I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but summer is officially coming to an end. Schools are back in session, the pools are closing, and the good weather is wrapping up. But since I also like to be the bringer of good news: There’s less than two weeks left until the fall tv season returns! Aren’t you excited?

Starting September 13th, the fall crop of shows will be making their way to our tv sets. And in anticipation, I wanted to take a look at my top five new and returning shows. Plus, if you’re fretting about catching up, I’ve left my top five episodes you’ll want to see first.

New for Fall 2011

Ringer (Sept. 13, 9pm on The CW)
Buffy’s back. Its been eight long years since Sarah Michelle Gellar graced our screens on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And now, instead of fighting the forces of evil, she’s fighting her inner demons as twins Bridget and Siobhan. That’s right, double the screen time for Gellar. But she’s not the only big name that’ll be on the show, Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected), and Nestor Carbonell (Lost) also star in this twisty noir.

The Secret Circle (Sept. 15, 9pm on The CW)
First there were vampires, then zombies, and now witches are making a comeback to tv this fall with The Secret Circle, from The Vampire Diaries’ creator Kevin Williamson. Williamson is already known for making compelling tv, but there are more reasons to tune in. The show also features the return of a few of our favorite stars: Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected) and Thomas Dekker (Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles). Personally, I’m already in love with the cast, the premise, and the vibe behind it.

Revenge (Sept. 21, 10pm on ABC)
Emily VanCamp played a good girl on Everwood and Brothers & Sisters, but this season she’s tapping into the darker side of human nature. And from what I’ve seen, she’s damn good at it. VanCamp displays just the right amount of sweetness on the outside and bitterness on the inside to make this show a guilty pleasure. I can’t wait to see her conspire and takedown the rich people of the Hamptons that destroyed her life.

Once Upon a Time (Oct. 23, 8pm on ABC)
Fairytales have been brought to life in movies (Enchanted), miniseries (The 10th Kingdom), and now they’re coming weekly to your tv! If you’re like me and adore the classic Disney movies, then you’ll love this show. From Lost writers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Jane Espenson and Life Unexpected’s Liz Tigelaar are also on staff. And let’s not forget about all the stars (Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Carlyle) and guest stars (David Anders, Harry Groener, etc.) that we can look forward to playing our favorite characters.

Homeland (Oct. 2, 10pm on SHO)
One of the most talked about fall pilots, Homeland is set to be another popular series for writers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, who previously worked on The X-Files, Angel, and 24. The show is part political, mystery, and psychological thriller. It should fit right in with their previous shows, don’t you think? And, you know, the cast isn’t too bad either: Claire Danes (Temple Grandin), Damian Lewis (Life), Mandy Patinkin, and Morena Baccarin (Firefly) all star.

That’s my top five for this fall season, but I’m also looking forward to New Girl (Sept. 20, 9PM on FOX), Person of Interest (Sept. 22, 9pm on CBS), Pan Am (Sept. 25, 10pm on ABC), and Hart of Dixie (Sept. 26, 9pm on CW).

Returning for Fall 2011

The Vampire Diaries (Sept. 15, 8pm on The CW)
The Vampire Diaries started off with plenty of naysayers tuning out after the pilot. But after buzz began to pick up again, and everyone realized what they were missing, the show has been going strong ever since. Known for its stellar cast, great writing, and addictive twists, I wouldn’t dream of missing an episode.

Five episodes to watch for each season: Lost Girls (1×06), Haunted (1×07), Fool Me Once (1×14), Blood Brothers (1×20), Founder’s Day (1×22), Brave New World (2×02), Katerina (2×09), By the Light of the Moon (2×11), The Descent (2×12), The Sun Also Rises (2×21)

Nikita (Sept. 23, 8pm on The CW)
Nikita is a spy-drama in all the best ways. It has action, romance, betrayals, and plenty of twists. And now that a few characters have switched sides, and everything has changed yet again, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Five episodes to watch: Pilot (1×01), All the Way (1×11), Alexandra (1×15), Covenants (1×17), Betrayals (1×21)

Fringe (Sept 23, 9pm on FOX)
Fringe is the little sci-fi show that could. Really, it’s the only sci-fi show that could bring you fringe science, alternate universes, and a world (two of them!) full of mythology. If you’ve been missing your X-Files quotient of freaky happenings, then check out Fringe.

Five episodes to watch for each season: Pilot (1×01), The Arrival (1×04), Ability (1×14), The Road Not Taken (1×19), There’s More Than One of Everything (1×20), August (2×08), Jacksonville (2×15), Peter (2×16), The Man From the Other Side (2×19), Over There (2×22/23), The Plateau (3×03), Entrada (3×08), Reciprocity (3×11), Subject 13 (3×15), The Day We Died (3×22)

Castle (Sept 19, 10pm on FOX)
In the time of Law&Order, CSI, and NCIS, it’s nice to finally have a procedural that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Castle is sometimes silly, but it’s always fun. I mean, how could a show about a mystery novelist helping a NYPD detective solve crimes not be? (There’s also a bit of romance and drama too, fyi.) And the charming Nathan Fillion (Firefly) stars as Richard Castle.

Five episodes to watch for each season: Flowers for Your Grave (1×01), A Chill Goes Through Her Veins (1×05), Little Girl Lost (1×09), A Death in the Family (1×10), When the Bough Breaks (2×05), Sucker Punch (2×13), Tick tick tick (2×17), Boom! (2×18), A Deadly Game (2×24), A Deadly Affair (3×01), Knockdown (3×13), Setup (3×16), Countdown (3×17), Knockout (3×24)

And I’m kind of ashamed to say, I can’t think of a fifth returning show I’m excited about. There’s The Walking Dead (Oct. 16, 9pm on AMC), but I’m indifferent about what to expect from that one. But if I had to choose a fifth, it’d be Misfits (October, on E4), even though it’s British.

I know, what would you recommend? What’s your favorite new and returning shows you’re excited about?