Pounds will be lost, football games won, and delicate operations performed in the coming months. It’s hard to pick favorites when you’ve got fabulous shows like 24, Prison Break, Lost, and Grey’s Anatomy returning, but rest assured that the new fall season has something for everyone. Here’s a look at a few less-hyped new and returning shows.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

(NBC, Season 1, premieres October 3, 8 pm).
Expanding on the hit movie Friday Night Lights, this series centers on the small, dusty town of Dillon, Texas, where everything hinges on the high school football team. Even if you haven’t seen the movie (which was wonderful), this show works because it’s all about the small, fleeting moments that make life special, set against the pressure-filled backdrop of the state championship. You may not recognize many of the actors — Scott Porter, Gaius Charles, Zach Gilford, Taylor Kitsch, Tim Riggins — but that's ok. Teens will find someone they can relate to in this thoughtful series, whether it’s the shy quarterback, motormouth running back, or nice-girl cheerleaders. Holding it all together is Kyle Chandler (most recently, the “bomb guy” on Grey’s Anatomy) as head coach Eric Taylor, who’s also a dad and husband. This show is like watching the movie again on the small screen. It clicks on all levels.

THE BIGGEST LOSER

(NBC, Season 3, premieres September 20, 8 pm).
This may seem like an odd show for family viewing, but there’s a lot to be learned here. These folks not only lose weight, they gain new perspective on their lives and what can be accomplished if they put their minds to it. We get to see their world open up and also learn something about fitness and nutrition. We get involved in their lives, we want them to succeed, and by doing so, we’re motivated to take better care of ourselves. It’s a great show for kids of all ages, because it illustrates that true health isn’t just about diet and exercise, it’s about loving yourself. That’s a great message to instill in kids early on.

HOUSE

(Fox, Season 3, premieres September 5, 8 pm).
When last we left the cranky Dr. House, he’d been shot by an irate former patient and had to share a room with the shooter. With lots of blood, sex-related storylines, and at least one seizure in every episode, this show definitely ventures into PG-13 territory (or, in the world of TV ratings, TV-14, which means kids under 14 probably shouldn't be watching). Still, my kids (ages 9 and 12) and I love watching this show together. If they ask questions, I explain the best I can. If they don’t ask questions, I let it go. The ensemble cast of Jennifer Morrison, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, and the wonderful Hugh Laurie are so well developed, you feel like you’re watching real people in a real hospital. And it’s sort of refreshing to have a grouchy person like Dr. House on a primetime show. He doesn’t really care about how other people see him. He’s just…House. What can I say? He has issues, just like the rest of us.

FRANNY'S FEET

(Premiered July 8, PBS Kids, check local listings).
Franny spends her after-kindergarten hours in the care of her loving Grandpa at his cobbler’s shop, Fantootsie’s Shoe Repair. She loves the smell of the leather and the sounds of the tapping and humming as her Grandpa repairs shoes. But most of all, she loves trying the shoes on for size. That’s when she discovers what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes (thus, the message in this fun show). Something magical happens when Franny slips on those shoes — she’s spun into an amazing world with new friends and problems to solve. When she dons a pair of hiking boots, she’s transported to the African Savannah. In a pair of sandals, she twirls into a Mexican fiesta. And Mukluks take her on a wild trip to the frozen Arctic. This entertaining show is perfect for 3- to 5-year-olds who are just learning about the world and its people, and stretching their own wings of independence.

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at http://www.reellifewithjane.com/ or email jboursaw@charter.net.