The beginning of a new television season is always an emotionally trying time. With all the new shows vying for attention, how do you decide what’s worth an hour (or half hour) a week, and what is just sucking up your time? While I’ve yet to determine any sort of comprehensive formula, I find that—not unlike evolution—I tend to keep watching good shows, while the unsuccessful ones fall by the wayside.

Also, considering the spate of cancellations and non-pickups last year, as well as the number of shows that have been delayed to midseason (Lost, Battlestar Galactica), returning shows have been far and few between this fall: my slate of non-new shows is limited at present to Heroes and How I Met Your Mother, with the final season of Scrubs starting this week. That leaves plenty of room for these new additions:

What: Pushing Daisies Why: For my money, still the best new show of the season. Lee Pace as Ned, the pie-maker who can bring people back from the dead temporarily, is eminently likable; Anna Friel (love interest Chuck) is delightful; and Chi McBride as Emerson Cod, the private eye who enjoys knitting in his spare time, gets all the best lines. Some find the show’s sense of whimsy too much and I get that, but mostly it just makes me smile. I’m glad that the most recent episode has already started dealing with some continuity issues, so it’s not just “Corpse of the Week.” The show may not be for everybody, but—you know what, strike that. Everybody may not be for this show, but they should be. That is all.

What: Reaper Why: It’s fun. Ray Wise as the devil is hugely entertaining. But the formulaic nature is starting to wear on me and it needs some character building to keep it fresh. Sam getting to see his contract is a good start, but the love interest angle is turning into one of those annoying repetitive “will they/won’t they?” loops. Flesh out the universe a bit, keep the characters growing, and this show could be something. And how come Sam didn’t get to keep his telekinesis power from the pilot? What’s up with that?

What: Chuck Why: Just having seen the pilots, I declared this inferior to Reaper, but the series has grown on me as it explores the relationship between Chuck and his superspy protector Sarah. Unlike Reaper, I feel like Chuck might have a better handle on drama. Adam Baldwin’s menacing Major Casey is almost reason enough to watch, though my favorite character remains Chuck’s sister’s boyfriend, Captain Awesome. If the character development continues and they don’t rely too heavily on the “all the secrets are in his brain” premise, I’ll keep watching.

What: Dirty Sexy Money Why: My surprise hit of the season. Who would have thought that a show about a super-rich family of over-the-top socialites and the honest, normal lawyer who works for them, would be so damn entertaining? Peter Krause is at his best as nice guy Nick George, but my favorite characters are quickly becoming lying, philandering man of god Brian Darling (Glenn Fitzgerald) and his illegitimate son (whom he has told his family is a Swedish orphan named Gustav). The continuing intrigue over Nick’s father’s murder, and the introduction of techno-philanthropist and presumable foil Simon Elder (Blair Underwood) suggests that the ongoing plot has legs.

What: Bionic Woman Why: Dear god, I wish I knew. Maybe it’s because Michelle Ryan is so hot that she makes my eyeballs melt, just like that guy from the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Maybe it’s because of Katee Sackhoff’s superb performance as psychotic bionic woman #1, or the scary psychiatrist lady, or grim Miguel Ferrer. Probably not because of Isaiah Washington or the most annoying little sister since Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or the stupid technological explication. Or the inane, utterly predictable plotting. Okay, let’s face it: it’s Michelle Ryan.