The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler and school is back in session. That can only mean one thing… it’s fall television premiere season!

You’ve waited all summer to see how that cliffhanger finale ends and now you finally get to find out. So get ready to fire up your DVRs - here’s American Peak’s guide to what we’ll be watching on TV this fall.

MONDAY

Chuck
NBC | 8:00pm | Premieres 9/24

Chuck is a normal guy that just happens to open the wrong e-mail. The e-mail contains subliminal codes that download vast amounts of classified government data into his brain. Now, Chuck has unwittingly become one of the US governments most protected assets. Will the show fly? We’ll see. While this makes an interesting premise for a drama, I’m having a little more difficulty seeing it as an action-comedy. I’ll give it two episodes before making up my mind.

Heroes
NBC | 9:00pm | Returns 9/24

Last season’s hottest new show is back for it’s second season. The heroes came together and saved New York, but what lies ahead for them next? How many heroes died in the fight against Sylar? Who are the good heroes and who are the bad ones? What secrets are the Petrelli family hiding? And what is Hiro doing in 17th century Japan?

WEDNESDAY

Kid Nation
CBS | 8:00pm | Premieres 9/19

This new CBS reality show has stirred up quite a bit of controversy and maybe even a government investigation! What happens when you put 40 kids, 8-15 years old, in a New Mexico ghost town for 40 days without parental supervision and let them try to run the town? I’m sure you get quite a lot of entertainment! Who didn’t want to build and run their own city when they were a kid? Of course my dream was more along the lines of a deserted island and Swiss Family Robinson style tree houses, but I guess a ghost town works too.

Private Practice
ABC | 9:00pm | Premieres 9/26

Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Addison Montgomery is packing her bags and moving from rainy Seattle down to sunny Santa Monica. This spin-off from Grey’s Anatomy premiered in a one episode pilot last year. The show had a few things that needed tweaked, but overall seemed pretty solid. The only question I have - will they mingle the two show’s story lines and feature cameos? I sure hope so! Let’s hope Addison can find herself a new McDreamy and have that baby she’s always wanted.

THURSDAY

Ugly Betty
ABC | 8:00pm | Returns 9/27

I didn’t pick up on Ugly Betty until season one came out on DVD, but now I’m hooked! Will Wilhelmina ever become Mode editor-in-chief? How will the Suarez family handle their separation and the death of Santos? Will Daniel ever get his life back on track? Will Marc ever get a boyfriend?

Grey’s Anatomy
ABC | 9:00pm | Returns 9/27

Grey’s returns for its fourth season and has a lot in store this year. A new intern class has arrived as the former interns pass their exams and move on… except for George. Burke called off his wedding to Christina and has now skipped town (and thankfully the show!). Derek and Meredith are currently off in their on-again off-again relationship. Callie has been appointed Chief Resident, but can she save her marriage? Addison has fled Seattle to her own Private Practice and left Alex behind to find himself an Ava.

FRIDAY

Numb3rs
CBS | 10:00pm | Returns 9/28

The Eppes brothers are back to solve a whole new season of crime in Los Angeles. How will the team be affected by the shocking arrest of Colby for espionage in last year’s season finale? Will Don ever settle down? Can Megan and Larry really last for another season? I’m sure there’s a mathematical formula to figure it all out, but I’ll just watch the show instead.

SUNDAY

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
ABC | 8:00pm | Returns 9/30

The Design Team is back for another season of demolition as Extreme Makeover continues its trek across America. This season I’m hoping they get a little more back to their roots: makeovers. While it’s always fun to seeing a house get flattened and rebuilt, I’d like to see them conduct a few more renovations and a few less rebuilds.

Desperate Housewives
ABC | 9:00pm | Returns 9/30

The drama is about to return on Wisteria Lane. Will Gabrielle go though with her wedding to Victor or run back to Carlos? Did Edie really hang herself? Will Susan and Mike finally be able to live happily ever after? Can Bree and Orson pull off the baby stunt? I’m glad to see that Marc Cherry is finally bringing a gay plot back into the show. A gay couple will be moving into the neighborhood this year and if we’re lucky Andrew will finally get some good storylines again.

Brothers and Sisters
ABC | 10:00pm | Returns 9/30

Last year’s new hit show Brother and Sisters is one of the most realistic portrayals of the complex dynamics of a family in many years. The Walkers may not be the typical American family, but they experience the same highs and lows. Justin is preparing to ship off to Iraq. Kitty grows closer to Senator McCallister. Kevin may finally find true love and have a steady relationship with the Senator’s brother while Sarah tries to salvage her marriage. Can Nora hold her family together?