LOST's highly anticipated final season begins in February

2009 may be over, but we're only half-way through the 2009-2010 television season. As midseason begins, here's a breakdown by network at the series casualties of the first half of the TV season, followed by a look at network offerings to come.

Network Television

ABC
Defying Gravity. The sci-fi Grey's Anatomy that debuted on August 2, 2009 failed to lift off in the ratings and was cancelled after only eight of the first season's 13 episodes aired.

Eastwick. Perhaps waiting more 20 years to do a TV adaptation of the hit film, The Witches of Eastwick wasn't such a good idea. Whatever the reason, Eastwick debuted on September 23, 2009 to less than magic ratings. While the network has agreed to finish out the season by airing all 13 episodes, the show has officially been cancelled.

Hank. A new series starring Frasier star Kelsey Grammer seemed like a good idea. Guess everyone forgot about his 2003 Spike TV animated series Gary The Rat. Hank debuted on September 30, 2009 and by November 4, was on hiatus. Now officially cancelled, there are no plans to air the five remaining episodes.

CBS
Three Rivers. This medical drama featuring Alfre Woodard and a bunch of actors nobody ever heard of debuted late in the season on October 4, 2009. Eight of the original 13 episodes aired and the show was placed on hiatus. For those three fans of Three Rivers, don't think being on hiatus means it will return. Case in point, NBC's Harper Valley PTA. It was placed on hiatus in 1981.

The CW
The Beautiful Life. Debuting on September 16, this modern-day Models Inc. starred Mischa Barton, High School Musical's Corbin Bleu and real-life model turned actress Elle Macpherson. It was cancelled after only two episodes aired. Ever the optimist, series executive producer Ashton Kutcher didn't take cancellation as the final word and subsequently aired the remainig episodes on youtube in hopes of sustaining The Beautiful Life on the web.

FOX
Prison Break.  The popular drama Prison Break came to an end after four season on May 15, 2009. After airing the series' last six episodes, fans of the show seemed cheated as there were several questions left unanswered. To that end, FOX produced two additional episodes that were edited into a feature length direct to DVD wrap-up titled The Final Break.

NBC
Southland. The LA-based cop drama debuted on April 9, 2009 and aired a short season of only seven episodes before NBC placed the series on hiatus. Not long after NBC official cancelled the show, TNT announced they would air Season Two beginning in 2010.

Cable Television
A&E--The Cleaner
ABC Family--Kyle XY, Ruby & The Rockits
BBC America--Robin Hood
Comedy Central--The Jeff Dunham Show
Fox Reality Channel--As of March 31, 2010, the entire network will go away, while some of it's programming may find other homes, do we really need Seducing Cindy, Sex Decoy or Busted and Disgusted?
HBO--Flight of the Concords
TLC--Jon & Kate Plus 8 
TBS--The Bill Engvall Show
TNT--Raising The Bar--Side Note: This is a shame, as this is one of the best shows currently on television.
USA--Monk--another shame.

Enough of the bad news of 2009, here's what viewers can expect during the second half of the current TV season.

Returning Series

ABC
Desperate Housewives returns this Sunday, January 3, after a short break and a massive cliffhanger. Brothers and Sisters also ended with a shocker and also returns to answers questions on Sunday night. The Bachelor returns on January 4. Scrubs and Better Off Ted both returned in early December and as of January 5, they both air an hour earlier. Ugly Betty has probably jumped the shark, but after an unsuccessful switch to Fridays, its a Wednesday night timeslot for Betty and company beginning January 6. Shark Tank returns to ABC's line-up on January 8. Grey's Anatomy and its spinoff Private Practice both return with new episodes on January 14. LOST finishes its run this year with final episodes beginning on February 2. Flash Forward, aka the new LOST returns on March 4. Also returning in March will be Dancing With The Stars. After a successful debut, despite our local ABC affiliate WKRN bumping the show in lieu of a Titan's talk show, V returns March 30. Word has it there will be some cast changes when the show returns.
True Beauty, Wife Swap and Wipeout are among ABC's show that are still on their official schedule, but with no set return date.

CBS
NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Good Wife all pick up where they left off beginning Tuesday, January 5. Friday January 8 is another night of all new returning series as Ghost Whisperer, Medium and Numb3rs air. Side Note: While Numb3rs is returning, the show will finish its run and will not be picked up.  CSI: Miami offers new episodes on January 11, while CSI: NY and Criminal Minds resume on January 13. The original CSI debuts on January 14, alongside The Mentalist. The granddaddy of all reality shows, Survivor returns on February 11. Cold Case starts up again on February 14.
Big Brother, Flashpoint and Rules of Engagement are still listed on CBS's website, but have no set air dates.

The CW
The Vampire Diaries air new episodes beginning January 14. One Tree Hill continues on January 18. Supernatural resumes on January 21. Smallville returns for what many suspect will be its final season on January 22. The CW's popular Gossip Girl gets things going again on March 8.

FOX
American Idol returns on January 12 with new judge Ellen DeGeneres and amid rumors that this will be Simon Cowell's final season with the show. Bones and The Fringe both start up again on January 14. 24 debuts with another 2-hour movie on Sunday January 17, and another episode airing the next night on the show's regular scheduled night. My personal guilty pleasure, Glee, begins season two on April 13.  Sons of Tucson and The Cleveland Show are set to return on March 14.
Hell's Kitchen and Lie to Me are currently in production with no set airdates.

NBC
Chuck gets a reboot of sorts when the unwilling spy's chip kicks in, turning him into a super-spy, albeit only occasionally when the show resumes on January 10 with a two-part, two-night premiere. Heroes picks up on January 11.
Shockingly, Friday Night Lights is set to return once again as a summer series.

Returning Cable Shows

ABC Family--The Secret Life of the American Teenager picks up where it left off with new episodes airing beginning January 4. Greek premieres on January 25.
FX--Nip Tuck finishes its series run with episodes starting on January 6. Damages begins airing new episodes on January 25.
HBO--Big Love, HBO's paligamist family drama returns for Season Four on January 10.
Showtime--Season Two of Nurse Jackie debuts on March 22. The Tudors continue their reign on April 11.

New Shows
2010 will also offer its share of new shows. While not all of them have been officially given a start date, here's a list.

ABC
Copper, Happy Town, Let's Dance, Romantically Challenged

CBS
Arranged Marriage, The Bridge, Miami Medical

The CW
Fly Girls

NBC
The Marriage Ref, 100 Questions, Breakthrough with Tony Robbins, Losing It with Jillian, Perfect 10, Persons Unknown and Who Do You Think You Are

With all the shows coming and going, I am sure I missed a couple. If your favorite, least favorite or potential new favorite was inadvertently omitted from this article, please comment below. As these shows return, be sure to check back for reviews, previews and spoilers. First up will be my Desperate Housewives Spoilers, which I will again be posting as I did last year.  Till then, Happy Viewing 2010.