Fall Preview, Pt. 1

This is officially TV week here on the blog! The Emmys are Sunday, the fall season begins Sept. 19, and I'm on vacation preparing for that (and Faith in Film's return Sept. 21). This week I'll be offering my own version of the fall preview. Check back each day (save for Thursday, where movie reviews will appear as scheduled) for new subjects. Below is a schedule.

Monday — Returning Network Shows to check out
Tuesday — Returning Cable Shows to check out
Wednesday — New shows that could be good
Friday — Shows that need to improve during the 2011-12 season
Saturday — My picks for the best of the 2010-2011 season
Sunday — Emmy picks

So, without further ado, here's my picks of five returning Network Shows that I have high hopes for in the 2011-12 season.

1. Fringe — airs Fridays at 9p.m. on FOX. Starts Sept. 23
"Fringe" has been my favorite show on the air for the past two seasons. Now in its fourth season, "Fringe" just keeps getting better. It comes from executive producer J.J. Abrams, and has elements of his other shows, including "LOST." The acting is great. John Noble, Anna Torv, and Joshua Jackson (pictured above) are all worthy of Emmy consideration. The themes of the show are incredible, as is the intricate plots. I highly recommend catching up with the series on DVD and Blu-Ray.

2. Chuck — airs Fridays at 8p.m. on NBC. Starts Oct. 21
"Chuck" is a show that warmed my heart since it's been on the air. It's a great blend of comedy and action, and is one of the most fun shows on TV. After four great seasons, the plot of the show really got flipped last May. Now, "Chuck" has a final 13-episode season to say goodbye. If you haven't checked the show out, now's your chance to jump into this world.

3. Castle — airs Mondays at 10p.m. on ABC. Starts Sept. 21
This isn't your typical crime drama. Now in its fourth season, "Castle" is the rare show that just keeps getting better. The leads — Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic — have great chemistry, and the show has a nice blend of comedy and drama. It's not the deepest show, but one of the nice things is you can jump in at any time.

4. Bones — airs Thursdays at 9p.m. on FOX. Starts Nov. 3
"Bones" will get an abbreviated run this season (just 13 episodes), but it should be an action-packed season. After years of dramatic tension between the show's leads, their relationship evolved in a big way last season. "Bones" had the most shocking cliffhanger, and will likely expound on that as the new season picks up. The show has a great ensemble cast and a unique blend of humor and action. Again, this isn't your typical crime drama.

5. Criminal Minds — airs Wednesdays at 9p.m. on CBS. Starts Sept. 21
This veteran crime drama has a unique approach too. Though it has a darker tone, the show is enjoyable for the cerebral way it approaches crime solving. This season, the team is back intact as both AJ Cook and Padget Brewster return, which should make the show a little stronger. There are times when the plots can be tough to watch, but few shows give me as much to think about when considering the nature of humanity than "Criminal Minds."

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