TOP TEN, FALL 2006

With 30 ROCK and TWENTY GOOD YEARS now past their premiere dates I can look back on this season and pick my TOP TEN shows (includes returnees, too). 1. LOST (ABC), 2. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC), 3. UGLY BETTY (ABC, NEW), 4. VERONICA MARS (THE CW), 5. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS), 6. HEROES (NBC, NEW), 7. THE CLASS (CBS, NEW), 8. 30 ROCK (NBC, NEW), 9. TWENTY GOOD YEARS (NBC, NEW), 10. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (NBC, NEW). Early pickups were just announced: UGLY BETTY, HEROES and JERICHO (CBS) have all been given full-season commitments. Early cancellations: KIDNAPPED (NBC), SMITH (CBS), VANISHED (FOX) and possibly HAPPY HOUR (FOX).