The first wave of reviews for your reading or disregarding pleasure:

Big Bang Theory (CBS): A sitcom about geeks. Lots of predictable geek humor. It's far from the worst thing I've seen; co-creator Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) is enough of a pro that he's not going to lay a complete egg. But it's not in the same solar system as "sparkling." Some clever lines here and there. I feel about the same about this show that I did about The Class, which was a "one-season-and-done"

Grade:

Prediction: Will make it through at least half the season, probably the whole thing. Could catch on because it airs in the midst of a fairly solid comedy block.

Watch 2nd episode?: Doubtful. Wake me if improves and becomes a hit.

Bionic Woman (NBC): Nice idea, swell production value, etc., but it did little for me. Same old same old, with the usual characters. Person thrown into a crazy situation. Tough guy in charge. Love interest. Bad guy with German accent. Plus, Ms. Bionic herself doesn't seem so great at the acting.

Grade:

Prediction: I think the market's too flooded with dramas for this average effort to make it long term. Preseason buzz and historical cache will will buy it more time than a no-name show.

Watch 2nd episode?: Nah. Dramas take time to watch, and I'll mostly stick with the few I watch until something exceptional presents itself (which I'm hoping will be ABC's critically acclaimed Pushing Daisies).

Chuck (NBC): Part 40 Year Old Virgin, part Austin Powers, part Matrix, part 24. Is it a comedy? A drama? Not that ambiguity is bad. Shows that don't fit traditional genres can be refreshing, as this one was at times. Especially after I watched Bionic, which was, in comparison, damn dull. The pilot often felt a bit conflicted about its identity, but that's the sort of thing that producers can sometimes fix as they get their post-Pilot sea legs. And Zachari Levi is an appealing enough lead to keep me interested.

Grade:

Prediction: It could definitely grab a cult following, airing in Heroes' neighborhood on NBC's "supernatural Monday." Wouldn't bet against it.

Watch 2nd episode?: Might take a flyer and see where they go with it.

Back To You (FOX): A real reviewer writes: "Everything about 'Back to You' seems culled from the musty guidelines of "How to Make a Sitcom 101" (first edition). Not that there's anything wrong with that." Accurate. He goes on to say that Kelsey Grammer can "hit a lot of bad balls out of the park," and that is true. He shows in the pilot that stop on a dime and turn goofy into poignant. And Heaton is a pro. There were some real laughs here, and I'm more optimistic than I was before about it.

Grade:

Prediction: If it's a debut that they can build upon -- instead of a premiere that exhausted all the jokes in their arsenal -- it'll be a success beyond one season. How's that for a hedge?

Watch 2nd episode?: Yes. I'm much more likely to give a 22-minute comedy an audition than a drama.

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