The new fall season is almost here. Starting next week, the cable and broadcast networks will be begin rolling out new episodes of all the shows that survived the writers-strike-afflicted 2007-2008 season, giving us the chance to get acquainted with some old friends -- and reacquaint ourselves with more than a few characters who we met only fleetingly last fall. Here, then, are the top ten returning shows that we're most looking forward to seeing.
If you had told us a couple of years ago that someone was developing a show in which an emotionless serial killer was the hero, we'd have said... well, we'd have said that sounds totally cool, but they'll never find an actor who can pull it off. And yet they went and did it anyway.
Michael C. Hall, who was a standout among the terrific ensemble cast of Six Feet Under, absolutely rules in the role of Dexter, the conflicted killer with just enough self-control to only murder people who really deserve it. Dexter knows that in order to avoid detection he has to appear to be a relatively normal guy, and this double identity -- as a blood-spatter expert who helps the police catch criminals, and a compulsive killer who takes care of the ones who get away -- makes for an acting tour de force that's more than Emmy-worthy. But the other actors, including Julie Benz as Dexter's equally damaged girlfriend, Jennifer Carpenter as his feisty cop foster sister, and his diverse gang of coworkers at the Miami Metro Police Department, are excellent as well.
Dexter is based on an entertaining series of novels, but the TV version is just in a whole different league. Its sophisticated mixture of suspense, gore and dark humor makes the somewhat similar Bones (which we also like) look like a comic book in comparison. We'll admit there were a few bumps in the road in season 2 (most having to do with Dexter's involvement with a crazy-sexy artist who was generally annoying, despite her delightfully Showtime-friendly taste for nudity). But we expect the introduction of Jimmy Smits as a tough-on-crime DA this year to smooth things right out again. If Showtime ever had an inferiority complex regarding HBO, it can stop now -- this series closes the gap.
Dexter (Sundays at 9PM EST, repeats at other times during the week) premieres Sunday, September 28th at 9PM EST on Showtime.
TOP TEN RETURNING SHOWS FALL 2008
#1. "30 Rock" & "Terminator"
#2. "Dexter"
#3. "Gossip Girl"
#4. "Pushing Daisies"
#5. "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"
#6. "Heroes"
#7. "Dirty Sexy Money"
#8. "House"
#9. "Entourage" / "Californication"
#10. "The Shield"