What's new on cable this fall? Vic Mackey isn't the only force bringing high drama to the cable world. Meet the vampires, serial killers and bikers who will be joining him:

"RAISING THE BAR"

Stephen Bochco returns to the courtroom for this fast-paced series about young public defenders who think they can handle the truth. Jane Kaczmarek plays a crazy judge while Mark-Paul Gosselaar sports some crazy hair. (9 p.m. Monday, TNT.)

"SONS OF ANARCHY"

Longtime "Shield" writer Kurt Sutter peels out on his own for this story of a biker family battling druglords, crooked cops, greedy developers and skyrocketing gas prices. (9 p.m. Wed., FX.)

"TRUE BLOOD"

"Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball moves from the recently dead to the living dead as he sinks his teeth into a love story between a clairvoyant waitress (Anna Paquin) and a chilly vampire (Stephen Moyer). (8 p.m. Sept. 7, HBO.)

"SANCTUARY"

I guess there really is a monster in the closet. This adventure series pits scientists against mysterious creatures hidden in the cracks and corners of everyday life. Amanda Tapping, a former crew member of "Stargate," leads the charge. (8 p.m. Oct. 3, Sci-Fi.)

"THE STARTER WIFE"

The wildly successful miniseries returns as a full-fledged series with Molly (Debra Messing, left) hoping she can become as passionate about a man as her pal Joan (Emmy winner Judy Davis) is about booze. (8 p.m. Oct. 10, USA.)

"CRASH"

Apparently, the movie version didn't erase all the social intolerance in Los Angeles. The dramatic series, a first for Starz, features Dennis Hopper, who has played his fair share of intolerant characters. (8 p.m. Oct. 17, Starz.)

PREMIERE DATES OF RETURNING FAVORITES:

"Entourage": 9 p.m. Sept. 7, HBO.

"Dexter:" 8 p.m. Sept. 28, SHO.

"Californication": 9 p.m. Sept. 22, SHO.

NEAL JUSTIN

COMING SEPT. 14 IN VARIETY A+E: FALL TV PREVIEW

The writers' strike last winter has given us perhaps the oddest TV season ever. Neal Justin previews what's new -- and not -- from the broadcast networks.