Historically, I’ve always been excited when September rolls around because of the promise. Over the past several years, the TV industry has changed the typical starting time for the new season.

Of all the shows I regularly watch, only “Family Guy” is starting its season this fall. One of my other favorites, “Robot Chicken,” is starting the second half of its season this fall.

My favorite two shows, “Battlestar Galactica” and “LOST” won’t be starting new seasons until spring. I’m also a closet fan—well, not anymore—of the new “Doctor Who” series, which doesn’t even have a season this year.

So this September, the new TV season really doesn’t bring much to the table for me. I’m usually very skeptical about the hype around new shows and usually don’t get in to them until the second season. Additionally, I’ve watched all the “fall season previews” for the big four networks and am yet to have a show captivate my interest.

So I’m left to wonder, is the fall TV season as important as it used to be? How many shows today start the new season in the spring or summer seasons? Is the traditional TV broadcast schedule no more? Is the fall opportunity for Fox to introduce several new shows people will take to, only to be canceled before December?

Maybe TV is still feeling the effects of the Writer’s Guild strike and all my concerns are null and void. However, this could be the dawning of the end of the fall season as a mainstay of the entertainment industry.