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As the temperature gradually downgrades into mild and chilly weather, TV remotes will hit a fever pitch as audiences start hitting the couch to watch new shows this season. Network cable stations have noticeably inserted more comedies in primetime slots, while regular TV will stick to dramas.

In many cultures, eight is considered a lucky number. In our solar system, eight planets orbit around the sun (but we will never forget Pluto). In an octave, there are eight notes. Considering such, your "American Idol" experts here at Silver Chips Online had high hopes for season eight of "AI," expecting staggering vocal performances and tough competition. But, alas, eight appears to have failed us.

During a financial crisis, you would think that marketing crews with Super Bowl ad spots would come out guns-blazing. They are paying $3 million a pop for a mere 30 seconds of screen time. Unfortunately, the commercials could not match up to the great game this year, disappointing viewers after a glorious year for advertisements in 2008.

After a turbulent and chaotic television season distinguished by countless cancellations, dooming delays and screwed-up story-lines (thank you, writers), the industry has finally moved on with the show. Regrettably, most of our lives are still held up in high school (and not the glamorous "Gossip Girl" kind of place), and many will have to face the delicate dilemma of balancing dreaded homework with fall television premieres: what to do, watch the premiere of "Grey's Anatomy" or write that pesky English paper due the following day? Fortunately for those going back and forth, Silver Chips Online is here with a preview of the fall's hottest television shows - including the essential information on all of last season's cliff-hangers, upcoming guest stars and the confusing plot lines. We'll tell you everything you need to plan out your TV-viewing schedule and premiere parties.

Disney Channel, Cartoon Network (CN) and Nickelodeon gained much popularity during the 1990s and stole our attention as innocent young children, long before the time of six-hour homework loads and an emphasis on extracurricular activities. Although these TV networks still produce shows that continue to entertain their young audience, shows like "Hannah Montana" and "Zoey 101" are, well, certainly not the way things used to be.

Since its debut in 2005, "Grey's Anatomy" has continued to attract viewers with its scandalous plotlines – intern affairs and unusual medical cases, such as a woman pregnant with twins by two different fathers, seem to be part of the daily routine at Seattle Grace Hospital. But ever since this season's premiere, the show has been flailing with sagging plots and dying character chemistry. Especially after Thursday's episode – the first new one since the writers' strike – the show is in need of a lot more than adrenaline if it wants to be brought back to life.

You didn't really think something as lame and tacky as a writer's strike could keep us away forever, did you? As of April 21, "Gossip Girl" is back on the CW, and our extended spring break made the drama hotter than my new BCBG Max Azria prom dress.

The labor dispute at the core of the Writer's Guild of America strike cost billions of dollars and put thousands of people out of work, but most viewers can only testify to one travesty: falling out of touch with weeknight television. Many shows will either resume in the next two months or be re-launched in the fall, and Silver Chips Online has the details on what to expect and what not to miss for all those suffering from primetime amnesia.

The popular series "Grey's Anatomy" premiered on ABC Sept. 27 missing one key element: excitement. Fans of the show were left in awe at the end of the previous season from all the drama that had occurred within the one-hour finale. All those who tuned in on Thursday, however, found that the show's signature sparkle that had been put on pause over the summer hiatus failed to ignite as the series geared up for season four.

Rarely does a show come along that can bridge not just age gaps, but also social, ethnic and gender differences too. It can be challenging, tiring and potentially offensive, but, if done right, the show can be inspiring and progressive. "The Black Donnellys," written by Paul Haggis of "Crash" fame, falls into the latter category with its universal themes, powerful script and breakthrough cast.