In a year when efforts from David Lynch, Mark Frost and the team of Glen Morgan and James Wong (see feature story) are deemed unworthy of airtime, ya gotta wonder what could have possibly made the cut instead. The answer, however, lies not with series demonstrating tremendous originality, wit or intelligence (as is no doubt the case in Lynch's Muholland Drive, Frost's Forbidden Island or Morgan and Wong's The Wonder Cabinet) but those offering either a made-for-target-audience premise (Roswell, a.k.a. "9021UFO") or severe industry clout (Chris Carter, Joss Whedon, and James Cameron are all debuting new genre shows). And with the vast number of genre casualities over the last year (Millennium, Brimstone, Strange World, and the full-year Babylon 5: Crusade all bidding farewell), the networks are more determined than ever to play it safe, with so few new series hitting the air that it almost makes you long for the Dark Skies-era of X-Files rip-offs galore (OK, well, not really -- but you get the idea). Here's a look at what's up for fall -- and how long we think they're gonna last:

ROSWELL Wednesdays, 9:00 EST, The WB   SUMMARY: Where does a pilot go when even FOX has rejected it? The WB, natch! Formerly entitled Roswell High, this veritable 9021UFO stars Jason Behr as one of a trio of popular teenagers who are really extraterrestrials in disguise -- a scenario that would have perhaps served better to shed light on Behr's former residence of Dawson's Creek.   WHO'S INVOLVED: Sly trickster Jonathon Frakes (Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction? and Star Trek: The Next Generation) is rumored to have originally sold this show to FOX. Other notables on the production side include David Nutter (The X-Files, Space: Above & Beyond) and Gail Berman (Buffy). Castwise, Dawson's refugee Behr is backed by that WB specialty: teenage unknowns.   WATCHABILITY: Early word on this series says it's not just Jonathan Frakes' involvement that makes this one beyond belief; however, combining the lamest elements of The X-Files and the Dawson's clones sure didn't hurt Charmed.   LIFE EXPECTANCY: Hey, this is the WB we're talking about! Plus, it's on after Dawson. At least one year. ANGEL Tuesdays, 9:00 EST, The WB   SUMMARY: Buffy the Vampire Slayer's spinoff series features vampire-ex Angel departing Sunnydale in search of -- well, who cares, really -- it's David Boreanaz! But for those whose consideration extends beyond the evident drool factor, the basic premise finds Angel setting up a private investigation agency in Los Angeles -- rumored to be the second Hellmouth. In his free time, he'll pursue such activities as battling demons, saving souls, and interacting with old Buffy cast members, such as...   WHO'S INVOLVED: Charisma Carpenter joins David Boreanaz as the only other Buffy regular to be spun off to LA. Cordelia (who, contrary to popular opinion is neither among the undead nor Angel's love interest) will head for Hollywood in search of an acting career and ultimately end up battling demon spawn as, surprisingly, Angel's sidekick. Also joining the group is Irish actor Glenn Quinn (formerly of Covington Cross), who will be playing the very Whistler-esque Doyle. Guest appearances by other Buffy cast members throughout the season are likely. The ever-awesome David Greenwalt will executive-produce, while participation from the rest of the Buffy staff (Joss Whedon, et al) is also likely.   WATCHABILITY: This spin-off of the best show on TV seems sure to rock, providing Greenwalt and Whedon don't spread themselves too thin in the process. And with Angel's more serious tone and (slightly) older cast, the WB may finally bring in the adult audience it notably lacks.   LIFE EXPECTANCY: Without Buffy, this station would still be an acronym for "Why Bother?" At least a full-year run. HARSH REALM Fridays, 9:00 EST, FOX   SUMMARY: The latest from Chris (The X-Files, Millennium) Carter, Harsh Realm suffers from "Chinga" syndrome, as the man once described by a FOX exec as "an ego in search of a human being" has completely rewritten the original premise of James Huddell's comic while nonetheless retaining the title. The series now details the adventures of Thomas Hobbes (oooh, such profound philosophy references!) who, while investigating a new form of virtual reality, finds -- shocker here -- a conspiracy.   WHO'S INVOLVED: For a while there, it looked like the talented, superhot and totally underutilized actor Nicholas Lea (X-Files' ruefully abandoned Krycek) was finally going to get the breakthrough role he deserves. Alas, Strange Luck's D.B. Sweeney (a fine actor in his own right, but no Lea) has instead been given the lead, with former star Samantha Mathis, Max Martini and Party of Five's Scott Bairstow playing supporting roles. And while Carter may have abandoned the non-profitable Millennium, he did manage to grab its talented cast: Terry O'Quinn will play the villainous Santiago, while Sarah-Jane "Lucy Butler" Redmond and Rachel "SKOTW victim" Hayward also put in appearances.   WATCHABILITY: Word has it the pilot kicks all ass -- but then again, so did The X-Files and Millennium. The question lies with whether Carter and Co. can keep the momentum or end up with a whole new group of disappointed fans to add to the ex-Philes.   LIFE EXPECTANCY: Yanking genre shows is a favorite FOX passtime (see: Millennium, Profit, Brimstone) but Harsh Realm's got Chri$$$ leaning heavy on the all-important wallet factor. However, the Friday night death slot (again, see Millennium), combined with 1013's preoccupation with the second X-Files movie -- and not to mention the tendency of Wong-less 1013 series to plummet in quality after an initial good run -- makes one wonder if Carter will experience his own harsh realm once the XF well runs dry. Still though, I'd give this one a solid three-year run. DARK ANGEL Mid-season replacement, FOX   SUMMARY: James Cameron seeks to extend his reign to your TV in this futuristic series depicting a genetically-engineered supergirl on the run from the government that created her. The series is set in 21st century San Francisco.   WHO'S INVOLVED: A more clothes-friendly Jessica Alba (Molly from Idle Hands) stars as Max; there will also be a male lead to play one of Max's underground cohorts and love interests.   WATCHABILITY: Playing as if Cameron decided to merge his Terminator storylines with his Titanic target audience, this iffy but intriguing series is nonetheless worth a look. Watch here for a hubris factor later on.   LIFE EXPECTANCY: It's James Cameron, duh! As long as he pleases. THE OTHERS NBC, mid-season replacement   SUMMARY: A college freshman in New England wrestles with his ability to see paranormal visions from the past and beyond. From Dreamworks Studios.   WHO'S INVOLVED: It's written by John Brancato, the guy who wrote that awesome 1997 thriller The Game.   PROGNOSIS: And apparently, he just keeps getting better -- The Others is rumored to be genuinely creepy, original horror that stands as the best of the non-spin-off genre entries.   LIFE EXPECTANCY: By virtue of the above...it's a goner.

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