Tangentially Relevant: it’s not quite a movie review, but almost!

What’s that you hear in the background of this post? Why, it’s the dull white noise of this fall’s primetime lineup! The best and the worst, below…

Pushing Daisies
ABC, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. CST
My favorite new show of the season. Offbeat dark comedy about a guy who can resurrect the dead. Creator and writers worship in the church of Tim Burton. Freakishly adorable leading man and lady. Almost too cute for its own good, but not quite. Please watch this show so ABC won’t cancel it after three episodes.

Chuck
NBC, Mondays at 7 p.m. CST
Dramedy about computer repair dude who inadvertently learns all the CIA’s secrets. Threatens to be mediocre, but has potential. Again with the adorable, geeky hero. Totally on-trend with the nerdy-yet-somehow-cool thing (all the rage thanks to Superbad, Ugly Betty, et al). Thankfully does not succumb to nerd cliches (no pocket protectors in sight).

Grey’s Anatomy
ABC, Thursdays at 8 p.m. CST
McDreamy is so McFiveMinutesAgo. Only sheer hatred of Izzie keeps me watching this increasingly tired show. If you’re not a fan holdout from previous seasons, don’t bother.

Cavemen
ABC, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CST
File under “publicity stunt for big ad client.” Inane sitcom about effete cavemen living in a modern world. Network keeps encouraging viewers to schedule a “Man Date” to watch this show. If you’ve actually scheduled a “Man Date” for “Cavemen,” please never visit this site again.

Private Practice
ABC, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. CST
Much-hyped “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff about socially maladjusted doctors at a touchy-feely wellness center. Attempt at replicating “McDreamy” success with a new hot doctor fails miserably, as said hot doctor is an extremely boring individual. Second episode considerably better than the first. Highlight of the show so far: repeated use of the word “midwifery” (pronounced “mid-whiff-ery”).

Ugly Betty
ABC, Thursdays at 7 p.m. CST
One of last season’s hit debuts. Great cast, cute story, awesome concept. Campy, fluffy fun. Would be closer to perfection if it would quit spending so much time on Daniel and Alexis and focus on Betty. Or Mark/Amanda. Really anyone else would be preferable.

As I am only one woman, I can’t watch the entire fall lineup–at least not without sacrificing friends, family and personal hygiene. What do you think are the stand-out shows of the season? Which ones do you think are doomed?