TVGuide.com, a one-stop entertainment and video destination reaching more than 19 million unique users per month, today announced its list of the eight must-watch shows debuting on network television this fall. The 2009 fall television season officially gets under way Tuesday, September 8.

TVGuide.com’s editorial team selected eight shows that stand out as the most fun, the highest quality and the most buzz-worthy out of the 21 new shows premiering on the five major networks this fall. The eight shows are (listed in alphabetical order): Community (NBC), Cougar Town (ABC), FlashForward (ABC), Glee (FOX), Melrose Place (CW), Modern Family (ABC), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), and The Vampire Diaries (CW).

A complete schedule of new and returning television premiere dates, online video previews and streaming episodes, and show recaps and synopses are available in the Fall Preview section of TVGuide.com. In addition, TV Guide Network will premiere its two-hour “2009 Fall TV Preview” special on Sunday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

TVGuide.com Senior Editor Mickey O’Connor had the following comments for each show, listed by network:

Cougar Town (September 23) – “Cougars everywhere rejoice! Courteney Cox shines in her funniest role since Friends.”

Awareness studies from Nielsen go to all the networks to help them determine how many potential viewers are aware of their new shows… And if the broadcasters need to adjust their marketing messages… Some of this is a slippery slope because, say, a network show is premiering late and the marketing has barely begun… Spinoffs and remakes (NCIS, Cleveland Show, Melrose Place, SNL) tend to have higher awareness than new originals… Dramas usually have higher awareness than sitcoms at this stage of the summer because they start production earlier and have more footage to show… So, with those warnings:

Best Awareness Among 18-49 Demo By Network

Cougar Town
Flash Forward (strong intent-to-view sentiment among those aware of this show)
Worst: Hank

NCIS: Los Angeles (also strong intent to view)
The Good Wife
Worst: Three Rivers (doesn’t premiere until October)

Glee
The Cleveland Show (very strong intent to view)
Worst: Brothers

Trauma
SNL Weekend Update (good intent-to-view)
Worst: Community

Melrose Place
Vampire Diaries (strong intent to view)
Worst: The Beautiful Life

Courteney Cox has a new boyfriend, courtesy of “Cougar Town” creator Bill Lawrence.

The freshman comedy has cast Nick Zano (“What I Like About You,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”) to play her first recurring love interest on the show.

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