One of my favorite bloggers, Jace over at Televisionary, is asking a question of his reader: what shows are you excited for come this fall? In an season when costs are being cut left and right, less broadcast originals will be on the air than ever before, and frakkin' Jay Leno is being given five hours a week to waddle around sharing his same dull, tame observations, what am I looking forward to? Let me say, first off, that I watch a ridiculous amount of TV, but these are really the ones I'm salivating over.

New Blood

V

 Pretty much as a rule I'll follow up on anything with Whedonverse alums (V has Alan Tudyk and Morena Baccarin, Firefly's pilot and registered companion, fyi). The trailers look thrilling, and the last reboot of a lame 80's sci fi show gave us four of the best seasons of television the world has ever seen. Let's hope ABC pulls off another Lost here, not a Defying Gravity. 

 Glee

Enough people have seen Glee's pilot via Hulu (a great idea, btw, Fox. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut) that people are already split over this. But every pilot has problems, but this show has the soul of a winner. People keep saying that creator Ryan Murphy will turn this into his last show, Nip/Tuck, but this seems to be a unique creative vision. And hey, I liked Nip/Tuck.

Community

The only footage from the upfronts that actually made me laugh. Joel McHale, who rocks the box on E's The Soup, plus Chevy Chase, back on the radar after a villainous stint on the last season of Chuck. Plus a setting that gets us out of offices, apartments, etc. What could go wrong? Oh, wait. It's on NBC. 

 Modern Family

I can count on one hand the number of family dramas I even consider watchable. So why am I interested? Because of this spoiler, released by ABC. This suddenly looks more Arrested Development, less "Friend Plus Kidz!"  

Returning Favorites This Fall

30 Rock

All those Emmy's don't lie (twist!) but this show is a rockstar. Last season wasn't as great, but still gave us plenty of perfect episodes . "Larry King," "Reunion" and "Gavin Volure," featuring Steve Martin in the sort of role we love him in (i.e. not Inspecteur Clouseau). And what can I say? I have a girl crush on Tina Fey.

Supernatural

As a rule, nets like the CW always have at least one truly great show, and it's a pity no one is watching this. Sure, it started off as an X-Files ripoff, but it quickly became a thoughtful tribute to Americana and to family. It can be scary, funny, and super meta. The show also takes a deeper look at religion then anything else on TV, and creates a morally complex and fascinating universe. Seriously people, start watching. This is the final season.

 CSI

Yes, I'm outing myself. I'm sorry, but this is often just great television. It suffer mightily last year with the departure of William Peterson, whose romance with the also departed Jorja Fox provided the small beating heart of the dreary procedural. Putting the excellent Laurence Fishburn in was a smart move, but he lacked Peterson's warmth. But hey! Fishburn's gettin a rewrite and Sarah Sidle is back. Yes, I'm tuning back in... 

Wait for it.... Wait for it (not really fall, but coming soon!)

 Dr. Who - The Waters of Mars (November)

I'm a recent Who convert, but after seeing producer Russell T. Davies absolutely mindblowing Torchwood: Children of Earth recently, I can't wait to see what he's going to do next. David Tenannt only has three more specials left as the Doctor before we meet our next last of the Time Lords, Matt Smith. Not to be missed.  

Caprica (January 22)

It's not going to be BSG, but it looks like it could be something special in it's own right. And with all the guest starts they're snagging -- James Marsters? Patton Oswalt? -- you're kind of obliged to watch. 

Lost (February ???)

Last season, a lot of those pieces began moving into place, and we were willing to forgive all that polar bear cage sex. It's clearly building to something big -- many, many people whose characters seemed gone for good have announced they'll be making appearances, which makes sense. The show essentially pushed a giant reset button last season. With time running out, anything can happen. 

Not Really That Psyched For (but I'll watch):

Eastwick, Flash Foward, Day One, The Office, Fringe, The Good Wife, Castle, Dollhouse, Dexter, any of the new cops'n'docs shows everyone is cramming into the schedule

Show's I'm Dreading:

 Vampire Diaries, Heroes, House, The Jay Leno Experience, Hank, NBC's continued, failing efforts at reality programming.