What's new for the fall TV season

By James Hibberd

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The new fall season is upon us. Here's what to watch on television in September.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9

Fox's "Fringe" airs "remote-free"

The highly anticipated new J.J. Abrams drama is Fox's experiment in "remote-free TV," running with about half the usual number of ads per episode. That could please viewers and advertisers alike. If not, the network will shrug, confident that "American Idol" will still kick everybody's butt come January.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13

"SNL" launches 34th season

With politics-minded "Saturday Night Live" bound to shine this year, the franchise has finally earned the honor NBC bestowed on "Deal or No Deal" and "The Office": overexploitation. Next month, a batch of spinoff "Thursday Night Live" specials will zero in on the election; bet on "SNL" alum Tina Fey returning to mimic her new doppelganger, GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18

"Survivor" vs. "Hole in the Wall"

CBS' "Survivor" will be challenged by the Japanese-inspired "Hole," which could benefit from the success of ABC's similar "Wipeout." Expect critics who once trashed "Survivor" as the end of Western civilization to defend it against Fox's end-of-Eastern-civilization newbie.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21

Emmy Awards prediction

A little basic cable network's period drama ("Mad Men") might teach the big boys a thing or two about getting academy attention. The next day, broadcasters will console themselves when Emmy ratings are about the same as a little basic cable network's period drama. (Oh, and nobody will believe it when Howie Mandel wins for best reality host.)

MONDAY, SEPT. 22

NBC's "Heroes" returns