Fall TV Lineup
Amanda Hoffer | Staff Writer

Well, it has begun.  The new fall season is upon us and now we are inundated with new shows.  The question is what’s good and what just plain stinks.  I'm here to help.   Last week I caught three series' premiers and now I'm going to run them down for you.

"Inside Schwartz," the new, much anticipated Thursday night comedy is a gem.   The show is about Adam Schwartz, a young, wannabe sportscaster and his less than perfect life, including his love life, which has just hit an all time low when his girlfriend of four years suddenly dumps him.  As you follow his life you follow his dream of becoming a sportscaster and how it melds into his own life.  You would think that the commentary and constant input by sports stars would be out of place and annoying, but the show is so well crafted that it flows effortlessly throughout.  I have to give this show a B+.  As long as the play-by-play doesn't get too involved, this show might very well survive to at least a second season.  Airs Thursdays at 8:30 EST

Next up, "Undeclared," a humorous look at college and what it does to seemingly rational young adults. The show takes us into the life of Steven Karp, a former geek who had a sudden growth spurt over the summer and now believes he has a chance at coolness when he goes off to school.  In his first day he moves in, learns the rule of the scrunchie, throws a party, finds out his parents are getting divorced, and uses the rule of the scrunchie.  This show is a riot.   There are times when it just rings so true that you laugh that little "been there, done that" laugh.  This show earns an A.

Finally, there is a blotch on the new season, and its name is "Emeril," a show about the "true" life of Emeril Lagasse.  It's hard to even describe the show.   It's a combination of Emeril's Food Network show, pseudo-witty banter, and a classic comedy complete with stock characters.  Although I enjoy Emeril's Food Network shows, this show is just plain bad.  The jokes are older than I am and are at best poorly delivered. It would be great if the writing was just what holds the show back.  If this show has any hopes of survival all of the writers have to be promptly fired and replaced.  The show gets a D.  If it makes it all the way through the season I will be greatly shocked.