I’ve been looking forward to the fall TV season since Entourage went off the air back in early August. All of the television pundits claim that this is a banner year for TV with many great new shows coming out this fall. I’ve had my eye on a few, but I don’t know if I’ll find a way to watch all of them…I can’t imagine that one won’t be cancelled soon.

We’ve checked out a few shows so far, with a few more to come. Here are my initial thoughts:

‘Til Death – I had high hopes for this show starring Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett and Eddie Kaye Thomas (Finch from American Pie). We’re two episodes in and there’s not much good to say. The show has some funny moments, but for the most part, it’s just another sitcom with a lousy view of marriage. The premise of the show is that some newlyweds move next door to a couple that has been married for a long time. The older couple does everything they can to undermine the enthusiasm of the newlyweds with their pessimism and crankiness. If the show doesn’t get better quickly, it’s getting cancelled from the DVR season recorder.

the class – An ensemble sitcom from the creators of Friends? Count me in. The first episode was last night and I think it kind of served to set up some storylines, but it could be interesting. The only people even remotely recognizable (could be said for any of the Friends cast too, initially) are Andrea Anders (who co-starred with Matt LeBlanc on the oft-maligned Joey) and Jason Ritter (son of the late John Ritter). If the writing is smart, it could be a good show. I’ll give it 4 or 5 episodes to wow me, but not more than that. It has the benefit of being on Monday before How I Met Your Mother (which also started last night…YES!), so it might get a little more leniency.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – This has to be one of the most anticipated shows of the new season. Giant cast (Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, Steven Weber, Sara Paulson), high-profile writer (Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing fame), and a decent time slot (it only really has to compete against the juggernaut, Miami-flavored, awful David Caruso starring CSI. I really was looking forward to this show, especially to see what Matthew Perry would do in a more serious role. The show is centered around two guys who have taken over a Saturday-Night-Live-esque show on the fictional network NBC…errrr….NBS. I never really was able to get into The West Wing, but I LOVE this show. Alli and I are really excited because we finally have another hour-long show to replace Alias. The first episode was fast-paced, riveting, and well-acted. I thought Amanda Peet was terrific and I’m really excited for this show over most of the others that will likely get cancelled. By the way, they are showing the entire first episode on nbc.com.

So that’s it for now. There are others coming up that I’ll be recording, particularly Twenty Good Years with John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor, which looks good, although I don’t know if there will be enough scenes for each of these guys to chew. I also am anticipating Tina Fey’s first foray into sitcom writing with 30 Rock, although I can’t assume that NBC will put THAT many good shows on TV. Let’s hope though. I’m also looking forward to JJ Abrams’ new show Six Degrees. Could be interesting.

I’m a TV freak, I know, but hey…that’s me.