2008 Fall TV Preview: Mondays

Returning Shows
Gossip Girl (7pm CST, CW): Last year’s surprise hit from the creator of The OC faces the second year challenge this Fall. As with most teen-centric dramas, GG cycled through so much drama in year one that year two is wrought with the possibility of over the top plots and/or unwelcome newbie characters. I know The OC hit a wall its second season so hopefully Josh Schwartz and crew are able learn from experience and keep the show grounded. Well at least as grounded as a show about spoiled rich kids in the Upper East Side can be.
Premieres September 1st

Heroes (8pm CST, NBC): If the positive Comic-con buzz is to be believed then Heroes might be back. If you accept the fact that the show will never be Lost I think there’s a real possibility the show can succeed. Truth is the show is pretty shallow when compared to other mythology based shows and that’s ok. If it can regain the pace and unexpected twists that made 99% of the first season enjoyable then I’ll be there.
Premieres September 22nd

Chuck (7pm CST, NBC): Well Mondays at 7 are the Josh Schwartz showdown, as the man behind Gossip Girl also has his geek baby Chuck returning for a second year. Last year this show proved to be a fun diversion (I love you Adam Baldwin) but its closing episodes began to take a down turn into over plotted long-term stories. Much like Heroes the show needs to embrace what it does best to succeed especially considering there’s another geek show it’s facing off against in Terminator.
Premieres September 29th


Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (7pm CST, Fox): If Chuck slips then here’s my replacement show. I loved Summer Glau in the Ah-nold role last year and the twists at the end of the season made me wish for more right off the bat. Who knew old David Silver could be a compelling leading man? Now if the kid we’re all supposed to care about can just improve, the show could reach it’s full potential.
Premieres September 8th

New Shows
My Own Worst Enemy (9pm CST, NBC): Christian Slater joins the ranks of movie stars jumping to TV, although in fairness Slater stopped being a movie star years ago. Still this new drama about a man living a double life is intriguing because he’s doesn’t know he’s doing it. Early buzz is strong and unlike many new shows this year the creative team has remained intact from pilot to series.
Premieres October 13th