2010 Fall TV

Fall TV season is one of my favorite times of the year. All Summer long, I look forward to the month when my nights will be filled once more with the return of my favorite shows, along with a batch of brand-new series to get excited about. After 2009 brought in hits like The Vampire Diaries, Glee, and Modern Family, I couldn't wait to sift through the pilots and see what was in store. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to get excited about.

Along with many other TV critics, I quickly pinpointed Lone Star as one of the top five new shows to watch. Unfortunately, no amount of acclaim could help James Wolk and Jon Voight, and the show opened to abysmal ratings. It was on death row after the first episode, and canceled after the second.

To rehash some of the other shows that have kicked the bucket, just keep reading.

Well, there goes another one: NBC has just canceled its freshman series Undercovers. The network will reportedly air three more new episodes over the next few weeks, but it's not picking up the show for a full season. Even though Undercovers hasn't completely wowed viewers, the news is still somewhat surprising. After all, it had J.J. Abrams's stamp of approval. Have you been tuning in?

Photo courtesy of NBC

As we get deeper into the Fall TV season, the networks have been cleaning house. ABC recently announced that it's pulling The Whole Truth from its schedule, but there's still good news: the network is also giving full season orders to No Ordinary Family and one of my series to watch, Better With You. Looks like I have some new additions to my Fall TV scorecard!

Photo copyright 2010 ABC, Inc.

Welcome back to your regularly scheduled programming! The new and old series have made for a triumphant return of Fall TV, but don't get too attached to any new shows just yet. Just today, The CW announced that it's giving full-season pickups to Hellcats, Nikita, and One Tree Hill, but not all shows have been so lucky (and there are some whose fate hangs in the balance). Here's a rundown of the network pickups and cancellations to help you keep up with all the behind-the-scenes action.

What's in: CBS just gave full seasons to all of its freshman shows (Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, Mike & Molly, The Defenders, and $#*! My Dad Says). Over on NBC, Outsourced, The Event, and Law & Order: LA got the full-season greenlight, and Fox picked up Raising Hope.

What's out: Fox drama Lone Star was the first show to be canceled, followed by ABC's My Generation and NBC's Outlaw.

To see which shows could be next up on the chopping block, just read more

CBS must be feeling generous! The network has just ordered full seasons for all of its freshman series, including Hawaii Five-0 (that's good news for this reader), Blue Bloods, Mike & Molly, The Defenders, and $#*! My Dad Says. Alex O'Loughlin fans, feel free to hoot and holler in the comments.

Photo courtesy of CBS

Looks like Undercovers is sticking around — at least for a little while. NBC recently ordered four more episode scripts of the spy series, which isn't as encouraging as an episode pickup, but it's not a death sentence either. But here's the question: are you loving it?

The J.J. Abrams creation has a few obvious things going for it: besides Abrams, there's hot leading man Boris Kodjoe, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who's proven that she knows how to kick ass. I think the show has upped its action sequences since the pilot, but the series still tries a little too hard to make its central duo a cutesy couple. Another episode airs tonight, so tell me, have you been tuning in?

Photo courtesy of NBC

It may be a bad year for Fall TV, but a few shows are still eking by with lackluster ratings. After giving the axe to Outlaw last week, NBC has put in full-season orders for The Event, Law & Order: LA, and Outsourced. I'm not surprised that the network is doing all it can to make The Event happen, and Outsourced has proved that it can hold its own among the other Thursday night comedies. Have you been watching any of these shows?

Photos courtesy of NBC

We've already touched base on a few of this Fall's new shows (just yesterday I asked for your thoughts on Hawaii Five-0), but how about Running Wilde? While the pilot was somewhat disappointing, I've been crossing my fingers that the show might improve.

The comedy has great lead-ins with both Glee and the newest success of the season, Raising Hope. Even so, there have already been rumors of possible cancellation and Will Arnett is trying to get a campaign going to save the show. Unfortunately, the show is still struggling. While there are some funny moments (Arnett's attempts at office work last week seemed to channel Michael Scott), overall I'm just bored.

So tell me, have you been watching Running Wilde? And if so, do you think it deserves a chance?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Another one bites the dust. NBC has officially pulled the plug on Outlaw after halting production on the set last week. Ratings for the Friday night legal drama continued to dip, and the network will air the four remaining shows in the can on Saturday nights. The show is the first to get the boot from NBC this season. Are you sad to see it go?

Monday nights are hot this Fall, thanks in part to new shows The Event and Hawaii Five-0. I've already asked for your thoughts on The Event, so now I'd like to pick your brains about Hawaii Five-0.

Right out of the gate, CBS's reboot was one of my must-see shows for the Fall. It seems to be flourishing in the midst of the Monday night lineup and is hands down one of the "safe" new shows. So what makes it so great? Personally, I'll take any excuse to drool over cutie Alex O'Loughlin in a Hawaiian setting for an hour, but the show is more than just eye candy. Each episode stands well on its own, and it seems to be hitting its stride after three solid episodes (and we finally learned what the whole Five-0 is about).

How are you feeling about the series? Has it found a permanent home on your DVR?

Photo courtesy of CBS