This is one of the main reasons I look at what else the writer/director for a show or movie has done before. If I like their previous work, I'll probably like their new stuff too. If I haven't heard of them, I'll give them a chance, but there have been so many shows that have had new writers, but have been excellent, that it isn't easy to tell.
On the flip side, some shows have very experienced writers with very impressive resumes, but the show sucks because they're just phoning it in.