2009 Fall TV

A few weeks ago I gave you guys a roundup of the fate of Fall's newest shows, but there's been some shake-ups in the industry this week. The first is sad news for Eastwick fans: the show has been canceled and will be gone after its first 13 episodes are aired. Lindsay Price just can't catch a break, can she?

Elsewhere on ABC, Christian Slater's The Forgotten is still ticking with five more episodes added to the season, but Let's Dance — the newest celebrity dance competition hosted by Kathy Griffin — is dead in the water. Apparently the show runners couldn't round up enough celeb talent, which is good news for those of you who are sick of all the dance shows.

Finally, the CW's newest addition to the prime-time lineup, Life Unexpected, has gotten a release date. The drama starring WB vets Shiri Appleby and Kerr Smith will premiere on Jan. 18, taking Gossip Girl's time slot while GG goes on a hiatus.

Whew! That's a lot to process all at once, but how are you feeling about these latest updates?

Photos copyright 2009, ABC, Inc. and courtesy of The CW

It's a tough life for a freshman TV series, and every Fall some new shows have to get cut — but on the bright side, others are given a vote of confidence and picked up for a full season. We're at the end of October now, and most of the networks have made their big decisions, so here's a rundown on what shows are in, out, or balancing on the edge.

What's In
At NBC, Parks and Recreation, Community, and Mercy have all been picked up for full seasons, as have CBS shows The Good Wife and NCIS: Los Angeles and ABC's The Middle, Cougar Town, FlashForward, and Modern Family.

Over on The CW, ratings-winner The Vampire Diaries has been given an entire season. Fox's newbies have fared very well, with pop culture phenomenon Glee having gotten an early pickup, while The Cleveland Show got a full season before it premiered, and has already been granted a second season. On HBO, Bored to Death has gotten a second as well.

But not everyone has been so lucky; to see which shows have been canceled and what's in danger, just read more

I've already asked you guys about your favorite new fall dramas and comedies, but what about the regular shows that you're used to watching? Are you disappointed with any of the new seasons?

You know I love Gossip Girl, but it hasn't exactly been a smooth transition from high school to college for the Upper East Siders. I've also been a bit underwhelmed by Grey's Anatomy, which hasn't lived up to my expectations after an amazing season finale. What about you? Are you unhappy with the newest season of your favorite returning show? Vent about it in the comments!

Photos copyright 2009 ABC, Inc. and The CW

Fall TV time might be the second most wonderful time of the year, and I'm helping you all get ready with a brand new printable calendar! With so many shows and premiere dates to keep track of, you'll be organized in no time with my handy (and oh so colorful) schedule. Set it as your desktop wallpaper, post it in a safe place, and make copies for family and friends!

Just click here to get your hands on the Fall 2009 schedule. If you need some help choosing what to watch this season, Pop and I have picked out a few favorites. The necessary caveat: Premiere dates are always subject to change — but this information is as up-to-date as possible, and I'll post any future changes here too. So, what are you waiting for?

I didn't think I'd get that excited about a promo for the House season that won't even start for another nine weeks or so, but I've now watched this video three times and my heart is still pounding like crazy. And speaking of crazy, this promo features our beloved protagonist at "the asylum," all intense and surlier than ever (so it looks like at least one of my questions for the upcoming season will be answered). The combining of the images with Elbow's song "Grounds For Divorce" is pretty magnificent. I know, it seems weird to be all worked up over a 30-second promo, but it's just good! To see what I'm blabbering on about, read more

From everything I've read about ABC's upcoming series Defying Gravity, it's apparently something like the lovechild of Grey's Anatomy, Battlestar Galactica, and Lost . . . in space. The show follows eight astronauts — four men, four women — from a variety of countries who go up into space and, I guess, get it on. Reportedly, though, there'll be more than just soapy space shuttle romance: "some sci-fi elements will be heartily sprinkled throughout, including side-effects that affect each astronaut differently and a mysterious power that controls their final destination."

The promo video for Defying Gravity makes me giggle, but maybe it's just a matter of getting used to weekly space sex? I don't know. The 13-episode run will start Aug. 2 with a two-hour premiere. To check out the video for yourself, read more

On the sad, worrisome news front, Maura Tierney has fallen ill recently, and the production start date for NBC's new show Parenthood, based on the 1989 movie, has been moved from late July to late September. Thus, Parenthood will now premiere midseason, instead of its previously scheduled premiere date of Sept. 23. Another new NBC show, Mercy, will now begin in September instead of midseason, though it isn't clear yet which time slot Mercy will take. Apparently "NBC is re-evaluating its fall scheduling plans that now will include the simultaneous launch of two new medical dramas, Mercy and Trauma."

NBC has said that Tierney is "undergoing medical evaluation," and the network is "unable to release further details and ask that you respect her privacy at this time." Weirdly, this is the second unfortunate thing to happen to Parenthood, as NBC Vice President of Drama, Nora O'Brien, died unexpectedly on the set of the show in Berkeley, California back in April.

Please get well soon, Maura!