Fall TV preview

Time is tight, right? With DVR technology and lots of shows available online, many people time-shift their viewing, checking out favorite shows at their convenience.

But the same technology that makes viewing so convenient also makes spoilers prevalent and instantaneous. And there are some shows you just want to watch right away, because you know that everybody will be talking about them.

Finally, there are some shows that nobody should watch. Ever.

With that in mind, I have divided my picks for the fall 2011 TV season into three categories: Watch it, DVR it and Skip it. Keep in mind that these opinions were based on pilot episodes, which are often retooled and, occasionally, rewritten, recast and reshot. And premiere dates, especially for later debuts, are subject to change at the whim of the network schedulers and events beyond their control.

Overall, this looks to be a better network season than last year's. Sci-fi is out and fantasy is in. Nostalgia, both in subject matter and execution, is prevalent. And the girls generally beat the guys.

Tuesday, Sept. 13

"Ringer"

8 p.m., the CW

Watch it

Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to her "Buffy" stomping grounds in a trashy tale of twisted twins. It's not going to win any Emmys, but it's occasionally (unintentionally) humorous in its earnestness, and trashy, low-rent, CW fun.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

"H8R"

7 p.m., the CW

Skip it

I H8 this concept, in which reality TV stars including "Jersey Shore's" Snooki and famous-for-being-famous Kim Kardashian are confronted by viewers who loathe them and try to bring those viewers around. The only thing worse than watching reality TV is watching people argue about reality TV.

"Up All Night"

9 p.m., NBC

DVR it

Christina Applegate and Will Arnett earn some chuckles as first-time parents (and Arnett gets to stretch from his usual smarmy shtick), but this much Maya Rudolph is just too much Maya Rudolph.

"Free Agents"

9:30 p.m., NBC

Watch it

A heartbroken Hank Azaria woos Kathryn Hahn in this amusing, offbeat workplace/bedroom comedy based on the cult British series. The couple play emotionally fragile public relations executives whose relationship will either mend or destroy them. It's nice to see Azaria play such a subdued, normal character.

Thursday, Sept. 15

"The Secret Circle"

8 p.m., the CW

Skip it

Fans of the book trilogy are already complaining about this adaptation. Vampires have been huge for the CW, so there's no reason to assume this series about a circle of witches won't do as well. That doesn't mean it should.

Monday, Sept. 19

"2 Broke Girls"

8:30 p.m., CBS

Skip it

I might be the only critic in the country who's down on this series. Kat Dennings is cute (and a sassy hoot) but Beth Behrs bothers in this formulaic (and mildly racist) sitcom from executive producer Whitney Cummings. It's fun, in a joke-after-joke way, but the stereotypical characters are not at all believable.

"The Playboy Club"

9 p.m., NBC

Skip it

All style, no substance from a gloomy "Mad Man" wannabe. NBC has tried to spin this series, about '60s Bunnies and mob politics, as female empowerment, but I just found it dark and dull. Surely the real Playboy Club had to be more fun than this.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

"New Girl"

8 p.m., Fox

Watch it

An adorable Zooey Deschanel plays Jess, a heartbroken geek who moves in with a trio of male roommates in the fall's best new comedy. You must have seen the relentless commercials Fox has been running - they know they've got a winner here.

"Unforgettable"

9 p.m., CBS

Skip it

It's not surprising that star Poppy Montgomery is the highlight of a gimmicky cop drama in which, really, nothing at all is surprising. This is CBS at its playing-it-safest.