In the next couple of weeks the broadcast networks will be premiering their high-profile new Fall shows, and there are several notable things that Star Trek fans should look out for.

First, Jeri Ryan ("Seven of Nine") will be co-starring with James Woods in Shark, debuting this coming Thursday, Sept. 21, on CBS at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, 9:00 Central (check your local listings!). Ryan plays Los Angeles district attorney "Jessica Devlin," the new boss and chief nemesis of Woods' character, a cutthroat attorney named Sebastian Stark — nicknamed "Shark" around the D.A.'s office. The buzz on this show is very strong. For more about Shark, including videos, visit www.cbs.com/primetime/shark.

Unfortunately, there's another show of interest airing directly opposite Shark on Thursday nights. ABC's Six Degrees is the latest primetime entry by executive producer J.J. Abrams, who is simultaneously developing the next "Star Trek" movie for Paramount. Six Degrees is about six strangers living in Manhattan whose paths cross in mysterious ways. Ken Biller, former writer/producer for Star Trek: Voyager, recently stepped in as writer and showrunner (related story), so his influence should be felt later in the season. Bryan Burk, also working on "Star Trek XI," is another producer. Six Degrees premieres on the 21st, at 10:00 ET/PT on ABC.

Two weeks from Wednesday — October 4 — be sure to catch the premiere of The Nine on ABC right after Abrams' Lost. John Billingsley ("Dr. Phlox") is one of "the nine" whose lives are irrevocably changed after a 52-hour hostage standoff in a bank. Billingsley's character is "Egan Foote," a cubicle drone who goes into the bank planning to commit suicide but comes out to a hero's welcome, according to TV Guide. Each episode begins with a flashback that reveals 10 minutes of the hostage crisis. It's another show with very strong buzz. That's Wednesday nights starting 10/4 on ABC at 10:00 ET/PT.

A few other new shows feature other Star Trek alumni, including the highly anticipated Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Steven Weber, who played the Bajoran "Colonel Day" in DS9's "The Siege," co-stars along with Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford. Studio 60 premieres this coming Monday, Sept. 18, at 10:00 ET/PT on NBC.

Not to be confused with Shark on the same network, Smith premieres Tuesday, Sept. 19, on CBS at 10:00 ET/PT. Smith features the talents of Virginia Madsen, who played "Kellin" in the Voyager episode "Unforgettable." (Remember: Shark – Jeri Ryan; Smith – Virginia Madsen.)

Vanessa Williams ("Arandis" in "Let He Who Is Without Sin...") is one of the stars of Ugly Betty, a comedy/drama on ABC that premieres Thursday, Sept. 28, at 8:00 ET/PT. The one-hour show also stars Alan Dale ("Praetor Hiren" in "Star Trek Nemesis").

Kelsey Grammer ("Captain Bateson" in "Cause and Effect") is one of the producers of The Game, a half-hour comedy on The CW premiering Sunday, Oct. 1, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

And don't forget to check your local listings for the newly remastered original Star Trek in syndication starting this weekend! (Related story.) "Balance of Terror" will kick things off, and "Miri" will also be shown this weekend in some markets. Check this link for the complete syndication schedule and list of local affiliates running the new improved Trek.

In January, as some shows inevitably fall off the primetime schedule, there are several midseason replacements ready to jump in. At that time we should be seeing Raines with Linda Park ("Hoshi Sato") on NBC, and the ABC anthology series Masters of Science Fiction with an episode written by Harlan Ellison ("The City on the Edge of Forever") and directed by Jonathan Frakes ("Star Trek: First Contact," etc.).

Also in January, the sixth season of 24 will commence. It was recently announced that James Cromwell ("Zefram Cochrane") has joined the cast of the Emmy-winning Fox drama, playing the estranged father of Kiefer Sutherland's "Jack Bauer." Alexander Siddig ("Dr. Bashir") will also be in 24 next year, and it's rumored that Emmy nominee Gregory Itzin ("Dr. Dysek," etc.) will return as ex-President Logan. Manny Coto, who joined 24 last year after running the creatively successful fourth season of Enterprise, will continue to contribute his talents as writer and producer.