Over the last few years, the cable channels have experienced tremendous success during the summer months. Many of these series are repeatedly breaking cable-viewing records and have even caught the eye of those various award voters (i.e. Emmys). Viewers love these cable series, especially since the summer schedule offers a lighter diet of great television dramas.

What makes cable different?

Cable series have the luxury of being able to push the envelope a little further than series that are under the watchful eye of TPTB at the major networks. The writers are given more freedom to create bold and dynamic scripts and the actors are thrilled to have more time to pursue other projects since they produce significantly less episodes each season. Everybody wins.

This summer has brought much success to both new and returning series. ABC Family got a little riskier this summer with The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a series that deals with teenage pregnancy. Over on USA Network, In Plain Sight had no problem luring viewers away from an eternity of reruns. It should come as no surprise that both new series have earned season two renewals.

Summer Series Renewals

• Army Wives
• In Plain Sight
• The Secret Life of the American Teen

The writers strike wreaked havoc with some of our favorite perennial cable series such as Big Love and Rescue Me, leading many to wonder if and when they would return. Stress no more -- while it's disappointing to not be able to watch these shows during the easygoing summer schedule, they are definitely returning!

Summer Series Returning in 2009

• Big Love
• Brotherhood
• Damages
• Greek
• Kyle XY
• Rescue Me
• The Tudors
• Fate To Be Determined - The Riches

The fall schedule may be hectic, but I think it's going to be much busier in the winter months of 2009.

^{© 2008 Disney • ABC Television Group All rights reserved.}

Over the last few years we've seen movie stars trading in the big screen for all the wonderful things the small screen has to offer, but the upcoming fall season has more movie stars than ever! The latest movie star heading to a living room near you this fall is Oscar and Emmy nominee Rosie Perez, who will appear on NBC's Lipstick Jungle.

Along with Mary Tyler Moore, Perez will appear in a multi-episode arc on Lipstick Jungle, beginning with the season two premiere on September 24. According to NBC, Perez will play the role of Dahlia, Victory's publicist, who brings a successful attitude to Ford's life.

Perez is best known for her roles in the hit movies Fearless, White Men Can't Jump, Riding in Cars with Boys and It Could Happen to You.

^{Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images}

When a studio decides to create a sequel to a popular movie, the end result isn't always favorable. Being a new actress in her first film role is difficult in itself, but imagine taking that role in a sequel to the highly successful movie Bring it On.

Francia Raisa wasn't afraid to take on that challenge. In fact, this lovely young actress then went on to star in yet another sequel to the '90s cult classic The Cutting Edge. Luck was on her side when both sequels met with good reviews and impressive ratings.

Francia's latest role in the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager has also experienced an incredible amount of success. The series scored a second season renewal after only a few weeks on the air.

Get to know more about this rising star as I chat with her about her role on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, celebrity encounters and her fellow cast members.

• Interview with Francia Raisa
• Interview with Daren Kagasoff (Ricky, The Secret Life of The American Teenager)
• More Celebrity Interviews

^{Photography: Dimitry Loiseau/DimitryL.com Hair&Make-up: Valerie Noble/ValerieNoble.com}

Believe it or not, the fall television season is only six weeks away - where has the summer gone? In the last few years, Fox has been the first of the five networks to launch their fall season. This year the CW will go head-to-head with those Prison Break boys on September 1 with Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill.

Easily one of the most anticipated new series this season is the remake of 90210. Now that Shannen Doherty has officially signed on to return to her roll as Brenda Walsh, things in Beverly Hills should get v-e-r-y interesting! In addition to Doherty's return, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, and Joe E. Tata are coming back to their old zip code. 90210 makes its premiere on September 2, but will it live up to all the hype? I'm still holding out hope that Brandon Walsh, Dylan McKay and Steve Sanders return to the zip code at some point during the series.

The CW's Fall TV Drama Premiere Schedule

Monday, September 1

• Gossip Girl
• One Tree Hill

Tuesday, September 2

• 90210 - two-hour series premiere

Tuesday, September 9

• Privileged

Thursday, September 18

• Smallville
• Supernatural

Will the CW finally gain some momentum in the ratings? Could this be the last year of Smallville and One Tree Hill? Stay tuned folks, it's going to be an exciting year on the little network that could....

• Fall Premiere Schedule
• New TV Dramas on the CW
• Guide to the 2008-09 Television Season

^{Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/The CW © The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.}