O Wise Oracle's Top Fall TV Picks

I’ve been called the All-Wise-Oracle of All Things Media and Showbiz and more recently and less poetically, a tv-obsessed freak. I prefer the former, but at the end of the day I guess they are the same :)

I feel like there are more new shows premiering this fall – more good new shows. And since time is precious, and well space on the dvr is also precious, here are my five top picks for the season. Plus a few toss-ups, and the premier dates of my old favorites.

O Wise Oracle's Top 5 New Show Picks:


5. Gossip Girl — I know. I know. Super rich Upper East Side, glamour-soaked, alcohol-filled teens. It’s a guilty pleasure :) So it’s the new O.C., and it was also created by the hilarious O.C. creator, Josh Schwartz. And beyond the soapy exterior lurks an appealing and attractive cast (I don’t know if my Seth Cohen can be replaced, but we will see the adorable Bee from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and a voiceover from Veronica Mar.) and an immensely popular book series from which any number of tantalizing stories can be drawn. You be the judge this Wednesday at 9 p.m. on The CW.

4. Chuck — This is the second buzzworthy show from Josh Schwartz this fall. And if you hate that I even recommended Gossip Girls, keep reading, this one from Josh is completely different . . . and funny. Think nerd meets James Bond - Zachary Levi (probably soon to be on my future husband list) is Chuck, a slacker computer guy who unwittingly becomes a key national security operative after the world's spy secrets are downloaded into his brain. A great mix of espionage and laughs. Check it out next Monday, September 24 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

3. Private Practice — When Kate Walsh showed up in the first season of Grey’s, she was only suppose to stick around for a few episodes. And then Addison changed from the adulterous biotch to a fan favorite. Then two seasons of Grey’s later the spin-off rumors. And now for the past four months everyone has been ripping the two-hour enhanced Grey’s/Private Practice pilot to shreds, and now critics who have seen the first episode aren’t being much nicer. I don’t know why I want this show to succeed so much. Maybe it’s my love of the sassy, complicated and gorgeous Addison; maybe it’s my love of Piz from VM (Chris Lowell) who is the shirtless, surfer Dell (and yes, maybe KZ and I have watched that scene a few times). Only time will tell. Addison ditches Seattle for LA on Wednesday, September 26 at 9 p.m. on ABC.

2. Dirty Sexy Money — What’s not to love about dirty, sexy money? There has been tons of viral advertising and buzz for this show, and the critics love the pilot episode. Meet the Darling family – rich and a little deranged. Then, meet Nick George –the son of the Darling family lackey/lawyer for the past 30 years. Daddy just died and now Nick is coaxed into replacing him as the family's defender and protector. It’s a train wreck between the Kennedys and Paris Hilton. I have a feeling this will be a provocative, addictive dramedy. Tune in Wednesday, September 26 at 10 p.m. on ABC.

1. Pushing Daisies – This has to be my favorite show I’ve never seen :) Every critic is gushing over it - oh, and they say it has an immensely quotable script – which I love! It’s about a handsome pie maker, Ned, who can bring the dead back to life with one touch – however, if he touches the undead a second time, they die for good. The hitch? The love of his life just so happens to be a girl of the formerly dead persuasion—which sets up one of the most achingly romantic dynamics imaginable. Hopefully it will survive all of the overhype! Enjoy it starting Wednesday, October 3 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

O Wise Oracle's Big Question Mark:

?. Moonlight — "Moonlight" had me at Logan Echolls (I mean Jason Dohring). But since the pilot was show to advertisers and media last spring, it has been completely changed and recast – so it’s a toss-up in the truest sense of the word since no one has seen it. It’s vampires trying to do good. It could be a totally cheesy mix of vampire myth and cop drama, and its on Friday night so clearly it’s not suppose to be award winning. But then again, I did just fall in love with Edward from Twilight. So this will earn a spot on my dvr, and we'll see. It premiers Friday, September 28 at 9 p.m. on CBS.

And here are three more that sound good but I just don’t think will make the cut:

Samantha Who? (Monday, October 15 at 9:30 p.m. on ABC) – looks adorable, but time, I have no more time
Big Shots (Thursday, September 27 at 10 p.m. on ABC) – Michael Vartan back on TV, and VM creator Rob Thomas has just signed on to co-produce the series. I’ve heard the pilot is horrible, but it’s on right after Grey’s so who knows, maybe on slow nights I’ll stay tuned.
Bionic Woman (Wednesday, September 26 at 9 p.m. on NBC) – Tons and tons of buzz, but I just don’t think it’s me.

And of course, the shows I’m so excited are coming back:

How I Met Your Mother – Monday, September 24 on CBS
The Office – Thursday, September 27 at 9 p.m. on NBC
Grey’s Anatomy – Thursday, September 27 at 9 p.m. on ABC
Friday Night Lights – Friday, October 5 at 9 p.m. on NBC

See, WAY, WAY too many shows. And I've never watched shows on Wednesday, but now it's looking like it's going to be as big of a TV night as Thursday.

So are you going to come join me on my couch? What show are you most excited for?