Yesterday, CBS presented their new schedule for 2008-09. If you'd like to see a sample of the new shows coming to CBS next year, click over to TV Week. There are clips from Eleventh Hour, The Ex-List, Harper's Island, Project Gary, The Mentalist and Worst Week. I've given them a once-over (actually, I watched them more than once) and here's my impressions. That means if you want to watch them fresh without my observations mucking up yours, take a look at them first before reading on.

Eleventh Hour: This looks good. Rufus Sewell is attractive and the situation is very X-Files-ish, about cloning, which piqued my curiosity. It also has an expensive look, good cinematography. Yes, that's superficial of me to say (also about how cute Rufus is), but it matters. This show is getting the royal treatment by CBS; great time period (after CSI, Thursday at 10 o'clock). I'm betting we'll be watching it for a full season at least.

The Ex-List: You can tell this has the smart crackle of a show like Veronica Mars, probably because Diane Ruggiero wrote the script. On first glance, this looks very promising -- and funny. It reminded me of Men in Trees -- a female-centric, romantic comedy with a splash of drama (also the bicycle!) -- and we know that ABC didn't give MIT much of a chance. Here's hoping CBS has more patience. Sandwiching this between Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs on Friday nights may be an odd fit, but I'm thinking that CBS has figured a female demographic loyal to Ghost will stick around for Ex-List. We'll see.

Harper's Island: Okay, call me crazy, but the first thought I had was Twin Peaks. Creepy murder, woodsy location, scary music. I also saw a flash of actor Bill Pullman (Independence Day, Sleepless in Seattle) -- how come CBS isn't promoting that he's in this! He's a star, you know, unless he's the first one killed. So, will I give Harper's Island a chance; maybe one viewing. If I don't get hooked, I won't be back for more.

Project Gary: Oh, dear. This is the sitcom that's getting good buzz? What does that say about the others that weren't picked up, like Mike Birbiglia's Secret Public Journal and Fred Savage in Single White Millionaire? True, this is just a minute of Jay Mohr and the kid, but it looked so sitcom typical, like I've seen it many, many, many times before. The laugh track sounded like the same guffaws and chuckles from The Facts of Life. Did I say I've seen this before? Family sitcoms have a place, but this needs a shot of vinegar or something to spice it up. It looked very retro to me. They should watch a little of Everybody Hates Chris.

The Mentalist: Well, it's definitely not another PSYCH, like someone commented based on the title. Simon Baker is good; a much more believable Simon Baker character than the cold-blooded killer on Smith. That was too much of a reach. Here, he seems like a highly intelligent guy, slightly abrasive. I loved the reference to Fangoria and the way he said of the detective leading the case, "He irks me. He's irksome." Very nice, snarky. This show will be worth a viewing or two. Procedural, yes, but since he's not a cop or a scientist, this may be more interesting. The other characters standing around watching, however, bugged me -- were they extras?

Worst Week: Outrageous, dare I say, wacky? That seems to be where they're going based on the clip. The real plus is the actors. I recognized every face and they're all very good. The situation would seem to be limited, though. How long can the in-laws be a roadblock to the engaged couple before they finally get married and the in-laws have to accept this schlub is their son-in-law?

[via PopCandy]