Fall 2012 TV Preview: ABC Premiere Schedule and Trailers

Attention, "Lost" fans: ABC has a new hour-long drama with religious and occult overtones and ambiguously symbolic characters. Also, Locke is in it.

That's just one of the network's new offerings this fall season, along with a few more new scripted shows. ABC's big reality competition show "Dancing with the Stars" is getting a makeover, and we may be seeing the final days of "Grey's Anatomy" for all we know, so this could be a make-or-break season for the network.

New Shows:

"The Neighbors" - Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10PM

In an odd throwback to "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Alf," this sitcom centers on a family that moves to a new neighborhood, only to find that their new neighbors are all aliens. Of course, much of the humor is derived from how weird all of those aliens are, but the question is whether or not this high-concept show will find some new material in this surprisingly well-worn territory.

"Last Resort" - Thursday, Sept. 27 at 8PM

There's plenty of potential in ABC's new military drama "Last Resort"... if anything, the stakes are extraordinarily high. The hour-long drama tells the story of the crew of a U.S. nuclear sub who refuse to carry out an order for a nuclear strike on Pakistan. They barely escape the ordeal, and set up their own sovereign nation on a nearby island... with, of course, their own nuclear capability. Excpect espionage, political intrigue, and lots of moral debate.

"666 Park Avenue" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 10PM

In a pretty clear draw for "Lost" fans, Terry O'Quinn (who played Locke on the hit ABC series) stars in this new horror/sci-fi series. A couple moves into a Manhattan apartment building only to find that there may be a demonic force living there. The show may raise more questions than it answers, "Lost"-style: is O'Quinn's character the devil, and are his shady deals for his tenants' souls?

"Nashville" - Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 10PM

It's ABC's turn to try the musical television show, following in the footsteps of "Glee" and "Smash." This time, the focus is on country music, as "American Horror Story" star Connie Britton and "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere star as rivals in the music scene in Nashville. The show will employ original music, like "Smash," though don't be surprised if a few covers are thrown in every now and then.

"Malibu Country" - Friday, Nov. 2 at 8:30PM

Another Nashville-themed show, this sitcom stars Reba McEntire as a former country singer (natch) who moves her family from Nashville to Malibu. The culture shock that ensues makes up for most of the humor on the show, in the traditional fish out of water sense. Considering the late premiere and the Friday time slot, don't expect this one to stick around long.

Returning Shows:

"Shark Tank" - Friday, Sept. 14 at 8PM

ABC doesn't have a ton of reality shows, but this one can be fun to watch: the show is entering its fourth season and features inventors and entrepreneurs pitching their products and ideas for potential investors. Lori Greiner will be a regular in this upcoming season.

"What Would You Do??" - Friday, Sept. 14 at 9PM

This hidden camera reality show puts people in horrible moral dilemmas to see how they react. No relation to the lighthearted Nickeloden show from the 1990's.

"20/20" - Friday, Sept. 14 at 10PM

It's "20/20." You know the drill here.

"Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" - Monday, Sept. 24 at 8PM

With the term "Stars" getting more and more liberal with each new season, it was time for a change on "Dancing with the Stars." Thus, the "All-Stars" idea was born: get a bunch of former contestants to return for a rematch of all the most buzzed-about runners-up (read: losers) from past seasons. Returning contestants include Apolo Ohno, Shawn Johnson, and the infamous Bristol Palin.

"Castle" - Monday, Sept. 24 at 10PM

As this fan favorite enters its fifth season, it takes on a very dangerous proposition: taking its will they/won't they couple, Beckett and Castle, and actually putting them in a relationship. Often that spells doom for shows that build around their central romantic tension, so this it a big year for the show.

"Private Practice" - Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10PM

As the "Grey's" spin-off enters its sixth season, Addison (Kate Walsh) finally has her baby, but now has a love triangle to deal with. Of course it's a love triangle with Sam (Taye Diggs) and Jake (Benjamin Bratt), so she's probably not complaining too much.

"The Middle" - Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8PM

The fourth season of "The Middle" will begin with a one-hour premiere, and probably plenty of dysfunction as well. That's kind of the show's thing, ya know?

"Modern Family" - Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9PM

The Emmy juggernaut is back for a season 4 that almost didn't happen: both the adult and child stars of the show negotiated for pay raises in the offseason, and the adults even threatened a lawsuit in the matter. But worry not: everything is settled and one of TV's best sitcoms is back.

"Grey's Anatomy" - Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9PM

ABC's long-running medical drama has some of its stars signed on for the upcoming season 9, and for a 10th season after that. But with the show losing characters at an alarming rate (Lexie is already gone, and Eric Dane has said he will be leaving this season), you have to wonder how much longer it will go.

"Scandal" - Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10PM

After an intense first season, "Scandal" returns for another go this fall. The show centers on a D.C. crisis management firm, taking a new angle on the political drama.

"Once Upon a Time" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8PM

This fairy tale episodic has the advantage of being on a Disney-run station, allowing for the use of characters that others might not have access to. Case in point: the second season is rumored to feature Captain Hook, Sleeping Beauty, and Mulan, to name a few.

"Revenge" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9PM

It might not be realistic, it might not be the best show out there, but "Revenge" is deliciously bitchy and one heck of a guilty pleasure. The modernization of "The Count of Monte Cristo" continues in this second season.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" - Sunday, Oct. 7 at 7PM

Yep, it's still going. YouTube only helped matters, apparently.

"Suburgatory" - Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10PM

You might have missed the first season of "Suburgatory," and if you did, you might want to fix that for this second season. The show was quietly a critical success, and a fair replacement for the underrated (and quite canceled) "Cougartown."

"Happy Endings" - Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 9PM

Speaking of underrated, "Happy Endings" still hasn't quite gotten the ratings attention it deserves, but that hasn't stopped ABC from renewing it for a 22-episode third season. Great news for comedy fans. If you haven't been watching thus far, now would be the time to tune in.

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23" - Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 9:30PM

Among the many great things you can expect in the second season of this delightful ABC sitcom: a potential "Dawson's Creek" reunion.

"Last Man Standing" - Friday, Nov. 2 at 8PM

Considering the lackluster critical response to the first season, it's surprising that "Last Man Standing" is still... well, standing. Call it the Tim Allen effect. Still, as with "Malibu Country," the premiere date and time slot does not bode well for the show's prospects.