I am always happy when September rolls around and my fave nighttime soaps return, but I have to admit, I am a bit disappointed with the recycled plotlines I've seen so far. The biggest offender (and most boring story) by far is ONE TREE HILL's Clay and — oh my, God, Haley's sister is so boring I can't even remember the character's name — his lady love languishing in this beachy paradise when they're really in comas. UGLY BETTY psyched out viewers a few seasons back when Hilda and Santos spent an entire episode cuddling in her bedroom, only to reveal at the end that poor Santos actually died in that bodega robbery at the end of the first season. I cried like a baby then, but this time, saw right through the gimmick on OTH and only hoped it wouldn't continue through the next episode (it did). Also, how much do you want to bet that Haley has a baby bump this week? Meanwhile, we've got Elena's double/grandmother, Katherine, on VAMPIRE DIARIES wreaking havoc on her loved ones, which not only happens all the time on soaps but is happening the same night on FRINGE with Olivia and her “other universe” self!

Then on GOSSIP GIRL, Dan's daddy story might have more impact if an hour earlier, Jen wasn't tormenting her babydaddy, Ryan, on 90210, which by the way, left a few major questions unanswered from last season. What happened after Liam attacked Jasper? Is that psycho stalker dead or what? And what happened after Mr. Matthews drunkenly crashed his car into the school? Principal Clark gets fired for protecting his son but Mr. Matthews is still on the staff? The only show so far, shockingly, that has me intrigued is that nice family program LIFE UNEXPECTED. Adding MELROSE PLACE 2.0's Shaun Sipos to the cast was a wise move, and I love the twist that he's Lux's teacher. Hot times ahead!