U.S. Broadcast Networks' Sci-Fi Shows for ’09-’10

 Here's a roundup of some of the things to look forward to in the next stage of the TV season. What's new and what's coming back? See below.
 
ABC:
 
New Shows:
 
Eastwick: Based on the film “The Witches of Eastwick” which was based loosely on the novel by John Updike about three women with witchy powers in an upscale New England town who get to interact with the Devil. (Because apparently it was too early to revive Charmed and none of the hundreds of contemporary witch fantasy series out there took their fancy.)
 
Flash Forward: Based on the SF novel by Robert J. Sawyer, in which the world experiences a quantum disturbance that throws most people’s minds into the future for two minutes and then they all have to deal with the consequences. Starring Joseph Fiennes and Courtney B. Vance. Sawyer did get to consult, and early buzz is good.
 
V: Based on the miniseries and short-lived television spin-off from the 1980’s about alien invaders. Again, apparently the wealth of SF about aliens did not appeal over yet another remake, but casting news has been good – Alan Tudyk and Morena Baccarin from Firefly, Scott Wolf, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch from 4400, Laura Vandervoort from Smallville, and many more.
 
Returning Shows:
 
Lost – The last and final season, the one with all the answers about that pesky island – or not. Will it join Battlestar Galactica in God-Devil territory for the finale or will it stick with quantum mechanics? Tune in, because you’re not going to be able to follow it any other way.
 
CBS:
 
New Shows:
 
Medium – It’s not new exactly, but it is coming to a new home after NBC cancelled it. The show follows the adventures of married psychic Allison DuBois who works with the Arizona police and DA’s office on crimes.
 
Returning Shows:
 
Ghost Whisperer – Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as a psychic paranormal investigator who sees ghosts and tries to help them. Probably going to be paired with Medium.
 
NBC:
 
New Shoes:
 
Day One – NBC goes post-apocalypse, as survivors after the cataclysmic destruction of the world’s infrastructure learn to live like people in the Third World. No Internet!
 
The Listener – A telepathic paramedic tries to help people while hiding his abilities and trying to figure out why he has them.
 
Merlin – Imported from the BBC in Britain, rather than remade for the U.S., it follows the adventures of Merlin the legendary sorcerer as a young man. Stars Anthony Head of Buffy fame and John Hurt.
 
Returning Shows:
 
Chuck – A playful, Get Smart-like comedy about a computer technician who gets saddled with an experimental government intelligence database and has to act as a spy for the U.S. Features Adam Baldwin from Firefly.
 
Heroes – The troubled superhero show has former writer Bryan Fuller rejoining for its next season, and it still has a strong cast.
 
Fox:
 
New Shows:
 
Human Target – A bodyguard protects his subjects by drawing the assassin’s fire. Because Fox felt it needed another identity crisis show. But hey, it’s got Chi McBride in it, and since we can’t get him in Pushing Daisies anymore, this might be worth checking out. Based loosely on the comics series from DC Comics.
 
Past Life – Fox is definitely going with an identity theme for the new season. This one’s about a team of detectives who use regression and reincarnation theory and hypnosis to solve mysteries. Richard Schiff, formerly of West Wing, heads up the cast.
 
Returning Shows:
 
Dollhouse – Joss Whedon’s noir conspiracy series about people whose memories are erased so that they can be imprinted with other personalities. Got a second season, so there. Starring Eliza Dushku.
 
Fringe – The FBI investigates more weird stuff from producer J.J. Abrams. Possibly some involving identity crises. Starring John Noble, Anna Tory and Joshua Jackson.
 
CW:
 
New Shows:
 
The Vampire Diaries – Based on the bestselling series of YA novels by L.J. Smith. A combination of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight (though written before both of them,) about a young teen who gets caught up with a pair of ancient vampire brothers.
 
Returning Shows:
 
Smallville – The adventures of young Superman continues for a ninth season. Will Clark Kent stick to his new vow to stay emotionally detached? Naw.
 
Supernatural – The Winchester brothers ride against evil for what looks like their final season. Only this time, they’re facing the Devil and the apocalypse, not to mention a lot of angry angels.