[UPDATED AGAIN: Upcoming shows brought to top.]
While Bianculli tracks the big-name shows coming up on the networks and cable, I prefer to travel the tube's backroads, seeking slightly more obscure stuff worth watching.
So I'll match him 15 for 15 with these (less obvious) September TV treats.
14. The Prisoner (premieres Friday, Sept. 25, 8-11 p.m. ET, IFC) -- Patrick McGoohan's classic '60s mystery refreshes our memories before AMC's November remake. Co-creator/director McGoohan made himself immortal playing a resigned spy imprisoned in a too-perfect Village patrolled by a nasty weather balloon. This cerebral (even hallucinatory) puzzle is beautifully produced, and distinctly one of a kind. At least until November. (You can also watch all 17 of McGoohan's Prisoner episodes online.)
15. The Joy Behar Show (premieres Sept. 28, nightly at 9 ET, HLN) -- Love her or hate her, the brassy comic/cohost of The View certainly provides a loud liberal counterpoint to high-volume right-wing talkers.
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PREVIOUS PICKS:
1.
Soul of a People: Writing America's Story(Sunday, Sept. 6, 8-10 p.m. ET, Smithsonian) -- The Depression wasn't fun, but it did leave lasting value, as evidenced by this look at the controversial Federal Writers' Project, described as "America's first-ever self-portrait." Studs Terkel talks about his work chronicling American life alongside the likes of Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, Saul Bellow and John Cheever. (Encores Sunday night at 1 a.m., Labor Day at noon and 6 p.m. ET.)
2. Everybody Hates Chris (Monday, Sept. 7, 10 p.m.-6 a.m. ET; then nightly at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET, Nick at Nite) -- Chris Rock's charming and sharp childhood flashbacks -- which never lured the audience they deserved on UPN/CW -- find the perfect afterlife on a rejuvenating Nick at Nite.
3. King of the Hill (Sunday, Sept. 13, 8-9 p.m. ET, Fox) -- Mike Judge's longrunning animated family -- Texas propane dealer Hank Hill, savvy wife Peggy and awkward son Bobby -- says 'Bye, y'all' with two final fresh episodes.
4.
Drop Dead Diva(Sundays, Sept. 13 and 20, 9 p.m. ET, Lifetime) -- Whatever you think of this tale of a vapid model reincarnated as a plus-size attorney, these are must-see guest shots: Paula Abdul on Sept. 13, and Liza Minnelli, Delta Burke and Rosie O'Donnell Sept. 20.
5. Inside the Actors Studio (Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET, Bravo) -- This should be good. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane gets the James Lipton "grilling" in one of Bravo's few shows still worth watching.
6. Bernard Herrmann/Alfred Hitchcock films (Tuesdays, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22, starting at 8 p.m. ET, Turner Classic Movies) -- TCM's monthlong Hermann tribute screens six memorable Hitchcock suspensers with memorable Herrmann scores. On Sept. 15: The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Vertigo. On Sept. 22: North by Northwest, Psycho and Marnie.
7. Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League (premieres Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET, Showtime) -- Run 'n' gun sports on a shoestring. It was nothing like today's corporate sports world when an upstart football league challenged the stodgy NFL starting in 1960. Joe Namath [photo at right], Al Davis, John Madden and other rebels figure in this lively underdog story spread across five Wednesday nights.
8.
Georgia O'Keeffe(Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET, Lifetime) -- Joan Allen plays the 20th century desert painter in a new biopic costarring Jeremy Irons as Alfred Stieglitz. Other screenings: Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. ET.
9. Holy Grail in America (Sunday, Sept. 20, 8-10 p.m. ET, History) -- Did the DaVinci Code's Knights Templar stash Christ's cup in the States? And did they do it a hundred years before Columbus? This special investigates.
10.
The Brady Bunch 40th anniversary marathon(Monday-Friday, Sept. 21-25, 7-9 p.m. ET, and Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET, TV Land) -- Sing along now: It's the story of an unavoidable sitcom about a blended family, a dog and a maid named Alice. (And, late in the series' run, some reeeeally bad man-perms.) Gorge yourself on the grooviness.
11. Man on Wire (Monday, Sept. 21 at 8:25 p.m. ET, Sundance) --Amid its dysfunctional '70s depths, New York City found itself transfixed in wonder when French daredevil Phillippe Petit took an illegal wire-walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. James Marsh's documentary film about this guerrilla act captures both its intricate planning and its inspirational impact on a downtrodden city.
12. Brick City (Monday-Friday, Sept. 21-25, 10 p.m. ET, Sundance) -- Young-gun Newark mayor Cory Booker struggles to revitalize his blighted New Jersey metropolis by rallying police, gangs and everyday people, in this five-part documentary produced by Forest Whitaker.
13. Stephen Fry in America (Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 10 p.m. ET, HDNet) -- Hugh Laurie's old comedy partner (A Bit of Fry and Laurie) drives a London cab through all 50 states, discovering fascinating landmarks, customs and citizens.