Lowering my expectations on 'Raising the Bar'

How can something so potentially good go so wrong?

That was my dominating thought while watching the first three episodes of Raising the Bar (premiering Monday at 10 p.m.).

We are so getting the new season party started a little early because next week is busy, busy, busy. This is definitely when I think the networks are plotting against me. Gossip Girl, Prison Break, One Tree Hill and the new TNT series Raising the Bar all premiere on Monday, September 1. Really, is that necessary?

So last night I watched Big Brother 10.

The new fall season kicks off September 1 with the second season premiere of Gossip Girl. On September 2 those of us still speaking to The CW will tune into the new 90210. And I'm thinking you all should send me your predictions right now. I'm drawing a line in the Peach Pit -- do you think the show will be a hit or a flop?

Moments after I posted Monday's column as if they were waiting for me, I received the following email from The CW:

I'm still mad about Mad Men.

Let's be honest, I show the same impatience with story lines on TV shows. Often I can't sit back and tolerantly wait for the story line to unfold. I'm quick to judge.

Most of the great TV shows weren't born that way. They got better with time.

I was all about the 1984 Olympics particularly the women’s gymnastic team.

Call it the Heroes effect. When many people got so upset with Heroes in its second season, I wasn't one of them.