Fall dramas try to offer something for everyone

'The Mentalist'
Aussie Simon Baker returns to a lead TV role in this CBS crime show. He plays Patrick Jane, an independent consultant in the California Bureau of Investigation whose keen powers of observation help him crack cases.

Baker infuses a shot of cool to the otherwise standard crime procedural. His character faked his way through a career as a TV psychic before dedicating himself to work with the bureau. He's a renegade — sort of the Dr. House of criminal investigation — but also harbors a dark secret.

Robin Tunney, a familiar face to fans of the first season of "Prison Break," serves as the head of the crime unit. A la Cuddy on "House," she doesn't approve of Jane's tactics, but is forced to admit that he's an asset to the team.

Baker provides a central figure that viewers will come to love, making this more than just another procedural with interchangeable parts. The show also offers a chance for audience participation, as the clues Jane sees will be apparent to viewers who are paying attention.

One to watch? Yes. "The Mentalist" looks poised to become CBS's next big thing. (Premieres Sept. 23, CBS, 9 p.m.)     —Victor Balta

'My Own Worst Enemy'
It seems the only role on TV big enough for Christian Slater is a double role. In "My Own Worst Enemy," Slater portrays two personalities contained within the same person. Think "Jekyll & Hyde" with a spy-thriller twist.

Christian Slater plays Jekyll and Hyde-type roles in "My Own Worst Enemy."

Henry is a mild-mannered, clumsy suburban husband and father who has trouble getting a barbecue lit. Edward is a butt-kicking operative who breaks necks and has mastered the Hollywood art of coolly striding away from a building that he's just set to explode behind him.

The trouble starts when their worlds collide. Henry only begins to learn about Edward when an implant controlled by Edward's boss (Alfre Woodard) malfunctions and the two personalities begin to merge.

The show recently underwent a casting shift, with Yara Martinez ("The Unit" and "Vanished"), who was to play Slater's wife being replaced by Madchen Amick of "Twin Peaks."

One to watch? Maybe. There's intrigue with this being Slater's first regular TV gig, but recasting and a two-week delay from the originally scheduled start date could be cause for concern. (Premieres Oct. 13, NBC, 10 p.m.)    —V.B.

'Privileged'
Another CW show focusing on super-rich kids, this dramedy will undoubtedly get lost in all that “90210” relaunch hoopla and be regarded as simply that other “Gossip Girl” copycat. Not so fast.

Jaimie Trueblood / Jaimie Trueblood Does TV really need one more show about super-rich kids? "Privileged" promises to be different.

“Privileged,” based on the book “How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls” by Zoey Dean, was created by Rina Mimoun, who helped guide “Gilmore Girls” through its final season. The show centers around Megan Smith (Joanna Garcia), a Yale grad who puts off her dream of becoming a writer to work as a tutor for two rich brats in Palm Beach.

“It's the whole idea about when you want to change the world, sometimes you just have to start with two spoiled teenagers and go from there,” Mimoun told TV critics this summer. With high society shindigs, a powerful matriarch and a balance of humor and poignancy, early glimpses of the show drew comparisons to “Gilmore” from critics. Mimoun put it this way: “It's very much ‘What if the 'Gilmore Girls' were teaching the 'Gossip Girls’?”

One to watch? Yes. All the “Gilmore Girls” comparisons are probably unfair, but if you’ve wanted Serena and the “Gossip” gang to lighten up and take a pratfall or two, seek out “Privileged.”  (Premieres Sept. 9, CW, 9 p.m.)    —J.H.

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