Then there's the broader possibility: The long strike break may have improved several returning shows.

"The greatest thing was having 100 days when we weren't thinking about 'Lost,' " says Carlton Cuse, one of that show's producers.

That was temporary, and "Lost" rushed out six spring episodes when the writers' strike was settled. Still, Cuse says, "We were rested and we were energized. ... We feel like that really helped our show."

Other shows got much longer breaks. They were told to forget spring and use the extra time to plan for this fall.

The first to get that news was "24." For the upcoming season, it has a two-hour movie in November, setting up the 24-hour ride. "We're going to have a revitalized — or I should say very vital — '24,' " Reilly says.

Also given extra time was "Heroes." Its new season will have more hours — 25 instead of 22 — and fresh spark, says Masi Oka, one of its stars.

Mostly, though, the extra preparation time was given to first-year shows. That includes NBC's "Chuck" and "Life"; Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"; and all of ABC's Wednesday shows — "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money."

Midway in strong first seasons, each was able to focus on the second. "It's a nice big kind of head start and a chance to really get those episodes shiny and polished," says Josh Schwartz, the "Chuck" creator.

Now the shows might feel new and improved. "I hope that this fall's a re-set," Reilly says.

NEW COMEDIES

"Do Not Disturb": 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fox; debuted Sept. 10. In a New York hotel, the boss (Jerry O'Connell) is a throwback who demands 6-inch heels. That's fine with the sexy desk clerk (Molly Stanton), but infuriates the human resources chief (Niecy Nash). Mixed material, but the cast is strong.

"Worst Week": 8:30 p.m. Mondays, CBS; debuts Monday. A decent chap (Kyle Bornheimer) and his upscale girlfriend (Erinn Hayes) must tell her parents she's pregnant. Then things detour in spectacularly bad directions.

"Gary Unmarried": 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, CBS; debuts Sept. 24. Gary (Jay Mohr) and his ex-wife (Paula Marshall) disagree on almost everything, especially raising their two kids.

"Kath & Kim": 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, NBC; debuts Oct. 9. Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, 44 and 36, are cast as mother and daughter in the U.S. version of an Australian comedy about daughter moving back in with mom, who was ready to try some wild living.

DRAMA

"90210": 7 p.m. Tuesdays, CW; debuted Sept. 2. We're back to West Beverly High School, where "Beverly Hills, 90210" was based. Lots of beautiful rich kids, plus a sturdy principal and his own teens.

"Fringe": 8 p.m Tuesdays, Fox; debuted Sept. 9. Creepy, other-worldly things are happening. An FBI agent (Anna Torv) tries to learn why. A dark story, but it shows the brilliant writing and direction we expect from J.J. Abrams, the "Lost" producer.

"Privileged":< 8 p.m. Tuesdays, CW (Oceanic digital 93); debuted Sept. 9. A young Yale grad (Joanna Garcia) becomes an underling in the world of the wealthy, as tutor for two teen girls.

"The Mentalist": 8 p.m. Tuesdays, CBS; debuts Tuesday. Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) once claimed to be a psychic, but he's just a good observer. Now he uses that skill on police cases.

"Knight Rider": 7 p.m. Wednesdays, NBC; debuts Sept. 24. Mike Traceur, son of Michael Knight, drives the improved version of KITT, a talking, thinking supercar.

"The Ex List": 8 p.m. Fridays, CBS; debuts Oct. 3. Beautiful Bella (Elizabeth Reaser) gets a news flash from a psychic: One of her ex-boyfriends is her intended mate; she must find him within the year.

"Life on Mars": 9 p.m. Thursdays, ABC; debuts Oct. 9. A tough, nowadays cop (Jason O'Mara) suddenly wakes up in the 1970s. Now he solves cases with less technical help and fewer restrictions; he also tries to figure out how this happened.

"Eleventh Hour": 9 p.m. Thursdays, CBS; debuts Oct. 9. An intense biophysicist (Rufus Sewell) is also clever at catching crooks. He's working with an FBI agent to crack science-related cases.

"My Own Worst Enemy": 9 p.m. Mondays, NBC; debuts Oct. 13. Henry (Christian Slater) is a mild-mannered suburban dad who doesn't know he has an alternate persona. As Edward, he speaks 12 languages and has been trained to kill.

"Crusoe": 7 p.m. Fridays, NBC; debuts Oct. 17. Here's a modern variation on Robinson Crusoe. He and Friday are stranded on an island, facing fierce weather, wild animals, cannibals and militia.

REALITY SHOWS

"Hole in the Wall": 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fox; debuted Sept. 11. This may be the year's most bizarre arrival. A wall, with an odd-shaped hole, moves toward the contestant, who can wedge through it or get knocked into the water. It's become a big hit in Japan. Now Fox has temporarily nudged "Moment of Truth" off the schedule to make room.

"America's Toughest Jobs": 7 p.m. Fridays, NBC; concludes Oct. 10. Think of this as a "greatest hits" edition of cable reality shows. One week, the people are being ice-road truckers; the next, they're trying oil wells or fishing boats. Most of the contestants spent their days in cubicles. Now they tackle real work, with one eliminated each week.

"Opportunity Knocks": 7 p.m. Tuesdays, ABC; debuts Tuesday. Imagine a game show popping up in your front yard. That happens in this show from Ashton Kutcher's company. A crew instantly assembles the set and neighbors gather as family members try to answer questions about each other.

"Stylista": 8 p.m. Wednesdays, CW; debuts Oct. 22. Contestants work for Anne Slowey, the fashion news director of Elle magazine. She admits she's demanding and claims she's nice. Here, she gives orders and eliminates people; the survivor wins (for a year) an Elle job, an apartment and a clothing allowance.

"Secret Millionaire": 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fox; debuts at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Each week, we'll see a rich person or couple move into a poor neighborhood. The newcomers will be undercover, looking for menial work. The experience is supposed to transform people on both sides. It will definitely affect the neighborhood: Before leaving, there will be a donation to people or to a group.