Posted at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4

DON'T MISS THE MIDSEASON TV PHOTO GALLERY HERE.

OK, so the TV networks didn’t offer a whole lot to excite viewers last fall. And the shows that thrilled me either ended their runs (“The Shield”) or, sadly and annoyingly, were canceled (“Pushing Daisies” and “Eli Stone”). But the midseason is a time to recharge, so cable and broadcast networks are launching new shows and bringing back heavy hitters such as “Lost,” “American Idol,” and “24.”

Speaking of “24,” it’s been nearly two years since Jack Bauer saved America in 24 hours over 24 episodes. In honor of Jack’s return on Sunday, Jan. 11, I've compiled a list of 24 new and returning shows that have me--and should have viewers--eagerly anticipating the midseason.

LOST
8 p.m. Jan. 21, ABC
Where’s the island from which Jack, Kate and the rest of the Oceanic 6 escaped, you ask? A better question is when is the island?

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
9 p.m. Jan. 16, Sci Fi
I’m not looking forward to the end of this awesome space opera; but I can’t wait for these final 10 episodes, when we’ll learn what happened to Earth and just exactly who Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) is.
(Sackhoff says "[stuff] blows up and people die" in the final 10 episodes here. Read what Sackhoff said during Comic-Con here. Watch the "BSG" Webisodes.)

30 ROCK
8:30 p.m. Jan. 8, NBC
It’s true, Tina Fey can do no wrong. And the incredible cast of TV’s best comedy makes her look even better. Why should you watch "30 Rock"? Count the reasons here! Watch video clips of the newest episode with guest star Salma Hayek here.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
9 p.m. Jan. 18, HBO
Kiwi musicians Jemaine (left) and Bret (right) are making sweet, hilarious music again—hopefully not for the last season. Read more about Season 2 here. Watch the Season 2 premiere online here.

CHUCK
7 p.m. Feb. 2, NBC
The nerdiest spy ever and his fake girlfriend (sexy Yvonne Strahovski) get even wackier with a 3-D episode.

DOLLHOUSE
8 p.m. Feb. 13, Fox
It's getting bad buzz (production shut down; reshoots ordered by Fox) and has been dumped in the Friday TV wasteland, but I'll be watching “Buffy” mastermind Joss Whedon's latest creation, about a female agent (Eliza Dushku) who gets a new personality for each case she works. Whedon's never made a TV show, movie or Web musical I haven't loved. (Watch preview clips, read more here.)

REAPER
8 p.m. March 17, CW
Finally Ray Wise’s sarcastic, snarky Satan is back! Maybe we’ll learn exactly why he’s so interested in his bounty hunter, Sam.

DAMAGES
9 p.m. Jan. 7, FX
Everyone’s gunning for lawyer Patty Hewes (Emmy winner Glenn Close) in the new season of this suspenseful, twisty drama.

THE OFFICE
8 p.m. Jan. 8, NBC
The Dunder-Mifflin gang always makes me laugh, but Jack Black and Jessica Alba will help out during the post-Super Bowl episode.

PSYCH
9 p.m. Jan. 9, USA
Funny men James Roday and Dule Hill still crack me up as fake psychic Shawn and his partner Gus. (Roday and Hill hold no grudge against "The Mentalist." Click here.)

FRINGE
8 p.m. Jan. 20, Fox
J.J. Abrams and crew have me hooked on the creepy cases involving fringe science. Read more about "Fringe" here.

UNITED STATES OF TARA
9 p.m. Jan. 18, Showtime
Toni Collette plays a mom with multiple personalities in this darkly comic series written by "Juno" scribe Diablo Cody.

24
7 p.m. Jan. 11 and, in its regular Monday slot, Jan. 12, Fox
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is in trouble with the U.S. Senate, but not for long. Once again, he’s tasked to save America.

BURN NOTICE
9 p.m. Jan. 22, USA
Jeffrey Donovan graced the stage of a Chicago theater this winter, and now he’s back as out-of-work spy Michael Weston.

TRUST ME
9 p.m. Jan. 26, TNT
Tom Cavanagh and Eric McCormack play fast-talking, smartass pals working in a Chicago ad agency.

THE CLOSER
8 p.m. Jan. 26, TNT
Is it true? Does commitment-phobe cop Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) actually get married? Surely she’ll screw this up, right?.

SCRUBS
8 p.m. Jan. 6, ABC
New network, same zany hospital hijinks for Zach Braff and, for three episodes, Courteney Cox. NBC dumped "Scrubs" for "Kath & Kim"? Crazy. Read a review of the first two new episodes and see video clips here.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
8 p.m. Jan. 16, NBC
I don’t care that few have watched this wonderful drama. Thanks to DirecTV and NBC, you’re getting another shot. Don’t mess it up. Read more about the season, which already has aired on DirecTV, here and here.

BONES
7 p.m. Jan. 15, Fox
Fox is moving this forensic fave to a new night again, and with the flirty pair of Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), I think it’s worth following.

THE BEAST
9 p.m. Jan. 15, A&E
Patrick Swayze plays second fiddle to a dark, brooding Chicago in this FBI drama.

THE TUDORS
Sundays, early April, Showtime
King Henry VIII takes another bride, Jane Seymour, who will try to keep her head on her shoulders.

CSI
8 p.m. Jan. 15, CBS
It’s the end of an era as William Petersen—and his character Gil Grissom—pack it in. Welcome Laurence Fishburne. (Watch Fishburne here.)

FLASHPOINT
8 p.m. Friday, CBS
With it’s easy-to-follow, stand-alone episodes, last summer’s engaging sleeper hit about a SWAT-like team is the antidote to the twisty, perfectly complicated “Lost” and “Damages.” Don't think too hard and enjoy. ("Flashpoint" introduces some cool new music.)

AMERICAN IDOL
7 p.m. Jan. 13, Fox
TV’s No. 1 show hired another judge—and kept Paula Abdul—in hopes of hitting all the right notes with viewers again. (Read what Simon Cowell has to say about the new season here. Read about the season's other changes here.)

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REALLY SCAREY!
It took until #10 & #11 to find a GOOD choice --
then jump to #14, #15, #16,
then to #19, maybe #20, maybe 21, #22 & #23
Egads -- only 10 of your 24 -- which of us would you say has succumbed to "The DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA"????

Curt's reply: You seriously don't think "30 Rock" is smart, funny, GOOD TV? Or "The Office" or "Flight" are? "Lost" and "BSG" aren't smart dramas? Puhlease Katherine.
And by the way, scary has no "e" in it.
But to each his or her own, right? At least we agree on 10 of them. Thanks for commenting and Happy New Year. Keep up that good cheer.

i know of one good reason CHEYENNE BODIE! WESTERN channel!!! when i was a young kid growing up cheyenne was my favorite! just a likeable all round guy! CHEYENNE BODIE 5 oclock eastern time zone monday through friday. that pick me up like nothing else for quite some time thats for sure. cheyenne bodie do not wish to be pushed! dirty dozen. INDEPENDENT AMEN. ps watch and see if you don't like CHEYENNE BODIE too!

Curt's reply: Thanks for the info on Cheyenne Bodie. That series is a little old for this list however, being from the 1950a and all.

Can't wait for Reaper on March 17th. If you want the spoilers, we've got them all organized by episode (up to 2x13) in the spoiler section at ReaperDMV.com.

And yeah, Lost is anything but smart. It used to be, but they made a decision from which they can never recover, and everything ever since only proves how idiotic the show has become.

Curt's reply: In total agreement with you on "Reaper," but couldn't disagree more about "Lost." Thanks for the info.

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