Thrills, laugher on FOX this fall

By: Stephen Ortiz

Posted: 9/8/08

Another fall, another season of television - and who does it better than Fox (besides NBC because, let's face it, they have "The Office")? After you dig through the piles of bad reality TV and shows that just refuse to go away (looking at you, "24"), you will come across a slew of intelligent programs full of drama, action and thrills. Here are the ones you should definitely reserve your prime time for.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Season 2

Airs: Monday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m.

Arguably the biggest surprise on television when it aired this past January, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" catered to the needs of those faithful to the "Terminator" films, and was very accessible for those who were new to the "Terminator" universe. Sadly, however, the first season was cut down to nine episodes because of the writers' strike and ended on a massive cliffhanger.

The series takes place between the second and third films. John Connor (Thomas Dekker) and his mother, Sarah Connor (Lena Headey), are constantly on the run from the authorities, their past - oh, and some Terminators - robots from the future out to enslave mankind. Of course, it wouldn't be right if there weren't at least one cyborg out to protect the Connor clan and that's where, Cameron Phillips (Summer Glau), steps in. She has a sound sci-fi portfolio ("Firefly," "Serenity") and she is much easier on the eyes than Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The first episode of the second season, "Samson and Delilah," picks up right where the first season left off: Cameron being blown up in a car by the real Sarkissian and the Turk still lost. The episode has plenty of action, adds a few new characters and contains a plot twist or two that most probably won't see coming.

Fringe, Season 1

Airs: Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 8 p.m. for pilot; 9 p.m. for rest of season

"Fringe" is this fall's must-watch. From J.J. Abrams, the man behind "Alias," "Lost" and "Cloverfield," "Fringe" is a big -budget, sci-fi thriller with plenty going for it.

Taking place mostly in modern-day Boston, the pilot begins when an international flight lands at Boston's Logan Airport with all of the passengers horrifically slain in an apparent act of terrorism, their bodies liquid and transparent.

Enter FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), who is called in to investigate. After her partner is nearly killed during the investigation (he's hit with the same thing that got the passengers of the flight) Dunham searches for an answer, leading her to Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), who may have the answer to reversing the effects.

The problem is he's been institutionalized for the last 17 years and the only way to question him requires pulling his estranged son Peter (Joshua Jackson) in to help.

Now all of this may seem like a by-the-books terrorist thriller a la "24," but it's not. It's got a unique sci-fi twist that works really well because of the show's big budget.

The producers have the backing to make whatever absurd plot they conjure up work. The pilot works like a movie (clocking in at 82 minutes) and will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Do Not Disturb, Season 1

Airs: Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 9:30 p.m.

This is a brand new comedy focused on employees at a New York hotel called The Inn.

In the first episode, "Work Sex," (after an article is published in a local magazine about a former employee's sexual escapades with a co-worker), Rhonda (Niecy Nash) tries to put a stop to all the hooking up going on between employees at work.

There's nothing too special about "Do Not Disturb."

It's a pretty standard paint-by-numbers comedy with clichéd characters that all have their own subplots and hijinks to deal with.

The jokes are hit and miss, but work for the half-hour time slot it has.

The cast, made up of mostly no-name actors, is highlighted by Jerry O'Connell ("Crossing Jordan") who plays Neal, The Inn's good looking, ladies' man general manager who gives the show potential to be enjoyable.