The Fall 2006 television season is drawing dangerously close. With the summer series nearing their finales, it is time to look forward to the cooling of temperatures and the return of some of your favorite shows. Plus, there is a whole cadre of new shows to watch wither and die or explode out of the gate – there is no in between. So without further ado, let's take a look at what Fox has to offer. They are getting a head start on things by starting some of their shows in the month of August.

Returning Shows

• 24 Everyone's favorite super agent, Jack Bauer, returns for a sixth go around. Just like the past 2 seasons, the show will not begin until January 2007, where it will run straight through with no reruns or missed weeks. Last we saw Jack, he was on a ship bound for China after he was captured following the discovery that he was still alive. You see, back in season 4 he led an assault on the Chinese embassy, and memories are long. Next season will pick up sometime after he gets out of China, following rigorous torture. I cannot wait to see where the next season will take us.
• American Dad (Sunday ,September 10, 8:30) Seth McFarlane's sister series to Family Guy is making a comeback in a new slot, 8:30pm, following The Simpsons. I never thought of this as better than Family Guy, but it has held its own and developed into a pretty funny series. It will be entering its third season.
• Bones (Wednesday, August 30, 8:00) Surprising this viewer, this show, starring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, will be returning for season two. I enjoyed the first season. The series follows the exploits of a forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent as they crack murder mysteries. The series' strength was in the dynamic interaction among the cast and that is more than enough reason to watch.
• Family Guy (Sunday, September 10, 9:00) One of the funniest, most absurd, most brain dead shows is returning. I thought after the return of the show following the mishandling and ultimate cancellation a few years ago, it would be a shadow of its former self. Fortunately, they proved me wrong. Let's hope they can keep it up.
• House (Tuesday, September 10, 8:00) One of the best shows to emerge over the past few years will be making a move to an earlier timeslot, a move I hope does not lead to tamer subject matter. The series is a perfect blend of plot against characters. Looking forward to House's new cases.
• King of the Hill Fox has this one slated to come back, even though I could have sworn it had been cancelled. Well, there is hope as they have not yet given a return date.
• The Loop Here is another show that does not have a return date. Presumably, it will come in as a mid-season replacement for some failed series. Though, I thought this failed during its first half-season.
• The OC No scheduled return date yet. To be honest, I have little to say about this show as I do not watch it, nor do I have any real interest in it.
• Prison Break (Monday, August 21, 8:00) The first season was excellent, except for the lackluster finale. That said, I am very much looking forward to what the new season will bring. Scofield and the rest of his group are now outside the walls of the prison; all they have to do is not get caught.
• The Simpsons (Sunday, September 10, 8:00) I kind of wish this show had ended years ago. The funnies have become scarcer and scarcer. Still, it is moving into season 16.
• The War at Home (Sunday, September 10, 9:30) Why couldn't this show have faded into obscurity? Awful show. Well, it's still here, only in a new timeslot.