Eleven weeks in, the 2009-10 TV season is proving to be particularly stressful for serious students of television trying to understand a world in which Jenna Elfman survives but Ashton Kutcher does not. Baffled? We're here to explain the situation so far. SAFE FOR THE SEASON 'NCIS: Los Angeles' (CBS) This season's big mystery: how 'NCIS' became the country's most watched show in its seventh season. After that, the L.A. spinoff becoming the most watched new series is easy. 'The Good Wife' (CBS) Chris Noth behind bars. We rest our case. 'FlashForward' (ABC) Skews 'Lost'-like, and is the season's most DVR'd new show. 'Glee' (Fox) The show's tunes keep shooting to the top of the iTunes download list. 'The Cleveland Show' (Fox) After backing up a truckload of cash into creator Seth MacFarlane's bank account, Fox decided to go ahead and order a second season of his new animated series before it even premiered. 'Cougar Town' (ABC) Turns out, 18-to-34-year-old guys are goofy for Courteney Cox. 'Modern Family' (ABC) Non-snarky ensemble mockumentary is the season's most watched new comedy. 'The Middle' (ABC) Patricia Heaton's new show overcame stinkola 'Hank' lead-in to jump-start an all-new, much-buzzed-about comedy block for ABC. This is a huge accomplishment for a network in which 'According to Jim' used to pass for a comedy. 'V' (ABC) Alien drama is the season's top new series among the 18-to-49-year-olds whom advertisers lust after. 'Community' (NBC) In the land of NBC, the ratings pygmy is a giant. And, it's keeping Chevy Chase off our streets. 'Mercy' (NBC) Nurse drama only had to do better than 'Knight Rider.' 'The Jay Leno Show' (NBC) At that price, a full season's a bargain. 'The Vampire Diaries' (CW) Pasty high-schoolers with bad teeth are like catnip for Twihards. TEPID ENDORSEMENT (Additional episodes/scripts ordered) 'Melrose Place' (CW) CW's latest Aaron Spelling exhumation is no '90210,' but the network wants to give Heather Locklear more time to try to work her ratings magic. And, in fairness, the show isn't yet Ashlee Simpson-Wentz-free. 'The Forgotten' (ABC) ABC is reluctant to dump its Jerry Bruckheimer procedural. 'Accidentally on Purpose' (CBS) Jenna Elfman can apparently fool enough CBS suits some of the time. 'Trauma' (NBC) Sure it's expensive, sure it's underperforming -- but it's still NBC's most watched Monday show. AWAITING VERDICT 'Brothers' (Fox) The show's tanking, but the company wants to make nice with star Michael Strahan because the former New York Giants defensive end also hosts Fox Sports' Sunday NFL pre-game show. DEAD 'The Beautiful Life: TBL' (CW) Executive producer Ashton Kutcher does not have the promotional heft he thinks he has. The season's first cancellation. 'Eastwick' (ABC) Paul Gross as the devil was hot -- the witches were not. 'Hank' (ABC) America did not want to see Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane the sporting-goods shop mogul. 'Three Rivers' (CBS) CBS alienated Twihards when they cut off Alex O'Loughlin's hair, buffed him up and put him in scrubs. Even a ratings-boosting guest gig by Mandy Patinkin couldn't keep CBS from driving a stake in this one. De Moraes is The Washington Post's TV columnist. - - - End adv sat dec 5 