Well, we're just about a month into the 1991-92 television season, and all but one of the four networks' 29 shows have made their debuts.
Only a couple have created more than a ripple in the ratings, although several have bombed bigtime.But leaving ratings behind, here's an updated look at the programs in terms of quality:
SMALL-SCREEN SPECTACULARS: A couple of series leap out from the pack in terms of sheer quality - CBS' "Brooklyn Bridge" and NBC's "I'll Fly Away."
A rather quiet comedy and a quiet family drama, these are the best new offerings of the season.
PLEASANT SURPRISES: "The Torkelsons" has turned into one of TV's best family comedies.
"Homefront" is an increasingly engrossing, well-produced soap opera that tackles substantial issues like racism and is populated with likable, realistic characters.
"The Royal Family" turned out to be quite funny, although with the death of Redd Foxx who knows what will happen now?
And Tim Lewis has managed to make "Home Improvement" amazingly funny - it's on its way to be a superior sitcom.
ABOVE AVERAGE: Marlee Matlin and Mark Harmon have helped "Reasonable Doubts" overcome rather weak writing.
"Eerie, Indiana" has proved to be strange but delightful.
FAIR TO MIDDLIN': The networks have provided us with several sitcoms that aren't the worst possible ways to waste a half hour, but are certainly nothing special - "Pacific Station," "Flesh 'n' Blood," "Princesses."
"Step By Step" is also in this category, which is as close as your local television editor is ever going to come to praising this series.
As reality shows go, "FBI: The Untold Stories" is OK.
"The Commish" has its moments when it transcends cliches, but they're too few and far between.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENTS: "Sibs" boasts a spectacular cast (including Marsha Mason and Alex Rocco), the same producers who've brought us "Cheers" and "The Simpsons" - and it's still a mediocre little sitcom.
The first episode of "Good & Evil" was wildly funny, but it was also the only installment written by creator Susan Harris. Since the debut, it's become nothing more than a pale imitation of "Soap."
"Drexell's Class" has managed to make Dabney Coleman as cantankerous as ever, but it's just not funny or appealing.
"Roc" has all the elements for success but one - it isn't funny.
MINOR DISAPPOINTMENT: Well, "Man of the People" didn't look very good from the beginning, but with James Garner as the star there was cause to hold out a little hope. That hope is gone.
SINKING FAST: "Teech" isn't getting any better - and it needs to get a lot better.
"Pros and Cons" is a pedestrian buddy show that manages to make both James Earl Jones and Richard Crenna look silly.
THE DREGS: The NBC exec who thought "The Adventures of Mark & Brian" was a good idea is reportedly parking cars in Burbank. This show is just stupid.
"Herman's Head" is nearly as stupid, but we've learned to expect this sort of thing from Fox.
"Nurses" is astoundingly bad.
"The Best of the Worst" might want to drop "The Best of" from its title.
"P.S.I. LUV U" and "The Palace Guard" can almost be confused for the same show. And between them there isn't an hour worth watching.
"The Ultimate Challenge" was ultimately too boring for belief.
AND STILL TO COME: The 29th and last new show on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox isn't actually entirely new.
"The Carol Burnett Show" premieres next Friday.A BIT ABOUT RATINGS: Just briefly, here's a look at how the new shows are doing in the ratings:
"The Ultimate Challenge" has already been canceled.
"Man of the People," "Pacific Station," "Teech" and "Princesses" are all headed for hiatus - they'll be back on new days and times, but their futures are dim.
An awful lot of new shows are bombing badly and aren't expected to be around for long (though they may move to different time slots), including "The Adventures of Mark & Brian," "Eerie, Indiana," "Pros & Cons," "FBI: The Untold Stories," "The Commish," and "Palace Guard."
Shows that are in serious trouble include "Sibs," "Flesh 'n' Blood," "Good & Evil," "P.S.I. LUV U," "Herman's Head," "Nurses," "The Torkelsons" and "Brooklyn Bridge," which will be moving from Fridays to Wednesdays.
"Drexell's Class," "Roc," "The Best of the Worst" are all weak, but might survive on Fox.
The Nielsen jury is still out on "I'll Fly Away," "Homefront" and "Reasonable Doubts." "The Royal Family" numbers were encouraging, but that's all up in the air now.
"Step By Step" is a moderate hit and "Home Improvement" is looking like a top 10 smash.
For those of you keeping track, that's two real successes out of 28 shows that have debuted this fall.