New Shows

This spring brings TV viewers a mix of fantasy and reality, with mostly drama and not quite enough comedy. Shows may start out promising, but the viewing public can be fickle. Ratings can quickly deci  de if Spring TV newcomers can stand up to the existing players and make it through to the next season.

Spring TV shows face the challenge that a new restaurant may face on an overly-crowded street. Everything better be good for the first show, or there will be no repeat viewers. Here are five TV shows premiering this spring that should be given a chance to build an adoring fan base and audience.

New Spring 2009 TV Shows That Should Not Be Canceled

In the Motherhood

With so few comedies on the spring schedule, and so few shows about women, and even fewer about moms it would be a shame to see In the Motherhood cancelled. This show has built a web audience that could be parlayed into a TV audience. ABC has a lineup that is set to reel the viewers hungry for some much-needed comedy.

In the Motherhood treats fans to a sit com favorite, Megan Mullally, of Will & Grace fame. The show will focus on stories moms can relate to, as they struggle to juggle work, house and kids with not enough hands, just as the characters on the show will.

In the Motherhood premieres on on Thursday March 26, 2009 at 8pm on ABC.

Castle

Fans of Nathan Fillion can sit back and enjoy a little mystery with him on Castle. Nathan Fillion has appeared on Desperate Housewives, as Dr. Adam Mayfair. On Drive he was Alex Tully. Previously he had a stint on two Joss Whedon shows: Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A little drama, a little mystery, a la Monk, but without the crazy may be just the show viewers want this spring. Nathan Fillion shows don't have a good track record, so maybe his time has come. The inclusion of the enticing actress, Stana Katic, who played a vampire on 2008's The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice can only help this show's chances of survival.

Cupid
Moving into a world that seems slightly unbelievable is Cupid. If this sounds familiar, beyond the Greek mythology reference, it is. The show had a trial once before, in a death-to-any-show time slot, Saturday night.

The previous incarnation starred Jeremy Piven, who actually believed himself to be cupid. This incarnation features Bobby Cannavale as Cupid. The first incarnation had Rob Thomas as the show's writer who had a following with his previous shows Veronica Mars and Dawson's Creek.

A better time slot and more physically appealing lead may keep this show on the air.

Cupid premieres on Tuesday, March 24, 2008 at 10pm on ABC.

The Doll House

More Joss Whedon. Fans are grimacing, grinning and hoping for the best from the latest Joss Whedon show, The Dollhouse. The show stars Eliza Dushku, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The beauty played Faith.

The premise makes the show sound like a cross between Point of No Return, The Bourne Identity for hot folks, and the novel He She It by Marge Piercy. The show already has an audience in Joss Whedon fans, and if the FOX and Friday night audience can understand the show, they may keep tuning in.

The Dollhouse premieres on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 9pm on FOX.

The Unusuals

The Unusuals takes two interesting actors, Harold Perrineau (Michael from Lost) and Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia) and mixes them up in a cop drama. Cop dramas are nothing new, but these two talents may be enough to keep the audience tuning it.