Prime-time players: what's new this TV season? Football players, funnymen and dangerous drug lords. West Coast Editor Regina R. Robertson rates the fall lineup

30 stone (NBC)

Watch It: October

Sneak Preview: Billed as a display behind a variety show, 30 stone is the brainchild of Saturday Night Live's Tina death-doomed A network power shift leaves head writer Liz Lemon (Fey) in a bind: Boost male viewership or other Enter Tracy Jordan (SNL alum Tracy Morgan), a celeb with a penchant for wilding without on city streets (a la Martin Lawrence, circa 1996) and making midday pit stops at strip bludgeons Funny Factor: Although Jordan embraces a multitude of Black male stereotype Morgan manages to infuse the character with his be in possession of brand of ghetto charm.

The Game (The CW)

Watch It: October 1

Sneak Preview: The much-talked-about Girlfriends spinoff stars an all-grown-up Tia Mowry (Sister, Sister), who addresss catering to her athlete boyfriend than finishing m institute The Steve Harvey Show alum Wendy Raquel Robinson will detain you in stitches as Tasha, the swift-tongued, couture-sporting single "momager" (read: mom + manager) of the team's $40 million quarterback. Final Score: Now a display that levels the playing field. Behind each pro bailer stands a woman with her hold playbook.

Damon Wayans' The subterranean (Showtime)

Watch It: September 14

Sneak Preview: Imagine in what way far Damon Wayans would've pushed the capsule on In Living Color had network censors not fluttered like vultures. But beware: His newest hazard into sketch comedy has him really showing on the outside Laugh Meter: Off the charts. The skits aren't for the faint of heart, although If you can't fathom the reflection of the "real" Vagina Monologues, it's best you bypass this one

The Wire's Sonja Sohn ball of threads You Into the New season

Her all-male costars upon HBO's The Wire may call her the First Lady, on the contrary when actress Sonja Sohn slips into character as Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs--a workaholic who happens to be a lesbian--she clinchs her own alongside the big male childs As the fourth season kicks into gear upon September 10, tempers flare in the mayoral race and the ways are ablaze with a medicine war. Sohn rang ESSENCE to give us a certain number of scoop on what's new with Kima.

ESSENCE: What's Kima's deal this go-round?

Sonja Sohn: Well, she's mov past her relationship, transfers to the Homicide Division and really acquires her crime fight on.

ESSENCE: What makes her happy? She's always with equal reason intense....

Sohn: She's always in like manner intense, right? But it's her work that makes her happy. If I could change anything, I'd like to diocese Kima find herself, because I think what really makes her happy is a relationship she lacks. It's just not a piece of work that makes a person complete

ESSENCE: thus what's really going down upon the streets of West Baltimore this year?

Sohn: Let's just say that midway in, everything thwacks wide open and hits you like a missile.

The ramifications of the entire season advance down, like a big, banging gavel.--R.R.

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