New TV shows? It's sofa city, sweetheart!

I'm nearly giddy with anticipation as I await the fall season premieres on TV this week. How ridiculous is it that this excites me so much? Probably not nearly as insane as my summerlong obsession with ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” so I’m giving myself a pass on this one. I'll admit to being a bit of a TV junkie. I have no defense other than that I just plain love it. And I'll watch almost anything.

Gimme some "CSI: Miami," "NCIS" and "Law & Order: SVU" and I'm there, slurping up that big bowl of alphabet soup that is the modern cop/crime drama. This season, I'll be adding the awesome Aussie Simon Baker to the mix in his new show "The Mentalist," which looks to be a smart and edgy new twist on the genre. He's been a fave of mine since starring in "The Guardian" with Dabney Coleman a few years back, and I loved him on the big screen in "Something New" and "The Devil Wears Prada." Now let's hope the show's writers can step up the writing and match his on-screen sizzle; unfortunately, the reviews for I've read for the season premiere are somewhat lackluster and that doesn't bode well. The world needs more Simon Baker and his dead-on American accent. I'm thrilled that CBS agrees with me, at least for the time being.

On the reality front, I think it's going to be "Survivor: Gabon" on CBS for me this fall. The west central African environment looks to be just as challenging for the contestants as anything host Jeff Probst will throw at them, though I haven't read much about the season yet. I'm predicting an earlier than expected ouster for Marcus, the doctor, and I hope the Survivors have the good sense to keep Gillian, the most senior woman, around longer than we anticipate. I am somewhat underwhelmed with this season's offering on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." I'll watch, but I can't promise I'll enjoy it. Except for Cloris Leachman. I plan to relish every moment the old broad is on my 50-inch flat screen. We can only hope some of her former "Facts of Life" co-stars show up to cheer her on, because there's not nearly enough Nancy McKeon and Mindy Cohn in my world. (And let's not forget the FOL Geoge Clooney connection here. Ahhh, a girl can dream!) I've decided to give "The Amazing Race" another shot this fall. I think I burned out on this a couple seasons back, but I'm hoping to revive my interest come September 28. With contestants like the tie-dye clad aging hippies Anita and Arthur and the team of middle-aged mother Toni and her Abercrombie-hot son Dallas, I don't know how I could go wrong!

Old faves that will have me queuing up with my family for ultimate power over the remote control include the 15th and final season of "ER" on NBC. The teases for the premiere have us wondering which of our favorite characters dies in the premiere episode, and the return of original and longtime cast member Noah Wyle's Dr. John Carter in addition to Shane West in the role of double amputee Dr. Ray Barnett will keep me tuned in 'til spring. I'm holding out a scintilla of hope for a sighting of Dr. Doug Ross, but I might have to get in line behind current Clooney-stalker, Ellen DeGeneres. I'll be back for more of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" too, but they'd better give me a clear resolution on Meredith and McDreamy's relationship so we can progress to some actually compelling storylines. The back and forth of will-they-or-won't-they is getting to be a drag. If I wanted that, I'd buy seasons 1-5 of "Moonlighting" on DVD and hold my own sexual tension marathon. Or "Cheers," for that matter. Or "Remington Steele." Or "Wings." It's been done, people. Move along.

Last but not least, my new guilty pleasure: "Knight Rider" on NBC. Yeah, Kitt's a Ford Mustang and partner Mike Traceur, aka Michael Knight's son, has been manscaped, but these are good things, people. Chest hair and Pontiac Trans Ams are so '80s. I don't expect this one to last long, folks, so enjoy it while you can.