Our Picks for Most Promising 2011 Midseason TV Premieres

The Cape on NBC. Photo by Justin Lubin/NBC 

It's midseason replacement time again. And with the severe lack of good freshman shows this past fall, the networks are counting on some of these new kids on the block to save a lackluster TV season. Along with the countless shows returning in January (like The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, Parks and Recreation, White Collar and Hot in Cleveland) this month welcomes a glut of fresh series. Here's a quick rundown of our picks for most promising as well as a complete list of premieres in the next four weeks.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Paula Abdul Live to Dance
CBS — 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central
Paula leaves Idol behind and strikes out on her own with a new dance competition open to any age, style and number of dancers in a group. The winners receive $500,000.

Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Cape
NBC — 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central
David Lyons plays an ex-cop forced into hiding who takes on the persona of his son's favorite super-hero, The Cape, to protect his family.

Episodes
Showtime — 9:30 p.m. EST/8:30 p.m. Central
Matt LeBlanc tries his hand at another series. This time he plays a British TV producer who's developing an American version of his hit U.K. show. Matt is getting a full month jump on his Friends' co-star Matthew Perry, whose new show Mr. Sunshine premieres on February 9.

Shameless
Showtime — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
Following Matt is another new Showtime series starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. Macy plays a drunken father of six children, who puts the fun in dysfunctional.



Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Off The Map
ABC — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
Shonda Rhimes takes Grey's Anatomy to the jungle as three young doctors bring their emotional baggage to a medical clinic in South America.

Thursday, January 13, 2011
Beyond Scared Straight 
A&E — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
This reality series follows young at-risk kids ages 11 to 18, who take part in various Scared Straight programs at prisons nationwide.

Monday, January 17, 2011
Being Human  
Syfy — 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central
A twist on the world of supernatural thrillers about a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost who get an apartment together in Boston and try to blend in.

Harry's Law 
NBC — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
David E. Kelley brings us a new legal drama starring Kathy Bates as a lawyer who finds herself starting over after being fired from her firm.

Skins
MTV — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
Based on a U.K. show of the same name, Skins follows a group of teens as they struggle with issues like substance abuse, sexual preference, death and eating disorders.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Retired At 35 
TV Land — 10:30 p.m. EST/9:30 p.m. Central
The new sitcom comes on right after the season two premiere of Hot In Cleveland. Fellow seniors George Segal and Jessica Walter try for a little bit of the Betty White magic.

Thursday, January 20, 2011
Fairly Legal 
USA — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
Sarah Shahi pays a lawyer turned mediator working for her stepmother (Virginia Williams) while in the midst of divorcing her husband (Michael Trucco).

Friday, January 21, 2011
Portlandia 
IFC — 10:30 p.m. EST/9:30 p.m. Central
SNL's Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of the band Sleater-Kinney turn Portland, Oregon, into a modern day Twin Peaks in the sketch/improvised comedy. Guest stars include Kyle MacLachlan, Selma Blair, Heather Graham,  Jason Sudeikis, Gus Van Sant and Aimee Mann.

Saturday, January 22, 2011
Kourtney And Kim Take New York 
E! — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
Kourtney and Kim strike out on their own in New York City without Khloe and the rest of the Kardashians.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Joan And Melissa: Joan Knows Best? 
WE — 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central
Another family affair not to be missed as we get a glimpse inside the life of mother and daughter duo of Joan And Melissa Rivers.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Face Off
Syfy — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central
A new reality competition series to find the next great special effects make-up artist.


OTHER SHOWS PREMIERING IN JANUARY:
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Bob's Burgers  
Fox — 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. Central

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Onion Sports Dome
Comedy Central — 10:30 p.m. EST/9:30 p.m. Central

Lights Out
FX — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central

Let's Stay Together
BET — 11 p.m. EST/10 p.m. Central

Friday, January 14, 2011
Flying Wild Alaska 
Discovery — 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. Central

Monday, January 17, 2011
Heavy
A&E — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
James Ellroy's L.A.: City Of Demons 
Investigation Discovery — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central

Thursday, January 20, 2011
Perfect Couples 
NBC — 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. Central

Friday, January 21, 2011
Roger Ebert Presents At The Movies 
Syndicated

Man Caves NFL
DIY — 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. Central

Monday, January 24, 2011
Sons Of Guns 
Discovery — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Stand-Up Mother
WE — 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central


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