Each fall a slew of new shows hit television, and two months later, most of the tapes end up trashed. As the networks gear up for yet another season, it’s easy to recognize poor quality — “Whoopi,” “Faith & Hope,” “The Ortegas.”
Gambling on what will catch on can be trickier. Even with a so-so pilot (ever seen the first episode of “Friends?”) a show can still take off. Likewise, some pilots are written and directed by the cream of the crop, but take a turn for the worse once the A-list staff abandons them.
However, a few new programs are actually worthy of some attention, and will likely be streaming from NUTV into dorm rooms all over campus this fall.
Here are the new kids on the block that will give the old-timers a run for their money — or be run out of town.
Sure Bet Sorority Show
“Miss Match”
It’s “Clueless,” with a law degree and living in a “Sex and the City”-ish environment. Alicia Silverstone is Kate Fox, a successful divorce lawyer by day and stellar matchmaker by night. But just like Cher, Kate can’t seem to find her own perfect match (who happens to be right under her nose the whole time … of course). Admittedly it’s as predictable as any romantic comedy, but that’s why most people will enjoy it.
What to expect: Kate struggles to balance her opposing roles as a divorce attorney, striving to impress her boss and dad (played by Ryan O’Neal), and a matchmaker, seeking romance for herself and others.
Fridays beginning Sept. 26, 7 p.m. on NBC
Goody Goody God Show
“Joan of Arcadia”
Who knew a “God show” could be entertaining? “Touched By An Angel” and “7th Heaven” never quite mastered the art of being a family drama without being kitschy and self-righteous. But “Joan of Arcadia,” starring Amber Tamblyn, has figured out how to be inspiring without being insipid.
When Joan starts getting surprising visits from God, she reacts as any average adolescent would: she freaks out. Definitely worth watching to get a wholesome start to your otherwise sinful Friday night.
What to expect: Joan wants nothing more than to blend in to her new surroundings when her family moves to Arcadia, a tiny town where her father has been hired as the police chief. But it’s tough to act normal when God keeps appearing in different guises, leaving Joan puzzling messages that she hesitantly begins to follow.
Fridays beginning Sept. 26, 7 p.m. on CBS
Guilty Pleasure Prime-Time Soap
“The O.C.”
If you didn’t catch this show when it debuted this summer, you missed out big time. When it comes to young adult primetime soaps, “The O.C.” rivals “Dawson’s Creek,” “Felicity” and maybe even “90210”. From the very beginning it has been witty, polished and exceedingly watchable. Lucky for you, another sudsy batch of episodes premieres soon.
What to expect: Things should get stickier once Ryan starts going to school with the other wealthy teens. Don’t expect too much to happen between Ryan and Marissa but what about Seth and uber-witch Summer? Maybe the punky chick from the debutante ball will return … who knows?
Thursdays beginning Oct. 30, 8 p.m. on Fox
Guy Eye Candy
“Tru Calling”
Going up against “Friends” is a bad idea for any new show. For this one, which is mediocre at best, it will be catastrophic. Eliza Dushku plays Tru Davies, who takes a job at the morgue and discovers that she hears dead people. To make things even more surreal, she wakes up the next day to find herself reliving the previous day (