My Most Anticipated Pilots for 2012

Look, say what you want about Joey from Friends and Joey from NBC: I tuned into Showtime’s Episodes solely because of Matt LeBlanc and it has proved to be an excellent decision. Similarly, my love for Starbuck on Battlestar Galactica got me to turn into 24 when Katee Sackhoff joined up for a season, and her presence on Longmire got me to check out AMC this summer.

Maria Bello is a favorite from ER and several underrated movies, and I loved seeing her pop up on Prime Suspect (apparently I was the only one.)  I turned into Psych because I loved the character Charlie on The West Wing, I watched How I Met Your Mother because I loved Willow on Buffy, and no matter how much it sucks, I cannot turn away from Hart of Dixie, thanks to the trifecta of Rachel Bilson (The O.C.!), Scott Porter (SIIIIIX!! on Friday Night Lights), and Cress Williams (FNL! Grey’s Anatomy! That Guy Brandon Tutored on 90210!)

Obviously, it doesn’t take much for me to follow a beloved character or actor from show to show. With that in mind, I’m already setting my DVR for various fall pilots. Here are my most anticipated pilots for 2012, based solely on specific casting information:

• Nashville: Man, I love me some Connie Britton. Or maybe it’s just Tami Taylor, but either way, I’ll be checking out Nashville and renewing my jealousy over Connie Britton’s hair.

• The Following: This is a Kevin Bacon vehicle, but I’ll be tuning in because it’s also Kevin Williamson show, the man who brought you Scream, Dawson’s Creek (what), and The Vampire Diaries (WHAT.)

• Go On:  Look, I’ll watch Matthew Perry in anything, Ok? If I could suffer through Mr. Sunshine, I can suffer through a few episodes of whatever this turns out to be.

• Friday Night Dinner: Speaking of Mr. Sunshine: Allison Janney is in this bad boy, and what this show has that Mr. Sunshine didn’t is Greg Daniels behind the script, which gives me hope that this could be worth it.

• The Asset: As long as I’m following The West Wing alums around, might as well make time for a Bradley Whitford show, right? Right.

• American Judy: FINALLY Judy Greer is the lead and not the friend. FINALLY.

• Infamous: This one has got Vicor Garber (Alias!) and Tate Donavon (The. O.C.! Joshua from Friends!), so, sure, I’ll play.

• Arrow:  This one I’m tentative about, but we’ve got a grown up Caitlin Cooper here, so it might be worth a watch.

• Cult: I know nothing about this show except that Matt Davis from The Vampire Diaries will be on it, so what the hell.