We’re celebrating the Fall 2011 TV season by breaking down what you need to watch live, what you need to DVR, and what you should save for online viewing this year. We’ll also give you a heads-up on the shows you should be reading recaps for to stay in the know with your friends and relatives. Check out Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s schedules if you haven’t already. Now, on to Thursday!

WHAT TO WATCH LIVE:

Community It’s Community’s third season, but for me, it will be my first season sitting down with Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Alison Brew, and the rest of the cast. I’ve tried in the past to get into the show, but never caught the Community-bug. But this year, I’m hopeful because of the addition of one key cast member: John Goodman. What can I say – I have a soft spot for Dan Connor. (And yes, I’m watching Roseanne’s Nuts too.)

Parks and Recreation If you’ve never seen Parks and Recreation before, now’s probably a good time to start. The show has found it’s footing after a rocky first season and a second and third season with tremendous character growth and styling adjustments. All the cogs seem to be working together – great writing, loveable characters, and consistently hysterical performances – lead by three-time Emmy nominee Amy Poehler. This season, Poehler’s Leslie Knope is hitting the campaign trail in small town Pawnee – while trying to maintain a budding romance with Adam Scott’s Ben Wyatt.

Person of Interest In the crowded jungle of crime-solving shows, you have to have something that lets you stand out. For Person of Interest, that means a premise built around solving crimes using cutting-edge surveillance technology on cell phones, computers, street cameras, etc. The show comes from the mind of executive producers J.J. Abrams (Lost) and Jonathan Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight), and stars Taraji P. Henson, Jim Caviezel, and – HOLY SHIT – MICHAEL EMRSON! That’s right – BEN LINUS IS ON THIS SHOW! Automatic must-see TV!

Prime Suspect The U.S. retelling of the hit 90s UK series puts Maria Bello in the Helen Mirren lead role – this time playing Jane Timoney, a tough NYC homicide detective. Differences from the UK series are plentiful. Whereas Mirren’s Suspect solved one crime over the course of one season, Bello’s Suspect tackles a crime-an-episode. Bello’s character will also fight against all those American issues – like getting respect from her male colleagues, trying to maintain a dating life, and – yes – quitting smoking. I’m a little procedural’ed out personally – but I think that Bello will keep me tuning into this one.

WHAT TO DVR:

Charlie’s Angels Come on – I know you’re a little curious to see what they do with this reboot of the 70s classic. From what I’ve seen so far, they’ve done everything they can to eliminate the camp of the original series, focusing on real, grounded characters and action-packed sequences. It’s a fun hour, all around. But in post-Cover Affairs world, it still feels a little too…USA. Still, I’ll give it a few episodes to find it’s footing. Besides, even I can’t deny that Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly, and Rachel Taylor are certainly nice to look at.

The Office Michael Scott is gone. And in his place, comes to the new manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch. Only, we don’t know who that is yet. What we do know, is that James Spader joins the cast this year, playing Robert California, the new CEO of Dunder Mifflin’s parent company, Sabre (Spader replaces Kathy Bates’ Jo Bennett, who moves away from The Office to focus on Harry’s Law). Spader will surely pump some new life into the show, which in its eighth season, has become a little formulaic. But I’m okay with that. I’m still totally enamored by Jim, Pam, Angela, Kelly, Dwight, and the rest of the crew, and don’t plan on letting them go anytime soon.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia It took me a few years to come around to It’s Always Sunny. The show was a bit of an acquired taste. Now that I’ve learned to love it, though, I really love it. And season 7 sounds like it’s going to have a lot of meat to it. As in, Rob McElhenney has gained 50 pounds for an upcoming storyline. That’s dedication, huh? The least you can do is tune in to see why.

Project Runway It’s not the best season Project Runway’s ever had. In fact, I’m having a hard time finding any desires to really root for. Still, it’s Project Runway. The fashion’s fun to watch even when it’s bad (heck, ESPECIALLY when it’s bad).  Plus, how can you not love Tim Gunn? The 10pm showing will conflict with what you’ve already got going, so catch a later showing (usually 12am or 1am, depending).

WHAT TO WATCH ONLINE:

Big Bang Theory I’d suggest you watch it live, but I think Community needs your support more.

Grey’s Anatomy I’m not a huge Grey’s fan, but I know this is one of those shows that has diehard viewers. I still think Person of Interest is a better choice for your live slot. And The Office takes up less space on the DVR. But I understand you may want to keep up with the crew at Seattle Grace, so I’d suggest tuning in online.

The Vampire Diaries I totally hate vampires. But I love Ian Somerhalder, so I won’t fault you if you want to watch him brooding about.

WHAT TO READ ABOUT ONLINE THE NEXT DAY:

In November, Thursday’s The X-Factor will become a one-hour results show (to make room for Bones at 9PM. So skip that and check up on who got voted off on the blogs.

WHAT TO IGNORE:

The Secret Circle wasn’t my thing. I’ve also grown tired of the shenanigans over on Jersey Shore. And aren’t two-hours of The X-Factor on Wednesday night enough? Skip Thursday and catch a break. Then there’s Whitney. My god, have you seen those previews? Kill yourself.

We’re celebrating the Fall 2011 TV season by breaking down what you need to watch live, what you need to DVR, and what you should save for online viewing this year. We’ll also give you a heads-up on the shows you should be reading recaps for to stay in the know with your friends and relatives. We’ve attacked Monday and Tuesday already. Welcome to Hump Day!

WHAT TO WATCH LIVE:

Survivor: South Pacific 23 seasons into the run of Survivor, I still can’t get enough of the alliances, challenges, tribal councils, immunity idols, and of course, those damn video messages from home.  The show’s remained fresh by not only changing up its format each year (this season, “Redemption Island” has returned, as have two retuning players from seasons past), but also by continuing to cast interesting personalities. This year, it’s hard not to root for John Cochran – a 24-year-old self-described nerd and all-around Survivor-scholar, whose pale white skin, fragile disposition, and Harvard-education isn’t winning him many friends on his tribe. The great thing about Survivor is that with the right moves, Cochran could win it all. That unpredictability – and use of “outwit, outlast, and outplay” strategy – is exactly what Survivor remains the best competition reality show on television (no matter what the Emmys say).

Modern Family Speaking of the Emmys, there’s a reason why Modern Family won almost every award in the comedy category: it’s damn funny. Excellently cast and beautifully written, it’s pretty impossible not to fall in love with this show. I can’t imagine a more perfect way to forget about the stress of your own insane family.

Happy Endings It hasn’t had the break-out success of Modern Family. But then again, Happy Endings was a mid-season replacement at the end of the last season. Did anyone really expect a show that ABC held for so long to be good? Well surprise surprise – there’s a happy ending here. Because the show is great, and back for a full-run this year! Following a group of six friends (Eliza Coupe, Zachary Knighton, Adam Pally, Casey Wilson, Elisha Cuthbert, and Damon Wayans Jr), Happy Endings isn’t necessarily charting new territory here. Dating, sex, friendship – we’ve seen it all before in countless sitcoms. Yet Happy Endings still feels fresh. Perhaps it’s its fast-paced, single-camera style? Or its phenomenal cast? Or the fact that no one was watching for so long, the show was able to get it’s footing without the scrutiny of the Fall season? Regardless – I’m just glad it’s back. Give it a chance. It’s a great companion to Modern Family.

American Horror Story Truth be told, I have no idea what to expect from American Horror Story. But the premise sounds intriguing. Ben and Vivien Harmon (played by Dylan McDermott and Connie Britton) move with their young daughter to an old house in LA. Clearly, the house is haunted in some way that, judging from the preview, causes a bunch of weird and terrifying shit to occur. Oh, and then Jessica Lange appears as a creppy neighbor. And if all that’s not enough to get you watching, then just remember this: all of this comes from the mind of creator Ryan Murphy. Yes, the same guy who created Glee – a show about the lives of singing and dancing teenagers – also created a horror show where a guy in a black latex suit has sex with the mom from Friday Night Lights in a mysterious red room. Sign me up!

WHAT TO DVR:

The X-Factor Admit it: you kind of miss Simon Cowell. His snarky grin. His cutting criticisms. His deep V-neck shirts. And you kind of miss Paula Adbul too. Her standing ovations. Her lame jokes. Her constant praise of the worst contestants. Together, Simon and Paula are a dynamic duo – the perfect kind of odd couple with the right kind of chemistry that you simply can’t look away from. And that, my friends, is the main reason to tune into The X-Factor.  Simon and Paula, back together again on the judging panel.

Sure, there’s other judges on the panel you may be interested in. Record executive/producer L.A. Reid and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger probably have their fans. There’s also going to be a lot of talented contestants. But looks at American Idol and The Voice and America’s Got Talent and the 9-million other singing reality shows there have been. They all end up with talented contestants, some way or the other. No, the judges are the reason you watch. And Simon and Paula, while not the best critics, are certainly entertaining to watch.

Of course, they’re doing much more than judging on The X-Factor. Each judge is assigned one of four categories (“Girls: Ages 12-30,” “Boys: Ages 12-30,” “Individuals over 30,” or “Groups”). Each judge then works with that group for the whole show – picking songs, arrangements, clothing, staging, etc. Whatever performer(s) win, their judge also “wins.” Think of it as The Voice but with the range of contestants from America’s Got Talent. Make sense?

So although you may be pooped with these reality singing competition shows, I’d give The X-Factor a chance, for Simon and Paula’s sake. But do yourself a favor: DVR it and skim through the commercials (and bad performances).

Work of Art I’ve long said that I’d watch anything on Bravo. Case in point: I still have a season pass for Most Eligible Dallas, even though I hate it. But for every Million Dollar Listing, there’s a Top Chef – quality entertainment that you don’t mind watching all-day on a Saturday.

Which brings us to Work of Art – Bravo’s search for the next great artist. The first season, which wrapped up last year, was one of the best competition shows I’ve seen in years. It did for the art world what Project Runway did for the fashion world and what Top Chef did for the food world: made it relatable. Everyday folks feel like they can talk about those subjects because these shows have found a way to take the elitism away. They took us behind the curtain. Season 2 promises more adventurous challenges, talented artists, and brilliant work. Record the 11pm showing for a nice weekend viewing.

Top Chef: Just Desserts The Top Chef spin-off is a sweet treat in a crowded night of reality competition shows.

WHAT TO WATCH ONLINE:

Up All Night Last week’s premiere had its high moments (the karaoke bar) and it’s low moments (that cleanse was completely moronic). But it’s enough to want to come back to Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, Mya Rudolph, and crew. Unfortunately, it’s a tough night, so I’d suggest catching up on the show online (unless you skip Survivor, in which case, watch live!).

Suburgatory 16-year-old Tessa Altman (Jane Levy) loves her life in New York City. Until her single-father (Jeremy Sisto) moves her to the suburbs to start over. There, Tessa enters the world of superficial teens and plastic surgery-loving moms. You know, suburgatory! Altman’s take on the ‘burbs is pretty hysterical. She comes off as a cross between Juno and Cady Heron from Mean Girls. It’s the kind of show you’d see on MTV – which is why I give ABC mad-props for airing it in the first place. Check it online to support it.

America’s Next Top Model It’s hard to believe it Tyra and gang have gone through 16 cycles searching for America’s Next Top Model. I mean, can you even named one woman on the show? Oh you can? ME TOO! Which is why you clearly plan on recording ANTM Cycle 17: All-Stars. All the crazies are back. which means you should be too.

WHAT TO READ ABOUT ONLINE THE NEXT DAY:

If you want to skip X-Factor, a good recap blog with video will probably do. Everything else is mandatory viewing in my eyes.

WHAT TO IGNORE:

Criminal Minds, CSI, Law & Order: SVU: all great shows to catch from time to time, but nowhere near the top of the list if you ask me. I’ve only made it through one episode of Harry’s Law, and even I wanted to sue NBC for exposing me to that crap. Revenge is a dish best served ignored. And not to be a H8R, but that show was awful.

We’re celebrating the Fall 2011 TV season by breaking down what you need to watch live, what you need to DVR, and what you should save for online viewing this year. We’ll also give you a heads-up on the shows you should be reading recaps for to stay in the know with your friends and relatives. Yesterday we tackled Monday’s schedule. Today it’s on to Tuesday:

WHAT TO WATCH LIVE:

Glee Let’s face facts: Glee’s second season was pretty terrible. Inconsistent storylines, too many guest starts, and tribute episodes that just went nowhere. That being said, I still watched week after week. Because damn if I can’t avoid a good musical number. This season, Ryan Murphy has hired a bunch of writers to help him with the show, and promises he’ll shift the show’s focus on McKinley’s core characters and the core problems for high school students. I doubt they’ll go too far away from the big names (Anne Hathaway is apparently in talks). But at least I’ll have four new characters from The Glee Project to look out for!

The New Girl I’m not going to lie: I don’t really care for Zooey Deschanel. I think it’s because I found her character in 500 Days of Summer to be blissfully unaware of what a complete selfish jackass she was being – and I have a hard time separating where Summer ends and Zooey begins. That being said, I giggled a few times through most of the premiere (which is more than I can say for half of the other comedies I’ve seen this Fall). I’m going to give the show a chance and see if she can change my mind!

Raising Hope If you haven’t watched Raising Hope yet, then boy does writer/creator Greg Garcia have a plotline for you: “Maw Maw [Cloris Leachman] swallows a gold tooth and the family has to [see]: are they the type of people who go through poop?” he told me in a conference call last week. If the thought of Martha Plimpton and company going through Cloris Leachman’s shit doesn’t get you watching, then I don’t know what will.

Parenthood With Friday Night Lights gone, it’s the best family drama on television. But like Friday Night Lights, you probably haven’t been checking into Parenthood enough. So here’s three reasons to watch. First, the show’s filled with complex characters and complex storylines. This isn’t Glee where we’re going to randomly find out that one of the characters is totally poor, three episodes from the finale. These are developed arcs here people – with relatable, complex shit going on. Second of all, have you looked at this cast? Lauren Graham. Peter Kraus. Monica Potter. Erika Christensen. Craig T. Nelson. Talk about some talent. I mean, they even make Dax Shepard look like a good actor. Lastly, it’s the perfect show to pick up a few seasons in. You don’t need to be there from the beginning, believe me (I missed a chunk of the first season, and did just fine). Just give it a chance and I promise you’ll be hooked.

WHAT TO DVR:

90210 I know, I know. I shouldn’t be watching 90210, let alone recommending you to watch it. What can I say – I’ll always have a soft spot for that zip code – no matter who lives there. This year, the gang moves away from high school and enters what’s usually the death of every great teen-soap: the college years. I’m guessing the addition of a few new characters (like that hot cowboy we met in the premiere) and the elimination of some boring-ass ones (bye bye, Teddy) will stop things from entering Suckville, USA. But if not, I’m sure Adrianna will try and kill a baby or something to keep us hooked.

Ringer I never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Vampires just aren’t my thing. But I get the draw of Sarah Michelle Gellar (I’ve seen Cruel Intentions like, a billion times). Which is why I tuned in to Ringer to see her first TV role in eight years. In Ringer, SMG plays Bridget, an ex-stripper who poses as her rich identical twin sister Shiobhan, who she’s pretty sure is dead. Only she’s not. And if you think that plot twist is enough to get you to watch, well then you’re in luck. From what we’ve heard, there’s about 10 million more twists and turns to this tale coming down the pike.

The Rachel Zoe Project I wish I could explain my love for Rachel Zoe. I mean, on the surface of it all, it’s pretty ridiculous. She’s a complete narcissist. A constant over-reactor. And have you ever seen someone who knows how to handle stress worse than she does? But I just can’t hold any of that against her. I find her adorable and hysterical and pretty damn fun. This season, the show is better than ever – mainly because panic-mode Rachel is nowhere to be found. Pregnancy seems to have calmed the petite stylist, who is focusing less on styling and more on launching her own clothing line. It also helps that she’s finally got a good team in place. Mandanna seems to be running the show in a way that makes me feel bad about my own work ethic. Gone are the insufferable Taylor Jacobson and the playful Brad Goreski – who have both left to pursue their own styling careers. New to the crop is another hot twink name Jeremiah, who isn’t as up Rachel’s ass as Brad was, but certainly fills the “cute guy” slot in her team. Basically, it’s a more mature up Rachel Zoe Inc – with a few “bananas” throw in there for good measure.

Mad Fashion Project Runway season 4 fave Chris March is coming to Bravo with his own show, built around his design team and their “mad fashion” creations. I haven’t seen the show yet, but from what I know about Chris, and what I’ve seen in the previews, I’m pretty sure Mad Fashion will be one campy hot mess. I can’t wait! Plus, did you see his guest appearances with Sonja Morgan on RHONYC? Yeah. More of that please!

Fashion Hunters Let’s not pretend for one second that Fashion Hunters is going to be a good show. Let’s also not pretend for one second that you won’t be tuning in to watch it. The show’s about the day-to-day happenings at Second Time Around, a high-end consignment shop that sells next-to-new designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. The perfect show to DVR and catch up on a lazy Sunday morning.

WHAT TO WATCH ONLINE:

Last Man Standing Tim Allen is returning to TV in a new family sitcom. Only this time, there’s no Jonathan Taylor Thomas (and no Tool Time girl for that matter). I had a hard-time finding laughs in this four-camera sitcom – which often relied on outdated jokes and cliché gags. But I won’t underestimate Tim Allen as someone who could actually drum up a show, once they get their footing. Wait around a bit until about mid-season, then catch up with a long marathon one cold November evening.

WHAT TO READ ABOUT ONLINE THE NEXT DAY:

It’ll take you about 5 minutes to hear about who got voted off Dancing with the Stars, so a quick check-in on that should save you the time from having to sit through an hour-long results show.

WHAT TO IGNORE:

NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles are great shows to watch when you’re home sick, or perhaps living in a nursing home. But no one is going to say, “Hey, did you see NCIS last night? Man you missed an amazing episode” anytime soon.  The Biggest Loser can be really inspiring to watch. But save yourself a lot of time and just watch the transformations in the finale. Body of Proof had an okay first season – though Dana Delaney isn’t enough to get me coming back week after week. And doesn’t it still feel like a show that should be on USA or TNT? Man Up! was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen in my life. As for Unforgettable … well, I watched the first episode, and ironically, couldn’t tell you a thing that happened.

Congratulations, TelevisionByters! Today marks the first day of the Fall 2011 TV season! In celebration, we’re spending every day this week breaking down what you need to watch live, what you need to DVR, and what you should save for online viewing. We’ll also give you a heads-up on the shows you should be reading recaps for to stay in the know with your friends and relatives. Let’s start with Monday!

WHAT TO WATCH LIVE:

The Sing-Off When news spread that NBC was premiering a singing competition to find the best acapella group in the nation, I was immediately interested. As a former choir boy myself, I’ve always been a fan of acapella groups – though admittedly, I thought the fan-based for the show was limited to college students. But when The Sing-Off finally hit the air in the winter of 2009, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Everything about the format felt fun and fresh. The groups were crazy talented. The costumes and choreography super entertaining. And the judging panel, consisting of my favorite singer/songwriter Ben Folds, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, and Boyz II Men member Shawn Stockman, were both entertaining and on point. Heck, i didn’t even mind Nick Lachey as host! Best of all, the show aired something like six episodes over three weeks leading up to Christmas. It was the perfect timing. nothing else was on, and I was totally in need of something new to get addicted to.

Of course, after two years of short winter seasons, The Sing-Off is finally moving to the big leagues this year, airing it’s third season on Mondays this fall. The time slot’s not the only big change. The episode order has been increased too – and the contestants have moved up from 10 groups to 16. There have been some format changes also. The top 16 will compete in two groups of eight, and then combine when we make it to the top 10. Oh, and one other big change: Nicole Scherzinger is out (taking on a judging gig over on The X-Factor on Fox), and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is in (believe me, if you saw Scherzinger try to put together coherent sentences, you’ll realize this is a huge advantage).

That’s a lot of differences … but the one thing that makes the show so great is staying: its super talented singers. So skip Dancing with the Stars this season (which, let’s face it, is getting old anyway), and focus on this light-hearted Monday treat.

The Playboy Club I’m not going to lie: there’s a very good chance The Playboy Club could be the next Las Vegas: campy, soapy NBC Monday-night crap that eventually becomes campy, soapy NBC Friday-night crap. But I’m really intrigued by this sexy new show, which takes place in Chicago in the 60s during the rise of the Playboy Bunnies. Broadway darling Laura Benanti looks ah-mazing in these previews, and I like Eddie Cibrian well-enough. I don’t think we’re looking at the next Mad Men here. But I think The Playboy Club deserves a chance.

WHAT TO DVR:

How I Met Your Mother It wouldn’t be out of place to compare HIMYM with Friends. Both are traditional four-camera sitcoms about a group of friends living in NYC. Both have had songs that have penetrated the lexicon (“Smelly Cat” and “Let’s Go to the Mall,” respectively). Both have succeeded on the strength of their outstanding ensemble. But although HIMYM hasn’t received the breakout success of Friends, I think it’s done a better job at documenting the uneasiness of the period in life while you wait for everything to fall into place (career, relationship, family, etc). Of course, HIMYM finds humor in all that uneasiness – leading to some of the funniest half-hours in television. It’s been six seasons now, and I’m most and more excited to see where these amazing characters will end up. Even if it means we probably won’t find out who the mother is until the last episode.

2 Broke Girls I don’t really know enough about 2 Broke Girls. Except for the fact that Kat Dennings is in it, and it supposedly takes place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Oh, and they’re wearing those fugly maids uniforms in the pilot. No matter though – it’s enough to give it a spot on the DVR for at least the first three episodes.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Let’s be honest: there’s no way you can stop watching these ladies right now. First of all, you love yourself some Lisa Vanderpump (even if producers seem to be doing everything in their power to make her the villain this season). Second of all, you’re dying for the return of Allison Dubois. You’ve invented a drinking game where you take a shot every time Kim Richards appears drunk on screen. And tragic as it is, you obviously need to see what goes down with Taylor Armstrong – and what leads up to Russell Armstrong’s suicide. So do yourself a favor: DVR it. Or skip the first airing and catch up on the later rerun. Besides, Brandi Glanville, Eddie Cibrian’s ex-wife whom he left for LeAnn Rimes, is going to be on. After The Playboy Club, it only seems right that you watch both sides of the story.

Watch What Happens Live. The new season starts 9/25 at 11pm. DVR it to watch after you watch Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, obviously.

WHAT TO WATCH ONLINE:

Gossip Girl Admit it – although you were completely hooked on Chuck, Blair, Dorota and the rest of the Gossip Girl gang in the first season, you’re grown a little tired of the unnecessary Upper East Side-nonsense three seasons later.Yeah, I’m right there with you. But just like Serena and Dan (and Serena and Nate, and Nate and Blair, and Blair and Chuck…), I can’t breakup with the show for good. Besides – Vanessa’s off the show this year! And Little J isn’t coming back either. And Elizabeth Hurley’s guest starring for a few episodes! That’s gotta keep you watching for a little longer, eh?

Terra Nova I’m not really excited about Terra Nova. It feels a little Avatar meets Jurassic Park to me. But I can’t deny that the show’s gotten good buzz, so I’ll give it a chance… online.

WHAT TO READ ABOUT ONLINE TOMORROW:

You’re probably a little bit interested in who fucked up on Dancing with the Stars the night before. Be sure to find some blog doing good recaps, preferably with video. I’d also check to see how the new Two and a Half Men is going, now that Charlie Sheen is out and Ashton Kutcher is in. But be sure to clear your browsing history afterwards so no one knows you’re looking into anything about Two and a Half Men.

WHAT TO IGNORE:

Face it, you are never watching Castle – no matter how many of your friends told you it was worth it. And occasionally you watch House. Like, during Bravo reruns or when you’re visiting your family for a holiday weekend. You may consider giving Hart of Dixie a try … until you realize that like Life Unexpected and Privileged, it’ll probably be cancelled just when you’re getting totally addicted. As for Mike & Molly and Hawaii Five-O? They’re fine shows, but maybe not worth putting at the top of your list.