Networks launch a modest fall TV lineup, led by Jay Leno in prime time

The 2009-10 network television season will begin to unfold in a few days. Freshman shows on the five networks will be mixed with returning drama, comedy, reality and news programs that have survived another year.

The new year offers little promise, with only 21 new shows (a third of those are on ABC). A decade ago, 38 new shows were on the 1999-2000 schedule (when there were six networks).

Unlike past years, the upcoming schedule doesn't have one standout new show — like an "NYPD Blue" or "Lost" — that is sure to be a hit. The series that comes the closest to that breakout status is Fox's "Glee." While that show is a favorite of critics, it doesn't mean the quirky musical will draw viewers.

Here's a list of what's new, day by day:

Monday

"The Jay Leno Show" airs at 10 weeknights on NBC starting Sept. 14, with Jerry Seinfeld as Leno's first guest and Jay-Z performing with Rihanna and Kanye West. Some industry observers call the move to 10 risky, because NBC will sacrifice five important hours of prime time weekly. But if Leno draws a large audience, it'll be declared smart programming, and if ratings are low, the show costs so little to produce it will be a bonus for NBC: A win either way.

Another relatively sure thing:"Accidentally on Purpose," Jenna Elfman's fourth sitcom in 13 years, airing 8:30 on CBS (Sept. 21). As befits an actress who has aged before our eyes, she'll play a cougar who beds a slacker (Jon Foster), who promptly knocks her up. It's a perfect fit in the network's edgy-safe comedy lineup.

"Lie to Me" returns for its first full season at 9 on Fox (Sept. 28), with three writers from "The Shield" recently added to the staff.

Also making its debut is emergency-response drama "Trauma" on NBC (Sept. 28), from "Friday Night Lights" producer Peter Berg.

Tuesday

"NCIS: Los Angeles," airing in the post-"NCIS" time period of 9 on CBS (Sept. 22), can't lose. In fact, the LL Cool J-Chris O'Donnell undercover series could put a scare into Fox's "American Idol" this winter.

"The Good Wife" follows at 10 (Sept. 22), starring Julianna Margulies as a smart, loyal spouse to a powerful pol who has an Eliot Spitzer-like fall from grace. With Chris Noth as the hubby, "Good Wife" should get some DVR love, which CBS will need in this tough time slot.

"The Forgotten," with amateurs solving murders of John and Jane Doe victims, airs at 10 on ABC (Sept. 22). It has megaproducer Jerry Bruckheimer's stamp on it, but that might not stop it from being rolled by the second season of "Sons of Anarchy" on FX (this Tuesday).

In reality, Fox's summer hit "So You Think You Can Dance" gets a September call-up and will move into its 8 p.m. Tuesday slot sometime after its season premiere on this Wednesday. Meanwhile, ABC's "Shark Tank" at 8 (Sept. 29) asks whether we want to watch entrepreneurs get their ideas shot down by angel investors. Answer: Probably not.

CW's "90210" is joined by a new "Melrose Place" at 9 p.m. this Tuesday. Thomas Calabro will revive his role as Doc Mancini, and as for the return of Laura Leighton as Sydney, let's just say it's calculated to leave viewers feeling déjà vu.

Wednesday

Networks are pairing up shows two by two on this night. Fox's "Glee," from "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy, passed its audition with viewers this spring. It returns at 9 smartly teamed up with the "Dance" results show at 8 (both begin this Wednesday).

Likewise, NBC has "Mercy" at 8 followed by "SVU" at its new time of 9 (Sept. 23) — two flawed female leads. Taylor Schilling plays an ex-military nurse with PTSD, which would go great with Mariska Hargitay's "SVU" character ... except the "Mercy" pilot was awful.

ABC will re-pair Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton on Sept. 30, Grammer as an out-of-work CEO in "Hank" at 8 and Heaton as a Midwestern mom in "The Middle" at 8:30. Sadly, both look even less at ease than when they did that Fox sitcom together.

In happier news, ABC's "Modern Family" at 9, premiering Sept. 23, has a hilarious pilot, and its web of interconnected couples will add new wrinkles to a shopworn format. Also likeable is its 9:30 partner, "Cougar Town," from "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence, starring Courteney Cox as a divorcee trying to get her groove back.

Premiering that night on ABC is "Eastwick" at 10, a cross between the John Updike novel "Witches of Eastwick" and "Ugly Betty."

The CW teams up "Top Model" (8 p.m. this Wednesday) with a teen soap about models, "The Beautiful Life" (9 p.m. Sept. 16), in which Mischa Barton is typecast as a troubled beauty, just like her roles in "The O.C." and the tabloids.

Thursday

Possibly the most talked-about new series of the season, "Flash Forward," premieres at 8 on ABC (Sept. 24). What sci-fi buff hasn't imagined what it would be like if the whole world just lost consciousness, en masse? The pilot will remind you a bit of "Lost," minus the exotic setting.

Over on the CW, the fantasy angle is a bit less imaginative as "The Vampire Diaries," based on the 1990s teen novels, adds to an already cluttered genre at 8. It's paired with "Supernatural" at 9 starting this Thursday.

NBC has recharged its Thursday comedy lineup with "Community," starring Joel McHale, Chevy Chase and John Oliver as people who have no business being at a community college. That's at 9:30 beginning Sept. 17; it'll move to 8 later in the season.

Friday

Three long-running series seemingly on their last legs move to Friday, where so many shows have gone to die. "Medium," which CBS produced for NBC, comes to CBS at 9 now that NBC has given up on it (season premiere Sept. 25).

"Law & Order" on NBC is starting its historic 20th season, tying "Gunsmoke" for longest-running TV drama, at 8 (Sept. 25).

And ABC's "Ugly Betty" has been bumped from Thursday to 9 on Friday beginning Oct. 9.

The night's one new show, "Brothers" at 8 on Fox (Sept. 25), pairs ex-NFL Michael Strahan and "Chill" Mitchell as siblings whose rivalry is mediated by none other than CCH Pounder. It's not awful. Is that good enough?

Weekend

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" returns to HBO at 9 on Sunday (Sept. 20), followed by the very funny new "Bored to Death" at 9:30 (Sept. 20), starring Jason Schwartzman as a frustrated author who becomes an amateur gumshoe. Ted Danson as the boss and Zach Galifianakis as the best bud just add to the silliness.

CBS' latest hospital drama, "Three Rivers," is set at an organ-transplant center, and there must be some fat profit margins in those hearts and lungs because this is the most pimped-out medical facility we've ever seen. It airs, something tells us very briefly, at 9 on Sundays starting Oct. 4.