TV’s Going Well, but Viewers Are Just Going

The other day, we had a nice little talk about how this is an odd TV season _ with or without a writers strike _ and how none of the new shows has viewers doing wild somersaults.

Ratings are down about 4 percent, though that may have nothing to do with the quality of the shows and instead be all about the tons of other ways people can entertain themselves these days.

Certainly, it’s not about the quality of most the big-deal veteran series _ with the significant exception of NBC’s "Heroes" _ which have, as a group, been getting it done creatively this season.

So, today, we’ll finish our look at the fall season so far, and we’d better do it now, before it all goes away in a wash of labor strife. This is a list of the better network shows on, and it’s a pretty long one. So don’t complain to me if you can’t find something to watch.

_NBC’s "Heroes." Let’s start here, because it was the show that gave last season so much early buzz, and this season it’s down about 15 percent in ratings. The reason? It started slow and pretty much stayed there. But that began to turn around two weeks ago, and the good news is creator Tim Kring is as aware of the problem as viewers are.

Kring has said a number of times recently, including in an interview this month with Entertainment Weekly, that he thought the pacing was pokey, that Hiro (Masi Oka) stayed in Japan too long, and that the plotting seemed aimless.

Basically, Kring said, he was trying to re-create the mystery buildup of the first season, but realized he has to move everyone forward and keep them connected.

However _ this applies to every show _ it’s unclear how much fixing, if any, Kring will get to do because of the strike. On the plus side, even before the strike, he already had constructed the season to tie up with a good cliffhanger on Dec. 3, and he promises fans will feel better when they see the episodes up to that.

_CBS’ "CSI." The mothership of the franchise has been a powerhouse every week this season, and there’s another strong episode Thursday (at 8 p.m. EST) with the departure of Sara (Jorja Fox). The others have been keeping form, too. "CSI: Miami" remains a kick of a comic book in TV form, and "CSI: New York" just keeps tossing out one innovation after another _ the journey into the online world of "Second Life" was a top-end hour.

_ABC’s "Grey’s Anatomy." It’s back on track after a not-so-great second half of last season. The wit and the ironic pathos that powered the series have been revived. I miss Addison (Kate Walsh), though. Whoever that is who’s using her name on "Private Practice" is way too weak and whiny.

_Fox’s "House." The reality-style elimination tournament has been a merry little stunt, Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) is more the sociopath than ever, and the tryouts have been good fodder. However, time to move on. If there’s any flaw in this excellent series, it’s that it sometimes wanders too far down roads meant to challenge House, like the vindictive CEO and the vindictive cop. Though with House, it’s not hard to see how a guy could get vindictive.

_ABC’s "Desperate Housewives." It’s taken nearly two seasons, but this big-buzz series has bounced back _ thank you, new star Dana Delany. Creator Mark Cherry is also back on his game with the skillful mix of dark humor, odd mystery, delicious soap and occasional slapstick.

_NBC’s "The Office." It was asked to fill a handful of one-hour slots early in the season, and, in essence, to keep the funny alive at NBC. These people did all of that, with class. It remains the most perfect comedy on TV.

_NBC’s "30 Rock." Right with "The Office" on the funny scale, this is one of the shows that will really suffer because of the strike. Each new episode has been better than the last, and consistent exposure might actually draw some viewers.

_Fox’s "Family Guy." Every time I see a new episode, I love it more.

_CW’s "Everybody Hates Chris." Will somebody please watch this show? It’s so funny, it belongs in NBC’s comedy lineup. Which nobody watches, either, so never mind.

_NBC’s "Friday Night Lights." There’ve been some less-than-perfect plot twists, but the writing and acting remain stellar, and Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are delightful, painful and mesmerizing as TV’s most genuine couple.

_CBS’ "Criminal Minds." Joe Mantegna was a good choice to step in for the suddenly out-the-door Mandy Patinkin. Mantegna still has heft, but a very different feel, and it works.

_NBC’s "Law Vegas." Tom Selleck was an even better choice to step in for the departed James Caan. "Vegas" is a silly show, the dictionary definition of escapism. But it’s always been fun and Selleck makes it cool, too.

_CW’s "Smallville." A solid show that continues to have the most ironically cast guest stars on TV, and this season there’s an electric Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort).

_CW’s "Supernatural." A great pairing with "Smallville," and it manages some solid scary, too.

_ABC’s "Ugly Betty." The buzz is gone, but the charm isn’t. This remains a whimsical soap filled with good dopiness and better pluck.

_Fox’s "Bones." Another series that’s maintained its whimsy and charm, though since it’s a crime procedural, this is whimsy of a different sort. Still, always a positive hour.

_ABC’s "Brothers & Sisters." Another second-year show that keeps getting better.

_CBS’ "Cold Case." It continues to be one of TV’s most-underappreciated series. It can be overwhelmingly tragic, yet without losing a warm humanity and heart.

_CBS’ "The Unit." Another of TV’s most-underappreciated shows. The muscular writing alone is worth the time.

_CBS’ "NCIS." And a third underappreciated series. And this one gets great ratings.

_CBS’ "Without a Trace." See above. CBS doesn’t get much respect for some of its hours, does it?

_USA Network’s "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." It’s now a cable series, but it remains a compelling procedural with great acting. And, yeah, that breaks the only-on-the-networks guidelines for this, but it once was a network show. Besides, my list, my rules.

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This week’s "What’d They Do to My Show?" shifts to cable:

FX finally decided what it’s doing with "Damages," the Glenn Close legal thriller. It will get two new seasons, 26 episodes total. And, in what was no surprise, Showtime announced recently it will make another season of the terrifically witty "Weeds." Because of the strike, when either of these will return is anybody’s guess.

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Rick Kushman: rkushman@sacbee.com

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