There are plenty of factors involved when choosing which new TV shows to get attached to. First off, there’s scheduling to consider. You can’t supplant a tried and true favorite for some show that could get the axe a few weeks into its run. (Hello, Ray Liotta of “Smith,” I’m talking to you.) Secondly, you don’t want to arbitrarily add just any old show onto your television viewing plate when certain ones may be tailor-made to suit your individuality.

With the new fall season in full swing, here’s a look at the new shows and some returning faves that may or may not be making the grade. And, no, we will not be grading on the check-plus/check-minus system.

ABC seems to have the lock on great shows, so we’ll start there.

When I was researching “Fall TV Preview” (GLT issue #975), I was bitching about the lack of gay content on television this fall. But nothing could prepare me for how capital G-A-Y “Ugly Betty” would be!

For starters, her gay nephew (Mark Indelicato) makes up for the lack of gays on TV all by himself. When he receives a football outfit and proclaims it a “costume,” then festoons the cup as a mask of The Phantom of the Opera, we know that boy is a one-man gay force to be reckoned with.

Plus, characters like Vanessa Williams’ Wilhelmina Slater hark back to the days when “Dynasty” was king. And every king needs a queen, which she has in spades with her assistant (Michael Urie) and his über-bitchy compadre (Becki Newton). Throw in a ready to go, ghetto-on-your-ass older sister for Betty (Ana Ortiz) and a hunk of a boss (Eric Mabius), and you had me at “gaylo.”

“Betty” is infused with much gay sensibility, the likes of which haven’t been seen since the heyday of “Sex and the City.”

Gaywatch Grade: A+

“Brothers & Sisters” has many familiar faces and plenty of storylines involving the waspy Walker family to engage viewers.

Chief among them is Sally Field, who has not been a series regular since “The Girl with Something Extra” (1973). Her portrayal of matriarch Nora is my favorite part of the show, and it was nice to hear the former Sister Bertrille threaten to rip off an unwanted suitor’s nuts on a recent episode.

I loved Rachel Griffiths on “Six Feet Under,” so it’s an added bonus that she’s a part of this ensemble. So is hunky Balthazar Getty, youngest brother Dave Annable and Josh Hopkins as Calista Flockhart’s paramour. Speaking of Flockhart, she is excellent as right-winger Kitty. (Wow! I got through a whole sentence about Flockhart without mentioning her weight. That’s so early 2002.)

Of course, this was one of the three new shows featuring a gay male character. I was worried at first that Kevin (Matthew Rhys) would be subscribed to that old Will Truman dilemma of “too busy being a lawyer to drop his legal briefs.” But he’s had an onscreen kiss – with a guy.

My only complaint, which keeps this show from getting an A+, is enough already with the syrupy music montages at the end of the show. Like, gag me with a shovel.

Gaywatch Grade: A

Over on CBS, there are three gays (well, sort of) for the price of one on “The Class.” In the “Fall TV Preview,” all I had to go on was Internet conjecture, so it was with hesitation that I added to my overloaded DVR. But I’m glad I did!

There is a positive portrayal of gay coupledom with Sean Maguire and Cristián de la Fuente. Sam Harris as the married and obviously gay Perry is hi-larious. In the Halloween episode, he dressed his daughter Oprah (he’s a really big fan) as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

By far, my favorite character is Kat (Lizzy Caplan), a super-bitter girl. (So maybe there are really four gays on the show…)

There is one slight drawback, however: The show is too much like “Friends.” There’s even a Joey-type character, and we all know how well that turned out for poor Matt LeBlanc!

Gaywatch Grade: B

“Heroes” is hands down the most compelling new show on NBC’s roster. (The only thing “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” compels me to do is switch the channel.) Sure, “Heroes” owes a lot to X-Men and “Lost,” but it succeeds where “Lost” has been failing miserably (more on that later).

“Heroes” features great characters with special powers. Surprisingly, Milo Ventimiglia’s power isn’t sporting a nice head of hair. The crowd pleaser seems to be the indestructible cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere).

One drawback: Stripper/single mom Niki (Ali Larter) has an evil reflection as her power. (Try being a gay man nearing 38, honey!)

Gaywatch Grade: A-

While the aforementioned “Studio 60,” one of two “Saturday Night Live”-inspired shows on NBC, is floundering, “30 Rock” starring “SNL” vets Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan is a solid sitcom. The reason is clearly Alec Baldwin’s unflappable sense of comic timing.

Unfortunately, the show was retooled before the pilot aired. Jane Krakowski replaced another “SNL” vet, Rachel Dratch (a.k.a. Debbie Downer), who has been reduced from lead to character actress (waa, waa).

Gaywatch Grade: B+

What a difference a season makes for those “Desperate Housewives,” who are back in a big way with better storylines. Series creator Marc Cherry seems to have listened to fans who wanted the ladies to spend more time together. Even Nicollette Sheridan has more to do this season than utter her flip, drive-by comments, like she did last year.

Upping the hottie quotient is Josh Henderson as Sheridan’s nephew and Teri Hatcher’s daughter’s love interest. On the subject of Hatcher, she is far less annoying this season. And speaking of hunks, Jesse Metcalf made a one-time “guest shot.” (Dude, was John Tucker Must Die really worth it?)

Only one small snag this season: Gaby’s excessive use of highlights!

Gaywatch Grade: A

Where to begin with “Lost”? This show keeps adding new characters that distract from the characters we came to care about in the first place. That the producers think they can pull an underwhelming fall-season cliffhanger and expect fans to salivate until February is nothing short of moronic. I have some words of advice: Start solving some mysteries!

Gaywatch Grade: D+

The folks at FOX should change the title of “Prison Break” to “Prison Broke.” This show kept us on the edge of our seats last season but has become pretty stale this year. And they need to stop killing all of the characters. Wait, maybe that’s a good thing!

Gaywatch Grade: C

In trying to sway you to check out these shows (if you aren’t already), I feel like I’m Sally Struthers asking you to adopt a third-world orphan: “Please, for just a mere few hours a week, you can provide a show with a home, if only for an hour a week.” Check them out for yourself and see if they make the grade.

Until next time, that’s all of the news that’s fit to print.