Fall television preview

The upcoming fall television season could be labeled 'Must Z TV.' Z as in Zevon. Warren Zevon. Almost every one of the networks' new offerings could fall under the title of the late, lamented singer-songwriter's quirky 1978 song 'Lawyers, Guns and Money' (hey, if you're going to base a TV season on a Zevon tune, it beats 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner').

Gone are the medical series that stuffed last year's schedule. Most of those that premiered last season have been sent to the morgue, and Dana Delaney's 'Monk'-esque 'Body of Proof' is the closest thing to a doctor drama this year. There don't seem to be any sure things like ABC's breakout 'Modern Family' in the lineup, either, which should make this fall's horse race interesting.

Here are my thoughts on the new shows, based on the pilots that the networks sent out to critics. Note that some of these shows have gone through extensive retooling, some probably not enough. I've also included insights from this summer's Television Critics Association's press tour.

'Hellcats'

Premieres Sept. 8; 8 p.m. Wednesdays on the CW

Yep, this is definitely a CW show. Former Disney Channel stars Aly Michalka ("Phil of the Future") and Ashley Tisdale ("High School Musical") are all grown up and starring in this angsty cheerleading drama that hopes to do for dance what "Glee" did for song, or at least to catch fire in the same way. Michalka plays a serious law student in search of financial aid who must join the cheer squad. Tisdale plays a character shades softer than "HSM's" Sharpay. This show seems less racy than the promos make it out to be, but it's probably not for your little ones.

TCA takeaway: Equal parts "Paper Chase" and "Glee." Look for the show to take advantage of its stars' musical talent.

Who will like it: Cheerleaders will love it; law students probably not so much.

'Nikita'

Premieres Sept. 9; 8 p.m. Thursdays, The CW

Yet another adaptation of "La Femme Nikita," the 1990 Luc Besson film, this version stars actress Maggie Q and is executive produced by director McG (no word on a cameo by robot C3PO). The stylish, action-packed reboot follows the government-trained assassin as she goes rogue and tries to take down "the Division," the secret agency that created and trained her. A side plot follows Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca), a new Division recruit. The beginning is confusing, but an intriguing twist at the end provides a nice payoff.

TCA takeaway: "Nikita" is not your typical CW show.

Who will like it: Fans of "Alias" and "Dollhouse."

'Outlaw'

Premieres 9 p.m. Sept. 15; 9 p.m. Fridays on NBC

I'm not buying Jimmy Smits as a drinking, gambling, good-time-partying judge. Did I mention he's a U.S. Supreme Court justice and that he only realizes he needs to grow up after he resigns that post? And I can't decipher exactly what accent Smits is trying to pull off, but it seems as if his character hails from South Annoyington. You might want to watch Smits and his rag-tag group travel the country taking on a different case/cause each week, but if you need me when "Outlaw" moves to its regular Friday slot on Sept. 17, I'll be on Netflix.

TCA takeaway: Executive producer Conan O'Brien is kind of busy and not involved in day-to-day operations.

Who will like it: NBC doesn't think you will, or they wouldn't have buried it on Fridays.

'Lone Star'

Premieres Sept. 20; 8 p.m. Mondays on Fox

To be honest, this was one of the last new season pilots I watched. A soaper about a cheating Texas oil-country con man with a high-society, Houston wife and a sweet, Midland girlfriend? It didn't really strike me as my cup of Texas tea. Then I fired up the DVD player. Never mind that Austinite Kyle Killen's script is so good, its twists so stunning and its setting so rich with potential storylines: This Dallas-filmed show could coast for a while just on the charm of its cast, including an outstanding James Wolk, a stunning Adrianne Palicki ("Friday Night Lights") and a gruff Jon Voight.

TCA takeaway: Killen pitched the show as "Dallas" without the cheese.