Entertainment, TV, Television - Navy Times

Fall TV dramas offer substance and style

Heading into the new season, TV dramas face the best and worst of times.

The good news: They have more substance and style than ever. “There’s arguably more creative latitude. ... It just feels very, very liberating and creatively free,” says Kevin Reilly, the Fox network’s programming chief.

And the bad: Many of them were rushed, post-strike. Final episodes have been scarce.

Here’s a roundup of network shows:

• “The Mentalist”

Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) once claimed to be a psychic. He was a fake, he admits; he’s just a good observer.

Now he uses that skill on police cases. He brings a confidence that can add humor one moment, drama the next.

(9 p.m. Tuesdays, CBS; debuts Sept. 23)

• “Fringe”

Creepy, other-worldly things are happening. An FBI agent (Anna Torv) tries to learn why.

To get there, she needs a troubled scientist (John Noble) and his estranged son (Joshua Jackson). This is a dark story, but it shows the brilliant writing and direction we expect from J.J. Abrams, the “Lost” and “Alias” producer.

(Tuesdays, Fox; usually 9 p.m., but debuts 8 p.m. Sept. 9)

• “Privileged”

Anyone who has seen “The Devil Wears Prada” or “Nanny Diaries” knows the turf.

A young Yale grad (Joanna Garcia) has lots of debts and no job. She becomes an underling in the world of the wealthy.

In this case, she’s the tutor for two teen girls. Garcia is terrific in an hour that skips nimbly between humor and some complex relationships.

(9 p.m. Tuesdays, CW, Sept. 9)

• “The Ex List”

Single and in her 30s, the beautiful Bella (Elizabeth Reaser) gets a news flash from a psychic: One of her ex-boyfriends is her intended mate; she must find him within the year.

The result is filled with pretty faces, pretty places and lithe bodies. The opener, however, lacks a good story.

(9 p.m. Fridays, CBS, Oct. 3)

• “Knight Rider”

Mike Traceur has learned he’s the son of Michael Knight. Now he’s supposed to drive the improved version of KITT, a talking, thinking super-car.

The pilot film had a so-so story, but lots of action.

(8 p.m. Wednesdays, NBC, Sept. 24)

• “90210”

We’re back to West Beverly High School, where “Beverly Hills, 90210” was based.

Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) is still there, now the guidance counselor. Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) will pop in for four episodes.

Still, this is mainly about the newcomers. We meet lots of beautiful rich kids, plus a sturdy principal — fresh from Kansas, no less — and his own teens.

(8 p.m. Tuesdays, CW, Sept. 2)

• “Life on Mars”

A tough, nowadays cop (Jason O’Mara) suddenly wakes up in the 1970s. Now he solves cases with less technical help and fewer restrictions; he also tries to figure out how this happened. It sounds daft, but the British version works well.

(10 p.m. Thursdays, ABC; debuts Oct. 9)

• “Eleventh Hour”

An intense biophysicist (Rufus Sewell) is also clever at catching crooks. He’s working with an FBI agent to crack science-related cases.

(10 p.m. Thursdays, CBS, Oct. 9)

• “My Own Worst Enemy”

Henry (Christian Slater) is a mild-mannered suburban dad who doesn’t know he has an alternate persona. As Edward, he speaks 12 languages and has been trained to kill.

(10 p.m. Mondays, NBC, Oct. 13)

• “Crusoe”

Here’s a modern variation on Robinson Crusoe. He and Friday are stranded on an island, facing fierce weather, wild animals, cannibals and militia.

(8 p.m. Fridays, NBC; Oct. 17)

Also: “Easy Money” is part of the odd line-up in which an outside company uses CW’s time on Sundays. This one debuts at 9 p.m. Sept. 21, with Laurie Metcalf as the head of an eccentric family running Prestige Payday Loans.