Though cable has a well-earned reputation as the place where more risky, genre-specific shows thrive, that doesn't mean that cable stations don't follow the same self-preservation instincts as the networks. Over the past decade a lot of the heavy hitters have more or less figured out what works for them, so they're mostly filling the 2010/2011 season with familiar, though not necessarily boring, material.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO, September 19th)

HBO was the biggest thing in TV just a few years ago. It had some incredibly successful shows on its schedule, the king of them all being the modern mafia drama The Sopranos. Ever since Tony Soprano had his last, confusing meal at that diner, there's been a crime-shaped hole in HBO's lineup. Sure, True Blood is a hit, but it seems like shows such as Hung and Bored To Death only got second seasons because there was really nothing to compete with them. In a bid to bring back that old fire, HBO has thrown more money than it ever has at a single series for Boardwalk Empire, a Martin Scorsese directed series about a crime boss (Steve Buscemi) in Prohibition Era Atlantic City. It looks pretty good. Deadwood good, in fact. If there's any buzz about new shows in 2010/2011, it's for Boardwalk Empire.

Game of Thrones (HBO, TBD)

Some time in 2011, HBO will also be dipping into the high fantasy well for its adaption of George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series with Game of Thrones. This one also has a pretty massive budget and a huge cast, though it's not nearly as safe as Boardwalk Empire because it's a fantasy show. Those tend not to have long lifespans on television, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys notwithstanding. If the teasers are any indication, this'll be a highly styled series. Hopefully it won't repeat Rome's mistake of skipping over battle scenes. If Lord of the Rings taught us anything, it's that fantasy fans would rather see a castle siege than the politics that led up to it.

The Borgias (Showtime, TBD)

Showtime has had a moderate amount of success with its occasionally campy historical drama The Tudors, so it's hoping to capture similar results with The Borgias, a saucy soap about one of the most influential families in Renaissance Italy. Jeremy Irons leads the cast as Pope Roderigo Borgia, so there's a lot of promise already. At worst, it'll be an intrigue-filled costume drama with a lot of grim dialogue and excessive nudity. That still beats most of what's on TV.

Franklin and Bash (TNT, TBD)

Lawyers. Don't play by the rules. Buddy comedy. Familiar faces who haven't led a show in a while. Also, Malcolm McDowell for some reason. The show has "Sunday marathon because I'm too tired to do anything else today" written all over it.

Big Lake (Comedy Central, Now Airing)

It's pretty baffling that Comedy Central would pick up a sitcom as traditional as Big Lake. Sure, it's more profane and occasionally more random than whatever CBS has wallowing around on a Tuesday night, but Big Lake is still overly familiar. A guy has to move back in with his parents, one a belligerent old man and the other a materialistic shrew, then instead of getting his life in order he pals around with his immature friends. Given the cast and the people behind this show, it really should be funnier and more surprising than it is. Don't expect to see it after sweeps.

Workaholics (Comedy Central, TBD)

Comedy Central's other new sitcom, the office comedy Workaholics, has a lot more promise to it. It comes care of Internet stars Mail Order Comedy and it generally looks less slick and more delightfully offensive. It's about three college buddies who get jobs at a telemarketing firm after graduating, then do their best to have as much fun at work as possible. The previews have plenty of surreal, laugh-out-loud moments, reminiscent of the best of The Sarah Silverman Program. Look for it early in 2011.