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The TV broadcast networks can use all the excuses in the book for what has turned out to be a disastrous season: a 100-day writers strike, the rising use of DVRs, YouTube.

But the bottom line is nobody was able to generate a genuine big hit. No "Grey's Anatomy." No "House." No "Survivor." Instead, we got dyspeptic cavemen, a distasteful use of lie detectors and the return of "American Gladiators."

Vivian Zink/ABC (ENLARGE)
Rachelle LeFevre and Jason O'Mara in 'Life on Mars,' a detective show based on a BBC series that's planned to air Thursdays on ABC.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS (ENLARGE)
Jay Mohr (right) will star in the new comedy 'Project Gary' on Wednesdays on CBS. Ryan Malgarini plays one of his two sons.
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The strike hastened what has been a steady decline in broadcast viewership over the past three decades and cut short the development season, meaning fewer new shows across the board. And hundreds of cable networks keep stealing away eyeballs.

But ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are still the biggest players in town. Here's what they and the stumbling CW will offer this fall, as announced this week.

ABC

Assessment: The female-friendly network is keeping its lineup stable, launching a single new drama, one reality show and zero new comedies this fall.

Some shows that made the cut: "Boston Legal," "Brothers & Sisters," "Dancing With the Stars," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Eli Stone," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost" (midseason), "Private Practice," "Pushing Daisies," "Samantha Who?" "Supernanny," "Ugly Betty," "Wife Swap," "According to Jim" (midseason).

Some shows that didn't: "Big Shots," "Carpoolers," "Cashmere Mafia," "Cavemen," "Men in Trees," "October Road," "Oprah's Big Give," "Women's Murder Club."

What's new: ABC nabbed NBC's quirky sitcom "Scrubs." "Life on Mars" is a remake of a successful BBC series about a modern-day detective stuck in 1973. "Opportunity Knocks" has camera crews hitting random households to create a game show on their front lawns.

FOX

Assessment: The network held up better than its rivals, but only two freshmen shows got renewed, and its animated lineup is aging. Even "American Idol" is losing steam.

Some shows that made the cut: ""24," "American Idol," "Family Guy," "House," "The Simpsons," "Bones," "Prison Break," "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "Til Death," "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" "Don't Forget the Lyrics."

Some shows that didn't: ""Canterbury's Law," "K-Ville," "New Amsterdam," "Back To You."

What's new: "Lost" and "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams is creating a new ambitious "X-Files"-type sci-fi show called "Fringe." "Do Not Disturb" is a comedy directed by Jason Bateman.

CBS

Assessment: Its most popular shows are getting gray, from "Survivor" to the three "CSI" shows. But the network has enough strong performers to sprinkle in a few new shows (none in the reality genre) and move a couple of old reliables.

Some shows that made the cut: "The three CSIs, "Without a Trace," "Criminal Minds," "Cold Case," "NCIS," "The Unit," "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," "New Adventures of Old Christine," "The Big Bang Theory," "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men," "Ghost Whisperer," "Numb3rs," "60 Minutes."

Some shows that didn't: ""Moonlight," "Shark," "Cane," "Power to 10," "Jericho."

What's new: "Without a Trace" moves to Tuesdays at 10 p.m. "Christine" opens a Wednesday comedy hour with new sitcom "Project Gary" starring Jay Mohr. "Worst Week" is yet another American adaptation of a British sitcom. "The Mentalist" will run on Tuesdays and "The Ex-List" is a dramedy on Friday nights.

NBC

Assessment: For years TV's biggest network, NBC remains mired in fourth place and needs something to break out soon. NBC announced its schedule through summer 2009, spreading out its new series rather than throwing them all on at once in September.

Some shows that made the cut: ""30 Rock," "Celebrity Apprentice," "The Biggest Loser," "Chuck," "Deal or No Deal," "ER," "Friday Night Lights," "Heroes," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Life," "Lipstick Jungle," "Medium," "My Name is Earl," "The Office."

Some shows that didn't: "1 vs. 100," "Bionic Woman," "Journeyman," "Las Vegas," "The Singing Bee," "Scrubs" (to ABC).

What's new: Watch for a remake of "Knight Rider," an Australian import remake "Kath & Kim" (starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair), and a Christian Slater vehicle, "My Own Worst Enemy." There's also a new version of Robinson Crusoe set for Friday nights. A spinoff of "The Office" is planned for midseason.

THE CW

Assessment: When the WB and UPN combined in 2006, they hoped to build a bigger network. It didn't work. The network is foundering and lost wrestling to My Network, creating a new hole on Friday nights. Even with all the hype over "Gossip Girl," the show is at best a minor success compared to "The O.C." or "Dawson's Creek" of years past.

Some shows that made the cut: ""America's Next Top Model," "Reaper" (midseason), "Smallville," "Supernatural," "One Tree Hill," "Gossip Girl," "The Game," "Everybody Hates Chris."

Some shows that didn't: "Aliens in America," "Beauty & the Geek," "Girlfriends." "WWE Smackdown" (now on My Network).

What's new: The network sold off its Sunday night programming to a third party. What used to be an African-American comedy block is now reduced to one hour on Fridays. It's touting a remake of "Beverly Hills 90210," plus a new drama "Surviving the Filthy Rich," plus a companion to "Next Top Model" called "Stylista."