It's time to watch -- and wait

Contestants on ''Stylista,'' a new offering from the CW. (David m. russell/the cw)

Still running behind schedule due to last season's writers' strike, the networks and cable channels are premiering fewer new series this fall, and so far they've made only a handful of them available to critics for preview. Here's the lowdown on those new series I've seen, those still to come, and the returning favorites.

Look for more and extended Globe reviews as the season unfolds throughout September and October.

NEW SHOWS SEEN

"Raising the Bar" (TNT, Mondays at 10)

Premiere: Tomorrow

More like lowering the bar. Producer Steven Bochco from "LA Law" and "NYPD Blue" returns to TV with a hackneyed legal drama starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar as a public defender with long hair. Who ever thought Bochco would be serving up stale David E. Kelley? Grade: C-

"Sons of Anarchy"(FX, Wednesdays at 10)

Premiere: Wednesday

If Westerns are horse operas, here is a leather opera. This grim drama charts the internal tensions in a gun-running motorcycle gang in California. With Heath Ledger-like cool, Charlie Hunnam plays the rising son; Drea de Matteo is his junkie baby-mama; Katey Sagal is his Machiavellian mother; and Ron Perlman is her violent boyfriend. A "Sopranos" wannabe, but with real potential. Grade: B

"True Blood" (HBO, Sundays at 9)

Premiere: Sept. 7

"Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball brings Charlaine Harris's vampire novels to the small screen, with Anna Paquin as a mind-reading Louisiana waitress smitten with a brooding blood-a-holic named Bill. In this parallel world, vampires symbolize minority groups that are plagued by stereotypes and discrimination. It's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" drunk on Southern Gothic atmosphere. Grade: B+

"Fringe" (Fox, Tuesdays at 9)

Premiere: Sept. 9

J.J. Abrams of "Lost" and "Alias" warms up some "X-Files" leftovers, as an FBI agent, a mad professor, and his bad-boy son investigate "fringe science" cases involving teleportation and invisibility. The pilot is sluggish and, at moments, unintentionally kitschy, most notably the LSD-laced mind-meld sequence. And star Anna Torv is unremarkable. But if anyone can make this cheesy sci-fi souffle rise in the coming months, it's Abrams. Fingers crossed. Grade: B-

"Privileged" (CW, Tuesdays at 9)

Premiere: Sept. 9

Based on the book "How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls," this dramedy is a sweet "Gilmore Girls"-like celebration of female bonding. A recent Yale grad becomes a live-in tutor - and surrogate mother - for two spoiled rich girls in a Palm Beach mansion. Grade: B

"Do Not Disturb" (Fox, Wednesdays at 9:30)

Premiere: Sept. 10

Wow. Fox has outdone itself in the Bad and Self-Consciously Offensive Dept. Set at a New York hotel, starring Jerry O'Connell and the usually hysterical Niecy Nash from "Reno 911," this workplace sitcom is a mess of flat gender and racial gags. Unless pilot reshoots save the day, do not bother. Grade: D

"Worst Week" (CBS, Mondays at 9:30)

Premiere: Sept. 22 Based on the Britcom "Worst Week of My Life," this relentless single-camera farce comes off like "Meet the Parents: The Series." An engaged man, played endearingly by Kyle Bornheimer, keeps screwing up with his fiancee's conservative parents. Predictable and familiar, it will probably be running on comedic fumes by episode 2. Grade: C+

"The Mentalist" (CBS, Tuesdays at 9)

Premiere: Sept. 23

Simon Baker from "The Guardian" tries again, this time as a former fake TV psychic in California who helps the cops solve crimes. Like the heroes of "House" and "Life," he's got the crazy deductive abilities of Sherlock Holmes, and he's haunted by a tragic past. A more sober version of USA's "Psych," this procedural is solid, despite the awful title. Grade: B

"Gary Unmarried" (CBS, Wednesdays at 8:30)

Premiere: Sept. 24

Jay Mohr was crude dynamite in "Action." But he fizzles in this insipid sitcom, as a recently divorced dad whose ex-wife (Paula Marshall) is engaged to their couples therapist. Sitcoms don't get more generic than this one. Grade: D

"The Ex List" (CBS, Fridays at 9)

Premiere: Oct. 3

A psychic tells a flower-shop owner, played by Elizabeth Reaser from "Grey's Anatomy," that she's already dated the love of her life. So she goes back over her exes, one per week. The first ex, played by Eric Balfour, is a hoot; but it's hard to imagine this bland romantic format avoiding repetition as the weeks roll by. Grade: B-

NEW SHOWS UNSEEN

"90210" (CW. Tuesdays at 8)

Premiere: Tuesday

Redoing the 1990s teen soap for the less morally conscious era of "The Hills": brilliant or misguided? I'm dying to find out, especially since the creators were "Freaks and Geeks" producers. A new family moves to the famous ZIP code, but the enormous media buzz has been about the old faces returning to town, including Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty.

Anticipation level: Sky high

"Easy Money" (CW, Sundays at 9)

Premiere: Sept. 21

A family operates a high-interest short-term loan company. Laurie Metcalf from "Roseanne" is the matriarch, whose do-good son wants to legitimize the business and make it less predatory. I hope the writers exploit the subject matter's timeliness.

Anticipation level: What anticipation level?

"Valentine" (CW, Sundays at 8)

Premiere: Sept. 21

In this hourlong fantasy-dramedy, a family of Greek gods goes undercover to play matchmakers to mortals. It sounds hokey, but it stars the irresistible Jaime Murray, who was the incendiary Lila on "Dexter." Anticipation level: Mild "Little Britain USA" (HBO, Sundays at 10:30)

Premiere: Sept. 28

An American spinoff of a British sketch comedy series. Matt Lucas and David Walliams are the stars, bringing established characters with them and creating new American ones, too. Remember, we are forever indebted to HBO for similarly importing Ali G and Flight of the Conchords.

Anticipation level: Possibly import-ant.

"Knight Rider" (NBC, Wednesdays at 8)

Premiere: Sept. 24

NBC revives the Hoff's 1980s series for a high-tech generation. This time around, KITT is an armed, talking, shape-shifting car owned by an Iraq War veteran. Its voice comes courtesy of Val Kilmer.

Anticipation level: Grudging.

"Kath & Kim" (NBC, Thursdays at 8:30)

Premiere: Oct. 9

Molly Shannon is a hot divorcee and Selma Blair is her bratty, newly divorced daughter in this remake of the Australian sitcom. They torment each other, broadly. Let's hope this post-"My Name Is Earl" slot works out for Shannon, who has never found a worthy vehicle.

Anticipation level: Very - Superstar! - eager.

"Eleventh Hour" (CBS, Thursdays at 10)

Premiere: Oct. 9

Based on a British miniseries starring Patrick Stewart, this new Jerry Bruckheimer procedural focuses on science-related crimes involving cloning and stem cells. Rufus Sewell plays a scientist who works with Marley Shelton's FBI agent a la "The X-Files," but don't expect any aliens.

Anticipation level: Moderate.

"Life on Mars" (ABC, Thursdays at 10)

Premiere: Oct. 9

Another remake, this time of a British series in which a contemporary cop mysteriously travels back to 1973 after a car accident. Jason O'Mara stars, with Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, and Lisa Bonet in supporting positions. It has a cool premise and a strong cast, but backstage turmoil - David E. Kelley left, the "October Road" team took over, the pilot is being reshot - may indicate creative problems.

Anticipation level: Rather curious.

"My Own Worst Enemy" (NBC, Mondays at 10)

Premiere: Oct. 13

Christian Slater comes to the small screen as a split personality - a suburban dad who's beginning to realize he's also a secret government agent with a malfunctioning brain implant. Think Jekyll and Hyde.

Anticipation level: I'm of two minds.

"Crusoe" (NBC, Fridays at 8)

Premiere: Oct. 17

With the success of "Lost" and "Survivor," this one was inevitable. Based on the Daniel Defoe novel, the period drama will move between the lonely castaway's island adventures and flashes to his life before the shipwreck. Can America handle the 17th century? I hope so.

Anticipation Level: Classic zeal.

OTHER NEW SERIES: HBO tries animated comedy with "The Life and Times of Tim" (Sept. 28). Dennis Hopper heads up Starz's first original series, "Crash," based on the Oscar-winning movie (Oct. 17). Bob Saget weathers neighborly tensions in the CW's "Surviving Suburbia" (Nov. 2). HBO imports the kooky Aussie mockumentary "Summer Heights High" (Nov. 9).

REALITY

"In Harm's Way" (CW, Sundays at 7) Premiere: Sept. 21

More Sweat TV, with yet another series about people performing dangerous jobs, including war photographers, oil-well workers, and Coast Guard divers.

"Opportunity Knocks" (ABC, Tuesdays at 8)

Premiere: Sept. 23

A traveling game show lets suburban families and their neighbors answer personal questions for big money prizes.

"Stylista" (CW, Wednesdays at 9) Premiere: Oct. 22 Eleven aspiring fashion editors compete for a one-year job at Elle magazine. Tyra Banks is one of the creators.

"Hole in the Wall" (Fox, Thursdays at 8)

Premiere: Sept. 11 Fox wants a piece of the "Wipeout" pie. This series, based on a Japanese game show, has contestants contorting their bodies to fit through - you guessed it - holes in walls. Nickname: Human Tetris.

RETURNING HIGHLIGHTS

"Gossip Girl" (CW) Returns tomorrow

The season begins in the Hamptons, where our extremely rich and kinda rich kids continue to scandalize and be scandalized. Will Blair snub Chuck? Will Serena and Dan get back together? Will Nate date an older married woman? Will fun be had? You know it.

"The Shield" (FX) Returns Tuesday

The take-no-prisoners cop show is back for its final season, with Michael Chiklis's Vic Mackey trying to track down Shane. Will Vic ultimately get what he deserves?

"Entourage" (HBO) Returns on Sept. 7

Vince's career is at a crossroads after the failure of "Medellin." Lukas Haas and Giovanni Ribisi come onboard as screenwriters, and look for a guest appearance by series executive producer Mark Wahlberg. The most anticipated moment, though, is when Drama has a meltdown on "The View."

"House" (Fox) Returns on Sept. 16

Is the bromance over? Wilson holds House responsible for the death of his girlfriend Amber. Will Dr. Grumpy find consolation in Cuddy's arms?

"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS) Returns on Sept. 22

Picks up where it left off: After separate near-death experiences, Ted asked Stella to marry him, and Barney realized that he's in love with Robin. Let's hope the soap doesn't squash the funny.

"Heroes" (NBC) Returns on Sept. 22

Can the producers recover from the season 2 quality and ratings slide? This volume is called "Villains," and the new characters include a man with crazy echo abilities. Also, Mohinder gets a superpower of his very own.

"Lipstick Jungle" (NBC) Returns on Sept. 24

Brooke Shields's "Sex and the City" knockoff comes back with Mary Tyler Moore in tow, as Shields's mother. Oh well, maybe I do have to watch it.

"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) Returns on Sept. 25

No one ever said "happily ever after" had to be happy, now that Mer and Der are together. Izzie does not get killed off and continues to reunite with Alex, and Kevin McKidd from "Rome" and "Journeyman" comes aboard as a new doctor who is an Iraq veteran - and Cristina's potential love interest.

"The Office" (NBC) Returns on Sept. 25

Will Angela marry Andy, even though she was seen having sex with Dwight in last season's finale? The mind boggles, pleasantly. Amy Ryan will return as Toby's replacement, and Michael will court her while helping ex-girlfriend Jan with her pregnancy.

"Californication" (Showtime) Returns on Sept. 28

Hank and Karen finally got back together at the triumphant end of last season. But don't expect clear sailing, as Mia wins acclaim for the manuscript she stole from Hank.

"Desperate Housewives" (ABC) Returns on Sept. 28

The show's five-year leap forward continues to play out, as Lynette deals with teenagers, Edie deals with her motivational-speaker husband, and Susan deals with her new love interest (Gale Harold from "Queer as Folk").

"Dexter" (Showtime) Returns on Sept. 28

Dexter questions his commitment to the Code of Harry this season, and Jimmy Smits joins the cast as a DA who becomes Dexter's friend.

"Life" (NBC) Returns on Sept. 29

Last season on the "Zen Revenger," Damian Lewis's exonerated cop found out who committed the murders he was accused of, but not who framed him. Donal Logue joins the cast of this distinctive drama, as Lewis's new boss.

"Pushing Daisies" (ABC) Returns on Oct. 1

The fantasy show returns with a little less surrealism, and a little more melodrama, now that Chuck knows that Ned the piemaker is responsible for her father's death.

"Private Practice" (ABC) Returns on Oct. 1

Addison and her colleagues in this "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff will focus more on their patients this season, and less on their inter-office melodramas.

"Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC) Returns on Oct. 1

The Darling drama will return with Lucy Liu in tow as an attorney, and without Samaire Armstrong's Juliet.

"30 Rock" (NBC) Returns on Oct. 30

An adoption agency is spying on Liz Lemon, to determine if she's truly mother material.

OTHER RETURNING SERIES: "One Tree Hill," "Prison Break" (tomorrow) . . . "America's Next Top Model," "Bones" (Wednesday) . . . "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (Sept. 8) . . . "Til Death" (Sept 10) . . . "Supernatural," "Smallville," "Survivor," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (Sept. 18) . . . "The Big Bang Theory," "Two and a Half Men," "Boston Legal," "CSI: Miami" (Sept. 22) . . . "Without a Trace," "Law & Order: SVU," "NCIS" (Sept. 23) . . . Criminal Minds," "CSI: NY," "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (Sept. 24) . . . "Ugly Betty," "My Name Is Earl," "ER" (Sept. 25) . . . "Brothers & Sisters," Fox's Sunday animated lineup, "Cold Case," "The Unit" (Sept 28) . . . "Chuck" (Sept. 29) . . . "Friday Night Lights" (Oct. 1 on DirecTV, February on NBC) . . . "Ghost Whisperer," "Numb3rs," "Everybody Hates Chris," "The Game" (Oct. 3) . . . "Masterpiece Contemporary" (Oct. 5) . . . "Samantha Who?" (Oct. 6) . . . CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (Oct. 9) . . . "The Starter Wife" (Oct. 10) . . . "Eli Stone" (Oct. 14) . . . "The Sarah Silverman Program" (Oct. 16) . . . "Brotherhood" (Nov. 2).