Now that Lost and Heroes have made it cool to be a TV geek, all the big networks will be going paranormal this fall season in an attempt to cash in on the potential ratings. A focus on the esoteric certainly isn't new for network television--as the big four have been pushing the supernatural on us for the past few years--but it appears as if the trend will be continuing in the coming months.

The broadcast networks will be host to a gamut of new shows with themes ranging from a time travel drama to a Cro-Magnon comedy. Meanwhile, the cable networks will be relying on the return of popular sci-fi franchises for success. Also, be on the lookout for the re-imagination of two cult classics from decades long past.

Not sure what shows will be worth your time? In the next couple installments of the K-Files, I will be going through the Fall 2007 lineup, as well as look ahead to the midseason early next year, and separate the hopeful from the duds. I dare say it looks to be a promising year for the ol' idiot box--maybe even one of the best ever...?

NBC is shaping up to have a firm grasp on Monday night viewership. Starting September 24th, the Tim Kring mega-hit Heroes will be returning for its second season. Starring the lovable Masi Oka as a lowly wage-slave who can bend time and space, Heroes details the exploits of a group of seemingly normal people who discover they have some not-so-normal abilities. Combining the atmosphere of a good superhero comic book with deep character drama in the spirit of ABC's Lost, Heroes' debut season was like nothing else on TV. For season 2, the creators are sure to up the ante with more heroes, more villains, and even bigger plot twists. After the cliffhanger finale from last season, I can't wait to see which potentially dead characters will be making a comeback. This one is a sure bet.

Immediately following Heroes will be the new intellectual property Journeyman. Executive produced by Alex Graves (of The West Wing fame), Journeyman follows Kevin McKidd (Dog Soldiers, Rome) as character Dan Vasser, a family man who finds himself traveling through time. I'm anticipating a non-linear method of story telling on this one, which means it will be either very gripping or very lame. But the theme of how changing things in the past may change the kind of person you are in the future is an interesting one. I'm officially on the fence about it, but the time slot couldn't be better. I'll give it a chance.

Tuesday nights will be taking a markedly different, more lighthearted tone with the premier of the ABC comedy Cavemen. Based on those GEICO commercials that everyone seems to love, Cavemen will be a fish out of water story about a couple of buddies trying to make it in our fast paced world. Oh yeah, and they're cavemen, too. I'm doubtful that a show based off an advertising campaign will have the inspiration to go the distance, and after word broke a few weeks ago that the pilot was re-shot due to mediocre reception, I fear the worst about this series. That said, if nothing else, hopefully this will mark the reemergence of surreal comedies the likes of 3rd Rock From the Sun or News Radio.

Considering the competition, however, it's not like Cavemen will have much to worry about on Tuesday nights. The only other paranormal show on Tuesdays is the CW drama Reaper. Directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks), Reaper is about a young slacker who learns that his parents sold his soul to the Devil. He then becomes an unwilling bounty hunter in charge of tracking down no-good spirits. What can really be said about this one? It's on the CW, that should be enough right there. Kevin Smith in the directing spot doesn't hurt, but need I remind anyone of Jersey Girls? I'll be skipping this one.

Moving along, hump day will be offering an interesting variety of shows to choose from. First off, ABC will be premiering the spunky drama Pushing Daisies in the 8pm slot. Created by Bryan Fuller--who has contributed to such shows as Heroes and Star Treks Deep Space 9 and Voyager, as well as created cult-favorite Dead Like Me--Pushing Daisies is being described as a "forensic fairy tale" about a pie-maker with the ability to resurrect the dead with a single touch. The catch is that a 2nd touch will make them dead again. With Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, The Adams Family) sharing producer credits, you can be sure it will share his signature flare for high strangeness. The premise sounds promising and the look is certainly unique, so I will be giving this one a chance. And considering the positive early reception this show has been getting, this could be the surprise hit of the new season.

Also premiering on Wednesdays will be NBC's re-imagining of the Bionic Woman. Along with Heroes, this is one of my most anticipated shows of the season. Created by David Eick, one of the geniuses in charge of the new Battlestar Galactica, Bionic Woman stars relative newcomer Michelle Ryan as the titular cyborg who must fight off evil-doers such as Katee Sackhoff, best known for her role as the new Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica. It's certainly not the most elaborate of plots, but just as Eick was able to turn the cheesy Battlestar Galactica into arguably the most mature science fiction show ever, I have faith he can pull a similar move with Bionic Woman. And there's always hope that Ronald D. Moore, Eick's visionary buddy on BSG, will come in to guest direct an episode or two at some point in the series. This one is Khyron's pick for new IP for the fall season.

Thus concludes part 1 of my 2007 fall TV lineup preview. Be sure to check back in two weeks for the conclusion as I detail the rest of the weekday lineup as well as what cable and the midseason have in store for us. Thanks for reading, everyone, and I hope you all get out there and enjoy what remains of the summer.