I spy a familiar TV formula

Those looking for something new, bold or innovative on broadcast television this fall won't find much that's buzzworthy.

So far, there doesn't appear to be any instant hits like last year's refreshing musical dramedy "Glee;" nothing as clever as the Emmy-winning "Modern Family," or as extraordinary as "Lost" and "Heroes" from seasons past.

The networks are playing it safe by loading the schedule with familiar faces and familiar genres, such as cop procedurals, courtroom dramas and spy thrillers.

One gamble with a promising future is NBC's light-hearted espionage offer, "Undercovers," from J.J. Abrams ("Lost"). It's a gamble because it stars a black couple (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Boris Kodjoe) - dramas with black leads have been few and far between.

The two play sexy, sophisticated, globetrotting heroes in a slick and entertaining show. We haven't seen one like this since "I Spy" in the 1960s.

Couch potatoes will spy a familiar formula often this fall: maverick, flawed or unorthodox heroes will be putting away villains.

New science fiction, fantasy, or multilayered mysteries are in short supply; the most far out is NBC's "The Event." It opens with an assassination attempt on the president (Blair Underwood) and a surprise cliffhanger.

This conspiracy thriller looks like another "Lost" but the producers swear it will be more like "24" as it unfolds.

Blame the lack of creative risk on a troubled economy, which has many viewers seeking the comfort of a whodunit that's neatly solved in one hour. Tight finances and dwindling advertising revenues also have made the networks reluctant to try something new. They're going for what's worked in the past.

Among the familiar faces coming back to prime time: Tom Selleck returns as a New York City police chief on "Blue Bloods"; Jimmy Smits plays a crusading lawyer on "Outlaw"; Dana Delany is an overbearing medical examiner on "Body of Proof;" Jim Belushi is a freewheeling Las Vegas attorney on "The Defenders"; and Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney are battling in court on "The Whole Truth."

You can't get more familiar than CBS's revival of "Hawaii Five-0" and NBC's "Law & Order: Los Angeles."

And The CW's "Nikita" is the third remake of the 20-year-old French classic, "La Femme Nikita." But this redo is an adrenaline rush with sizzling actress Maggie Q coolly playing a renegade spy out to take down a corrupted spy agency.

The start of the 2010-2011 TV season, which officially kicks off Sept. 20, features several fair to good series and not that many stinkers.

The one to avoid absolutely is "$#*! My Dad Says," starring William Shatner as a cantankerous, opinionated and politically incorrect father who continually embarrasses his grown son.

The show with the bleeped title has drawn criticism from the conservative Parents Television Council, which has problems with the title. The series itself, however, has no profanity. It's just not funny and it's one of several series that are being retooled after negative feedback from critics.

Walt's Top 5 to Watch

1. "Undercovers" - This glossy spy romp plays like an update of "Hart to Hart."

2. "Lone Star" - Newcomer James Wolk hits the mark as an appealing con man.

3. "Nikita" - This action-packed thriller features the toughest female hero on TV.

4. "Raising Hope" - It's an offbeat comedy with oddball characters but it has heart.

5. "The Event" - Will this time-hopping mystery thriller be the next "Lost"?

Second Stringers With Potential:

1. "The Whole Truth" - A new twist on legal dramas lets the audience be the jury.

2. "Blue Bloods" - Tom Selleck heads a family of New York cops and lawyers.

3. "Body of Proof" - Check out Dana Delany as a female version of Dr. House.

4. "Hawaii Five-0" - The islands and the cops look good, so "Book (it), Dano!"

5. "Better With You" - Tampa's Joanna Garcia shines in this comedy about marriage.