I’ve been digging around for information about the Fall TV schedule - what’s new, what’s good, and when does it all begin.  It wasn’t trivial finding decent sources of information that contained Canadian content.

First things first - for those of you who are in the Toronto area and are using Media Center you should be aware of some new channels available in high definition using just your antenna.  I plan to stop using the Buffalo channels now that the locals are pretty much all up and running (although most of them still come in nicely too).  With my antenna pointed at Toronto permanently, here are the local channels that are coming in with rock solid high-definition:

• Global TV (finally!)
• CTV
• City
• CBC
• E! (aka CH Television)
• SunTV
• Omni 1
• Omni 2

Now on with the programming.  I’ve stumbled across a site with a very nice day-by-day table of the network schedules, click here to go to their grid view.  They also have a nice sortable listing of the premiere dates and times broken out by channel, click here to go to their premiere dates.

Here’s what I’ll personally be watching for this fall, in chronological order:

Prison Break (Sept 1 on Global) - They’re dragging the premise out pretty far on this one, but it’s the first major drama to get back on the air so I’ll probably get hooked out of sheer need for new content.

Fringe (Sept 9 on CTV) - Give me a science fiction drama with what appears to be decent investment, and I’ll give it at least a few episodes.  This one could take over where X-Files left off, which I know is a good reason for many people including my wife to not watch it.

Til Death (Sept 10 on Global) - I get a kick out of Til Death as they probe into the reality gap that exists between newlyweds and a couple who has been married for many years.

House (Sept 16 on Global) - Jodie hasn’t gotten into House much, and I’m told by at least one real doctor that it is s frustratingly fake show.  But I just like it, and House is one of those TV shows that I take with me on plane trips to catch up on.

Survivor (Sept 18 on Global) - Keeping with the tradition of the last five years or so of Survivor, I will not be watching it.  However Jodie will be tuned in diligently every week, and I might catch an episode or two to see how it looks in high definition.  That’s their thing this year, it’s finally being filmed in HD.

Heroes (Sept 22 on Global) - Heroes has a tendency to move slowly, but otherwise is a very well put together sci-fi drama.  Too bad it was only a half-season last year, but I’m looking forward to its return.

Big Bang Theory (Sept 22 on CBS) - No Canadian network picked this up?  I’m surprised, as this is a fun and cute comedy that Jodie and I have grown to enjoy.  That said, if it ends up getting canceled I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. 

Two and a Half Men (Sept 22 on CBS) - Airs on A channel in Toronto, which is actually in Barrie so I’ll need to get it from the CBS feed.  Best sitcom on television, period.

NCIS (Sept 23 on CBS) - As many of the other cop shows have fallen out of favour in our household, NCIS has gained steam in the last two years.  Good balance of story and character development.

The Mentalist (Sept 24 on CBS) - This one has had some interesting/fun promos, so I’ll probably give it at least a couple of episodes.

Grey’s Anatomy (Sept 25 on CTV) - I’m still lukewarm on Grey’s Anatomy, but it’s one of the shows that Jodie convinced me to watch and it’s good enough that I keep watching it.  Doesn’t require much introduction, most people already know about this medical drama slash primetime soap.

My Name Is Earl (Sept 25 on E!) - I’m not much into sitcoms, but My Name Is Earl is really well done and “white-trashy cute”.  Been watching since it first started and not about to stop now.

The Office (Sept 25 on Global) - I had a hard time getting turned on to this series, but it’s now on my “record it and take it on the plane” list.  It’s really witty, but not enough so that I watch it regularly.

Ugly Betty (Sept 25 on CITY) - Ugly Betty is a fun show that defies description.  It is romantic drama that is produced tongue in cheek like a Mexican soap opera.  It is really silly, but intentionally so and neither the show nor any of its characters take themselves too seriously.

Desperate Housewives (Sept 28 on CTV) - This is another one that requires no introduction, everyone knows what Desperate Housewives is and either loves it or hates it.

Family Guy (Sept 28 on Global) - Not much from the adult animated comedy category is still on my list, but I can’t stop loving Family Guy.  It’s on my “watch it on the plane” list as well, mostly because Jodie can’t stand it.

The Unit (Sept 28 on CBS) - I barely made it through season one of The Unit, where they were trying way too hard to make it about the army wives.  They’ve since found a balance between really compelling special ops missions with just a little bit of army home life to humanize the characters.  This is a Pete-only show, Jodie’s not a fan.

Pushing Daisies (Oct 1 on ABC) - Pushing Daisies is the best new show from last year, but I don’t feel like it ever found an audience.  It looks beautiful, the writing is fast-paced and smart, and the premise wonderfully quirky.  How does one describe this show - about the best I can get is lighthearted mystery slash comedy.  It might get cancelled, and if it does I’ll hold a candlelight vigil.  Video below since I have a vested interest in getting more people to watch so it stays on the air.

Private Practice (Oct 1 on ABC) - This Grey’s Anatomy spinoff barely even started before the writer’s strike killed it.  I didn’t particularly like it, but will probably watch a couple episodes again before permanently taking it out of the schedule. 

The Ex List (Oct 3 on Global) - This could be interesting, basically a woman who is told by a psychic that her soulmate is someone she’s already dated.  She then goes back into her past to try to find her husband amongst all her old conquests.  I feel terrible to say this, but there’s something about the lead actress that I just can’t stand (nor could I when she was a bit character on Grey’s Anatomy).  I’ll give it a try.

Corner Gas (Oct 6 on CTV) - I really like Corner Gas in all of its cheesy Canadian comedy goodness.  Jodie however not so much, so this goes on my media player for watching on the plane.

CSI (Oct 9 on CTV) - Best drama on TV, and the trailer for this upcoming season has already got me on the edge of my seat.

My Own Worst Enemy (Oct 13 on Global) - I haven’t seen much about this, but it has some big names so I’ll probably watch.

Notably absent are several shows that I used to watch at one point in time, but now have fallen out of favour:

• Anything with a colon in the name (CSI: Miami, Law & Order: SVU, etc)
• Animated stuff that used to be good but is no longer funny (Simpsons, King of the Hill, American Dad)
• Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles - I watched this in its first season and it was a struggle to stay engaged.  So long Sarah!
• Chuck - You’d think I’d be the target audience for Chuck, but no.
• Knight Rider - Wow, talk about your bad pilots

There are several shows that will be starting mid-season including many that I’ll be eagerly awaiting:

• Scrubs
• 24
• Hell’s Kitchen