Its that time of year again when the new television season it upon us. Networks are busy hyping their latest new ideas, unveiling plots of the most popular returning shows and trying to persuade viewers that their programming is head and shoulders above the rest. Amongst all of these there are a few fantastic concepts that will be sure to dazzle viewers, but at the same time there is always a show or two set to struggle from the get-go.

The key show to watch this season is without a doubt "Pushing Daisies." A few years ago, there was a show that took the best elements of fantasy, comedy and drama, rolling them all into one single hour. Dubbed a dramedy, "Wonderfalls" charted the life of a young girl (Caroline Dhavernas) who suddenly discovers that inanimate objects are talking to her and telling her what to do. When she follows their advice everything works out for the best, but when she disobeys their commands there are consequences.

Although it only lasted 13 episodes, the quirky series offered some of the most entertaining plotlines ever attempted. One of the best writers on the series was former "Star Trek: Voyager" writer Bryan Fuller, who after the cancellation of the series moved on to create his own show, "Dead Like Me." This series offered the same wacky attraction as Wonderfalls, and also met a swift end after only two short seasons.

This time it will be different. Pushing Daisies centers on the twisted life of Ned (Wonderfalls Lee Pace) who has an unusual ability - with one touch he can raise the dead for one minute. Now while some may use this time to allow the dead to say meaningful goodbyes to their loved ones, he uses it to solve murders and claim the reward money.

Its never going to be the next big hit like "Heroes" was last year, but Pushing Daisies looks set to become the most original and comically compelling fantasy around. So if you want smart, witty and thrilling entertainment all in one hour then this is the show for you.

But if youre still sitting in the dark, moping over the cancellation of "Angel," then perhaps youd be better sticking with the vampire drama "Moonlight" - the vampire series that is boasting fun for the whole family. How good can a family-based vampire show really be? We cant have the same darkness that made Angel so riveting, we wont have the shared mythology with another series and so far it looks unlikely that the show will present the complicated and long running story arcs that was common place on Angel.

Sure, David Greenwalt was onboard for the conception and early incubation of the series, so maybe there will be some soul in Moonlight. But in an age of re-makes and re-imaginations with an audience waiting with baited breath for new tales, originally conceived shows will certainly struggle.

Will any of the new shows become the next big thing? Its hard to say with the competition of returning shows from last year. If not, theres still Heroes to transport you to new worlds, times passed and unexplored realties without ever leaving the comfort of your armchair.

Last year Heroes was the surprise hit with an unknown cast and stellar plotting from the showrunners. When you get these kind of hits however, it's common for the success to manifest in a series with overconfidence and some outlandish plot devices. From the snippets of spoilers that have leaked out on the new season so far, that is certainly not going to be the case with Heroes. Volume 2 (known as Generations) is geared up to taking the characters on the next natural step from where they were left at the end of How to Stop an Exploding Man. And best of all, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) will be back.

New show to watch this fall: Pushing Daisies
New show to ignore this fall: Moonlight
Returning show to watch this fall: Heroes
Returning show that will struggle: Smallville

Alan Stanley Blair is the assistant news editor of Airlock Alpha, contributing from his home country of Scotland. He can be reached at ablair@airlockalpha.com.