2009 New Show Season Premieres
With the new year comes a whole new batch of shows to watch -- everything from Whitney's big move to 'The City' to Edie Falco's big return to primetime.
Think your DVR can handle it all?
Check out our guide to what's new in midseason and see what everyone will be talking about in 2009.
Christian Weber, Showtime / Patrick Harbron, ABC / Fox / Showtime
'The Beast'
Airs Thurs., 9PM on A&E
Premieres Jan. 15
Premise: Patrick Swayze is an FBI vet who helps his rookie partner (Travis Fimmel) adjust to their undercover work.
Our Take: Swayze's made press by working on the show despite being treated for pancreatic cancer, but illness or no, the big-screen star is making a welcome comeback. We hope his small-screen-starring debut showcases his leading-man appeal and his character-actor grit.
Related Links
A&E
'Castle'
Airs Mon., 10PM on ABC
Premieres March 9
Premise: Nathan Fillion is Rick Castle, a famous crime and horror writer, who assists the NYPD in solving crimes on this comedic drama series.
Our Take: It's like if Steven King helped in murder investigations -- and looked like Nathan Fillion. Now, that's a crime show we can take a bite out of.
Related Links
Patrick Harbron, ABC
'The City'
Airs Mon., 10PM on MTV
Premieres Dec. 29
Premise: Whitney Port leaves the comfort of 'The Hills' and heads to New York City to start a new job.
Our Take: Lauren Conrad's co-worker is the blandest of bunch, so 'The Hills' can afford to lose her. Still, she'll have a built-in audience that'll follow her every move as she makes new friends, dates new guys and starts her life all over again. If you're not a fan of the original, skip it.
Related Links
Getty Images
'Courtroom K'
Airs on Fox
Premieres this spring
Premise: A judge, a district attorney, a public defender and others handle the law in a Midwestern court house.
Our Take: With film star Alfred Molina sitting in the judge's chair, we expect 'Courtroom K' to live up to its "darkly comic" promise.
Related Links
Getty Images
'Cupid'
Airs Tues., 10PM on ABC
Premieres March 24
Premise: 'Veronica Mars' creator Rob Thomas revisits his 1998 series that starred Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall about a man who believes he is the Roman god of love, and the not-crazy people who deal with him.
Our Take: With Bobby Cannavale taking over the Piven role, we're as excited for this debut as we were saddened by the quick cancellation of the first incarnation (yes, we were big fans, all two of us).
Related Links
ABC
'Dollhouse'
Airs Fridays, 9PM on Fox
Premieres Feb. 13
Premise: Echo (Eliza Dushku) is just one of the dolls whose mind has been erased so she can be programmed to be any number of things -- from seductress to assassin. When her memories stop being completely wiped away after missions, she begins to recall bits and pieces of her past.
Our Take: Creator Joss Whedon ('Buffy,' 'Firefly,' 'Angel') halted production of the big budget show to tweak things, Fox changed the pilot episode and the show has been slotted for Friday nights, usually the kiss of death -- yet, we're still completely intrigued to see if Whedon can regain 'Buffy' glory.
Related Links
Miranda Penn Turin, FOX
'The Goode Family'
Airs on Fox
Premieres this spring
Premise: Are you good? The Goodes think they are. They don't eat meat, they recycle and they do their part to bring peace to the world but their efforts are more often comical than effective in this 'toon.
Our Take: From the satirical mind of 'King of the Hill' creator Mike Judge, we think the show will be able to touch on a lot of hot-button political, social and economic issues, without losing any laughs. Everything's funnier when animated, after all.
Related Links
Goode Family Productions / ABC
'Harper's Island'
Airs Thu., 10PM on CBS
Premieres Apr. 9
Premise: Guests attend a wedding on an island off the coast of Seattle, then mysteriously die one by one.
Our Take: Horror is an underrepresented genre on TV, so we'll be ready to ask "whodunit?" when it premieres -- we just hope this island's mysteries are as good as 'Lost''s.
Related Links
CBS
'Kings'
Airs Thu., 9PM on NBC
Premieres March 9
Premise: A farmboy-turned-soldier is thrust into the royal spotlight when an act of bravery makes him a national hero.
Our Take: We're happy to see Ian McShane back on the small screen, which should add comfort to fellow 'Deadwood' fans still suffering from withdrawal.
Related Links
NBC
Reader Comments (30)
ROSIE at 9:28AM on Dec 31st 2008
I WANT DIRTY SEXY MONEY BACK, YOU CANCELED CANE NOW THIS HIGH POWERED FAMILY SHOW. ABOUT THE TIME WE REALLY GET OUR TEETH INTO SOMETHING SOAP OPERALIKE YOU SNATCH IT AWAY. ROSIE RICHARDSON
ROSIE at 9:26AM on Dec 31st 2008
Every time we get interested in a power family show,(Cane) you cancel it. now you have taken Dirty Sexy Money away. what's the matter with you? They had everything plus great actors.
Tim at 4:02PM on Dec 31st 2008
I hope some of the new shows that are mid-season replacements are better then the ones in the fall I want some shows with substance not a bunch of yuuppie garbage like Private Practice and Grey's Anatomy. If you like Music, Movies and Television check this out: www.sentinelvideoltd.com
dillon at 12:28PM on Jan 1st 2009
How can nip and tuck and medium air at the same time on the same network. this is why cable is kicking the ass of abc-nbc-and cbs.
bring back dirty sexy money.....stop cancelling shows we like...
HOPE at 1:12PM on Jan 2nd 2009
BRING BACK LIPSTICK JUNGLE AND DIRTY SEXY MONEY! QUIT MESSING WITH A SHOW THAT WORKS! WE ARE TIRED OF ALL THIS REALITY TV. REAL LIFE IS ALL THE REALITY WE SHOULD HAVE TO HANDLE.
Rod at 8:10PM on Jan 2nd 2009
Why do you give us good shows and then cancel them. Bring back Lipstick Jungle!
Jim J at 9:01PM on Jan 2nd 2009
ABC got me hooked on Invasion, Commander in Chief, and Boston Legal. Then, ABC cancelled these great, award winning shows. So, I will not be watching any more new ABC shows. Nope. Never again.
katie rose at 9:10PM on Jan 2nd 2009
ABC bring back dirty sexy money! what a great fun show. why are all your good shows disapearing? men in trees, boston legal. are you trying to lose your viewing audience?
Tracy at 5:25PM on Jan 4th 2009
Not sure who is running the place over there but it sure doesn't seem like they have their audience in mind. I have seen many enjoyable shows canceled lately, my most favorites Cane and now Dirty Sexy Money. Shame to see these shows go....shame to lose me, them family, and our friends as viewers. Actually there are not too many shows that you offer any longer that I would actually turn the channel on to see ABC. Well good luck....hopefully there will be some audience out there for you to entertain!
Livia at 7:41PM on Jan 4th 2009
you guys are out there. Bring back Lipstick Jungle & Cane. Who makes these decisions anyhow?
Great Shows!