Fancast: Inside TV

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Pushing Daisies, a forensic fairytale about Ned, a young man with a very special gift returns for season 2 tomorrow night at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Here's a little background for you newbies and a little refresher for the rest of us:

As a young boy Ned discovers that he can return the dead briefly to life with just one touch. But, as he soon finds out, his random gift has rules with some deadly consequences:

First Touch - Alive. Second Touch - Dead Again... Forever.
Keep something alive for more than a minute and something else has to die in its place.

"Nuff said. Sure Ned becomes a pie baker, brings his dead high-school sweetheart back to life and enters into a partnership with a mercenary Private Eye to solve mysterious murders, but there's no reason to bore you with the details. Tune in. You won't regret it.

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Survivor: Gabon - Earth's Last Eden gets underway tonight with a first ever 2 hour premiere on CBS. If you don't know the premise of the show by now, you've probably been stranded on a remote desert island for the last 16 seasons, which would make you a perfect candidate for a contestant.

For the rest of us, a little refresher course is in order.

This is the 17th season, and the second to be set in Africa as 18 contestants and host Jeff Probst are stranded in the wilds of Gabon (pronounced ga-bone) without food, water or fire. The castaways earn the barest essentials by winning increasingly difficult single and team competitions. Each week one player earns the right to immunity and cannot be voted off. The rest are fair game.

Along the way, sworn alliances will be forged and broken with barely a second thought, until one Ultimate Survivor emerges on live television, taking back to civilization the prize of one million dollars in cold, hard cash. Just remember to pay the taxes. That's how Richard Hatch lost his shorts - the second time.

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Tonight on CBS Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns for a fourth season on The New Adventures of Old Christine. But some things never change.

(Old) Christine Campbell is still attempting to juggle the daily problems of motherhood, divorce, work and dating while trying to maintain a positive relationship with her ex-husband Richard (Clark Gregg.)

But he's not making it easy on her as he embarks on his own adventures with his girlfriend, (New) Christine (Emily Rutherfurd.) And to make matters worse, last season Richard and (New) Christine moved into (Old) Christine's dream house, while this season he's about to pop the question to (New) Christine. Got that?

You know what? It doesn't matter... it's a funny show.

Still, in the opener "Decent Proposal" there are some twists to watch for...

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

For most of us, when it comes to the Fall season, who can be bothered leaving the house? It's much easier to entertain at home. TV is no different, and this Fall the tube is expecting lots of guests.

Here's a list of the most welcome:

Katie Holmes on Eli Stone
Katie is slated to appear in the Oct. 21 episode of the legal dramedy, playing a nonprofit attorney with a knack for song and dance.

Courteney Cox Arquette on Scrubs
Courteney will play the new Chief of Medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital over a 3 episode arc, reportedly not making many "Friends" in the process.

Michael J. Fox on Rescue Me
Fox is slated for four episodes on the FX firefighter drama as the wheelchair-confined love interest for Denis Leary’s on-screen ex, Janet (Andrea Roth).

Lindsay Lohan on Ugly Betty
Lindsay made such a great guest on the season 2 finale, playing an old schoolmate of Betty Suarez, she's been tapped for a 5 episode run on season 3.

Jennifer Aniston & Oprah on 30 Rock
Jen plays against "The Good Girl" type who maniacally stalks Alec Baldwin, but Oprah gets to play (ho-hum) herself.

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

LIFE ON MARS
Drama
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9. at 10 p.m.
ABC

Stars: Jason O'Mara (Grey's Anatomy), Michael Imperioli ( The Sopranos), Gretchen Mol ( Lonesome Dove), Harvey Keitel ( The Prince Of Central Park ).

What's It All About: NYPD Detective Sam Tyler (O'Mara) finds himself hurtled back to 1973 in the cultural hotbed of New York City during the tumultuous times of the Vietnam War, Watergate, Women's Lib and the Civil/Gay Rights Movements. He's trying mightily to understand what has just happened to him and how he can get back "home" - without a cell phone, computer, PDA or time travel GPS unit.

Quote: "Well, I definitely was picky. I mean, something like "The Sopranos" that fulfills your creative drive for such a long period of time and challenges you is a hard act to follow. And I was not familiar at all with the British show. I had never -- to be honest, I'd never heard of it. The idea of doing New York detectives in 1973 really, really appealed to me a lot, just for the flavor of it and the period. I thought there was a lot of truth to the character, and I thought 'he's different enough from what I had done in the past' - although it seems to be most of the stuff I've been doing is either a cop or a robber. And it would be shot in New York, so it kind of satisfied all those things at once." -- Michael Imperioli on his reasoning for picking "Life On Mars" as a follow-up to "The Sopranos."

Preview: Watch this ABC Promo, or take a look at these photos.

Why You Should Watch: Because it's one of the most highly anticipated series debuts this Fall. "Christopha" is back and he's on the right side of the law this time. Except for the free donuts and the monthly nut from the station house. And Lisa Bonet will be making guest appearances via flashback mode, perfect for her dreamy smile. And it looks like this is Harvey Keitel's debut on Network TV. Wow. Mostly it's because the BBC series nailed 1973 NYC. If ABC can pull that off, it's worth a look. Bloggees indicate the Producers have found a wealth of period locations to shoot that still exist, as if frozen in time. The Big Apple with worms. Can't wait.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 25 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 11 to 1

I'll Become A Mega-Hit: 4 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Great cast might mean there IS life on Mars."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

SURVIVING SUBURBIA
Comedy
Premieres Sunday, Nov. 2 at 7:30/6:30c p.m.
CW

Stars: Forever Full House father Bob Saget (America's Funniest Home Videos), and Cynthia Stevenson (Men in Trees).

What's It All About: Bob Saget is in the Kevin Spacey role (i. e.; the besieged Dad) in That Ain't Right on Suburbia.

Quote: Here's something we've actually never seen before, what should be a ringing endorsement from the actual message boards in the 'CW Lounge' for the show:
jnjluv036: "i don't know this show, can anyone give me some kind of plot"
ilovethecw101: "Don't worry, never heard of it either..."
jnjluv036: "thank god i'm not the only one"

Preview: Here's a clip The Player only to get dumped for Greta Scacchi! Plus, you want Bob Saget to somehow meld his frustrated George Carlin tendencies with his Oh-That-Good-Guy acting reflex... and if they can survive bourgeois Middle America, so can we.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 16 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 18 to 1

I'll Become A Mega-Hit: 70 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Suburbia is not all that needs to survive."

By Julie Zied
Fancast.com

Ah fall. A time when the leaves change, the kids go back to school, and your television set finally bursts back to life from the reality doldrums it was stuck in all summer long. Yes, fall TV season is a special time when all your favorite networks get together and spend zillions of dollars making and marketing new television pilots they believe are destined to take flight with eager audiences. But how to know what to watch live, what to DVR, and what to change the channel to Monday Night Football for? For that, we brought out the big guns: Johnny Avello. Below, the Wynn Las Vegas odds-maker offers up his predictions for the winners, losers, and the just plain why bother's of the season.

To succeed, or not to succeed. That is the question. And here are the answers:

THE FAVORITES

THE MENTALIST
Crime / Drama
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m.
CBS

The Odds:

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 40 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 6 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 15 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "CBS’ answer to Medium, with a slight twist, could surprise."

By Julia Diddy
Fancast.com

MY OWN WORST ENEMY
Drama
Premieres Monday, October 13 at 10/9 c
NBC

Stars: Christian Slater (True Romance), Saffron Burrows (The Bank Job), Mike O’Malley (My Name is Earl), Madchen Amick (Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers), Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives), Cierra Ramirez, Taylor Lautner

What's It All About: A seemingly regular family guy (Slater) is actually a walking timeshare whose alter ego (yep – Slater again) has been programmed to kill on behalf of a top secret government organization. Thanks to a malfunctioning implant in his brain - which had previously kept the two personalities apart – we learn that humans are even more difficult to reboot and work with than Microsoft Vista.

Quote: " We are to take the title literally, yes. It's not necessarily about a guy trying to kill the other guy because there are obvious implications when they happen to share the same body, but he is figuratively his own worst enemy, and they are both vying for supremacy within the same body, and they are locked into a game of zero competition with one another where one person wins and one person loses on certain fronts, obviously. So if Edward wants to have a life and he wants to go off somewhere, he's obviously anchored to a certain reality because of Henry. So they do come to cross purposes, and that's where the drama is." -- Executive Producer and Writer Jason Smilovic expounding upon the show’s title, and how that whole schizophrenic angle will play out.

Preview: Enjoy these preview clips courtesy of NBC.com.

Why You Should Watch: Beholding this many highly watchable performers frolicking upon the playground of Christian Slater’s split psyche? You’d be crazy not to watch.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 14 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 22 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 80 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Might appeal to a diversified audience."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

THE EX LIST
Comedy
Premieres Friday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m.
CBS

Stars: Haplessly star-crossed lover Elizabeth Reaser, and Sandy Mesiner-trained, Montreal native Anne Bedian, as her future-telling/advice-giving co-star.

What's It All About: In the Possible/Probable Department, The Ex List is one of those suspension-of-disbelief-driven series where Elizabeth Reaser plays a lovelorn lady who finds she has dumped the love of her life and must sift through the rubble of her sexually burned bridged with the help of a groovy friendly but not scary psychic (Anne Bedian) to find Prince Charming. Expect her to watch her find an army of Prince Harming's along the way, ps.

Quote: Ever since the Television Critics Association shindig in LA this year where show writer Diane Ruggiero told a room full of reporters about her sex life's influence on penning The Ex List, she and ER have had to fend off all kinds of inappropriate questions, like HOW she writes, what she writes, as in: DIANE RUGGIERO: I actually let my (word-rhymes-with-heart-condition-angina) write half of the script, so -- [Laughing] -- it's not my fault. ELIZABETH REASER: [To Diane Ruggiero] Are you sure that's what they're talking about?... What is the vaginal humor? DIANE RUGGIERO: Uhm... The network was cool (with it).

Preview: We have something on it here.

Why You Should Watch: Because showrunner Diane Ruggiero actually said she is letting her privates write part of the show. ZMOG! Or. Because lead Elizabeth Reaser as Bella Bloom rocks. Or. Because Drew Barrymore dumped Justin Long on advice of her psychic and recently sent Cameron Diaz to said psychic for boyfriend advice (read: psychics are IN). Or. Think 50 First Dates meets Groundhog Day. (em)(For Ex-tra Bonus Points: Drew Barrymore's psychic is Mrs. Grace in West Hollywood, who can reached on her cellphone at 310.854.7621 for grins.)

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 11 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 28 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 100 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Not much to watch on Friday nights"

By Julia Diddy
Fancast.com

THE MENTALIST
Crime / Drama
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m.
CBS

Stars: Simon Baker (The Devil Wears Prada), Robin Tunney (The Craft), Owain Yeoman (Kitchen Confidential), Amanda Righetti, Shaun Toub, Tim Kang

What's It All About: Patrick Jane (Baker) isn’t a psychic, but he once played one on TV. Finding that he actually has a penchant for reading people (albeit not in the paranormal sense) and honing in on who might be a big fat fake liar (takes one to know one), Mr. Jane has managed to solve a series of high-profile crimes and secure work as an independent consultant to the police. Of course, others in the Bureau – like Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon (Tunney) - resent his Liberace-like approach to cracking cases.

Quote: ”What's fascinating to me about that world is that the skills that fake psychics use to pretend to be psychics are in many ways more extraordinary and more fascinating than the skills they're faking, if you see what I mean. The human mind is an amazing thing. And what Patrick Jane does with natural abilities is more extraordinary than talking to ghosts, I feel." -- Executive Producer/Writer Bruno Heller explaining how fake psychics have real talent – just not in the ways you’d expect.

Preview: You don’t need a crystal ball to envision the upcoming season – just check out this preview clip.

Why You Should Watch: Baker and Tunney are both polished professionals capable of great performances. For real.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 40 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 6 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 15 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "CBS’ answer to Medium, with a slight twist, could surprise."

By Julia Diddy
Fancast.com

Gavin & Stacey
Romantic Comedy
Premieres Tuesday, August 26 at 8:40 p.m.
BBC America

Stars: Mathew Horne(Robin Hood), Joanna Page (Love Actually), Ruth Jones (Little Britain), James Corden (Little Britain), Matt Lucas (Little Britain), Alison Steadman, Robert Brydon, Marc Wootton

What's It All About: Having become acquainted over the phone from their respective workplaces, a long-distance love affair blossoms between Gavin (Horney) and Stacey (Page). Taking their romance to the next level by getting personal in person, the enamored must run a gauntlet populated by lunatics and eccentrics – their family and friends, that is - if the romance is to survive.

Quote: Not sure how funny it is? Here's what the "big-boned" writers and stars Ruth Jones and James Corden had to say about the writing process:

RUTH: It's very important that there's a sofa in the room.

JAMES: Because I need to lie down.

RUTH: And the space to nap. Well, we both nap, don't we?

JAMES: We nap a lot. We nap, and we eat.

RUTH: Yeah.

JAMES: We start grazing around 11:00.

RUTH: Yeah.

JAMES: And then we'll eat solidly --

RUTH: We sit until we find out what we are going to have for lunch, first thing. We do about an hour, kind of talking to each other about what's going on in our lives.

JAMES: Normally therapy for me.

RUTH: Yeah, and then --

JAMES: I use Ruth as a sort of good therapist for a while, and then we both go, "Well, we should probably write something."

Preview: Watch this clip on BBCAmerica.com.

Why You Should Watch: Because the Brits do comedy so well, we Yanks routinely “borrow” their comedy vehicles, run them through a chop-shop, and take them for a joy ride along a boulevard riddled with plot holes and cultural blind-spots. Barring the not-infrequent wreck this causes, our smash-and-grab technique occasionally produces a well-oiled machine of its own (think (All in the Family), (Three’s Company), or (The Office) - all of which started out as Brit sitcoms first). Sure, you could just wait to catch Gavin and Stacey after one of our homegrown networks has tied it to a chair and worked it over with a big fat American backhand……….but the results aren’t always pretty.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 35 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 14 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 20 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Good premise."

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

KATH & KIM
Comedy
Premieres Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8:30 p.m.
NBC

Stars: Molly Shannon (Saturday Night Live), Selma Blair (Coast To Coast), John Michael Higgins (Arrested Development ), Craig Baker (Reno 911), Mikey Day (Halfway Home)

What's It All About: Based on the Australian hit series of the same name, Kathleen "Kath" Day (Shannon) is a foxy, 40-something divorcée who finally has time for herself and her search for a new love interest. Her daughter, Kimberly "Kim" Day-Fattibene, (Blair) is in her mid 20's but dresses like a child, and is obsessed with celebrities. When Kim decides to move back home after separating from her husband, Kath reluctantly agrees. But to Kim's surprise, Kath is not about to cater to her every whim the way she has in the past.

Quote: "A friend of mine years ago had sent me the Australian version, and I thought it was amazing and I loved it. And then, I heard that NBC was adapting it, and they brought Michelle Nader aboard and I loved the script. And I really love doing characters. I prefer that to playing close to myself. It just feels more fun to me and freeing. And, yeah, I was just excited about it. I could really relate to the dysfunctional family. I like that my character Kath is positive, strong. She's spent her whole life raising her daughter and now she's got her out of the house and she wants to move on. She wants to focus on herself and her dating life and her figure and her diet and she's ready to go for it, but she keeps getting sucked back into the drama with her daughter. So on that level, I thought it was very relatable. And I love doing characters." -- Molly Shannon, when asked if she was a fan of the original Australian version, and what motivated her to take on the role.

Preview: Watch this NBC promo or take a look at these photos.

Why You Should Watch: The original series was considered very daring, even by Australian standards. The risqué subject matter (mother and daughter exploring the dating scene at the same time) is rife with possibilities relatively unexplored by American network television. It should be very intriguing to see if Shannon and Blair can step up to the challenges of the premise to blaze a new sitcom trail. Think "All in the Family" meets "I Love Lucy."

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 30 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 8 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 25 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Molly Shannon and a good time slot."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

EASY MONEY
Drama
Premieres Sunday, Sept. 21 at 9/8c p.m.
CW

Stars: Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne) as the alliterative Bobette Buffkin, lady loan shark; Jeff Hephner (The O.C.) as Morgan her son in the biz; Judge Reinhold (Arrested Development, plus his 80's/90's movie & TV career) as the gratuitous private detective and plot device; perennial character actor Nick Searcy as brow-beaten husband in the 'high-interest' Prestige Payday Loans enterprise.

What's It All About: Borrowers can't be choosers in this short-term loan driven drama, especially not with this brood. Put insane interest rates, hidden firearms and screwball lenders in the mix with the Desperate/destitute, and you get Easy Money. Not so easy as it seems?

Quote: Three-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf finally admitted only this year that "I don't know what in my training prepared me for (working with Roseanne Barr)! I can't pinpoint anything." Laurie says with all acting jobs "anything that puts me in the frame of mind of being in a play becomes a little bit easier for me." Plus Jim Parsons (Sheldon of Big Bang Theory) was awestruck with Easy Money's leading lady: "I was so excited to get to work with Laurie Metcalf. I loved working with her. I was probably scared I would forget some of the lines."

Preview: CW likes to keep it close to the vest, but we've got you covered here. (Just for the record, CW is a joint venture of Warner Bros. and CBS.)

Why You Should Watch: Who says predatory lending can't be sexy? Look at Laurie Metcalf's new eye shadow and fire-alarm hair color for this series. She went from dowdy wacky guest Mom in the Big Bang Theory to Easy Money's sexy wacky alternative-financier Mom in just one TV season. And, while the final verdict is still out on Judge Reinhold's movie career, he is extremely watch-worthy with the gee-whiz dimension always added to any shady swindle-related story lines.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 5 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 50 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 200 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Might be a sudden and unexpected bankruptcy."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

VALENTINE
Comedy
Premieres Sunday, Sept.. 21 at 8/7c
The CW

Stars: Jaime Murray (Dexter), as mighty Aphrodite named Grace Valentine; Autumn Reeser (The O.C., It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), who gets wired as Phoebe a/k/a Oracle of Delphi; Kristoffer Polaha (Angel, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), as Eros in the form of Danny Valentine (Grace's son); and Robert Baker (CSI), doing the Hercules thing as character Leo; plus a few other ungodly humans playing guest stars.

What's It All About: Can you say allegory? Love is tough these days, so bad in fact, CW has harnessed some updated trendy rehabbed Greek-god archetypes to pull a few strings in human lives to make the medicine of tough love go down a little sweeter. Where's Aristophanes when you need him? This isn't exactly "The Clouds" in terms of social commentary, but it is a shot across the bow at refurbishing modern love with a celestially inspired matchmaking service run by mother and son. Kinky subtext noted.

Quote: Autumn Reeser told CNET's TV that she "really wanted to try my hand at playing a romantic comedy lead. I think it's actually a much more delicate balance than people realize, and it's a genre I always felt I could excel in." She sort of gets her wish with Valentine, Inc. Jaime Murray wants you to know her father is Billy Murray, not unlucky-in-love Bill Murray (Lost in Translation); Billy Murray is a UK actor who plays various crime boss types for the BBC.)

Preview: The Oracle says take a look at these photos.

Why You Should Watch: Statuesque and quasi hot Jaime Murray from Hu$tle plays Grace Valentine, who knows from love (irony included, hopefully). That, and come on, one of the writers must have driven around the Mt. Olympus area in the Hollywood Hills and had a Eureka! moment. "What if we..." -- you can hear the pitch meeting echoing in the canyon. And Valentine's Executive Producer Kevin Murphy wrote about nine episodes of Desperate Housewives, which means he knows something about paying off complicated scenarios.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 4 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 60 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 250 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Breaks my heart to make this the first to go."

By Julia Diddy
Fancast.com

DO NOT DISTURB
Comedy
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 9:30 p.m.
FOX

Stars: Jerry O’Connell (Sliders), Niecy Nash (Reno 911!), Robert Wagner (Hart to Hart, Austin Powers), Molly Stanton (CSI: Miami), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Untraceable), Brando Eaton, Jolene Purdy, Dave Franco

What's It All About: A metrosexual general manager (O’Connell) strives to keep a posh hotel running smoothly. Running interference is the hotel’s sassy and fabulous HR Director (Sassy and fabulous? Cue Niecy Nash…..).

Quote: "We have this large world. We want to do the workplace comedy that isn't just, you know, you're in a room full of 30 people and 5 people are talking. We have this upstairs world, and this downstairs world. We have restaurants. We have bars. We have night clubs. We have rooms. We have so many places to go within our workplace comedy." --Executive Producer Abraham Higginbotham differentiating this workplace comedy from others.

Preview: Check out this interview as E!’s Kristin Dos Santos talks to Jerry O’Connell and Niecy Nash on the red carpet, or take a look at these photos.

Why You Should Watch: It’s like Upstairs, Downstairs, American style! (Er, not that American style always wears well in such cases…..) The trendy NYC hotel setting and its celebrity clientele ought to provide ample fodder – surely Russell Crowe’s scientific effort to field-test Newton’s law of gravity with the help of a hotel phone and a desk clerk’s head will make its way into an episode. If Jason Bateman were to continue directing beyond the pilot episode, that certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 10 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 30 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 125 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "It will depend on its positioning by FOX."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

RACHEL ZOE PROJECT
Reality
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 11 pm; Regular Timeslot Tuesday at 10 pm beginning Sept. 16th
BRAVO

Stars: Style maven Rachel Zoe (Self, Rachel Zoe Project), Rodger Berman (as Himself, also Rachel's husband), Taylor Jacobson (as Herself) , Brad Goreski (as Himself)

What's It All About: Crowned by the media as 'world's most sought-after stylist' since she was put on the map when hired by Nicole Richie in '04, New Jersey native Rachel Zoe displays her inner-mogul in this reality docudrama that follows her and associates through grueling days of high fashion industry hi-jinx and low blood-sugar. Expect to be dazzled by 'A-list' clients looking for style (read: OTC diet pills from Mexico) whilst flitting among the professionally charming world that Rachel inhabits.

Quote: Rachel lamented to the UK's Daily Mail, "My tragedy as a teenager was to grow up during the 1980s, which was one of the worst fashion moments in history -- even in my work today, I've referenced every era except that one!" Meanwhile, in her official capacity for Bravo, she added some tantalizing reality-style tidbits: "I had two clients in one award season, and when they got into the car their dresses ripped, and zippers broke. That was the worst thing ever. And when I first started I was working in the music business, and [the client] got up on stage in white leather pants that were custom-made...and they split in half."

Preview: Exercise your inner-voyeur with this interview.

Why You Should Watch: Whereas designer/anamatronic ex-Spice Girl Posh is known for her trademark "that's may-jah," Zoe has her own entire line of piquant catch phrases. This high-stylista is also someone who is said to control the look of entire glossy magazine spreads without stepping a foot in editorial -- and exerts that same iron-fisted fashionista velvet touch with her Hollywood star friends. Apparently Zoe blows haute... and cold.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 12 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 25 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 85 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "I project that the project will struggle"

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

SONS OF ANARCHY
Drama
Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 10 p.m
FX

Stars: Charlie Hunnam (Queer as Folk), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Katey Sagal (8 Simple Rules), Maggie Siff (Nip/Tuck),Drea de Matteo (The Sopranos), Johnny Lewis, Theo Rossi

What's It All About: An adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones exploring a notorious outlaw motorcycle club's desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that. Charming.

Quote: "Most of these clubs really began as something else. They began as fraternities, of brotherhoods of guys, just most of them war veterans getting together to blow off steam. And in a very short period of time, a lot of these clubs morphed into essentially organized crime syndicates. And I thought that was such an epic arc that happened. And the core of the idea for the drama was I thought, you know, how does that guy, that first guy who designed the patch, put on the cut, and said, 'Hey, let's go out and ride motorcycles, have a few beers, and kick some ass' -- how does that guy feel about eventually what the club became? And does he have regret? Does he have remorse? Would he feel the need to change it? And at that point, the idea and the club and the world is much bigger than the individual. And that's sort of the idea that the drama grew from."-- Executive Producer/Creator Kurt Sutter on how the series came to life over the past two years.

Preview: Take a look at these photos.

Why You Should Watch: The return of two of the most beautiful faces ever to grace the small screen: Katey Sagal and Drea de Mateo. And the return of one of the ugliest: Ron Perlman. Actually Perlman gets a bum rap on that score as he is used to appearing in elaborate prosthetic makeup by way of Hellboy or Beauty and the Beast. Since Married… With Children ended its run, Sagal has done mainly voiceover work, most notably on Futurama. This show marks her return to the weekly lineup and casts her in a role that's a big departure from her earlier personae – a tough as nails Motorcycle Matriarch. Since The Sopranos went off the air, Drea de Mateo has been looking for the right fit after her disastrous turn as Gina Tribbiani, sister to the fatuous "Joey." Associating with lovable and lawless hoodlums
should be right up her alley.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 15 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 20 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 75 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Bland Cast."

By Sara A. Bibel
Fancast.com

90210
Drama
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
CW

Stars: Shenae Grimes (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Jessica Walter (Arrested Development), Lori Loughlin (Summerland), Rob Estes (Melrose Place), Tristan Wilds (The Wire), Jennie Garth, Shannen Doherty, Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills, 90210), Dustin Milligan, Jessica Stroup, Kellan Lutz

What's It All About: As if you didn’t know. The new generation of Beverly Hills teens mingles with favorites from the original Beverly Hills, 90210 in a confection designed to appeal to both generations X and Y.

Quote: "One of the differences from the original show are really having a strong adult storyline. One of the POV's that Gabe and I come from as producers and writers on this show is a strong point of view on parenting. We're both fathers. We feel like this central family, this core family, moves into Beverly Hills and it's, how do they hold onto their, sort of, moral center? We think this generation of parenting is different than the ones we grew up with. We, as parents, did almost everything that our kids are doing. Our parents didn't do that. It's a lot harder to lie to us. We know what they're doing, and they can't get away with stuff that they think they are because we did it 20 years ago." Executive Producer Jeff Judah on how this show differs from the beloved Beverly Hills, 90210.

Preview: Watch this trailer or take a look at this interview with Tristan Wilds

Why You Should Watch: Because you know you loved the original even if you don’t want to admit it. This version is new and improved, without all those annoying after school special subplots. There are even characters with melanin. Executive Produced by two alums of the brilliant Freaks and Geeks, this show should get teenage life right.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 75 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 2 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 8 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Although the cast has changed, the zip code carries weight."

By Sara A. Bibel
Fancast.com

TRUE BLOOD
Fantasy
Premieres Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m.
HBO

Stars: Anna Paquin (X-Men), Stephen Moyer (The Starter Wife), Alexander Skarsgard (Generation Kill), William Sanderson(Deadwood), Ryan Kwanten (Summerland), Sam Trammell

What's It All About: A telepathic waitress (Anna Paquin) falls in love with a vampire (Stephen Moyer) in Alan Ball’s adaptation of Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels.

Quote: "I wanted it to be a show about characters, to really explore what it means to be 170 years old and what it means to fall in love with somebody who basically part of the relationship would involve, in a world that's mutually satisfying, being fed upon, not being able to see this person except at night, having the entire town think, what? Are you crazy?." -- Executive Producer Alan Ball differentiating this show from other vampire shows.

Preview: Watch this trailer or take a look at these photos

Why You Should Watch: Because it’s Six Feet Under genius Alan Ball’s take on vampires. What more could you want? It’s also got an Oscar winning lead actress, romance and humor. It’s about time HBO had anther hit.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 20 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 15 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 50 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Could suck the plasma out of you."

By Julia Diddy
Fancast.com

PRIVILEGED
Comedy/Drama
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m.
The CW

Stars: JoAnna Garcia (Reba), Lucy Kate Hale (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2), Ashley Newbrough, Michael Cassidy (Smallville), Brian Hallisay, Kristina Apgar, Allan Louis, Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction)

What's It All About: In exchange for the easement of her financial woes, a brainy but down-on-her-luck Yale grad (Garcia) agrees to tutor billionaire twins Rose and Sage Baker (Hale and Newbrough) and prepare the dizzy duo for collegiate life, at the request of their grandmother (Archer). Not surprisingly, the road to academic success is paved with good intentions – and baaaaaaad study habits.

Quote: “It’s very much, “What if the Gilmore Girls were teaching the Gossip Girls?”….. " -- Executive Producer Rina Mimoun

Preview: Watch this interview of Anne Archer discussing her role in the show.

Why You Should Watch: Because you think that other CW show (Gossip Girl) would be greatly improved if tongues were planted firmly in cheek in the figurative sense, and with a lot less of that literal tongue-planting going on. If you can’t laugh at the filthy rich…..who can you laugh at?! (Bearing in mind that the faster-paced banter of fare like 30 Rock isn’t everyone’s cup of tea………….)

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 8 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 40 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 150 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Not enough substance."

By Quendrith Johnson
Fancast.com

OUTSIDER'S INN
Reality TV
Premieres Friday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m.
CMT

Stars: Very Brady turned Outsider's innkeeper Maureen McCormick co-stars with pop stars Bobby Brown and Carnie Wilson.

What's It All About: Maureen McCormick enlists the unlikely combo of headlining musical talents, Bobby and Carnie (Wilson Phillips), to run a remote bed and breakfast in Eastern Tennessee. Yo-yo dieter Carnie is the chef, and Bobby is in charge of "entertainment." Overnight guests who stumble upon the Outsider's Inn get tucked in for an up-country ride with these folks at the 'gateway to the Smoky Mountains.' It is "sort of a spin-off" of CMT's Gone Country, according to the show's producers, who found chemistry with this particular trio of wayfarers on that show.

Quote: McCormick had no reservations about the show, saying "It's something that I have always wanted to do that I've always had a passion for, plus I just bonded so well with Carnie and Bobby." Carnie seconded with "there was a lot of trust, you know. When you are approached to do a show like this, and they don't tell you details until the week before, we were thrown into it." Even Bobby Brown said "I wanted to do this show because it was a great idea. The idea was, you know -- it was inviting, and I get along with these two really well."

Preview: See what the unlikely trio has to say about making the show.

Why You Should Watch: Three words: Maureen, Bobby, Carnie. Three's unusual company for this TV freebie vacation boasting a whirlpool with champagne on 200 secluded acres. And "smoking is permitted on the verandah." Plus they have 911 on speed dial... kidding.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 6 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 45 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 175 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "It's a stretch"

By Julie Zied
Fancast.com

RAISING THE BAR
Drama
Premieres Monday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m.
TNT

Stars: Mark Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), Gloria Reuben (ER), Teddy Sears (Ugly Betty), Currie Graham (Boston Legal), Melissa Sagemiller (Boston Sleeper Cell), J. August Richards (Conviction), Jonathan Scarfe (Into The West)

What's It All About: A group of former law school chums reunite in court, with some as public defenders (Gosselaar), and others as prosecutors (Sagemiller), all the while butting heads with each other and their ball-busting presiding judge (Kaczmarek).

Quote: "I have to say, having done a television show for many years with children, I am so happy to be with grownups on this one. It makes the chitchat between scenes so much more interesting. This has just been an absolute delight. The cast members on this and the storylines and being allowed to really grow and develop, create a character has just been delightful on this show. I mean, Steven gives us a really lovely, loose leash to play, and we've all been having a great time." -- Jane Kaczmarek talking about her experience on the show.

Preview: Seems like Jerry (Gosselaar) may have lost his sense of humor on the job in this clip.

Why You Should Watch: Two words: Steven Bochco. The silver-haired 10-time Emmy Award-winning producer has consistently cranked out hits every decade since the 70's, what with Hill Street Blues, Doogie Howser, M.D., L.A. Law, and that little show in the 90's called NYPD Blue. And let's face it: the guy - just like TNT's motto - knows drama.

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 18 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 16 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 60 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "Steven Bochco is it's only plus."

By Julie Zied
Fancast.com

FRINGE
Science Fiction
Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.
FOX

Stars: Anna Torv (The Secret Life of Us), John Noble (24), Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek), Lance Reddick (The Wire), Kirk Acevedo (The Black Donnellys), Jasika Nicole, Mark Valley

What's It All About: A young attractive FBI agent (Torv) is forced to work with a mad scientist (Noble) and his estranged, cocksure son (Jackson) in order to get to the bottom of a wave of unexplainable phenomena.

Quote: "This show is going to have a different sort of paradigm. Week to week, there will be stories. So you can tune in and just watch that...I think we're trying very diligently to do a show that doesn't require the kind of insane, absolute dedication to a series that, if you miss and episode, you truly have no idea what's going on, but hopefully you want to see every episode because they'll be exciting and fun." -- Executive Producer J.J. Abrams differentiating this show from his other plot-twisting series' "Lost" and "Alias."

Preview: Watch this interview or take a look at these photos

Why You Should Watch: Because J.J. Abrams is behind it, and it's one of the most buzzed and blogged about new pilots of the season; and you don't want to be at a loss at the water cooler the following day, not knowing what anyone is talking about when they mention that "creepy see-through body." And last but not least, because this might be the first post-Dawsons role in which you can take Pacey seriously, once he stops referring to Torv as "Sweetheart."

Odds: (As predicted by Vegas Odds-Maker Johnny Avello, Executive Director of Race & Sports - Wynn Las Vegas)

It'll Evaporate First This Season: 50 to 1

It'll Live To See A Second Season: 4 to 1

It'll Become A Mega-Hit: 10 to 1

Johnny's Verdict: "If it follows 'Idol,' it has a big shot."