My assessment of the upcoming fall TV season continues:

Predictions: Considering how NCIS went from mild success to smash hit this year (and was able to bring those viewers to The Unit) this should continue to be a strong night for CBS. I’m mixed on the chances for Smith, however. In concept, a heist series sounds a little too far out of the CBS procedurals box. If it survives, the success will be mild.

I don’t see anything pulling viewers away from House, though new series Standoff will not benefit from a strong lead-in, though I can see Fox trying to overcome that with aggressive promotion for an early premiere.

Tuesdays have been a challenging night for ABC, this year they managed snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with the way Commander-in-Chief was handled. However, the new line up looks promising. Dancing with the Stars should continue to do well, but will viewers stick around for the hipper-sounding Let’s Rob Mick Jagger? (I’m still refusing to acknowledge the new, less cool name.) I’m not sure, even though I remain hopeful.

I’m doubtful that NBC will see any gains on Tuesday nights. Newcomer Friday Night Lights faces stiff competition from Gilmore Girls, NCIS and Dancing with the Stars while the transplanted Law & Order: Criminal Intent faces younger and hipper procedurals shows in The Unit and House. Only SVU will hold strong.

The most uncertain show for me to predict is Veronica Mars. It now has a stronger lead-in (while Top Model was a popular UPN show that appealed to women, Veronica has more in common with Gilmore Girls) but will that bring more viewers? In the short term, I think so, but this season Veronica wasn’t able to hold onto the new viewers that tuned in to the second season premiere. The third season’s debut will have to hit all the right notes to succeed.

Picks: Oh, hell, I’ll admit it — a co-worker got me addicted to America’s Next Top Model this season and after “I’m a Cover Girl, mommy!” I am so not missing Danielle’s upcoming series of commercials.

I’m also looking forward to another season of Boston Legal, which finally found its voice this season. I really hope Parker Posey returns next season, as much as it bothered me that her character made me think of Lara Fynn Boyle, she added some real spark to the show. With Candice Bergen’s character mostly cleaning after Denny Crane’s messes, the show needs some strong women.

New series Standoff and Lets Rob Mick Jagger sound promising and the preview clips of Help Me Help You convinced me that this one is worth a trial.

I’ve forgotten already — is Standoff the one with Ron Livingston and Gina Torres or the one with Rebecca Gayheart, Ming-Na and Gale Harrold?