2) PAN AM
Sept. 25, 10 p.m., ABC
Premise: Back in 1963, Pan Am had the notion that being a stewardess was a passport to paradise. Anyone that’s flown lately knows that’s patently untrue, but ABC hopes shimmering nostalgia will make you forget the awful state of air travel today.
Cast: Christina Ricci, Kelli Garner, Karine Vanasse and Margot Robbie are the fetching stars.
Why you’ll watch: If “Pan Am” doesn’t do for white gloves and blouses with darts what “Mad Men” did for suits, we will eat our hats. Expect a smooth landing from co-pilots Jack Orman and Tommy Schlamme (“West Wing”).
ABC
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3) PERSON OF INTEREST
Sept. 22, 9 p.m., CBS
Premise: Billionaire Mr. Finch develops a computer program that can predict when someone is going to be a crime victim. Finch persuades former CIA operative John Reese to assist him, and together the two form their own “Minority Report” security squad.
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson (right)
Why you’ll watch: Action and suspense sell this drama from Jonathan Nolan (“The Dark Knight”). Nolan and J.J. Abrams (“Lost” and “Fringe”) are the executive producers.
CBS
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NEW GIRL
Sept. 20, 9 p.m., Fox
Premise: The socially awkward but adorable Jessica (Zooey Deschanel) breaks up with her cheating boyfriend and moves in with three bachelors. They immediately become her boyfriends, brothers and protectors all rolled into one.
Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris
Why you’ll watch: Nerd-boy favorite Deschanel can’t miss in this “Big Bang Theory” in reverse. In that show, Kaley Cuoco shows her geeky neighbor boys the rules of the social world; in “New Girl,” Jessica is the one with a lot to learn.
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5) THE PLAYBOY CLUB
Sept.19,9p.m.,nBC
Premise: This would-be “Mad Men” takes place at Chicago’s Playboy Club where bunnies hop about proferring cigarettes and drinks to lewd customers.
Cast: Eddie Cibrian, Laura Benanti, Amber Heard
Why you’ll watch: Glamour, sex, suspense. Tony-winner Benanti (“Gypsy”) steals several scenes.
Matt Dinerstein/NBC
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6) TERRA NOVA
Sept. 26, 8 p.m., Fox
Premise: Mankind is forced to live among dinosaurs to escape deadly pollution in their own time.
Cast: Jason O’Mara (right), Shelley Conn, Stephen Lang
Why you’ll watch: This year’s sci-fi gamble has a Spielberg pedigree and special effects, but the story is a bit like “Jurassic Park” meets “Land of the Lost.”
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7) SUBURGATORY
Sept. 28, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Premise: Single dad George freaks out when he finds a box of condoms on his 16-year-old daughter Tessa’s nightstand, so he moves them from New York City to the suburbs. When Tessa encounters the locals, she is horrified.
Cast: Jeremy Sisto, Jane Levy, Alan Tudyk, Cheryl Hines
Why you’ll watch: An excellent cast and a zany take on American life will fit in nicely with ABC’s Wednesday lineup of “Modern Family,” “The Middle” and “Cougar Town.”
ABC
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8) UNFORGETTABLE
Sept. 20, 10 p.m., CBS
Premise: Carrie Wells can remember everything — except her sister’s murder. Her ex recruits her to help the NYPD, and the search for the sister’s killer revs up.
Cast: Poppy Montgomery, Dylan Walsh
Why you’ll watch: Fans of Montgomery (“Without a Trace”) and Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) will be pleasantly surprised.
CBS
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9) PRIME SUSPECT
Sept. 22, 10 p.m., NBC
Premise: Bitter NY cop Jane Timoney fights sexism.
Cast: Maria Bello (left), Aidan Quinn
Why you’ll watch: Bello can’t hold a candle to Helen Mirren, who owns this role, but the remake may not need that to find success.
Patrick Harbron/NBC
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10) 2 BROKE GIRLS
Sept. 19, 9:30 p.m., CBS
Premise: A Park Avenue princess (Beth Behrs) meets gum-cracking Williamsburg waitress (Kat Dennings) in this post real estate bubble “Laverne & Shirley.”
Cast: Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs (left)
Why you’ll watch: Perfect comic timing will make Dennings a star. Still, the comedy’s going to have to work harder if it’s going to keep up with her.
CBS
