At this time of year, it's traditional for columns such as these to feast on television's turkeys. It would be easy - too easy, in fact - to write about the many network shows this fall that haven't lived up to their potential. This year, though, it's more appropos to actually give thanks to the networks, who, in a complete turnaround from recent years, are finally showing some respect for their audience. Let us bow our heads for ...

No repeats for weeks: It's common for networks to work in repeats of prime time series during late October, just before the start of the first sweeps period. It didn't happen this year. Virtually all of the series that premiered in September are still on a roll of continuous new episodes. Admittedly, for those who watch series with continuing storylines ("Desperate Housewives," "Brothers and Sisters"), it been almost too much of a good thing. A breather might be appreciated.

No schedule shuffling: In the past, the networks juggled times and days for struggling series within a few weeks of their debuts. This year, there has been just one major switch - "Life" and "Lipstick Jungle." More moves are on their way, particularly at Fox, but it's encouraging that networks are letting audiences find new shows before scuffling them off to Fridays or, worse, limbo.

Patience, patience: Shows that would have been long ago canceled in previous seasons have not only been nurtured for the past few months, but they've also been given full season extensions to find their footing. That's especially true of NBC, which has given green lights to the worthy but ratings-challenged ("Chuck" and "Life") and the not-so-worthy ("Kath & Kim" and "Knight Rider"). CBS has extended "Gary Unmarried" and "Worst Week," even though the latter show is losing a considerable portion of the audience from its lead-in, "Two and a Half Men." For its part, the CW has renewed "Privileged" for a full season's run as well.

No jumping of sharks: When a series lunges from the possible to impossible in one incident, it's called "Jumping the Shark," referring to a "Happy Days" episode in which the Fonz leaped over sharks on his motorcycle and simultaneously lost whatever credibility remained for the show's storylines. This time around, a handful of shows have made no attempt to be grounded in reality. Among them are "Fringe," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Pushing Daisies" and "Eli Stone." It's as if the networks were doing a nationwide shout out - it's fantasy, folks! Relax and enjoy it." A smart and strategic move for the networks, even if the shows aren't particularly packing 'em in.

Quick fixes: NBC renewed the low-rated " Knight Rider" in recognition of its franchise potential, and the fact that it was drawing the desired demographics. That doesn't mean it ignored the fact that the scripts were running on fumes. "Knight Rider" is being overhauled and will soon emerge as a near replica of the original series, which, depending on your point of view, is a plus or minus. For the record, Bruce Davison, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Yancey Arias are gone, as is the plotline about national security. Now Michael and his one-of-a-kind vehicle will once again be assisting everyday folks.

Knowing when it's time to go: Veteran series used to stay long past their prime simply because they were still pulling in decent Nielsen numbers - "Dallas" and the aforementioned "Happy Days" come quickly to mind. It appears that trend is fading. Fox reportedly is ending the four-year-old "Prison Break," which has exhausted most of its escape possibilities, and USA is shutting down "Monk" after eight seasons, just as its quality has begun to noticeably diminish. Likewise, ABC is pulling the plug on the increasingly outlandish "Boston Legal" in January, and has signaled that both "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" may wrap it up after their seventh seasons, even though ratings would normally dictate otherwise. Fox also is pulling the plug on the long-running "King of the Hill."

Giving laughs when we need them: Sitcoms historically do well during tough economic times, and the networks are preparing to give audiences what they evidently crave when the Dow turns southward. In addition to renewals of almost all of this season freshman sitcoms, many more are coming aboard in the next few months. "Scrubs" and "According to Jim" are returning to ABC in January, and two new comedies, "The Goode Family" and "In the Motherhood" are on tap for later in 2009. NBC is developing a Hilary Duff series, and Fox has something called "Sit Down, Shut Up," which it evidently will pair with "'Til Death." It also has given a full commitment to the animated "The Cleveland Show," which will premiere next fall. CBS has promised more of "Rules of Engagement," although its laugh quotient is close to non-existent. And while it's not a comedy, this certainly qualifies as TV lite: NBC has scheduled "Superstar Dancers of the World" for a late winter run.

Stability in scheduling and respect for the audience might not have an immediate effect on network ratings, but odds are that it will have a long-term positive impact. When hours are invested in prime time series by viewers, they have every right to demand that networks to acknowledge their existence. Frankly, it's about time.

I take that back

Just after completing the above column, ABC axed "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money." At least "Eli" and "DSM" have another episode or two to film, which means story arcs could possibly be completed. While these cancellations of quality shows are certainly depressing, we suppose the news can be spun into a "thankful" theme as well. We now have cleared three hours a week for doing something other than watching television.

More renewals

Sci-Fi Channel is giving "Sanctuary" a second season, with 13 new episodes scheduled next year ... Comedy Central has announced a sixth season for "Reno 911" beginning March 12 ... ABC Family is bring back a second run of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" beginning Jan. 5, while a third round of "Kyle XY" begins Jan. 12. The return of "Teenager" is hardly a surprise. It's the highest-rated series (4 million viewers per episode) in that network's history.

Off the drawing board

ABC has dumped one of its high-profile sitcoms before it ever shot an episode. "Single with Parents," which was to have starred Alyssa Milano, Annie Potts and Beau Bridges, was dropped after the network and producers parted ways over - you guessed it - creative differences.

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