television

There's no question that CBS's "NCIS" became a hit because of the camaraderie of the characters and the relationships that have developed among them. Executive producer Shane Brennan is clearly working the same formula in "NCIS: Los Angeles" (9 p.m. EDT Tuesday), the spin-off series that introduced its characters in a two-part May episode of the original "NCIS."

So often quality TV is defined mostly by writing. But CBS's "The Good Wife" (premiering 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday) is both a well-written legal drama and a terrific showcase for actress Julianna Margulies, who elevates the already-good material with her perceptive, open performance.

They got it mostly right, they made it better than the year before, it wasn't nearly as boring as past shows and Neil Patrick Harris acquitted himself nicely at Sunday night's 61st Annual Prime-time Emmys. So, in honor of small miracles, the griping will be kept to a minimum.

Here's a random rundown of moments from the night:

There's no question that some "Seinfeld" fans would do anything for an on-air reunion of the show's cast. If it means subscribing to HBO and sitting through the discomfort stirred up by the Larry David character on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," so be it.

Neil Patrick Harris -- who's been making a second career out of hosting awards shows lately -- will oversee the activity of the 61st annual Emmy Awards, slated for 8 p.m. EDT Sunday on CBS.

"Work doesn't become art until some rich person comes along and buys it. Then it's art."

And a new season begins.

The emphasis this fall is decidedly on more comedy.

Some sitcoms have familiar faces in new roles (Kelsey Grammer, Courteney Cox, Jenna Elfman). Others bring back favorites in new settings ("The Cleveland Show," "The Jay Leno Show").

When do your old favorites return with new episodes? Find out below:

"The Amazing Race" -- Sept. 27.

"American Dad" -- Sept. 27.

"American Idol" -- Midseason.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" -- Oct. 4.

"America's Most Wanted" -- Already premiered.

"America's Next Top Model" -- Already premiered.

"The Bachelor" -- Midseason.

Judging the fall TV season's best and worst shows is always a dicey proposition. All that a TV critic has to go on at this point is the pilot episode. TV series often rise and fall based on the episodes that follow the pilot.

So consider this list more of a guide to the best and worst pilots that set up series with the most and least potential.

Let's start with the good news: Fall 2009 provides a far better crop of new prime-time programs than viewers got in 2008, which was damaged by last year's writers' strike.

Yes, there are too many remakes and not-great medical dramas, but there are also strong new comedy entries, which have been missing in recent years.