Renee RosenowLet’s face it, television was terrible last year. The writers’ strike made new episodes of any non-reality shows virtually disappear. There were only 14 episodes of “The Office” as opposed to the usual 22. Television fans had to wait for those silly writers to get what they wanted so we could get what we wanted, good TV. Well, the writers’ strike is settled, so let’s get back to regularly scheduled programming!
NBC
NBC tries to get back to its “Must See TV” roots on Thursday nights with a two hour block of comedies including “My Name is Earl,” new comedy “Kath & Kim,” “The Office” and ending with “30 Rock.”
This season, romances on “The Office” are tested and new ones are formed. Last time we saw the gang from Dunder-Mifflin, they were in a whole mess of trouble. Dwight (Rainn Wilson), Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Andy (Ed Helms) were caught in a love triangle. Andy proposed to Angela in front of the office crew, but Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) catches Angela and Dwight in the office after hours in a compromising position. Meanwhile, the golden couple Jim (John Krasinksi) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) were on the way to becoming engaged when Andy steals the couple’s thunder and proposes to Angela first. Michael (Steve Carell) finds out that his estranged girlfriend Jan (Melora Hardin) is pregnant, but not with his child. This season, viewers can expect some changes in many office couple’s relationships. Pam leaves for art school in New York, leaving Jim back in Scranton. Michael mixes it up with the new HR rep Holly (Amy Ryan) which leaves Dwight, Angela and Andy to figure out their sordid mess.
Over at “30 Rock,” television producer Liz (Tina Fey) will start the adoption process and Megan Mullally will guest star as the bitter adoption agent. Jennifer Aniston will also guest-star as a crazy stalker obsessed with TV executive Jack (Alec Baldwin) and look out for a special live episode.
For the 15th and final season of “ER,” Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) will be back for a four episode stint and a new doctor checks into County General, Angela Basset will be a new attending physician who butts heads with Dr. Gates (John Stamos). Dr. Greene (Anthony Edwards) is also slated to return, though interestingly enough, his character died of a brain tumor a couple seasons ago.
NBC introduces the new comedy “Kath & Kim” this season. It stars SNL veteran Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. Kath (Shannon) is a frenzied mom who desperately is searching for “the one,” while grown-up daughter Kim (Blair) comes back to live with her. Kim, who is recently divorced, thinks she is a celebrity and enjoys wearing short shorts and tube tops, though she is 30 years old.
ABC
ABC only has a few new shows this season. That’s because there is barely any room for them with their old shows racking up the ratings. “Ugly Betty,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Boston Legal” all received an abundant amount of Emmy nominations this year as well.
For the seventh season of “Dancing with the Stars,” ABC got all the D-Listers they need. Dancers for this season include, reality star Kim Kardashian, former ‘N Sync-er Lance Bass, soap opera star Susan Lucci and Grammy-winner Toni Braxton.
On the season finale of “Desperate Housewives,” viewers were shocked to see that the last couple of minutes fast-forwarded five years into the future. Katherine (Dana Delaney) plays a lot of poker, Bree (Marcia Cross) and Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) are back together and Susan (Teri Hatcher) is with a man that is not Mike (James Denton). Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) looks like a frumpy mess while trying to maintain two children. This season, viewers will find out why Susan and Mike broke up, and they will witness a “tragic incident” that shakes up the block.
Addison Montgomery is back! After a seven month hiatus, Kate Walsh will reprise her role as Grey’s Anatomy’s transfer obstetrician on “Private Practice” and will try to work out problem after problem in her life. In the first episode of season two, Addison’s first crisis is to try and talk a pregnant mom out of giving birth to her 26-week old baby. The mom wants to use the cord blood to save her dying son. Besides saving babies, Addison’s love life comes under question when an old flame turns up and viewers will also find out about her mysterious past.
Over at Addison’s old hospital, Seattle Grace, the kiss between Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Erica (Brooke Smith) that shocked “Grey’s Anatomy” viewers will be addressed. Izzie (Katherine Heigl) moves from George (T.R. Knight) on to Alex (Justin Chambers). Meanwhile, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Dr. McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) find that their “happily ever after” is harder than they thought and sparks fly between new doc (Kevin McKidd) and Cristina (Sandra Oh).
FOX
FOX only has a few new shows to offer this season including “Fringe” and “Do Not Disturb,” only because it relies on powerhouse shows like “House,” “The Simpsons” and “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
This season on “House,” Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) questions his friendship with House (Hugh Laurie) after Wilson’s girlfriend dies in a car accident trying to pick House up from a drunken night. Wilson wants to resign from his post at the hospital to distance himself from his former best friend. Back at the hospital, House and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) move from innocent flirtations to something more
In the 20th season premiere of “The Simpsons,” Homer tries to start his own bounty hunting team and Marge starts work at an erotic bakery. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (writers of Superbad) are slated to write an episode of the long-running show. As for guest stars, this season will feature the voices of Seth Rogen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jodie Foster, Anne Hathaway and Denis Leary among many.
Prison Break is reincarnating a character this season. Sara (Sarah Wayne Callies) is reprising her role after supposedly dying last season. Michael (Wentworth Miller) first wanted revenge for Sara’s death. After hearing she was alive and well, he sets his sights on taking down The Company instead.
Created by “Lost” mastermind J.J. Abrams, “Fringe” is a new drama starring former resident of “Dawson’s Creek”, Joshua Jackson. The show is a mixture of “The X-Files,” “Lost” and “Bones,” says Abrams.
The show starts with a series of unbelievable events that can only be solved using a new kind of science called “Fringe.” “Fringe” uses mind-reading, levitation and connecting with the dead to figure out a mystery.
CBS
CBS is introducing many new comedies to their fall schedule, “Gary Unmarried,” “The Ex List” and “Worst Week.”
In “Worst Week,” a new comedy for CBS, the plot is pretty simple. A guy tries desperately to impress his future in-laws. But when “the guy” is played by Kyle Bornheimer, it has to be funny.
Bornheimer starred in the series of T-Mobile commercials in which he tries to call his date back and leave a sexy message but it only comes out ridiculously awkward. Classic quips include, “Heather, how are youuuu? That was creepy.” “You smelled so good last night, is that weird to say?” and “People say I’m a pretty good salsa dancer.” “Worst Week” shows off Bornheimer’s romantic side, yet throws in a little awkwardness too.
This season on “Two and Half Men,” Charlie (Charlie Sheen) finds out he may be a father. Charlie’s old girlfriend (Rena Sofer) shows up with a child that looks exactly like him. Charlie may have to grow up this season.
The CW
The CW is still new and working out the kinks from their change-over last year. This season, they started a huge buzz when they decided to recreate the extremely popular 90210 for the 2000’s.
Back in the ’90s, 90210 ruled the airwaves. It featured many issues including a rampant cocaine addiction, struggles with eating disorders, many near-death experiences, date rape and even joining cults. And that was just one character’s struggle. Kelly Martin (Jennie Garth) returns to her old zip code as West Beverly High School’s guidance counselor. Bad girl Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) comes back from her long stay in London to direct West Beverly’s musical. Of course, there are whole new set of high schoolers with a whole new set of shenanigans to get themselves into.
“One Tree Hill” took a huge risk last season by fast-forwarding five years into the future. The gang skipped college and went straight into their careers as a fashion designer, writer, basketball player and teacher. As always, there was a love triangle between Lucas (Chad Michael Murray), Peyton (Hilarie Burton) and Brooke (Sophia Bush), with Lucas eventually choosing his high school sweetheart, Peyton. This season will show viewers where their love will take them as adults, not teenagers.
Students are extremely excited for their shows to be back as well.
“I cannot wait for ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ I love seeing all the random celebrities dance,” senior Ashley Houle said. “Also, I can’t wait for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and of course ‘Desperate Housewives.’ So much drama and they are just so much fun to watch.”
Senior Megan Keintz likes to get away from the girl drama and watch more mysterious shows.
“‘Bones’ is my favorite show. I think it’s so interesting to watch. ‘House’ too, I love how the medical problems are a complete mystery to everyone,” she said.
But, some are disappointed with the fall lineup as well. When senior Sierra Brose found out her favorite show “Lost” isn’t coming back until 2009, she was upset.
“Well, that’s just dumb,” Brose said. “But, if I have to choose another show, I’m really excited for ‘The Office.’ It’s hilarious, I can’t get enough of Steve Carell.”
Proite is a senior print journalism major and staff writer for The Spectator.
