Promising programming to entice viewers

NBC
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip": This Aaron Sorkin creation is the most prominent the new series. The "West Wing" creator brings Bradley Whitford from that series to his new show, along with Matthew Perry of "Friends" and Amanda Peet. It's about the turmoil and romance backstage at a network comedy sketch show."The Black Donnellys": A drama about four Irish mobsters in New York."Friday Night Lights": This drama is an adaptation of the popular book built around a Texas high school football team."Kidnapped": A thriller about the abduction of a rich New York teenager.
"Heroes": This drama is about a group of people with superhuman powers."30 Rock": The title is a reference to the network's Manhattan address at Rockefeller Center. Tina Fey, head writer of "Saturday Night Live," developed and will star in the series about the backstage world of a network comedy."Raines": A police drama starring Jeff Goldblum as a Los Angeles detective that will air after the football season ends."20 Good Years": A buddy comedy starring John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor who vow to live life as if each day is their last."Andy Barker, P.I.": Andy Richter tries again in the sitcom world, this time with old friend Conan O'Brien as co-writer. He plays an accountant mistaken for a private investigator who decides to do the new job in this midseason entry."The Singles Table": A midseason comedy built around a group of singles who are seated together at a wedding.
ABC
"Brothers & amp; Sisters": This drama stars Calista Flockhart and Rachel Griffiths as two members of a maladjusted family."Men in Trees": An hourlong comedy series that stars Anne Heche as a newly single relationship counselor who moves to Alaska, where she finds a large number of eligible men.
"The Nine": A drama that tracks the lives of nine people caught up in a hostage situation."Six Degrees": This drama from "Lost" executive producer J.J. Abrams is about six different New Yorkers who go through life not realizing the impact they have on each other."Traveler": This series is about friends who wind up suspects in a terrorist bombing."Betty the Ugly": A comedy about a plump, plain girl who tries to enter the world of high fashion."Big Day": A comedy described as a cross between "24" and "Father of the Bride," about a disastrous wedding day."Help Me Help You": A comedy starring Ted Danson as a self-help guru going through a mid-life crisis."In Case of Emergency": A comedy starring David Arquette about a group of high school friends that meet later under unpleasant circumstances."Notes From the Underbelly": A comedy about a couple about to have a baby."Let's Rob ...": This comedy features a group of small-time thieves who dream of stealing from a celebrity. Mick Jagger filled that role in the pilot episode.ABC will also offer reality series with Greg Behrendt, the author of "He's Just Not That Into You," offering relationship advice; "Just For Laughs," a hidden-camera series; and "Set for the Rest of Your Life," a game show reminiscent of "Deal or No Deal."
CBS
"Shark": James Woods portrays a defense attorney who becomes a prosecutor in this drama directed by Spike Lee."Smith": This drama starring Ray Liotta as a career criminal is produced by John Wells of "ER" and "The West Wing.""Jericho": A drama about a Kansas town whose residents wonder if they're the only survivors when they see a mushroom cloud on the horizon."The Class": CBS' only new comedy is from "Friends" writer David Crane and features a group of former third-grade classmates reunite in their 20s.
FOX
"Til Death": Brad Garrett, who took a year off from TV after playing the put-upon brother on "Everybody Loves Raymond," stars in this series as half of a long-married couple that tries not to let their cynicism infect the newlyweds next door."Vanished": Ming-Na of "ER" plays an FBI agent trying to solve a missing person case in this new serial."Standoff": This drama is about two FBI crisis negotiators who are a team professionally and romantically."Justice": This Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama is about a team of lawyers with an expertise in forensics."Happy Hour": This comedy is about a suddenly single youth in Chicago.Two shows will premiere in midseason: "The Winner," a comedy with Rob Corddry of "The Daily Show" playing a man who went through an extended adolescence, and "The Wedding Album," a drama that looks at marriage through the lens of a lothario wedding photographer."Duets": Simon Cowell is behind this limited-run series that will air twice a week in September. It will pair singing stars with non-musician celebrities who will compete performing duets."On the Lot": In this partnership between producer Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg, 16 aspiring filmmakers compete producing short films. Airing in the spring.
"Til Death": Brad Garrett, who took a year off from TV after playing the put-upon brother on "Everybody Loves Raymond," stars in this series as half of a long-married couple that tries not to let their cynicism infect the newlyweds next door."Vanished": Ming-Na of "ER" plays an FBI agent trying to solve a missing person case in this new serial."Standoff": This drama is about two FBI crisis negotiators who are a team professionally and romantically."Justice": This Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama is about a team of lawyers with an expertise in forensics."Happy Hour": This comedy is about a suddenly single youth in Chicago.Two shows will premiere in midseason: "The Winner," a comedy with Rob Corddry of "The Daily Show" playing a man who went through an extended adolescence, and "The Wedding Album," a drama that looks at marriage through the lens of a lothario wedding photographer."Duets": Simon Cowell is behind this limited-run series that will air twice a week in September. It will pair singing stars with non-musician celebrities who will compete performing duets."On the Lot": In this partnership between producer Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg, 16 aspiring filmmakers compete producing short films. Airing in the spring.
Fox is also premiering a late-night talk show on Saturday nights with Spike Feresten, a writer who worked on "Seinfeld" and David Letterman's "Late Show."
THE CW
"7th Heaven": Two weeks after its supposed series finale, the family drama "7th Heaven" was revived as part of the first schedule by the fledgling CW network, which combines programming from the WB and UPN.
"Runaway": This drama starring Donnie Wahlberg is about a family that establishes a new identity when its father is falsely accused of murder."The Game": This comedy is about the wives and girlfriends of National Football League players.