'Must-See' Fall Teen TV'

The best part about the back-to-school season is the return of fall TV. Some new shows, some old, all entertaining enough to distract students from doing their homework and studying for test.

Although I have never been much of a TV fanatic, there are a few shows that I’m looking forward to…I actually have “Gossip Girl’s” premiere - Labor Day, if you’re a fan - penciled in on my calendar. Here are the major network shows we think young people will be tuning into—or streaming online. Due to the writer’s strike there’s lots more familiar faces and less new series (The CW is a notable exception). Let us know which new shows premiering in “prime time” (is there such a thing anymore?) you think will be teen/young adult hits in the comments!

Sunday

Apart from the regular teen-friendly FOX Sunday night line-up of “The Simpson’s,” “Family Guy”  and “American Dad,” the only other new show on Sunday nights that feels buzzworthy is over on HBO….

“True Blood”: Judging from the enormous popularity of Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” book series, “True Blood” - show about vampires and normal folks coexisting in a small town - will be HBO’s newest hit. If they decided to stream episodes, it could be a teen hit, too.

Monday

NBC

“Chuck:” The writer’s strike may have saved “Chuck,” but this lovable nerd turned intelligence source and his “Geek Squad” should pull in the “Heroes” crowd.

“Heroes”: The big question for this sci-fi drama is can it regain its footing after a shaky sophomore slump.

FOX

“Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles”: Competing against “Chuck” for the “Heroes” lead-in spot, sci-fi fans might choose the Terminator over the “Geek Squad.”

The CW

“Gossip Girl”: Although this show has loads of fans, this will be their make-or-break season for success. Hopefully the return of online streaming will provide a much-needed boost.

“One Tree Hill”: I didn’t realize that this show was still around, but it seems to be hanging on. Now the kids are all grown up leading adult lives, but the high-strung drama continues.

Tuesday

FOX

“Fringe”: “Lost” meets “X-Files” in a smart, slick supernatural thriller. To appeal to a younger audience, FOX is premiering Fringe online the same time as it’s TV debut exclusively on college campuses.

The CW

“90210”: In the same vein as “The OC” and, of course, “Gossip Girl,” the CW’s latest teen soap is bound to make waves. Not only will millennials watch it, but thirty-somethings who loved the show the first time around will likely tune in to see how it matches up.

“Privileged”: Based on the Alloy Entertainment book “How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls,” this sounds like a “Gossip Girl” vacation to the west coast.

ABC Family

“Greek”: Returning with a second season, Greek is back [already]. Casey will be the sorority’s returning president, Rebecca will be full of trouble, and poor Rusty will continue being the resident nice guy - for a frat boy, anyway.

Wednesday

ABC

“Pushing Daisies”: Teens were buzzing about this show last year, and the series about a pie-maker who brings the dead back to life was ranked the number one new TV show in an AOL TV poll (“Gossip Girl” was number 2).

NBC

“Knight Rider”: The talking car and its studly driver captivated kids in the 80s, but will it draw in a new generation of viewers? (Val Kilmer voices KITT the car!)

The CW

“Stylista”: “The Devil Wears Prada” for the small screen. ELLE Magazine’s eccentric fashion news director Anne Slowey plays a Donald Trump-esque figure, with high demands and impossible expectations. Follows “America’s Next Top Model” naturally.

FX

“Sons of Anarchy:” Charlie Hunnam, who has had a few minutes of fame with several thriller films, plays a biker in a outlaw motorcycle gang.

DirectTV (and probably on a peer-to-peer network near you)

“Friday Night Lights”: After much speculation, this Ypulse favorite is returning to DirectTV, then will return to NBC later in the year.

Thursday

ABC

“Ugly Betty” and “Gray’s Anatomy” are back—young women love McDreamy, McSteamy and the general soapiness of “Grays.”

NBC

“Kath & Kim:” Loosely based on an Australian sitcom of the same name, Kath & Kim will bring in an audience with two big stars. Molly Shannon and Selma Blair have a dysfunctional mother + daughter relationship and are full of wacky antics.

“The Office:” Although the finale wasn’t quite as cliff-hanging as the previous year, The Office will pick up where it left off with Angela’s impending vows and Jim and Pam’s possible engagement.

The CW

It’s boys night for the girls as the long-running Superman soap “Smallville” and Hardy Boys-esque “Supernatural” both return.

Friday and Saturday

Hmmmm….who’s home on Friday and Saturday nights? NBC’s “Crusoe,” (Fridays) an adaptation of Daniel Defoe’s classic novel, looks interesting, in a “Lost”-like period piece meets “Pirates of the Caribbean” kind of way.