NBC becomes the third network to reveal it's upfront sked, which is literally broken into two seasons with most shows taking on shortened episode orders.  New for fall are TRAUMA, PARENTHOOD, COMMUNITY, SNL THURSDAYS.  New for Midseason are MERCY, DAY ONE, 100 QUESTIONS and THE MARRIAGE REF.

MONDAYS: It's HEROES and TRAUMA for the Fall.  I gave up on HEROES two years ago. As for TRAUMA, that one looks interesting.

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (Trauma)

TUESDAYS: THE BIGGEST LOSER will remain 2 hours.

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero.

WEDNESDAYS: Ron Howard's new PARENTHOOD might be fun, but then I will tune out when LAW AND ORDER SVU airs.

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (PARENTHOOD)

THURSDAYS: I am there for NBC all night long (maybe even for Leno, too): SNL THURSDAY WEEKEND UPDATE goes for 6 episodes, PARKS & RECREATION is back for season 2; my fave THE OFFICE is at 9, and buzzy newcomer COMMUNITY at 9:30. After SNL completes it's run, COMMUNITY moves to its slot so that 30 ROCK can debut in the old COMMUNITY slot following THE OFFICE.

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Two (all four comedies)

FRIDAYS: Nothing to crow about, however LAW & ORDER ties GUNSMOKE for 20 seasons on TV. SOUTHLAND returns.

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero

SATURDAYS: Repeatsville

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero

SUNDAYS: FOOTBALL!

NUMBER OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero.

TOTAL HOURS OF NBC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH IN THE FALL: Four Hours

MIDSEASON: Won't come soon enough!  CHUCK takes over HEROES and DAY ONE takes over TRAUMA. 100 QUESTIONS takes over when BIGGEST LOSER goes to 90 minutes; MERCY takes over PARENTHOOD; MARRIAGE REF and CELEBRITY APPRENTICE take over for Football.

HERE ARE THE NEW SHOWS I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING:

COMMUNITY (9)

100 QUESTIONS (8)

DAY ONE (8)

TRAUMA (7)

PARENTHOOD (7)

MERCY (3)

HERE ARE THE OVERALL SHOWS I AM  MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING (FALL ONLY):

THE OFFICE

COMMUNITY

SNL THURSDAYS

PARKS & RECREATION

TRAUMA

PARENTHOOD

MISSING PILOTS: LEGALLY MAD would have been fun with Kristen Chenowerth, but maybe this will free her up to be on GLEE full-time.

OVERALL OUTLOOK: Just like ABC and FOX before it, it's NBC's midseason sked that looks to be the most fun. I give the FALL sked a B- and the winter sked a B.  I am also looking forward to watching JAY LENO SHOW whenever possible.

Following a FOX-y upfront yesterday, ABC followed the (18 -49) leader and presented their own upfront earlier today, with some surprises of their own.  For Fall, new shows include SHARK TANK, THE FORGOTTEN, HANK, THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN, EASTWICK and FLASH FORWARD.  Midseason newbies include HAPPY TOWN, V and THE DEEP END.

MONDAYS: Old stand-by (and getting older by the season) DANCING WITH THE STARS PERFORMANCE SHOW will lead in to second year mystery drama CASTLE.  I watched a few eps of CASTLE last year and kinda liked it, but ultimately bowed out.  I am happy for the show and star Nathan Fillion, but it's just not my cup of tea.

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero

TUESDAYS: New Reality show SHARK TANK will lead into the DWTS RESULTS SHOW.  Then the new Jerry Bruckheimer amateur sleuth show THE FORGOTTEN will close the night out at 10. I will sample THE FORGOTTEN, but it's not a priority show for me to watch, and therefor:

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero

WEDNESDAYS: Four new comedies and a new drama make this ABC's first huge surprise of the sked. It's been years since ABC has had a 2-hour comedy block, and I believe the first time on record that said comedy block consisted of four completely new comedies.  Two years ago ABC debuted 3 new shows on the night (PUSHING DAISIES, PRIVATE PRACTICE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY). With newcomer EASTWICK closing out the night, once again ABC goes bold with an all-new feast.  I'm there!

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Three (HANK, THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN and EASTWICK)

THURSDAYS: Newcomer FLASH FORWARD (which will probably take over the LOST timeslot next year should it succeed) kicks the night off, with GREY"S ANATOMY and PRIVATE PRACTICE staying where they are.

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (FLASH FORWARD)

FRIDAYS: In the Alphabet net's second big surprise, fourth-season show UGLY BETTY is transplanted to Fridays, and sandwiched between reality bores SUPERNANNY and 20/20.  I predict BETTY will move once again when the ratings dont add up.  With that said, look for BETTY to air it's series finale in May 2010.

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (UGLY BETTY)

SATURDAYS: College Football

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero

SUNDAYS: A solid night, though I think it would have been more fun to put something else after DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES besides BROTHERS AND SISTERS. FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS and EXTREME MAKEOVER return once again.

NUMBER OF ABC PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES)

TOTAL HOURS OF ABC PROGRAMMING THAT I WILL WATCH IN THE FALL: SIX HOURS

MIDSEASON: THE BACHELOR will take over for DANCING PERFORMANCE SHOW on Mondays; SCRUBS and BETTER OFF TED take over for the DWTS RESULTS SHOW on Tuesdays; DEEP END, HAPPY TOWN and V also debut midseason.

HERE, IN ORDER, ARE THE NEW SHOWS I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING (Includes Fall and Midseason):

V (10)

FLASH FORWARD (9)

EASTWICK (9)

COUGAR TOWN (9)

HAPPY TOWN (8)

MODERN FAMILY (7)

HANK (6)

THE MIDDLE (6)

THE FORGOTTEN (6)

THE DEEP END (5)

HERE ARE THE OVERALL SHOWS I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING (FALL ONLY):

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

UGLY BETTY

FLASH FORWARD

EASTWICK

COUGAR TOWN

MISSING PILOTS: The one that got away, for me, was LIMELIGHT.  That series was set in a performing arts school, similar to FAME.  But with GLEE on the air at FOX, I am not totally upset.

OVERALL OUTLOOK: Other than Wednesdays, I am not overly impressed with ABC's Fall sked. For me, things dont pick up until midseason (SCRUBS, BETTER OFF TED, LOST, V and HAPPY TOWN). So, for Fall, I give ABC a C+; For Midseason I give ABC a B+

FOX was the first of the Big Five to announce their Fall and Winter skeds for the 2009-2010 TV Season.  For fall, the new shows are GLEE, BROTHERS and THE CLEVELAND SHOW. Midseason newbies are PAST LIFE, HUMAN TARGET and SONS OF TUCSON.

MONDAYS:  HOUSE returns to the brutal 8 PM timeslot dominated by DANCING WITH THE STARS on ABC, comedy on CBS, teen drama on CW, and who knows what on NBC.  Coming back for a second season is LIE TO ME at 9 PM.  I am not a fan of either show, so my attention will be spent elsewhere on the night.

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero.

TUESDAYS:  In a surprise move, FOX is treating dancing in the fall like it does music in the winter.  Look for 2 hours of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE to juice up ratings (assuming there isn’t a fatique factor of just having seen the summer 2009 edition of SYTYCD).

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero.

WEDNESDAYS:  The results show of SYTYCD kicks the night off, then leads into the new comedy-musical show GLEE.  Even though I don’t watch DANCE, I hope it gets HUGE ratings that rub off on to GLEE, which will probably be THE show I am most excited about for the new TV season.  GLEE is supposed to be a great show, and I hope it triggers a new wave of musical television (because the sooner we can forget about VIVA LAUGHLIN, the better).

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: One (GLEE).

THURSDAYS: BONES returns from it’s successful relocation to Thursdays this past year.  That will lead in to the second season of the JJ ABRAMS show FRINGE.  I tuned out of FRINGE after a couple episodes into season 1, and decided that I would just buy the DVD should the show succeed. Since it has, I will probably watch FRINGE on a go-forward basis, though I am still on the fence about it.

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Probably One (for FRINGE).

FRIDAYS: The new comedy BROTHERS kicks the night off, followed by the (GROAN) 4^th year of TIL DEATH.  I am going to sample BROTHERS, though its theme of football doesn’t do much to excite me.  As for TIL DEATH, forget about it.  That leaves a rather weak lead-in to the surprise renewal of DOLLHOUSE.  As with FRINGE, I didn’t want to get too attached to DOLLHOUSE until I knew FOX wasn’t going to cancel it on me.  Now that it’s back, I am DEFINITELY going to watch season 1 over the summer and tune in to DOLLHOUSE in the fall.

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: OnePointFive, for now.  ( I will watch BROTHERS pilot and make an early decision on if I will continue to support it. But I will definitely be catching DOLLHOUSE)

SATURDAYS: The usual combo of COPS and AMERICA’S MOST WANTED.

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: Zero.

SUNDAYS: It’s animation domination once again.  I am not a big SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY or AMERICAN DAD fan, but I am going to give THE CLEVELAND SHOW a looksie. Who knows, maybe it will become a fave and I will start to watch the others around it, though I don’t see myself jumping on THE SIMPSONS bandwagon again (that was so ten years ago for me).

HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH: PointFive (for THE CLEVELAND SHOW)

TOTAL HOURS OF FOX PROGRAMMING I WILL WATCH IN THE FALL:  FOUR HOURS (GLEE, DOLLHOUSE, FRINGE, CLEVELAND SHOW and BROTHERS)

MIDSEASON: PAST LIFE (about reincarnation) looks promising, as does HUMAN TARGET (based on the DC Comics character).  FOX also has new comedy SONS OF TUCSON starring REAPER co-star Tyler Labine.  All three shows are must-sees for me, and with returning shows, I am looking forward to four or five hours of FOX programming (assuming I continue to watch BROTHERS, CLEVELAND SHOW and FRINGE from the fall).

HERE, IN ORDER, ARE THE NEW SHOWS I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING (includes fall and winter programming):

GLEE (10)

PAST LIFE (8)

SONS OF TUCSON (7)

HUMAN TARGET (7)

THE CLEVELAND SHOW (6)

BROTHERS (5)

HERE, IN ORDER, ARE THE OVERALL SHOWS I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING (FALL only):

GLEE (10)

DOLLHOUSE (8)

FRINGE (7)

THE CLEVELAND SHOW (6)

BROTHERS (5)

MISSING PILOTS:  As predicted, AB FAB did NOT make FOX’s schedule.  Too bad another studio won’t pick it up, if that’s even allowed.  What a bummer.

CANCELED: DO NOT DISTURB, SIT DOWN SHUT UP, PRISON BREAK, TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES.

OVERALL OUTLOOK:  FOX has a very smart schedule here.  It’s a no-brainer that winter is the net’s saving grace (with the annual returns of 24 and IDOL), but last fall FOX made strides with new hit FRINGE.  And with the smart scheduling of SYTYCD picking up the missing IDOL pieces, FOX could have itself a solid fall to introduce newbie GLEE.  Of course, if DANCE doesn’t catch on because of summer DANCE fatigue, then FOX has 3 mid-week hours of bad reality.  It’s a gamble, but I would bet in FOX’s favor that it pays off and DANCE will be a big enough hit to satisfy it’s programmers.  I give the FALL sked a solid B+ and the SPRING sked an even better A.

Going into this week's upfronts, a number of my favorite shows from last season were on 'the bubble'.  I assumed one or maybe two of my bubble shows would get renewed, but ALL of them?  Believe it or not, it JUST might happen.

My bubble shows included CHUCK (renewed for 13 episodes) and PARKS & RECREATION on NBC; BETTER OFF TED (renewed for 13), SCRUBS (renewed for season 9), and UGLY BETTY (renewed for a fourth) on ABC; DOLLHOUSE (renewed for 13) on FOX; and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (renewed for midseason) on CBS.  The only show still on the bubble is REAPER.  Even though it was canceled by The CW, talks are on-going that ABC FAMILY will pick it up for Sunday night syndication.  If that happens, that will mean all of my bubble shows made it back for next season.

As for TV pilots? Most of my wishes have come true (including a shortened 6-episode order of V).  I am most disappointed that LIMELIGHT didn't get picked up by ABC (though with GLEE on FOX, maybe I wont even notice) and that FOX ditched AB FAB (they loved it, but didn't think it would work on FOX.  Ashame).  AB FAB had built-in name recognition, and surely would have been more interesting than seeing a (grrrr) fourth season of TIL DEATH.  That leaves MELROSE PLACE and V as the re-imaginings for Fall (with PARENTHOOD and EASTWICK as shows based on 80s films).

NOTE: None of this is official until the nets reveal all during this awesome week of TB news.

Here are my favorite NEW SHOWS from the 2008-2009 TV season:

1. TRUE BLOOD (HBO): From the opening seconds of this vampire tale, I was hooked!  Alan Ball's guilty pleasure mixes horror/romance/comedy with the right amount of nudity (God bless Ryan Kwanten: you know, Jason Stackhouse).  Season 2 premieres in June...and can't cum soon enuff!   A+

2.  SWINGTOWN (CBS): TRUE BLOOD wasn't the only new summer show to air in 2008 that caught my eye, the other was CBS' controversial 70's-era SWINGTOWN.  It was the kind of drama that hooked you in a WONDER YEARS-kind of way. And with it being broadcast, SWINGTOWN wasn't able to deliver the racy stuff that TRUE BLOOD got away with. Ashame, because I think TOWN would have been a much better fit on a HBO or SHOWTIME.  Still, I have the series on DVD, and 13 full episodes is better than just getting 3 or 4.  So instead of looking at TOWN as a failed TV show, I look upon it as an excellent miniseries.  A

3.  BETTER OFF TED (ABC): My next favorite show premiered just a few months ago on ABC, and it's fate on a second season is yet to be determined.  But in just 2 months, TED fully evolved as an excellent comedy that skewered big corporate companies.  The VERIDIAN DYNAMICS fake ads alone are worth tuning in, but I also admit to being a huge Andrea Anders fan (previously seen on JOEY and THE CLASS).  ABC needs comedy buzz, and the critics and a loyal fan base may be just enough to keep it alive.  If not, guess I will just buy the DVD and cherish the 6 episodes already produced.  A-

4.  PARKS & RECREATION (NBC):  Even though this Amy Poehler sitcom from the producers of THE OFFICE started slow, I have every bit of faith in it to return for a second season funnier and zanier than ever.  It only had 6 episodes produced, too, and when it returns (which it will) any tweaking of the season 1 problems will have been worked out, giving NBC a GREAT line-up of sitcoms on Thursday night.  B

5.  HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS):  Bad ratings and bad writing doomed this guilty pleasure horror who-dunnit to Saturday nights, meaning a second season of this fun, popcorn show won't be happening.  But at 13 episodes, and with the killer and survivors revealed at the end, count HARPER's as a cool attempt by CBS to give TV something new.  B-

BY THE WAY: My top two new shows (TRUE BLOOD and SWINGTOWN) aired in summer 2008, and the next 3 (TED, PARKS and HARPER'S) all aired in the spring of 2009, meaning that not a single new show that premiered in the Fall of 2008 made my list.  That goes to show you how HORRIBLE I felt that the fall programming slate was for this season.  Another new show, GLEE, will air once after AMERICAN IDOL next week on FOX. It's actually a special preview for a series that has already been given a 13-episode commitment, and is really a Fall 2009-2010 show, and therefor didn't make the cut for this season's TOP FIVE favorite new shows.

The following bubble shows - TV shows on the verge of cancellation - are the ones that I will miss the most if they don't get a network pick-up for 2009-2010:

*CHUCK (NBC): Heads are gonna roll if Chuck doesn't make it to season 3.

*BETTER OFF TED (ABC): Started slow (I gave it a C+), but soon it grew on me. It's a genius spoof of corporate greed that deserves at least 13 more episodes.

*HARPER'S ISLAND (CBS): Actually, the 'concept' is what is on the bubble, since the mystery behind Harper's Island was already cemented before the first episode even aired. Low ratings and a banishment to Saturday nights don't bode well for a second mystery cycle.

*REAPER (THE CW): This one is all but dead, especially since SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL are doing great, and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is more in brand with what the CW is looking for insofar as pilots go.

*SCRUBS (ABC): There's this little rumor going around that tonight's series finale might be just the season finale to the 8th season, and that a new crew of interns would headline a possible 9th season of the 'lucky' comedy.

MY OFFICIAL 2008-2009 TV SEASON WRAP-UP

(Shows premiering from Summer 2008 thru April 30, 2009)

1. Lost (ABC)

2. True Blood (HBO)  NEW SHOW!

3. The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

4. How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

5. Chuck (NBC)

6. Swingtown (CBS)  NEW SHOW!  CANCELLED!

7. Desperate Housewives (ABC)

8. The Office (NBC)

9. 30 Rock (NBC)

10. Ugly Betty (ABC)

11. Flight of the Conchords (HBO)

12. Pushing Daisies (ABC)  CANCELLED!

13. Project Runway (Bravo)

14. Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy Central)

15. Better Off Ted (ABC)  NEW SHOW!

16. Parks & Recreation (NBC)  NEW SHOW!

17. Two and a Half Men (CBS)

18. Harper's Island (CBS)  NEW SHOW!

19. Reaper (CW)

20. Supernatural (CW)

21. South Park (Comedy Central)

22. Sordid Lives (LOGO)  NEW SHOW!

23. Scrubs (ABC)

24. Little Britain, USA (HBO)  NEW SHOW!

25. Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)

TOP NETWORKS:

TOP TEN:

1. ABC, CBS, NBC: 3 shows each

4. HBO: 1 show

TOP 25:

1. ABC (7)

2. CBS (5)

3. NBC. (4)

4. HBO (3)

5. Comedy Central (2), CW (2)

7. Bravo (1), Logo (1)

NBC played a sneak-a-roo with their 'infront' presentation that actually was more of a 'half-front', since the status of several bubble shows werent announced, nor was their an official schedule to note the timeslots of any of their shows (other than the M-F JAY LENO SHOW at 10).

As such, I wont be able to analyze NBC's official Fall 2009 sked until the network makes the announcement on May 19.

But here's what I do know:

Official pick-ups have been given to THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, PARKS & RECREATION, HEROES, MEDIUM, BIGGEST LOSER, CELEBRITY APPRENTICE, LAW & ORDER: SVU and SOUTHLAND.

No announcements yet on bubble shows CHUCK, LAW & ORDER, MY NAME IS EARL, HOWIE DO IT or DEAL OR NO DEAL.

Six pilots have been picked up: DAY ONE, TRAUMA, MERCY, PARENTHOOD, COMMUNITY and 100 QUESTIONS.  I have seen the previews of each of these shows at NBC.com.  Here, in order, are the ones I most want to see (and how badly).  Overall, I think NBC's line-up far exceeds last year, though that isnt really saying much.  NBC seems to be playing it safe for fall by picking up shows that are rehashes of previous shows.  The most original show in their lineup also happens to be the one I am most looking forward to seeing.

1. COMMUNITY (a 30-minute comedy set on the campus of a community college. Cast includes Joel McHale of TALK SOUP and SNL legend Chevy Chase.  With shout-outs to Breakfast Club, it looks like a fun romp that would fit on Thursday nights after PARKS & RECREATION and before THE OFFICE.)  8

2. 100 QUESTIONS (NBC's other 30-minute comedy looks less inspired.  The preview comes off like an inferior FRIENDS clone.  But since I miss FRIENDS a lot, I am hoping for something similar, and maybe 100 QUESTIONS will satisfy. Eventually).  7

3. PARENTHOOD (A 1 hour dramedy based on Ron Howard's same-themed early 90's movie, this one could be a real crowd pleaser. I know the trailer sure was.  And with Howard's talent behind the TV version, look for great writing, acting and production values.  A Monday at 8 or Wednesday at 8 time slot makes the most sense for it). 6

4. TRAUMA (Remember the kitschy '70s show EMERGENCY?  It aired just before my time, though I kinda remember some episodes in my foggy memory.  Well, TRAUMA comes off like a souped-up adrenaline filled clone of doctors taking to the streets, skies and waters of San Francisco.  Check out the exploding helicopter into the building moment from the NBC preview.  Warning: Comes with blood and , well, scenes of trauma.)  6

5. MERCY (The only new NBC show that already has me rolling my eyes and gagging. It isnt hard to see that MERCY is a GREY'S ANATOMY wannabe, complete with a McSteamy look-alike and one character referrring to him as 'the hot doctor'.  NBC should have passed on this one. The preview alone is embarrassing.)  2

The sixth new show picked up, DAY ONE, wasn't available for preview, other than a behind the scenes look at a scene being shot. Basically, it's being presented as a limited run series (good idea) about the aftermath and fall-out of some unmentioned catastrophe. Sounds intriguing.

At NBC.com, a preview of what THE JAY LENO SHOW might look like was shown. There was a huge emphasis on comedy (and NOT murder. LOL).  As an alternative to some of the police procedurals that ABC and CBS will be serving up, I can actually see THE JAY LENO SHOW succeeding as counter-programming. If I am bored during that 10 pm hour, and not wanting to watch crime, I can see myself tuning into LENO on a periodic basis.  Which makes me wonder: Did NBC just make a brilliant move?