About this time last year, I asked you to tell me which TV shows you thought had strong first episodes. This year, TV Guide has named its 10 favorite pilots of all time, and . . . let's just say I respectfully disagree. Well, I can't quibble much with the magazine's No. 1 choice of Lost, a pilot many of you brought up last year. It's completely true that from the first minutes the show sucked Read more

One of the pilots I've been curious about for more than a year now is ABC's remake of the BBC series Life on Mars, which followed a police officer who found himself somehow transported to 1973. The remake, which David E. Kelley was writing and producing, was originally expected to be considered for the current TV season — but Kelley had trouble finding a man to play his lead character, so the Read more

For the first time in a while, things actually seem to be looking up in the writers' strike. The writers and producers restarted informal talks this week for the first time since early December, the writers are dropping some demands in the hopes of reaching a deal, and the decision not to picket the Grammys seems like a hopeful sign. Still, even if there's a chance of getting TV shows back Read more

Back when I was trying to guess which fall pilots would get picked up by the networks, I was smart enough to see that cop shows and paranormal phenomena were among the year's major trends. Too bad I didn't realize they were going to smoosh together into one big trend: the supernatural crime-solver show. Four such series are already in the pipeline for the new TV season, and this week, NBC bought Read more

I'm headed back to LA today for the final three presentations on the TCA press tour. The new CW shows take center stage today, and I'm sure we'll also hear lots of questions about the cancellation of "Veronica Mars." Then, on Sunday and Monday, Fox's shows — the new ones plus favorites including "House" and "So You Think You Can Dance" — are in the spotlight. Finally, on Tuesday and Read more

What's it about? A young man named Sam learns on his 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul to the devil. Thus, he becomes a bounty hunter for Satan, tasked with collecting evil souls that have escaped from hell. Who's in it? Bret Harrison, Tyler Labine, Ray Wise, Missy Peregrym, Rick Gonzalez The good: Astoundingly, this implausible and ridiculous storyline somehow comes across as... Read more

Starting Monday, I'll be bringing you the scoop on this fall's new and returning TV shows straight from Los Angeles, where stars, writers, producers and journalists are gathering for the annual Television Critics Association press tour. While I'm there, I'll have a chance to chat with the people behind your favorite shows — and I want to make sure I'm asking the questions you want Read more

The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: NBC's "Chuck." What's it about? A Read more