The national press has fallen in love with The CW’s new Sunday night series, Valentine and Easy Money: 

“Out of the blue come the two most entertaining new series so far this season.  Valentine and Easy Money put a modern twist on family drama that’s edgy and fun without being overwrought or vulgar.”  – Philadelphia Inquirer

“Easy Money is easily the most intriguing new show of the season.”  – Los Angeles Times

“The (Valentine concept is refreshingly original, and if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, you might like the contemporary interpretations of the storied figures.”  –  Washington Post

“Extremely topical, well-acted and surprisingly touching, Easy Money is a promising new entry.  An off-beat dramedy penned by The Sopranos and Northern Exposure writers, the series has that quirky, character-driven appeal.”  –  Variety

“Having gods fight for love in the age of MySpace is clever, and when all of the comedic stars align, Valentine has its twinkly moments.”  – San Diego Union-Tribune

Sunday nights will be laced with biting comedy.  That’s my first impression after watching The CW Fall Preview Show, which airs twice this coming weekend.  Hosted by Privileged stars Joanna Garcia and Anne Archer, the half-hour special gives an overview of our seven new network series—including a first peek at the Sunday lineup, where laughter rules.  Two actresses simply jump off the screen in their roles: Jaime Murray on Valentine and Laurie Metcalf on Easy Money.  Noted for her characters on Hustle and Dexter, sultry British-born Jaime camps it up (incognito) as Greek goddess of love Aphrodite; while in “the world of payday loans,” Laurie thinks more like Tony Soprano than an offbeat mother running the family biz.  We also get a glimpse of original Beverly Hills mommie dearest “Jackie Taylor,” played by returning 90210 alum Ann Gillespie.  Look for a big showdown between her and daughter Kelly (Jennie Garth) concerning offspring issues early this fall.  The preview show follows a Jason Priestley movie (Calendar Girl) this Saturday, so we’re in full 90210 mode.  Check out the teasers, then get ready for the real thing Monday night when Season Premiere Week begins on WBNX.

She’s listed as one of the most beautiful women in the world, credited with single-handedly revitalizing the final two seasons of The O.C., and played every teen boy’s “groovy chick” dream, Marcia, in the second big-screen Brady Bunch film.  All of which prepared Autumn Reeser to star as Phoebe, the Goddess of the Oracle at Delphi, in the new CW Sunday night dramedy, Valentine, premiering this fall.  The series is a fun, innovative spin on the criminal procedural format, but instead of solving crimes, the private investigator mends broken hearts and reconnects soul mates.  Business takes an unusual turn after the hiring of a mysterious, seductive woman as office manager—presumably Autumn.  Kristoffer Polaha (from Miss/Guided) and Robert Baker have also joined the cast as Eros and Hercules, Greek gods secretly living among us.  Fans of The O.C. remember Autumn as erratic “Taylor Townsend,” who paired up with Ryan after Marissa’s death.  Earlier this year, the 27-year-old hottie was part of another CW pilot, The World According to Barnes, which didn’t get picked up.  It’s too early to know exactly how Valentine will unfold.  How strongly will mythology play into each episode, for instance?  But things are off to a great start with Autumn in a lead role.

Sundays this fall will have a brand new look and feel.  Encores are gone, replaced by four exciting freshmen series just announced:  a drama, a romantic-comedy, a reality/action hour, and a sitcom.  The concepts for all four shows originated from producers with great TV pedigrees (The Sopranos, Reba, Dirtiest Jobs, Reaper), and casting/production will begin immediately, Variety reports.  Here’s a brief overview:

6:30pm    In Harm’s Way
Follows the real-life stories of people who work for the benefit of society in dangerous jobs, such as avalanche hunters, subway tunnel diggers, and hurricane chasers.

7:30pm   Surviving Suburbia
Think “Roseanne,” told from the husband’s point-of-view,  a blue-collar family with a grumpy dad.  The creator actually worked on Roseanne, so he’s familiar with award-winning comedy.

8:00pm   Valentine, Inc.
This romantic dramedy was penned for the big-screen, but will now be adapted for television.  The premise involves Greek gods living among us, with Aphrodite and son Eros fronting a matchmaking business.

9:00pm   Easy Money
A family of loan sharks…yikes!  Even more sinister, mama runs the biz.  Her middle son is great at this predatory line of work, but not so sure he wants to stay in “the family.”

CLICK HERE to see The CW Fall Weeknight Lineup