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I admit it. I liked ‘Ringer’ Season 1 (TV review)

CW publicity photo

I guess I shouldn’t speak of “Ringer” in the past tense just yet, although I would be surprised if it came back for a second season on The CW. If there is a Season 2, there are still threads worth exploring: Most notably the long-awaited face-to-face meeting of Siobhan and Bridget, but also more of Andrew and Juliet’s reaction to finding out Bridget was posing as Siobhan. They may hate Bridget now, but once they reflect on what Siobhan did, Bridget won’t look so bad anymore.

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What happened to ‘The Walking Dead’s’ Sophia? (and 6 other burning TV questions) (Commentary)

Part of why it’s been a great TV season is that there are so many compelling questions that keep us watching from week to week. And these aren’t just a matter of “Oh well, I’ve followed it this far so I might as well keep going” like I sometimes felt with “Lost.” A lot of shows this fall actually have mysteries where I want to know the answer. Here are seven of the most burning questions among currently airing shows (No, I haven’t forgotten about “Who killed Rosie Larsen?,” but I’ll save that for when “The Killing” returns). (All times Central.)

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The new fall shows — not too shabby so far (TV commentary)

I’ve done “first episode impressions” of the noteworthy new shows this season, and many TV critics have done the same. We do this because it’s fun and quick-hitting more so than because it’s an accurate and fair way to judge a show. Indeed, my views of some shows have changed quite a bit in the month or so since the pilot episodes aired, so here’s a rundown on where I now stand with these series, ranked in order of quality. (All times are Central.)

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First episode impressions: ‘Ringer’ (TV review)

CW publicity photo

OK, deep breath, here we go: “Ringer” (8 p.m. Central Tuesdays on The CW) — the previews of which feature long monologues by Sarah Michelle Gellar, making it clear this is a show you have to pay attention to in order to know what’s going on — is off and running. Or at least briskly walking. As you already know from the advance buzz, it’s in a film-noir style (cool), it’s a soap opera (not so cool), it has lots of great actors (cool) and it’s about a mismatched set of twins — one a former stripper and recovering alcoholic; the other a rich, manipulative brat (not so cool).

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Fall TV: 6 new shows and 6 returning shows to watch (Commentary)

Believe it or not, the fall TV season is less than a week away. Fittingly, one of the best-looking new shows and one of the best returning shows will throw out the first pitches of the season when they premiere on Tuesday. Here’s a closer look at those shows and more — my top six new shows and top six returning shows of Fall 2011. (Showing my non-coast bias, all times are Central.)

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Flippin’ sweet! ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and 10 other shows to watch in 2011-12 (TV commentary)

Intimidated by the list of nearly 50 new shows coming out in the fall? Never fear, I have done the hard work for you of watching the trailers for all the network offerings (and believe me, it wasn’t all fun and games — there are some true stinkers out there).

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