Top 10 New Fall TV Shows

The networks recently unveiled their new lineups of fall TV shows. Here are the most promising new shows.

1. KID NATION - CBS (Wednesday at 8 Eastern)

This is a very fresh idea that could be controversial. Several children ages 8-14 will be dropped into a New Mexico ghost town to create a new society without adults. This sounds so bizarre that I can't wait to see it. Apparently, the kids can leave if they want to, and each episode will result in the children voting to give a reward to one of the group. Despite these positive strokes, I don't think I would let my kid go on a show like this, and I'm interested to hear about the parents who did.

2 - BIG SHOTS - ABC (Thursday at 10)

This drama about four high-powered CEOs looks like a male version of Desperate Housewives, but that's not a bad thing. Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Josh Malina and Christopher Titus rely on each other as they battle business rivals and deal with their romantic travails. Big Shots will air right after Grey's Anatomy, so will find an audience.

3 - SEARCH for the NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND - Fox (Friday at 8)

This seems like such an obvious idea (an American Idol for bands) that it's amazing they didn't think of this sooner. Any musical style is allowed, so it should make for a good variety show each week. It will also be interesting to see the interaction among the members of each band. I can see this becoming a big hit for several seasons.

4 - DIRTY SEXY MONEY - ABC (Wednesday at 10)

With that title, you know ABC want this show to get noticed. The network is comparing this show to Dallas and Dynasty. An idealistic lawyer starts to work for the unscrupulous, powerful Darling family and must question his values and actions. This show has a big-league cast, including William Baldwin, Peter Krause, Jill Clayburgh and the outstanding Donald Sutherland.

5 - MOONLIGHT - CBS (Friday at 9)

Vampires are walking around with the rest of us regular people. Okay, that's a good concept. Mick St. John is a private investigator who became an immortal vampire 60 years ago, when he was bitten by his bride on their wedding night. He knows he will outlive everyone he loves. CBS is putting this show right after The Ghost Whisperer.

6 - CANTERBURY's LAW - Fox (Thursday at 9)

This legal drama has an impressive pedigree with executive producer Denis Leary, director Mike Figgis and stars Julianna Margulies and Linus Roache as couple with a missing son. This puts a strain on their marriage, especially when attorney Margulies seeks justice as a lawyer who specializes in taking the cases nobody else wants. This show will start in January.

7 - CANE - CBS (Wednesday at 10)

Jimmy Smits stars in this drama about a man who takes over the family sugar and rum empire. Hector Elizondo and Rita Moreno are also in the large cast. I could see this show being a cross between CSI:Miami (the location) and The Sopranos (family dealing with serious rivals).

8 - K-VILLE - FOX (Monday at 9)

This is a cop show set in New Orleans. The title of course, refers to Hurricane Katrina, which has left The Big Easy in a state of lawlessness. Anthony Anderson plays one of the main cops, and his buddies have nicknames like K-9, Glue Boy and (female) Love Tap. You can tell Fox likes this show, because it will follow Prison Break in the fall and then move to 8 p.m. (before 24) in the winter.

9 - LIFE - NBC (Wednesday at 10)

Charlie Crews is a detective with a difference. Okay, you've heard that set-up a million times before. Anyway, Charlie has just come out of jail, where he had been serving a life sentence for a crime he didn't commit. If this experience makes him a truly unique character, this show might have some legs. Damian Lewis plays Charlie.

10 - NASHVILLE - Fox (Friday at 9)

This is a night-time soap with a young cast. It's great to have a show set in a different city like Nashville. The show is about people on the verge of achieving their dreams, and it's not all about country music and the Grand Ole Opry. The characters are also trying to make it big in the boardroom and on the social scene. One problem is the title (same as the classic Robert Altman flick); another is the fact that the show's young audience will be out on Friday nights.