Each May the networks unveil their fall schedules to advertisers in a series of presentations called the upfronts. So what will be next year's Desperate Housewives? A sneak peek at some of the most promising newcomers:
EVERYBODY RATES CHRIS (UPN, 8 P.M. THURSDAYS) That's Chris as in Rock. The comic produces and narrates this bitingly funny sitcom loosely based on his childhood in Brooklyn's tough Bed-Stuy neighborhood. Hands down, it was the show people were talking about.
REUNION (FOX, 9 P.M. THURSDAYS) Part coming-of-age story, part murder mystery, Reunion follows six high school pals (including American Dreams' Will Estes and Life As We Know It's Sean Faris) over 20 years (each episode marks a year). Intriguingly soapy.
INVASION (ABC, 10 P.M. WEDNESDAYS) Given the success of Lost, there were lots of supernatural goings-on being pitched, but this aliens-among-us series, set to follow Lost, seems to have the right mix of frights and family drama.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS, 8:30 P.M. MONDAYS) Told through flashbacks from 25 years in the future, this romantic comedy showcasing five twentysomething pals (including Alyson Hannigan and Doogie Howser, M.D.'s Neil Patrick Harris) obviously hopes to be the next Friends. It's not there yet, but it has potential.
SUPERNATURAL (THE WB, 9 P.M. TUESDAYS) Jared Padalecki (Gilmore Girls) and Jensen Ackles (Smallville) play brothers hunting the supernatural forces that killed their mother 20 years ago. Violent? Yes. But also very spooky.
MY NAME IS EARL (HBO, 9 P.M. TUESDAYS) Ne'er-do-well Earl (Almost Famous's Jason Lee) wins the lottery and decides to right all the wrongs from his past, like helping the kid he used to pick on in grade school. The oddest show screened all weekâbut in a good way.
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