As a new television season begins...

...here are the new shows I have already checked out and will be planning to check out, not that you asked, but in case you care:

Community (Thursdays, NBC) - This Joel McHale/Chevy Chase vehicle premiered last week, though I had already watched the pilot ahead of time, as it was available online. So far, I have watched this episode three times. Joel McHale, always hilariously deadpan on The Soup, brings that same persona to his role as a charming/sleazy lawyer enrolled in a community college in this show, but it was Danny Pudi's movie-quoting/Aspergers-ish Abed who stole the show for me. Looks extremely promising.

Modern Family (Wednesdays, ABC) - premieres this week, but got a sneak peek at the pilot. About the now typical atypical modern family. Wasn't completely drawn in but there were two moments where I literally burst out laughing, so I'm willing to stick with it for awhile as it finds its stride.

Flashforward (ABC) - If you know me, you know that I try to stay away from dramas, but this show, about everyone in the world blacking out at the same time and flashing forward to a moment in their lives 6 months in the future, seems intriguing, though I don't know how this premise can be sustained as a series. Saw the first 15 minutes of the pilot and there are lots of explosions and action, which I do enjoy in most of my dramas, and you can't really go wrong with Joseph Fiennes in a lead role. In my humble opinion.

Cougartown (ABC) - now, I really really hate the term "cougar," meaning an older woman who goes after younger men - I think it's kinda demeaning and at this point, incredibly overused, but the preview I saw for this Courteney Cox vehicle looked pretty funny, and it's being brought to us by Bill Lawrence, who created one of my favorite comedies, Scrubs, so it definitely deserves a chance.

V (ABC) - I'm kinda eh about this show, which centers on aliens arriving on earth to "take care of us," and those who believe them and align with them and those who think we're being tricked and try to get to the truth. It looks a little too sci-fi for my taste, but it's getting a lot of hype, so the premiere is going on my list.

Day One (NBC) - now I don't know a lot about this show, which is about a group of survivors after an apocalyptic world event, but the premise (kinda like Jericho two seasons ago) sounds intriguing, if done right.

Vampire Diaries (Wednesdays, CW) - we already know my thoughts on this show, but as a new show that I am checking out, I'm including it on this list.

I actually thought this list was going to be longer. Once the midseason starts, it probably will. And of course, this is on top of all the other returning shows already on my tv viewing schedule.

The bottom line is, of course, that I will be very busy in the next few weeks/months whittling this list down to the deserving few shows I will actually get hooked on that won't get immediately cancelled. Expect updates. Do not expect to see me in person any time soon... :)