THE LAST WORD
Of course, it’s way too early to predict greatness worthy of Emmy recognition, but here are some new series The Times’ television critics have high hopes for next season.
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MARY McNAMARA
“Pushing Daisies,” ABC: While the idea of a guy able to bring people back to life to name their murderers is very “Ghost Whisperery,” Bryan Fuller writes well about the strange and the dead (“Dead Like Me,” “Heroes”). I am also always happy to see Swoosie Kurtz in anything, and I am willing to forgive Barry Sonnenfeld for “Notes From the Underbelly” because I like “Men in Black” sooooo much.
“Bionic Woman,” NBC: If you are a woman older than 35, you are required by law to root for this show, whose 1970s incarnation was the ultimate female empowerment guide through adolescence. Although why they had to cast some Brit chick from “EastEnders” (Michelle Ryan) to play Lindsay Wagner, oops!, I mean Jamie Sommers, is a mystery to me.
“Cashmere Mafia,” ABC: Well, I’ll have to watch one of the “Sex and the City” grows-up shows that deal with women richer than I am having careers and lives more fabulous than mine, so I guess I’ll pick this one because I’ve heard the other one is boring.
“Journeyman,” NBC: It’s about a newspaper reporter who travels back in time to prevent bad things from happening. What else do you need to say? Newspaper reporters need all the good press they can get, and maybe he can prevent the death of print journalism.
“New Amsterdam,” Fox: I have a soft spot for love stories throughout the ages, not to mention director Lasse Hallstrom (“The Cider House Rules,” “Chocolat”), so the story of a New Amsterdam colonist-turned New York detective blessed/cursed with immortality until he finds his one true love will be a must watch for me. I mean, the costume potential alone....
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PAUL BROWNFIELD
“Viva Laughlin,” CBS: “Viva Blackpool,” on which this show is based, was a terrific BBC miniseries -- part mystery, part musical, part family saga -- centered on a lovably corrupt casino owner and dreamer in Blackpool, England, named Ripley Holden. Now the concept migrates to CBS, the show set in the gambling mecca of Laughlin, Nev. Does what happens on the BBC stay on the BBC?
“Swingtown,” CBS: Set in 1970s Chicago, the “swing” in the title referring to spouse-swapping. Ah, the ‘70s. Not surprisingly, the network has this ticketed for a softer, midseason landing.
“Private Practice,” ABC: We’ve already seen one episode of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, which takes Kate Walsh’s Dr. Addison Montgomery- Shepherd and moves her neonatal surgical skills to a sexed-up L.A.
“K-Ville,” Fox: Ambitious- sounding cop show in that it’s set in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. The series stars Anthony Anderson.
“The Return of Jezebel James,” Fox: This midseason offering features the excitable pairing of indie queen Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose of “Six Feet Under” fame. The show, from “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, has Posey and Ambrose as sisters who come together when the older one (Posey) asks the younger (Ambrose) to carry her baby.
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ROBERT LLOYD
“Chuck,” NBC: My inner 12-year-old is all over this action comedy about a computer nerd (Zachary Levi) who wakes up with a head full of government secrets. A mix of suspense and candyfloss, it’s a tonic to the awful seriousness of most contemporary spy stuff.
“Private Practice,” ABC: The recent stealth pilot for this “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff was clumsy and confused. But I like the sunny soulfulness of Kate Walsh, whose Addison Montgomery-Shepherd will move from Seattle to Southern California, and her comic chemistry with old friend/new boss Taye Diggs may be fizzy enough to keep the rest afloat.
“The Return of Jezebel James,” Fox: Less for its premise (big sister asks estranged little sister to carry a baby for her) than for its people: Indie queen Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose star, and that it’s brought to you by the Palladinos (Amy Sherman- and Dan) of “Gilmore Girls” renown further suggests intelligence, charm and attitude.
“Pushing Daisies,” ABC: Another paranormal romance from writer Bryan Fuller -- who with Todd Holland co-created the marvelous “Wonderfalls” -- in which a baker of pies (Lee Pace) can briefly bring back the dead. Producer-director Barry Sonnenfeld’s various runs at TV are almost always interesting if not always popular.
“Miss/Guided,” ABC: My life can always use a smart high school comedy. Todd Holland (“The Larry Sanders Show”) again is the encouraging name on this one, as director and executive producer, about a former teen misfit (the wonderful Judy Greer from “Arrested Development”) who returns to her old school as a guidance counselor.