum Leap, this show throws us a twist. After this fellow leaps and subsequently fixes the problems of someone on the past, he gets to return home to his wife and kids. Yeah, no one believes that he does this, except his wife at the end of the pilot episode, when he proves it to her in a most ingenious and undeniable fashion. Still, there’s an especially inquisitive untold backstory with an ex and the reason why he has gotten this ability to leap, but hopefully that will be solved within the season. Slow down the scene where he jumps back in time and add some special effects for his “trips” and this may all come together quite nicely.

4. Bionic Woman, 9PM Wednesdays on NBC. Stars? *** (out of 5)
This show started too fast, little if any character background development or identity, but the show has some potential if slowed down. Much like Battlestar Galactica, also done by David Eick, it features a heavy action base with lots of cross-stories. Perhaps this season will be much like Battlestar’s first, in that it took all of it to find out just who these characters are and what they’re like in their role. After 3 episodes, still not getting better for me though……

5. Ugly Betty, 8PM Wednesdays on ABC. Stars? **** (out of 5)
Betty returns in style, proving that this “dram-edy” has a place in America’s heart after all. Characters seem to be just as poignant as in the first season, so the magic may continue. Tragedy for Betty’s relationship with Henry, more of the same for Daniel’s family, but with a twist in a possible new half-sister, and Wilhelmina? Well, she’s still up to her tricks with her little sidekick, the over-the-top gay sterotype, Marc. A nice splash for ABC, so it should be solid for this year.

6. Reaper, 9PM Wednesdays on CW. Stars?? (**** out of 5)
Looks like a genuinely funny show, with a nice appeal to the “Clerks” generation. Kevin Smith did the first episode, so it has his feel. Episode two may show something different with someone else at the controls. This show is like a funny version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and definitely is going to have mass appeal to the gen-x-ers out there, and maybe drag a few older fans in as well.

7. Chuck, 8PM Mondays on NBC. Stars?? (**** out of 5)
A regular shmoe gets all of the nation’s espoinage secrets downloaded into his brain. In my best Nipsey Russell voice…..Right! This show does “get it” however, and much like Reaper, will appeal to gen-x-ers. A nice fresh type of comedy-action mix.

GARBAGE TV Shows this fall…..
1. Brothers & Sisters, 1OPM Sundays on ABC.
This show is just a political engine for hacks from BOTH sides. What an abismal show! Why it was picked up is beyond me.

2. Cavemen 8PM Tuesdays on ABC.
Why was this ever show made? Yes, the commercals are funny. It could’ve been funny, but alas failure.

Given the abruptness of the rescue, I wonder whether the original plan WAS to leave them stranded at season’s end, with a new ending added once they realized renewal was unlikely.