SITES TO SEE: NBC premieres online

Why wait to catch those new fall shows on TV? Start early online. NBC is posting its freshman pilots all over the place this season, trying to generate buzz and ratings.

The remake of '80s fave Knight Rider may not be TV worth watching, but next Tuesday's entire premiere episode is viewable now for free, via Hulu and Amazon UnBox. Next week's return hour of Lipstick Jungle (on TV Sept. 23) is streaming free at the same sites, introducing Mary Tyler Moore as Brooke Shields' mom. [Photo above.] Yet to stream for a week before their TV premieres are the season starters for Chuck and Life (online Sept. 22), plus the new sitcom Kath & Kim (online Oct. 2) and Emmy-winner 30 Rock (online Oct. 23).

Also coming to Amazon will be Christian Slater's actioner My Own Worst Enemy (online Oct. 6) and the global epic Crusoe (online Oct. 10).

Rather watch on TV? Some digital cable systems are offering the same shows in advance, often in HD. Lipstick Jungle and Knight Rider are now available on-demand in HD on my Comcast system. NBC says the shows will also be up on Cox and Charter systems, plus DISH Network and Verizon FIOS TV, for a week before their TV premieres. Check your provider's listings.