Fall TV coverage: ABC's vets will have to carry the load

The fall TV season is here, and that means it's time for a look into the future -- the near, near future, that is -- to identify the good, the bad and the rest on broadcast television. Over the next few weeks, I'll provide an overview of the fall offerings, and give my take on what will work, what won't, and where everyone will be standing at the midseason mark. This week, it's ABC's turn under the microscope.

The ABC's of -- um -- ABC: This year marks the tenth anniversary of the debuts of "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" (plus "Grey's Anatomy" premiered at midseason, "Dancing with the Stars" during the summer), shows that made American audiences realize they actually got ABC on their TVs. Between then and now, they've had a few notable hits -- "Modern Family," "The Middle," "Castle," and the still-rising "Shark Tank" and "Scandal" -- but mostly, they've muddled along, failing to capitalize.

Fall schedule outlook: So-so. Some of their more intriguing shows are being held for midseason ("American Crime," from Oscar-winning writer John Ridley, and "Marvel's Agent Carter," starring Hayley Atwell, who played Carter in both of the recent "Captain America" movies, are two examples), and several of the new programs -- particularly on the comedy side -- look less like home runs or even stand-up doubles and more like bloop singles at best. Again, ABC's fates will rest on the aging shoulders of their veteran series.

Time shifts: "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" moves an hour later to the Tuesday-at-8 time slot it probably should have had last season. "The Goldbergs" was built to be on ABC's Wednesday night; now that it's there, ensconced between "The Middle" and "Modern Family," it might have a chance to grow from year-to-year.

Potential breakout(s): New Thursday night drama "How to Get Away with Murder" has a terrific lead in Oscar-nominee Viola Davis; the pilot is a racy and fairly suspenseful potboiler, with a better-than-decent hook at the end. It's not a perfect hour, but it's an above-average start. Wednesday night's "black-ish" is surprisingly warm and funny, if a little less biting than it could be. The cast has an appealing chemistry as well, so this could be a good fit with "Modern Family."

First cancellation (over/under): It's a tight race between romantic comedies "Selfie" and "Manhattan Love Story," but since "Selfie" was created by Emily Kapnek, who turned out the gone-too-soon "Suburgatory," and therefore has earned my trust (at least for awhile), I'm elbowing "Manhattan" toward the ledge here. If you can't get enough of listening to the thoughts of a pair of vapid singles, you'd better treasure the time you're going to get to spend with these two. (6 episodes)

Midseason projection: 4th place, with an outside shot at 3rd.

Next up: CBS (a/k/a another episode of "The Rich Get Richer")