What's Happening: The same old stuff. But this time around they try to make it fresh! (cough, hack)

Where It's Been: A surprise summer hit in 2001, it burst onto the scene in the spring of 2002, saving NBC's 8pm Monday hour from utter disgrace. But viewers are starting to look on...

Last Season's High: 15.8mil (March 25, 2002)

Premiere Prediction: 13.4mil

The Reason: Me thinks your time has passed "Factor." Hopefully, host Joe Rogan can get back to what he should be doing- informercials. 

Third Watch (NBC, Monday 9pm. Premieres September 30th)

What's Happening:  The characters move on, fixing their wounds, living their lives. Actress Sean Young guests in the premiere, while Roy Scheider comes on board as a Russian mobster who doesn't like Sully. Bet it has something to do with his Russian wife...

Where It's Been: Never a big hit, it produced solid Monday numbers for NBC for two seasons. But last season, when NBC finally got "Crossing Jordan" and "Fear Factor" and its entire Monday line-up didn't crumble mid spring for the first time in three years, the mediocre rated "Watch" started watching its back. But a cross over with "ER" in April sealed the deal- record high numbers all around.

Last Season's High: 17.2mil (April 29, 2002)

Premiere Prediction: 11.0mil

The Reason:Despite this being seen more as a prestige show now (thanks to the post 9/11 special), it's likely looking at its last season. Ratings will be all uphill with CBS's revamped line-up, and this show is so expensive to produce that cost cutting NBC likely won't think twice. But then again, with all the money it'll save from losing "Friends" salaries at the end of next season, who knows?

What's Happening: AThe season opener takes Cavanaugh (Hennessy) to LA to search out her mother's killer. Lorraine Toussant becomes a regular.

Where It's Been: It burst out of the gate for NBC last fall, slowed a bit mid season, then picked up steam towards the end. An out and out hit.

Last Season's High: 16.3mil (April 29, 2002)

Premiere Prediction: 11.3mil

The Reason:  Considering that this show and "CSI" have similar premises, and "CSI" is twice as popular, viewers aren't likely to stay with this show. But for the sake of just having Jill Hennessey on tv, let's hope there are two different audiences.
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