Nashville - ABC

If you love Country music you might like 'Nashville.'  I don't and I didn't.

Connie Britton plays a Country music legend in the twilight of her career.  Hayden Panettiere's character is the new cross-over queen filling concert halls and unseeding the Country queen.  Thus starts the twangy cat fights and hard-to-believe view of the ugly side of the Country music business.

It's Glee meets Dallas.  My ears were bleeding and I wanted to drop the TV out the window.  But I endured to the end and shockingly it had a pretty good finish that might make an interesting storyline later on.

CBS 2012 Pilots

Over the last few years CBS has been able to do no wrong.  Maybe this has made them lose their edge, or their creativity because of the four pilots seen and reported on here, this is CBS's worst year for new shows in a long time.

Best:  Elementary
Worst:  Partners

Overall Grade:  C+

Jersey - CBS

The Nanny meets LA Law.  OK, that's a little harsh because the Jersey girl is actually a very lovable character.

Martina just happens to have the Fran Drescher hair and Jersey accent, but luckily not the nasal tone or annoying laugh.  Instead she is a street wise Jersey girl with a new job at an upscale Manhattan law firm.  Predictably she is underrated yet ends up saving the client in court like no one else could.

CBS is running Jersey on Friday night which means they don't think it's going to be a hit.  And it is a long shot.  But give this girl a chance and you will have a new show to enjoy on date night.  For a drama it's easy watching: predictable, cute, happy ending.

You have to fall in love with Martina to like Jersey.  Will viewers devote a full hour of their lives to find out?

Vegas - CBS

Cowboys and Gangsters.  The advertising world is predicting 'Vegas' to be one of the big new hits of 2012, I was bored.

I admit it's an interesting premise, Las Vegas in 1960 and the mix of mobsters and the old west.  Who doesn't love Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis?  But I just don't buy Quaid as the tough old west Sheriff.  It's a role built for Clint Eastwood of yesteryear, not so much the nice guy Quaid trying too hard to be tough guy.

In the end it's another period piece, unfortunately much more like Pan Am than Mad Men.  Vegas' only hope is it's extremely strong lead in on Tuesday nights with the NCIS's.  Maybe viewers will just assume it's a good show because of the company it keeps.  My prediction is that it will die a long slow death and give CBS an excuse to bring Unforgettable back a few months early.

Partners - CBS

Speaking of formula TV, Partners is the reincarnated Will & Grace, but not nearly as funny.

Just when you think CBS can do no wrong they come out with another gay comedy with canned laughter... extra heavy on the canned.

I think the plot has something to do with the relationship between two best friends and business partners, one gay, one straight.  One of them is getting engaged and the other has another kind of partner.

The last line of dialogue in the pilot sums it up, "I think we just need to realize that there are 4 people at this table, but 3 couples."  Get it??

Partners has no great characters, no big laughs, and no chance for survival.  CBS can provide it with a big lead-in and lots of promotion, but it will still need a defib by week 3.  Let's hope it dies a quick painless death.

Elementary - CBS

CBS is playing it safe this year with formula tv shows.  The first one is 'Elementary.'  Think of a cross between Monk, Castle, Mentalist and Unforgettable - cop consultants all.

The newest consultant that the NYPD can't do without is none other than the modern Sherlock Holmes.  This Sherlock is straight out of rehab and even has a side kick sober-coach Dr. Watson, played by Lucy Liu.

Sounds like a formula for success and it's not a bad show either.  The pilot was entertaining, fast paced and clever.  Unfortunately this new Sherlock is 100% nervous energy and got on my nerves after a few minutes.  And Lucy Liu?  She didn't beat up anybody which seems like a waste of talent.

Elementary should pull good ratings the first couple of weeks.  The only question is will they get viewers hooked before they get too annoyed with this Sherlock.  I will be the latter.

Great list from Media Life, Fall 2012 TV by the numbers.

21 -- new shows on the Big Five's schedule this fall

27 -- new shows on the Big Five's schedule last fall

12 -- new dramas on the Big Five's schedule this fall

14 -- new dramas on the Big Five's schedule last fall

9 -- new comedies on the Big Five's schedule this fall

13 -- new comedies on the Big Five's schedule last fall

22 -- returning shows that switched time slots

5 -- broadcast network presidents who took shots at Ad Hop, Dish Network's new ad-skipping DVR device

16 -- first-year shows that were renewed this season

6 -- first-year shows that were renewed this season that air on ABC

6.4 million -- views for the preview trailer for NBC's "Revolution" on YouTube

4 -- new hours of comedy on the fall schedules, divided between ABC, Fox and NBC

6 -- comedies airing in the 9 p.m. Tuesday hour this fall

2 -- comedies that aired in the 9 p.m. Tuesday hour last fall

10 -- comedies on NBC this fall, the most for any network in years

1 -- new ratings systems being pursued by a broadcast network (the CW, which is investigating a way to marry TV ratings with online)

2 -- CW shows that now have "Diaries" in the title ("The Vampire Diaries," "The Carrie Diaries")

3 -- shows Matthew Perry has now headlined in the eight years since "Friends" ended

6 --"CSI" and "Law & Order" shows on TV three years ago

3 --"CSI" and "Law & Order" shows on TV this fall

2 -- "Beauty and the Beast"-based pilots in contention for fall (for the CW and ABC)

1 -- "Beauty and the Beast" shows that will make it on the air (for the CW)

0 -- comedies airing on Friday last year

4 -- comedies airing on Friday this fall

2 --new shows that co-star an animal ("Animal Practice," "Beauty and the Beast")

1 -- new shows that co-star aliens ("The Neighbors")

5 -- rank in adults 18-49 of Univision, the network that made the first upfront advertising deal last week

1 -- original shows scheduled for Saturday last year

0 -- original shows scheduled for Saturday this year

Once Upon A Time - ABC

Snow White, Prince Charming, Seven Dwarfs, Wicked Witch, Rumplestilskin, Jimminy Cricket, Ghepetto, they're all alive and well in ABC's new Sunday night family show.

Once Upon A Time brings the fairy tale world to life in our world in a town near Boston called "Storybrook." But what happens if you go there and get stuck in a story?

'Once' pits good vs. evil in a show that I didn't like but your kids should. Against tough competition it won't pull great ratings, in fact ABC may be disappointed that it won't do what Extreme Home Makeover did... and there will be less money in product placement sponsors.

Oh well, pop some corn, sit down with the kids and spend some family time Sundays at 8:00.

Charlie's Angels - ABC

I really wanted the new Charlie's Angels to be a great show... but ABC continues to disappoint this season.

Yes, there are beautiful new Angels and a new young Bosley that is quite a ladies man in his own right. Yes, the new Angels and Bosley can really kick some karate butt. But the acting is terrible and the story line is weak.

Bottom line, if you want to turn off your brain and watch a very updated version of Angels, you will enjoy this show. Will it pull great ratings? No. But ABC doesn't have a good enough back up to replace it before year's end so plan on a no-brainer to start off your Thursday night viewing. And oh ya, the pilot was one of the few this season clean enough to watch with the kids.

Man Up - ABC

Not so manly modern men that want to be manly like their fathers. Sounds funny, right?

It's the only comedy in the 8:00p Tuesday night slot, but against NCIS, Loser and Glee it doesn't stand a chance. And oh ya, it's more pathetic than funny.

Apartment 23 - ABC

"I slept with your fiance on your birthday cake." That is a quote from the show that sums it up as a trusting Midwestern girl gets a rude awakening in the big city with a con-girl roomie.

In a year of bad pilots, this is among the worst. Oh, it won't air until Spring... then it will be among the worst of 2012.

Revenge - ABC

Do you ever wonder what it would feel like to be a bad ass and get true, premeditated revenge against someone who has hurt you? Welcome to Revenge!

Revenge is a show about a young woman who spends the summer in the Hamptons to get revenge on the people who destroyed her father. It starts off looking like another prime time soap, but then surprisingly, it gets pretty good as you cheer on Emily in her quest for revenge.

Confucius said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Will her vengeance finally get the best of Emily, or will she get the best of the those who wronged her family? I will be watching episode #2 to find out.

Slated for Wednesday nights up against tough competition in CSI and L&O SVU, the only question is will anyone watch. I hope so because Revenge just might be my new guilty pleasure.

Pan Am - ABC

Where were you in 1963? If you spent any time in the air you will feel like you have gone back in time watching Pan Am.

But that's where the coolness of Pan Am ends. In Pan Am we follow beautiful Stewardesses (they weren't called flight attendants back then) as they enter the jet age... and the cold war age. Here is how ABC describes their new drama, "In their individual quests for adventure, the Pan Am crew face both opportunity and peril, as they juggle their lives, their loves, their hopes and dreams while flying around the world to glamorous international cities like Paris, Berlin, Jakarta and Monte Carlo. Welcome aboard, and fasten your seat belts... Adventure awaits!"

Sounds exciting, but it's not. If you want to relive a little of the golden age of flying when we had "Champagne Service" instead of the current cattle car mentality, go ahead and spend a few minutes watching the pilot of Pan Am. And if you're anything like me, you won't be around for the second episode.

Prediction: Pan Am lasts a month, then is replaced with Good Christian Belles.

Good Christian Belles - ABC

Why is it that prime time soaps have to be based in Dallas? Why is it that we have to have prime soaps at all?

GCB, Good Christian Belles is based on the book Good Christian Bitches... makes sense to change the B word to Belles so that we don't have another *&%&*#@$ My Dad Says.

Amanda was the mean beautiful girl from high school that the boys loved and the girls hated. Now 20 years later her life and marriage have fallen apart and she is forced to move back home with her rich Mom in Dallas.

Actually the soap part of GCB is over rated and this is actually a mild drama with some very funny moments. Amanda is now nice, but the old haters want revenge. Everything is based around church and a scriptural excuse can always be found for a well deserved act of meanness. Throw in the kids fresh from LA to Dallas and there are some likeable characters.

ABC must not have much faith in this program because it isn't even listed on their fall or mid-season schedules anywhere. If I were ABC's program director I would run it right after Desperate Housewives - it's the same audience. Only one problem with that scenario, ABC is running their new drama Pan Am Sunday nights after Housewives.

No worries, Pan Am will only last a month, then GCB can drop right in that slot. And with no other replacements in the pipeline Belles should last the rest of the year.

The X Factor - FOX

They're baaaaack...

What can I say about The X Factor? The network isn't letting anyone see the pilot, but everyone knows what it will be like and it is expected to earn huge ratings.

If you like Simon & Paula you will be watching. If you're just curious what all the hype is about, you'll at least watch the first episode.

The only question is how tired are Americans of singing competitions? Based on how well The Voice did this summer, we're ready for more. Well, my teenagers will be watching, but I'll be doing anything else I can think of.

Alcatraz - FOX

One of the ways I judge a new program is by how much I am looking forward to seeing episode two and three. Alcatraz falls into this category.

In 1963 the Alcatraz prison was closed and the prisoners and guards were moved to other facilities. Or were they? The premise of Alcatraz is that all 300 of these people disappeared into thin air and now, nearly 50 years later, they are returning one at a time.

Of course if bad guys are secretly and mysteriously returning, a special law enforcement agency is needed to capture and put them away. But it must be done quietly and even the new prison facility must be kept under wraps.

I can't wait to see the next episode of Alcatraz. This is a program with the depth to make a great long running series. Unfortunately it's not scheduled to start until mid-season.

FOX is in an enviable position in which they can shelve a program this good and bring it out whenever they need it. But if FOX were to listen to my advice it would kill Kitchen Nightmares and put Alcatraz in its Friday night slot NOW.

Mysterious, interesting, and even some nail biting. Cool show.

The Finder - FOX

The Finder is a new procedural based on a man with a remarkable gift for finding people and things.

Walter is an Iraq war veteran who was blown up by an IED. His subsequent recovery included the discovery of a new gift for finding the unfindable. Of course someone like this has to be a little weird and Walter is no exception. He lives in Key West and makes a local bar his home and office.

FOX has jumped on the current band wagon of law enforcement consultant (Mentalist, Castle, etc) shows, and in this case it's the FBI that needs help. And the Finder does his job.

The Finder will be Bones' mid-season replacement and should do just fine. Not great, but good enough. It may hold 2/3 of Idol's lead-in audience and that's enough to stick around for the season and beyond.

I Hate My Teenage Daughter - FOX

Fox's other comedy this fall is a loser.

I Hate My Teenage Daughter is difficult to watch. Imagine two divorced best friend women raising their over-the-top spoiled brat daughters together. They are lousy moms being manipulated by girls who know how to push their buttons. Sounds like a funny premise, right?

I would go into the rest of the plot, but that would be a waste of time... which is what you'll be doing if you watch I Hate. It's not funny, but it is annoying. It's FOX's worst pilot in a long time.

However, FOX must really believe in this show because they are leading it in with X-Factor. Can an expected huge audience be enough to save I Hate? No. It will lose at least half of X-Factor's audience and FOX will be scrambling for a replacement.

New Girl - FOX

Fox doesn't have many new programs this fall and New Girl is their only decent comedy.

Jess is a twenty-something who just went through an ugly break up and needs a new apartment. She finds one with three guys who need a new roomie... but they have no idea what they're in for with the new girl. Tears, hormones, tissues and Dirty Dancing are her current life. Oh ya, and she never stops singing. Do the guys have any idea what they are getting into?

Jess is a fun, quirky character. The three guys are going to learn more about women (albeit a fairly strange one) through this relationship.

New Girl has a strong lead-in on Tuesday nights running after Glee. It's fun, it's cute; the Glee crowd will love it. A keeper for Fox.

A Gifted Man - CBS

Wow, I really liked this program... and it bugged me.

Dr. Michael Holt is a world-famous neurosurgeon in New York City. He is smart, rich, and drives a cool car. He is gruff and overly busy on the outside, with a tender spot on the inside.

I'm loving this program until the doc's dead ex-wife shows up over and over again to direct his actions to complete her unfinished business. Now you know why CBS is airing Gifted on Friday night, the night of programs where people see and talk to ghosts. Will the premise of the dead ex bug me enough to quit watching the show? Unfortunately it is the plot line. But with Jennifer Ehle playing this part I will be able to put up with it.

Is this a "cosmic gift" or a pain in the butt that makes the doc look crazy? If you can get past some of the weird directing and patronizing camera angles, most people will like A Gifted Man.

With weak competition Friday nights at 8:00, Gifted should do just fine. I'll be watching episode #2.