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Tonight’s TV Picks: October 10, 2009

2009-10-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

8/7c:

* Cops (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* College Football: Florida at LSU (CBS, three hours)
* Country Fried Home Videos (CMT)
* Divine Design (HGTV)
* SuperFetch (Animal Planet)
* Top 20 Most Shocking (truTV)
* What Went Down: Pearl Harbor (History, one-hour special)
* World’s Strictest Parents (CMT)

8:30/7:30c:

* SuperFetch (Animal Planet)

9/8c:

* America’s Most Wanted (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* College Football: Florida at LSU (CBS, three hours)
* 10 Count (Cartoon Network)
* Color Splash (HGTV)
* Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (CMT, one-hour season premiere)
* Dogs 101 (Animal Planet)
* Househusbands of Hollywood (Fox Reality)
* The Locator (WE)
* Making His Band (MTV, season finale)
* Megafault (Syfy, original telefilm)
* Robin Hood (BBC America)
* Split Ends (Style)
* What Went Down: The Alamo (History, one-hour special)

9:30/8:30c:

* Ghostly Encounters (Bio)
* Re:Evolution of Sports (Cartoon Network)

10/9c:

* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* College Football: Florida at LSU (CBS, three hours)
* Celebrity Ghost Stories (Bio)
* The Dish (Style)
* The Graham Norton Show (BBC America, season premiere)
* Relic Hunter with Ian Grant (Travel Channel)
* Wanda Sykes: I’ma Be Me (HBO, 86-minute special)

10:30/9:30c:

* Relic Hunter with Ian Grant (Travel Channel)

11:30/10:30c:

* Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 7, 2009

2009-10-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

7/6c:

* Sherri (Lifetime)

7:30/6:30c:

* Rita Rocks (Lifetime)

8/7c:

* The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
* Hank (ABC)
* Mercy (NBC)
* So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
* America’s Next Top Model (The CW)
* 2 Months, $2 Million (G4)
* Extreme Traditions (Travel Channel)
* Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League (Showtime)
* I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant (TLC)
* Most Shocking (truTV)
* Property Virgin (HGTV)
* Wa$ted! (Planet Green)

8:30/7:30c:

* The Middle (ABC)
* Gary Unmarried (CBS)
* Wa$ted! (Planet Green)

9/8c:

* Modern Family (ABC)
* Glee (FOX)
* Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)
* Criminal Minds (CBS)
* Alone in the Wild (National Geographic)
* The Bureau (ID, series premiere)
* Craft in America (PBS)
* Dive to the Bottom of the World (Science Channel)
* Ghost Hunters (Syfy)
* Giuliana & Bill (Style, season finale)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* Inside the NFL (Showtime)
* King of the Crown (TLC)
* Most Daring (truTV)
* MythBusters (Discovery Channel, fall season premiere)
* Nostradamus Effect (History)
* WEC’s Greatest Knockouts (Versus)

9:30/8:30c:

* Cougar Town (ABC)
* King of the Crown (TLC)
* The Othersiders (Cartoon Network)
* Sweat Equity (DIY)

10/9c:

* Eastwick (ABC)
* CSI: NY (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Bank of Mom and Dad (SoapNet)
* Black Gold (truTV, season finale)
* Clean House (Style, season premiere)
* Craft in America (PBS)
* Destination Truth (Syfy)
* First In (BET)
* House Hunters International (HGTV)
* Man Shops Globe (Sundance, series premiere)
* Man v. Food (Travel Channel)
* Monster Bug Wars! (Discovery Channel)
* MysteryQuest (History)
* Outlaw Bikers: Angels Descending (National Geographic)
* The Real World/Road Rules Challenge (MTV)
* The Shift (ID)
* South Park (Comedy Central, fall season premiere)
* Toddlers & Tiaras (TLC)
* Top Chef: Las Vegas (Bravo)
* True Hollywood Story (E!)
* The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights (Spike)

10:30/9:30c:

* Secret Girlfriend (Comedy Central, series premiere)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
* Home Wars (Style)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Hank S1.E2 “Yard Sale” Preview

2009-10-07T10:04:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 8/7c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: Hank gets back into business by testing his entrepreneurial skills with a neighborhood yard sale, on “Hank,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “Hank” stars Kelsey Grammer as Hank Pryor, Melinda McGraw as Tilly Pryor, David Koechner as Grady Funk, Jordan Hinson as Maddie Pryor and Nathan Gamble as Henry Pryor.

Guest starring in “Yard Sale” are Crista Flanagan as Dawn, Jessica St. Clair as Peggy, Judith Moreland as Johanna and Clint Culp as Conrad.

“Yard Sale” was written by Bill Martin and Mike Schiff and directed by Kelsey Grammer.

Eastwick S1.E3 “Madams and Madames” Preview

2009-10-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: Haunted by the ghost of her daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Roxie questions her sanity and turns to a local psychic for help. Declining Darryl’s offer of a high-powered - and high-priced - divorce attorney, Kat decides to give Raymond another chance, but is she only delaying the inevitable? Joanna’s quest to find the truth about Darryl leads her to a new and different scandal, and then she realizes her discovery was no accident. Meanwhile, Roxie’s daughter, Mia, reluctantly attends her boyfriend’s memorial, and though Bun has lost her memory, her mind is consumed with a mysterious symbol, on “Eastwick,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “Eastwick” stars Ashley Benson as Mia Torcoletti, Jon Bernthal as Raymond Gardener, Veronica Cartwright as Bun Waverly, Jamie Ray Newman as Kat Gardener, Lindsay Price as Joanna Frankel, Rebecca Romijn as Roxanne (Roxie) Torcoletti, Sara Rue as Penny Higgins, Johann Urb as Will St. David and Paul Gross as Darryl Van Horne.

Guest starring are Matt Dallas as Chad, Tom Amandes as Pastor Dunn, Roma Maffia as Mme. Aleksandra, Christian Alexander as Gus, Darren Criss as Josh, Jodi Long as Mrs. Yang, Torsten Voges as Fidel, Jazz Raycole as Justine, Samantha Droke as Stephie, Brie Mattson as Amanda, Tim Sitarz as Frankie and Peggy Dunne as Ellen.

“Madams and Madames” was written by David S. Rosenthal and directed by Michael Katleman.

The Middle S1.E2 “The Cheerleader” Preview

2009-10-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: Facing financial disaster, Frankie tries to save her job by organizing a publicity stunt involving a car filled with jelly beans; Sue fails swim team tryouts, and then learns she needs glasses; and when Brick can’t check books out of the library because Frankie can’t pay a $200 library fine, he starts reading his mother’s steamy romance novels, on “The Middle,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Chris Kattan as Bob.

Guest starring are Brian Doyle-Murray as Mr. Ehlert, Peter Breitmayer as Pete, Laura Heisler as librarian, Julianne Buescher as woman customer, Charles C. Stevenson as old Hoosier, Garrett Ryan as boy and Maurice G. Smith as neighbor guy #1.

The Cheerleader” was written by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, and directed by Lee Shallat.

Glee S1.E6 “Vitamin D” Preview

2009-10-07T09:56:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Will challenges the kids to a healthy dose of competition with boys against girls in a mashup showdown. Meanwhile, Terri takes a job as the school nurse, despite having no medical experience, to keep an eye on Will in the “Vitamin D” episode of GLEE airing Wednesday, Oct. 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-PG D, L)

Cast: Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester; Jessalyn Gilsig as Terri Schuester; Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester; Lea Michele as Rachel Berry; Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson; Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury; Dianna Agron as Quinn; Chris Colfer as Kurt; Kevin McHale as Artie; Amber Riley as Mercedes; Mark Salling as Puck; Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina

Guest Cast: Stephen Tobolowsky as Sandy Ryerson; Iqbal Theba as Principal Figgins; Patrick Gallagher as Ken Tanaka; Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez; Kent Avenido as Howard Bamboo; Joe Hursley as Joe; Bill A. Jones as Rob Remington; Earlene Davis as Andre Carmichael; Heather Morris as Brittany; Dijon Talton as Matt Rutherford; Harry Shum as Mike Chang

Modern Family S1.E3 “Come Fly With Me” Preview

2009-10-07T09:54:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 9/8c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: After some nudging, Jay begrudgingly takes Phil out to fly his new model airplane — that is until a maneuver goes awry. Meanwhile, when Gloria drops Manny off to play with Luke, she ends up volunteering to take Alex dress shopping, and Claire finds herself sitting down for an unexpected brother and sister heart-to-heart with Manny, on “Modern Family,” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Sof’a Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy and Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado.

Guest cast includes Reid Ewing as Dylan.

“Changes” was written by Dan O’Shannon and directed by Reggie Hudlin.

Cougar Town S1.E3 “Don’t Do Me Like That” Preview

2009-10-07T09:48:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 7, 2009 at 9:30/8:30c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: Jules’ family and friends impede on her all-important tenth date with new boyfriend Josh, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. When putting the needs of others before her own results in a disastrous experience in bed with her new boyfriend, friends Ellie and Laurie help Jules to realize it’s ok to be a little selfish and take care of yourself once in awhile. Meanwhile Bobby is left to behave like a responsible dad and deal with son Travis.

Cast and Crew: “Cougar Town” stars Courteney Cox as Jules, Busy Philipps as Laurie, Dan Byrd as Travis, Christa Miller as Ellie, Josh Hopkins as Grayson, Ian Gomez as Andy and Brian Van Holt as Bobby.

Guest starring is Carolyn Hennesy as Barbara Coman and Nick Zano as Josh. Other guest cast TBD.

“Don’t Do Me Like That” was directed by Gail Mancuso and written Kevin Biegel.

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 6, 2009

2009-10-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

7/6c:

* Sherri (Lifetime)

7:30/6:30c:

* Rita Rocks (Lifetime)

8/7c:

* Shark Tank (ABC)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* NCIS (CBS)
* 90210 (The CW)
* Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
* 30 for 30 (ESPN, series premiere)
* Nova (PBS, two-hour episode)
* Web Soup (G4)

9/8c:

* Melrose Place (The CW)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
* So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
* 18 Kids & Counting: 20 Years, 20 Duggars (TLC, one-hour special)
* Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel, season premiere)
* Dragons’ Den (BBC America, season premiere)
* Executive Vision (CNBC)
* KISS: Extreme Close Up (VH1 Classic)
* Man Caves (DIY)
* Nova (PBS, two-hour episode)
* Scare Tactics (Syfy, season premiere)
* The Universe (History)
* Weird, True, & Freaky (Animal Planet)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

9:30/8:30c:

* Weird, True, & Freaky (Animal Planet)

10/9c:

* The Forgotten (ABC)
* The Good Wife (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World (Travel Channel)
* The Buffalo Flows (PBS, one-hour special)
* Deliver Me (Discovery Health)
* Disaster House (DIY)
* ECW (Syfy)
* Flipping Out (Bravo)
* Frankie & Neffe (BET)
* Ghost Lab (Discovery Channel, series premiere)
* The Hills (MTV)
* The Jon Dore Television Show (IFC)
* Lost Tapes (Animal Planet)
* The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck (Oxygen)
* Parking Wars (A&E, season premiere)
* Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel (truTV)
* The Secret Lives of Women (WE)
* Sons of Anarchy (FX)
* Sports Soup (Versus)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

10:30/9:30c:

* The City (MTV)
* Frankie & Neffe (BET)
* Parking Wars (A&E)
* Sports Soup (Versus)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
* Surviving Disaster (Spike)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

FlashForward S1.E3 “137 Sekunden” Preview

2009-10-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 8, 2009 at 8/7c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: Mark and Janis travel to Germany to speak with an imprisoned Nazi who claims to have knowledge about the blackouts, and an anonymous tip leads Demetri to believe his deepest fears about his future. Meanwhile, Aaron pleads with Mark to help him get the approval to have his daughter’s body exhumed in order to re-test her DNA and confirm the identity of the remains, on “FlashForward,” THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “FlashForward” stars Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, John Cho as Demetri Noh, Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe, Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley, Peyton List as Nicole Kirby, Dominic Monaghan as Simon, Brían F. O’Byrne as Aaron Stark, Courtney B. Vance as Stanford Wedeck, Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford and Christine Woods as Janis Hawk.

Guest starring are Gabrielle Union as Zoey Andata, Lee Thompson Young as Agent Gough, Barry Shabaka Henley as Agent Vreede, Kim Dickens as Katie, Curt Lowens as Rudolf Geyer, Gina Torres as Felicia Wedeck, Thomas Kretschmann as Stefan Krieger, Ray Proscia as Helmut Baecker, Jeff Richards as Jerome Murphy, Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nhadra Udaya, Alan Ruck as Tomasi, Joe Rose as bartender, Guido Foehrweisser as Schultz, Michael Merton as John Spears, Cade Olivas as Attaf, Anna Khaja as older woman and Amy Rosoff as Marcie Turoff.

“137 Sekunden” was written by David Goyer & Marc Guggenheim and directed by Michael Rymer.

“The Mentalist: Season 1″ DVD Review

2009-10-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

Longtime readers of this site probably know that I am not a viewer who watches a lot of procedurals. It’s not that I don’t like them, they just aren’t original or entertaining enough for me to watch them each week. What I prefer to do is watch an episode or two on DVD whenever I’m in the mood. “The Mentalist” is slightly better than most crime dramas but it isn’t even the best show about a fake psychic who solves crimes (”Psych” is much funnier and better in my opinion). However, it is definitely worth watching if you are a fan of procedurals and probably even worth a look if you aren’t.

“The Mentalist” stars Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic who gave up his act when his wife and child were murdered by a serial killer named Red John. After that unspeakable crime, he admits his act is fake and decides to use his observational skills to help bring bad guys to justice. Similar to “Monk,” “The Mentalist” has a long-term mystery (which will probably be solved in the series finale) of finding out who Red John is.

I’m not going to go too in-depth with the show’s positives and negatives because like most crime dramas, it’s pretty average in most areas. The mysteries are average and most have been seen before on other shows. Most of the cast members are capable but they won’t blow you away with their performances (the exception is the great Simon Baker). The writing is just decent. I could go on and on about all the average aspects of the show but I’m going to focus on the two good things “The Mentalist” has going for it.

First of all, Simon Baker is very good in the lead role. His great acting helps make Patrick Jane one of the more interesting characters I’ve seen in a procedural in years. I prefer the more humorous work of Tony Shalhoub (”Monk”) and James Roday (”Psych”) on cable but Baker might be the best actor in a procedural on network television. The other great thing about “The Mentalist” is that like “Monk” and “Psych,” it doesn’t take itself too seriously (I’m talking to you “Criminal Minds”). Those two USA crime dramas are definitely my two favorite procedurals (and the only ones I watch each week on TV) so its fairly obvious that I prefer procedurals with a bit of humor. “The Mentalist” isn’t quite as funny as those two but it’s light-hearted enough that I almost started watching it weekly.

“The Mentalist” just premiered last season so it would be very disappointing if the video or audio quality on this release was poor. Luckily that isn’t the case. The video is crisp, clear, and colorful and the audio is clean as a whistle. Unfortunately, the extras aren’t quite up to those standards. The “Evidence of a Hit Series” documentary is decent but the deleted scenes, gag reel, and “Mentalist vs. Psychic” featurette are pretty much worthless. Don’t buy this set if you only want it for the extras.

All crime drama fans should definitely give “The Mentalist: Season 1″ a purchase. While I only thought it was above average a crime drama fan will probably think it’s near the top of the genre. Even non-crime drama fans should give the series a try.

* Release Date: September 22, 2009
* Publisher: Warner Home Video
* Price: $39.49 on Amazon.com
* Rating: Not Rated
* Run Time: 998 minutes
* Special Features: “Evidence of a Hit Series,” “Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psychic,” Unaired Scenes, Gag Reel
* Starring: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti
* Genre: Crime Drama

Sons of Anarchy S2.E5 “Smite” Preview

2009-10-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 6, 2009 at 10/9c on FX

Episode Synopsis: Charming and its small-town appeal become vulnerable to The League, which finds new ways to provoke SOA members. Tara’s compassionate efforts to help a distraught Gemma don’t go unpunished.

The Forgotten S1.E3 “Football John” Preview

2009-10-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 6, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: The case of a John Doe (guest star Jarrod Bunch, former NFL Player for NY Giants), left beaten on the street and ravaged by past injuries, leads The Forgotten Network into the world of professional football. But if this John Doe was a pro athlete, who was he? How is he unidentified? And why hasn’t anyone been looking for him?, on “the forgotten,” TUESDAY, OCT. 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Cast and Crew: Starring in “the forgotten” are Christian Slater as Alex Donovan, Michelle Borth as Candace Butler, Heather Stephens as Lindsey Drake, Bob Stephenson as Walter Bailey, Anthony Carrigan as Tyler Davies and Rochelle Aytes as Grace Russell.

Guest Cast: Jarrod Bunch as Coach Tom Bryant/John Doe, Brandon Mychal Smith as Billy York, Aedin Mincks as Walter Jr., Chad Coleman as Ray Perkins, Michael Reilly Burke as Coach Flynn.

“Football John” is written by Seamus Kevin Fahey & David Slack and directed by Holly Dale.

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 5, 2009

2009-10-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

7/6c:

* Sherri (Lifetime, series premiere)

7:30/6:30c:

* Rita Rocks (Lifetime, season premiere)

8/7c:

* How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
* Heroes (NBC)
* House (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* One Tree Hill (The CW)
* Emeril Green (Planet Green)
* Lincoln Heights (ABC Family)

8:30/7:30c:

* Accidentally on Purpose (CBS)
* Monday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN)

9/8c:

* Gossip Girl (The CW)
* Trauma (NBC)
* Two and a Half Men (CBS)
* Lie to Me (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* Chain Gang: Maricopa County (Discovery Channel)
* Greek (ABC Family)
* Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times (PBS, two-hour special)
* Jon & Kate Plus 8 (TLC)
* Monday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN)
* Outrage (HBO, 90-minute special)
* Popular Science’s Future Of… (Science Channel)
* Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle (VH1)
* Unwrapped (Food Network)
* WWE Raw (USA)

9:30/8:30c:

* The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

10/9c:

* Castle (ABC)
* CSI: Miami (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Animal Cops: Houston (Animal Planet)
* Clash of the Gods (History)
* Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (Food Network)
* Durham County (ION)
* Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke (VH1)
* Forensics: You Decide (ID)
* Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times (PBS, two-hour special)
* Madventures (Travel Channel)
* Monday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN)
* The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo)
* Ultimate Cake Off (TLC)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Lie to Me S2.E2 “Truth or Consequences” Preview

2009-10-05T13:35:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 5, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Zoe enlists the Lightman Group to investigate a star college football player accused of statutory rape. Meanwhile, Foster and Loker travel to a religious compound to find out whether it’s actually a nefarious cult in the “Truth or Consequences” episode of LIE TO ME airing Monday, Oct. 5 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, S, V)

Cast: Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman; Kelli Williams as Gillian Foster; Monica Raymund as Ria Torres; Brendan Hines as Eli Loker; Mekhi Phifer as FBI Agent Ben Reynolds

Guest Cast: Jennifer Beals as Zoe Landau, John Pyper-Ferguson as Jamie Cowley, Chadwick Boseman as Cabe McNeil, John Carroll Lynch as Mr. Reed, James Marsters as Pollack, Gretchen Egolf as Catherine, Colton Shires as Zack, Allie Gonino as Susan, Monique Edwards as Mrs. McNeil, Mark Berry as Mr. McNeil, Grant Alan as Wayne, Crystal Young as Kate, Valerie Rose Curiel as Dori, Michole Briana White as Merrick, Alesa B. Gantz as Agent Ferro

House S6.E3 “The Tyrant” Preview

2009-10-05T13:31:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 5, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: When a controversial African politician (guest star Jones) falls ill, he is brought to Princeton Plainsboro for treatment. The team struggles with whether to help a merciless dictator being subpoenaed for crimes against humanity in his country. Meanwhile, Wilson tries to make peace with a feuding neighbor, but House’s prying exacerbates the problem in “The Tyrant” episode of HOUSE airing Monday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/ PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, V)

Cast: Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House; Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Lisa Cuddy; Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman; Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. James Wilson; Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Allison Cameron; Jesse Spencer as Dr. Robert Chase; Peter Jacobson as Dr. Chris Taub; Olivia Wilde as Thirteen

Guest Cast: James Earl Jones as Dibala; Roger Aaron Brown as Ntila; Garikayi Mutambirwa as Ruwe; Christopher Fairbanks as Agent Bass; David Marciano as Murphy; Kelly Scott as Ama

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 4, 2009

2009-10-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

7/6c:

* America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC, season premiere)
* Football Night in America (NBC)
* 60 Minutes (CBS)
* Handy Manny (Disney Channel, 45-minute episode)

7:30/6:30c:

* The OT (FOX)

7:45/6:45c:

* Jungle Junction (Disney Channel)

8/7c:

* The Amazing Race (CBS)
* The Simpsons (FOX)
* Sunday Night Football: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
* Dallas Divas & Daughters (Style, series premiere)
* Food Network Challenge (Food Network)
* Hoarders: Buried Alive (TLC, one-hour special)
* Raging Planet (Discovery Channel)

8:30/7:30c:

* The Cleveland Show (FOX)

9/8c:

* Desperate Housewives (ABC)
* Family Guy (FOX)
* Three Rivers (CBS, series premiere)
* Sunday Night Football: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC)
* Bridezillas (WE)
* Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
* Dexter (Showtime)
* Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* How Do I Look? (Style)
* I Know What I Saw (History, two-hour special)
* Masterpiece Mystery! (PBS)
* My Monkey Baby (TLC, one-hour special)
* The Next Iron Chef (Food Network, 90-minute season premiere)
* Raging Planet (Discovery Channel, season finale)
* Tool Academy (VH1)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

9:30/8:30c:

* American Dad (FOX)
* Bored to Death (HBO)
* House Hunters International (HGTV)

10/9c:

* Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
* Sunday Night Football: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC)
* Cold Case (CBS)
* Army Wives (Lifetime)
* Californication (Showtime)
* I Know What I Saw (History, two-hour special)
* Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami (E!, season finale)
* Mad Men (AMC)
* My Antonio (VH1)
* My Fair Wedding (WE)
* P. Diddy’s Starmaker (MTV)
* Raging Planet (Discovery Channel)
* Snapped (Oxygen)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

10:30/9:30c:

* Entourage (HBO, season finale)
* Reality Hell (E!, season finale)

11:30/10:30c:

* Titan Maximum (Adult Swim)

The Cleveland Show S1.E2 “Da Doggone Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance” Preview

2009-10-04T10:59:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 4, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Cleveland tries to make inroads with his new stepdaughter Roberta by asking her to accompany him to the school’s father/daughter dance. The evening seems to be going smoothly until Cleveland has a mishap with the family pet and kills his chances of being accepted by his new kids in the “Da Doggone Daddy-Daughter Dinner Dance” episode of THE CLEVELAND SHOW airing Sunday, Oct. 4 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, V)

Voice Cast: Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown and Rallo Tubbs; Sanaa Lathan as Donna Tubbs; Kevin Michael Richardson as Cleveland Jr. and Lester; Nia Long as Roberta Tubbs; Seth MacFarlane as Tim

Guest Voice Cast: Jason Sudeikis as Holt

Brothers & Sisters S4.E2 “Breaking the News” Preview

2009-10-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

Air Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: As Robert worries about news of his recent heart attack leaking to the press, Kitty struggles with an untold secret that will deeply affect their marriage and bring the Walker family together like never before. Meanwhile, Kevin and Scotty discuss the real possibility and challenge of surrogacy, on “Brothers & Sisters,” SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker, Luke Grimes as Ryan Lafferty, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

Guest starring are Michele Green as Governor Eve Kern, Dennis O’Hare as Travis March, Amy Aquino as Dr. Joan Avadon and Peter Gerety as the businessman.

“Breaking the News” was written by David Marshall Grant and Cliff Olin and directed by Ken Olin.

Desperate Housewives S6.E2 “Being Alive” Preview

2009-10-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Air Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 9/8c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: A pall is cast over Wisteria Lane in the wake of a brutal attack, on “Desperate Housewives,” SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. As the citizens of Fairview try to make sense of a recent attack in their neighborhood, Lynette withholds a secret from Susan, Gaby gives niece Ana advice on how to get a guy’s attention, Bree worries how her affair with Karl will affect her friendship with Susan, and Angie is determined to protect her son and her family’s past.

Cast and Crew: “Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Drea de Matteo as Angie Bolen, Maiara Walsh as Ana Solis, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Jeffrey Nordling as Nick Bolen, Beau Mirchoff as Danny Bolen, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Joshua Logan Moore as Parker Scavo, Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo, Madison de la Garza as Juanita, and Mason Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino.

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 3, 2009

2009-10-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

7/6c:

* Focus Earth with Bob Woodruff (Planet Green)

8/7c:

* Cops (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* Country Fried Home Videos (CMT)
* iCarly (Nickelodeon)
* SuperFetch (Animal Planet, series premiere)
* Top 20 Most Shocking (truTV, series premiere)

8:30/7:30c:

* Country Fried Home Videos (CMT, season finale)
* SuperFetch (Animal Planet)
* True Jackson, VP (Nickelodeon)

9/8c:

* America’s Most Wanted (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* All Jacked Up (CMT)
* Color Splash (HGTV)
* Dogs 101 (Animal Planet, season premiere)
* Househusbands of Hollywood (Fox Reality)
* The Locator (WE)
* Making His Band (MTV)
* Robin Hood (BBC America)
* Split Ends (Style)

9:30/8:30c:

* All Jacked Up (CMT, season finale)
* Color Splash (HGTV)
* Ghostly Encounters (Bio)

10/9c:

* 48 Hours Mystery (CBS)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three hours)
* Adoption Diaries (WE)
* Celebrity Ghost Stories (Bio, series premiere)
* The Dish (Style)
* Relic Hunter with Ian Grant (Travel Channel, series premiere)

10:30/9:30c:

* Relic Hunter with Ian Grant (Travel Channel)

10:40/9:40c:

* Mike Epps: Under-Rated, Never Faded, & X-Rated (Showtime, one-hour special)

11:30/10:30c:

* Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 2, 2009

2009-10-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* Smallville (The CW)
* Ghost Whisperer (CBS)
* Brothers (FOX)
* Law & Order (NBC)
* Factory Made (Discovery Channel)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, two hours)
* Night at the Movies (TCM, series premiere)
* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network, season premiere)
* The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel, one-hour episode)
* The Troop (Nickelodeon)

8:30/7:30c:

* ‘Til Death (FOX, season premiere)
* Factory Made (Discovery Channel)
* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network)

9/8c:

* Dollhouse (FOX)
* Medium (CBS)
* Dateline NBC (NBC)
* Clash of Wings (Military Channel)
* DietTribe (Lifetime, season premiere)
* Dog Whisperer (National Geographic)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC America)
* Jockeys (Animal Planet, season finale)
* Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)
* Stargate Universe (Syfy, two-hour series premiere)
* Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge (DIY)

9:30/8:30c:

* Bang For Your Buck (HGTV)
* Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)
* Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge (DIY)

10/9c:

* Numb3rs (CBS)
* 20/20 (ABC)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* America Haunts (Travel Channel, one-hour special)
* Crash (Starz)
* Forensic Files (truTV)
* Heavy Metal Task Force (Science Channel, series premiere)
* Lock ‘n Load (History)
* Pay It Off (BET, series premiere)
* Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
* Rescue Ink Unleashed (National Geographic)
* The Soup (E!)
* Stargate Universe (Syfy, two-hour series premiere)
* Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge (DIY)
* Wedded to Perfection (TLC, series premiere)

10:30/9:30c:

* Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge (DIY)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* Ultimate Sportsman’s Lodge (DIY)

‘Til Death S4.E1 “Doug and Ally Return” Preview

2009-10-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 2, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on FOX (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Eddie and Joy’s free-spirited daughter, Ally, returns from a trek in the Ecuadorian rainforest with her new husband, Doug. When Ally and Doug decide to set up camp in a trailer in the Starks’ backyard, they ultimately ruin Eddie’s plans for installing a Jacuzzi. Meanwhile, Eddie and Joy attempt to overcome their dislike of Doug and accept him as a member of the family in “Doug and Ally Return,” the season premiere episode of ‘TIL DEATH airing Friday, Oct. 2 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, S)

Cast: Brad Garrett as Eddie Stark; Joely Fisher as Joy Stark; Tim Sharp as Doug Von Stuessen; Lindsey Broad as Ally Stark

Brothers S1.E3 “Mom at Bar/Train Buddy” Preview

2009-10-01T13:52:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 2, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: When another bartender at Trainor’s quits, it becomes apparent that business is suffering due to Mike and Chill’s inability to get along. Adele decides to unite her sons by making herself their enemy, and her plan is set into motion when she takes over the open bartending position and expands her role beyond serving drinks. Meanwhile, Coach enjoys his newfound freedom with Adele out of the house in the “Mom at the Bar/Train Buddy” episode of BROTHERS airing Friday, Oct. 2 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L)

Cast: Michael Strahan as Mike; Daryl Chill Mitchell as Chill; CCH Pounder as Adele; Carl Weathers as Coach

Guest Cast: Sasheen Padilla as Bambi; Jan Hoag as Mrs. Murphy; Tracey Ross as Chris; Rod Maiorano as Tommy; Gary Shapiro as Johnny Vegas; Weston Nathanson as John; Bunny Levine as Meg; Dov Davidoff as Max

Dollhouse S2.E2 “Instinct” Preview

2009-10-01T13:50:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 2, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: When Echo is imprinted as a mother with a newborn baby, she takes too strongly to motherhood as a result of Topher’s modifications. Meanwhile, Adelle pays November a visit, and Perrin ramps up his investigation into the Rossum Corporation in the “Instinct” episode of DOLLHOUSE airing Friday, Oct. 2 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 L, V)

Cast: Eliza Dushku as Echo; Tahmoh Penikett as Paul Ballard; Olivia Williams as Adelle DeWitt; Harry Lennix as Boyd Langton; Fran Kranz as Topher Brink; Enver Gjokaj as Victor; Dichen Lachman as Sierra

Guest Cast: Miracle Laurie as November/Madeline; Alexis Denisof as Senator Daniel Perrin; Kristoffer Polaha as Nate Jordan; Stacey Scowley as Cindy Perrin

Fringe S2.E3 “Fracture” Preview

2009-10-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Air Date: October 1, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Peter, Walter, Olivia and Broyles pursue a strange and deadly occurrence in Philadelphia where a bomb blew up inside a train station but left no trace of any explosive device. The perplexing and unexplained set of circumstances returns Walter to the lab to closely examine the human remains where he uncovers an unlikely energy source that triggered the explosion. With the explosive threat of more bombs and links to a classified military project, the intense investigation leads Olivia and Peter to Iraq in the “Fracture” episode of FRINGE airing Thursday, Oct. 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 L, V)

Cast: Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham, Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop, John Noble as Walter Bishop, Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles, Kirk Acevedo as Charlie Francis, Blair Brown as Nina Sharp and Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth

Bones S5.E3 “The Plain in the Prodigy” Preview

2009-10-01T13:47:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 1, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: When human remains are found alongside the railroad, Brennan and Booth are called to the case. The bones belong to Levi Yoder, a member of the Amish community who disappeared roughly two months prior to his Rumspringa, or exploration of the outside world. Brennan and Booth discover that Levi was a piano prodigy, and their investigation leads them to believe that his extraordinary talent may have lead him to an untimely death. Meanwhile, Cam copes with the stress that comes from being a new parent, and Booth helps keep Cam’s stepdaughter Michelle (guest star Tiffany Hines) in line in “The Plain in the Prodigy” episode of BONES airing Thursday, Oct. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D)

Cast: Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan; David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth; TJ Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins; Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro; Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan; John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets

Guest Cast: Eugene Byrd as Clark Edison; Tiffany Hines as Michelle Welton; Michael B. Jordan as Perry Wilson; Jennifer Parsons as Rebecca Yoder; Randy Oglesby as Daniel Yoder; Reider Niklewicz-Larsen as Levi Yoder; Stephanie Turner as Sarah; Brian Letscher as Amos; Drew James as Josef Beachy; Kaitlin Doubleday as Karin Lin; Arjay Smith as Tony Salinas; Marcia Ann Burrs as Eleanor Turner

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia S5.E3 “The Great Recession” Preview

2009-10-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

Air Date: October 1, 2009 at 10/9c on FX

Episode Synopsis: With a shantytown taking shape outside, Mac and Dennis try to keep Paddy’s going in tough times. Meanwhile, Frank and Dee start a family business.

Tonight’s TV Picks: October 1, 2009

2009-10-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* FlashForward (ABC)
* Survivor: Samoa (CBS)
* Bones (FOX)
* Vampire Diaries (The CW)
* Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday (NBC)
* Discovery Atlas (Discovery Channel)
* My First Place (HGTV)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (two hours)
* Pinks: All Out (Speed)
* Ultimate Factories (National Geographic)
* WWE Superstars (WGN)

8:30/7:30c:

* Parks and Recreation (NBC)
* The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (Cartoon Network)

9/8c:

* Fringe (FOX)
* Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
* Supernatural (The CW)
* The Office (NBC)
* CSI (CBS)
* Deadly Women (ID)
* Discovery Atlas (Discovery Channel)
* E! Investigates: When Husbands Murder (E!, one-hour special)
* Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin (Food Network)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* How Do They Do It? (Science Channel)
* Marked (History)
* Police Women of Broward County (TLC)
* Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory (MTV)
* Skins (BBC America)
* Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest Criminals (truTV, season premiere)
* TNA iMPACT! (Spike)
* Total Drama Action (Cartoon Network)

9:30/8:30c:

* Community (NBC)
* Bully Beatdown (MTV)
* Stoked (Cartoon Network)

10/9c:

* Private Practice (ABC, season premiere)
* The Mentalist (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Ace of Cakes (Food Network)
* Behind the Music (VH1)
* It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
* LA Ink (TLC, season finale)
* Nitro Circus (MTV)
* Project Runway (Lifetime)
* The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo)
* Snapped (Oxygen)
* Speeders Fight Back (truTV, season premiere)
* TNA iMPACT! (Spike)
* Wicked Attraction (ID, season finale)

10:30/9:30c:

* Pranked (MTV)
* Real Estate Intervention (HGTV)
* Speeders Fight Back (truTV)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
* Models of the Runway (Lifetime)
* The Ultimate Spike Girl Finale (Spike)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Glee S1.E5 “The Rhodes Not Taken” Preview

2009-09-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 30, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Will thinks the glee club desperately needs more of an edge, so he brings in his former classmate, April Rhodes (guest star Kristin Chenoweth), to spice things up. Will’s plan seems to be going smoothly until he realizes he may be losing a key member of the club in “The Rhodes Not Taken” episode of GLEE airing Wednesday, Sept. 30 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-PG D, L)

Cast: Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester; Jessalyn Gilsig as Terri Schuester; Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester; Lea Michele as Rachel Berry; Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson; Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury; Dianna Agron as Quinn; Chris Colfer as Kurt; Kevin McHale as Artie; Amber Riley as Mercedes; Mark Salling as Puck; Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina

Guest Cast: Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes; Stephen Tobolowsky as Sandy Ryerson; Iqbal Theba as Principal Figgins; Patrick Gallagher as Ken Tanaka; Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez; Josh Sussman as Jacob Ben Israel; Susan Leslie as Sandra; Heather Morris as Brittany; Dijon Talton as Matt Rutherford; Harry Shum as Mike Chang

The Middle S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-29T14:11:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 30, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on ABC (series premiere)

Show Description: Patricia Heaton stars as Frankie Heck, a dedicated wife and mother who juggles work, family and life in an everyday, average American town. Frankie and Mike (Neil Flynn) are both working parents desperately trying on a daily basis to discipline their teenage son, Axl (Charlie McDermott), support their untalented-yet-severely-optimistic daughter, Sue (Eden Sher), and attend parent-teacher meetings to discuss their oddball youngest son, Brick (Atticus Shaffer). Life may seem average in the middle of America but it’s anything but for Frankie Heck and her family. “The Middle” premieres WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Episode Synopsis: In the premiere episode, “Pilot,” Frankie is struggling in her career as a car salesperson because she has failed to actually sell a car. Sue has auditioned for show choir and, to everyone’s shock, makes the team, but fails to mention that she’s part of the stage crew. To top things off, Brick wants Frankie to come to his class presentation dressed as a superhero. Just when Frankie thinks she’s got a car sold and her kids under control, she does show up to Brick’s class dressed as a superhero — but he’s given her the wrong day — and the car she thought she had sold is stolen right in front of her. Work and home have taken over Frankie’s life… to the point that she barely recognizes herself and has even taken to coloring her hair with a magic marker. Her youth has faded and the day-to-day grind has worn her down, but it’s family and the struggles they face together that keep Frankie and the rest of the Hecks one big happy mess.

Cast and Crew: “The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring Chris Kattan* as Bob, Brian Doyle-Murray as Mr. Ehlert, Amy Farrington as Gail, Patricia Belcher as Mrs. Rettig, Jeanete Miller as Aunt Edie, Francis Bay as Aunt Ginny, Peter Breitmayer as Pete, Andy Kreiss as choir director, Ping Wu as Mr. Yamamoto, Mike Randleman as flight attendant and Robert Clendenin as P.A. (*Note: Chris Kattan becomes a series regular following the pilot episode)

“Pilot” is written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, and directed by Julie Ann Robinson.

Hank S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 30, 2009 at 8/7c on ABC (series premiere)

Show Description and Episode Synopsis: A legendary entrepreneur in the sports retail world, Hank Pryor, and his wife, Tilly, have been living the high life in New York City. That is until Hank is forced out of his CEO job and has to downsize and move his family back home to the small town of River Bend, Virginia, on the premiere of “Hank,” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

A self-made man, Hank is used to being the boss. But now that he’s lost almost everything, is he up for the even bigger challenge of being a husband and father? While Tilly regrets having to leave the glitz of New York City to move back to her hometown, Hank is gung-ho to relaunch his career in the place where it all began for him. Unfortunately this also means having to spend way too much time with his brother-in-law, Grady, who delights in Hank’s recent misfortunes. Hank struggles to find common ground with his kids — offbeat son Henry, who would rather play with action figures than toss a baseball with his dad, and daughter Maddie, a hip, New York City teen in whose eyes Hank can do no right. But every great businessman knows that the key to success is to turn setbacks into opportunities. It may take a while for this corporate giant to figure out how to mingle with the little people — like his family — but Hank’s up for the challenge, a man who feels he is destined to return to greatness. And he is. It’s just not the greatness he imagined.

“Hank” stars Kelsey Grammer as Hank Pryor, Melinda McGraw as Tilly Pryor, David Koechner as Grady Funk, Jordan Hinson as Maddie Pryor and Nathan Gamble as Henry Pryor.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 29, 2009

2009-09-29T06:41:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* Shark Tank (ABC, new night)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* NCIS (CBS)
* 90210 (The CW)
* Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
* At the Movies (Reelz)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, two-hour special)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

9/8c:

* Melrose Place (The CW)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
* So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
* 18 Kids & Counting (TLC)
* Dragons’ Den (BBC America, season finale)
* Executive Vision (CNBC, series premiere)
* Man Caves (DIY)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, two-hour special)
* Planet Mechanics (Planet Green)
* Swords: Life on the Line (Discovery Channel, season finale)
* Top 10 (Golf Channel)
* The Universe (History)
* Weird, True, & Freaky (Animal Planet, season premiere)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

9:30/8:30c:

* Weird, True, & Freaky (Animal Planet)

10/9c:

* The Forgotten (ABC)
* The Good Wife (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World (Travel Channel)
* Chopped (Food Network, season finale)
* Coolfuel (Planet Green)
* Deliver Me (Discovery Health)
* ECW (Syfy)
* Explorer (National Geographic)
* Flipping Out (Bravo)
* Frankie & Neffe (BET)
* The Hills (MTV, season premiere)
* The Jon Dore Television Show (IFC)
* Lost Tapes (Animal Planet, season premiere)
* The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck (Oxygen)
* Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel (truTV)
* The Secret Lives of Women (WE)
* Sons of Anarchy (FX)

10:30/9:30c:

* The City (MTV, season premiere)
* Frankie & Neffe (BET)
* Lost Tapes (Animal Planet)
* Property Shop (HGTV)
* Sports Soup (Versus)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
* Surviving Disaster (Spike)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Sons of Anarchy S2.E4 “Eureka” Preview

2009-09-28T14:22:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 29, 2009 at 10/9c on FX

Episode Synopsis: When the MC heads north on a “charity” club run, they find more than just bike trouble when they cross state lines. And with Samcro out of Charming, Gemma’s left in a compromising position with The League.

The Forgotten S1.E2 “Diamond Jane” Preview

2009-09-28T14:20:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 29, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: The Forgotten Network takes the case of a twentysomething Jane Doe who was found strangled and dumped in an alley six weeks earlier. Who is she? What is her name? Their investigation reveals an engagement ring, but where is her fiancé, why isn’t anyone else looking for her and who killed her?, on “the forgotten,” TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Cast and Crew: Starring in “the forgotten” are Christian Slater as Alex Donovan, Michelle Borth as Candace Butler, Heather Stephens as Lindsey Drake, Bob Stephenson as Walter Bailey, Anthony Carrigan as Tyler Davies and Rochelle Aytes as Grace Russell.

Guest Cast: Suzy Hunt as Allison James, Christina Chang as Claire Post, Susan Carol Davis as Karen James, John Walcutt as Henry James, Kerr Smith as Patrick Dent, Vyto Ruginis as Robert Dent, Judith Hoag as Charlotte Dent.

“Diamond Jane” is written by Lukas Reiter and directed by Jeffrey Hunt.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 28, 2009

2009-09-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
* Heroes (NBC)
* House (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* One Tree Hill (The CW)
* Day After Disaster (History, two-hour special)
* Glenn Martin DDS (Nick at Nite)
* Lincoln Heights (ABC Family)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, 150 minutes)
* Top Gear: Best Of (BBC America, one-hour special)

8:30/7:30c:

* Accidentally on Purpose (CBS)
* Monday Night Football: Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (ESPN)

9/8c:

* Trauma (NBC, series premiere)
* Two and a Half Men (CBS)
* Gossip Girl (The CW)
* Lie to Me (FOX, season premiere)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* County Jail (Discovery Channel, series premiere)
* Day After Disaster (History, two-hour special)
* Golf’s Amazing Videos (Golf Channel)
* Greek (ABC Family)
* Intervention (A&E, season finale)
* Jon & Kate Plus 8 (TLC)
* Monday Night Football: Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (ESPN)
* Popular Science’s Future Of… (Science Channel)
* Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle (VH1)
* Unwrapped (Food Network)
* WWE Raw (USA)

9:30/8:30c:

* The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

10/9c:

* Castle (ABC)
* CSI: Miami (CBS)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Animal Cops: Houston (Animal Planet)
* Clash of the Gods (History)
* Durham County (ION)
* Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke (VH1)
* Forensics: You Decide (ID)
* Hoarders (A&E, season finale)
* Madventures (Travel Channel)
* Monday Night Football: Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (ESPN)
* The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo)
* Twilight Weekly: Spotlight (Reelz)
* Ultimate Cake Off (TLC)

10:30/9:30c:

* For Rent (HGTV)
* Madventures (Travel Channel)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

This Week’s TV Premieres and Specials: September 27-October 3, 2009

2009-09-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 27, 2009:

* 60 Minutes (CBS, 7/6c, 42nd season premiere)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, 7/6c, two-hour 7th season premiere)
* The Amazing Race (CBS, 8/7c, two-hour 15th season premiere)
* The Simpsons (FOX, 8/7c, 21st season premiere)
* The Cleveland Show (FOX, 8:30/7:30c, series premiere)
* Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9/8c, 6th season premiere)
* Dexter (Showtime, 9/8c, 4th season premiere)
* Family Guy (FOX, 9/8c, 8th season premiere)
* American Dad (FOX, 9:30/8:30c, 5th season premiere)
* Californication (Showtime, 10/9c, 3rd season premiere)
* Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 10/9c, 4th season premiere)
* Cold Case (CBS, 10/9c, 7th season premiere)
* My Fair Wedding (WE, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)

Monday, September 28, 2009:

* Day After Disaster (History, 8/7c, two-hour special)
* Lie to Me (FOX, 9/8c, 2nd season premiere)
* Trauma (NBC, 9/8c, series premiere)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009:

* Weird, True, & Freaky (Animal Planet, 9/8c, 2nd season premiere)
* The Hills (MTV, 10/9c, 5th season fall premiere)
* Lost Tapes (Animal Planet, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)
* The City (MTV, 10:30/9:30c, 1st season fall premiere)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009:

* Hank (ABC, 8/7c, series premiere)
* I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant (TLC, 8/7c, 2nd season premiere)
* The Middle (ABC, 8:30/7:30c, series premiere)
* King of the Crown (TLC, 9/8c, series premiere)
* Bank of Mom and Dad (SoapNet, 10/9c, series premiere)
* First In (BET, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Mega Engineering: Mile High Skyscraper (Discovery Channel, 10/9c, one-hour special)
* The Real World/Road Rules Challenge (MTV, 10/9c, 90-minute 18th season premiere)
* The Shift: Bloodlines (ID, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)

Thursday, October 1, 2009:

* Speeders Fight Back (truTV, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)
* Private Practice (ABC, 10/9c, 3rd season premiere)

Friday, October 2, 2009:

* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network, 8/7c, 2nd season premiere)
* ‘Til Death (FOX, 8:30/7:30c, 4th season premiere)
* DietTribe (Lifetime, 9/8c, 2nd season premiere)
* Stargate Universe (Syfy, 9/8c, two-hour series premiere)
* Pay It Off (BET, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Wedded to Perfection (TLC, 10/9c, series premiere)

Saturday, October 3, 2009:

* Superfetch (Animal Planet, 8/7c, series premiere)
* Dogs 101 (Animal Planet, 9/8c, 2nd season premiere)
* Celebrity Ghost Stories (Bio, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Mike Epps: Under Rated…Never Fated & X-Rated (Showtime, 10:40/9:40c, one-hour special)

Lie to Me S2.E1 “The Core of It” Preview

2009-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 28, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: The Lightman Group investigates a murder case where a woman with multiple personalities (guest star Christensen) may either be a witness or the killer. Meanwhile, the U.S. government hires the firm to interrogate a potential Supreme Court nominee in “The Core of It” season premiere episode of LIE TO ME airing Monday, Sept. 28 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L)

Cast: Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman; Kelli Williams as Gillian Foster; Monica Raymund as Ria Torres; Brendan Hines as Eli Loker; Mekhi Phifer as FBI Agent Ben Reynolds

Guest Cast: Erika Christensen

House S6.E2 “Epic Fail” Preview

2009-09-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 28, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: House returns home to Princeton where he continues to focus on his recovery, but surprises Cuddy with the news that he’s making a big change in his life. Meanwhile, the team is unable to diagnose a loud-mouthed video game creator who posts each new symptom on the internet and opts for treatments suggested by the online community rather than by the doctors, and Foreman angles for House’s job, but the pressure to solve the case creates tension in his relationship with Thirteen in the “Epic Fail” episode of HOUSE airing Monday, Sept. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L)

Cast: Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House; Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Lisa Cuddy; Omar Epps as Dr. Eric Foreman; Robert Sean Leonard as Dr. James Wilson; Jennifer Morrison as Dr. Allison Cameron; Jesse Spencer as Dr. Robert Chase; Peter Jacobson as Dr. Chris Taub; Olivia Wilde as Thirteen

Guest Cast: Andre Braugher as Dr. Darryl Nolan; Fredah Foh Shen as Cecile; Rick Wasserman as Vince; Wai Mui as Lee; Brett Gilbert as Roy; Barry Pearl as Dr. Paulson; Michael J. Kirkland as Dr. Felker

Castle S2.E2 “The Double Down” Preview

2009-09-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 28, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: When two separate murders are committed on the same night, Castle wagers Ryan and Esposito that he and Beckett will solve theirs first. The frenzied race to catch their respective killers and win the bet leads each investigative duo to a likely suspect, only to find that they both have airtight alibis. But bizarre twists in both cases force the two teams to work together to unravel the mind-bending mystery behind each murder, on “Castle,” MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC.

Cast and Crew: “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Guest Cast: Arye Gross as M.E. Perlmutter, Brennan Elliot as Jason Cosway, Diana-Maria Riva as Detective Roselyn Karpowski.

“The Double Down” was written David Grace and directed by Rob Bowman.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 27, 2009

2009-09-27T04:47:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

7/6c:

* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, two-hour season premiere)
* Football Night in America (NBC)
* 60 Minutes (CBS, season premiere)

8/7c:

* The Amazing Race (CBS, two-hour season premiere)
* The Simpsons (FOX, season premiere)
* Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (NBC)
* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, two-hour season premiere)
* Food Network Challenge (Food Network)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, two-hour special)
* Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (Nickelodeon)
* Sonny with a Chance (Disney Channel)

8:30/7:30c:

* The Cleveland Show (FOX, series premiere)
* JONAS (Disney Channel)

9/8c:

* Desperate Housewives (ABC, season premiere)
* The Amazing Race (CBS, two-hour season premiere)
* Family Guy (FOX, season premiere)
* Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (NBC)
* Bridezillas (WE)
* Conservation Nation (Planet Green)
* Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
* Dexter (Showtime, season premiere)
* Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* How Do I Look? (Style)
* Iron Chef America (Food Network)
* The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS, two-hour special)
* Raging Planet (Discovery Channel)
* Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV, season finale)
* Tool Academy (VH1)
* Untamed & Uncut (Animal Planet)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

9:30/8:30c:

* American Dad (FOX, season premiere)
* Bored to Death (HBO)
* House Hunters International (HGTV)

10/9c:

* Brothers & Sisters (ABC, season premiere)
* Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (NBC)
* Cold Case (CBS, season premiere)
* Army Wives (Lifetime)
* Californication (Showtime, season premiere)
* Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami (E!)
* Mad Men (AMC)
* My Antonio (VH1)
* My Fair Wedding (WE, season premiere)
* Pawn Star$ (History, season finale)
* Popzilla (MTV, series premiere)
* Raging Planet (Discovery Channel)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

10:30/9:30c:

* Entourage (HBO)
* Income Property (HGTV)
* P. Diddy’s Starmaker (MTV, special time)
* Reality Hell (E!)

11:30/10:30c:

* Titan Maximum (Adult Swim, series premiere)

The Cleveland Show S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-27T04:45:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 27, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on FOX (series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite soft-spoken neighbor, Cleveland Brown, is on the move after he decides it’s time for him and Cleveland Jr. to leave Quahog and go west. On their way to California, the duo makes a pit stop in Cleveland’s hometown of Stoolbend, VA, where he reunites with his old high school crush, Donna Tubbs. Although she comes with baggage in the form of a rebellious teenage daughter and a sharp-tongued 5-year-old son, Cleveland is still in love with Donna and is determined to start a new life in the “Pilot” series premiere episode of THE CLEVELAND SHOW airing Sunday, Sept. 27 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, S)

Voice Cast: Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown/Teenage Cleveland and Rallo Tubbs; Sanaa Lathan as Donna Tubbs/Teenage Donna; Kevin Michael Richardson as Cleveland Jr. and Lester; Nia Long as Roberta Tubbs; Seth MacFarlane as Tim, Peter, Brian and Stewie

Guest Voice Cast: Jason Sudeikis as Holt; Arianna Huffington as Arianna; Patrick Warburton as Joe; Alex Borstein as Lois; Seth Green as Chris; Mila Kunis as Meg; Jennifer Tilly as Bonnie; Jamie Kennedy as Federline Jones

Desperate Housewives S6.E1 “Nice Is Different Than Good” Preview

2009-09-27T04:42:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 27, 2009 at 9/8c on ABC (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: On the season premiere of “Desperate Housewives,” Mike Delfino’s bride will finally be revealed: Will it be Katherine… or will recent events be enough to bring him and Susan back together? Lynette faces the reality of another pregnancy; Bree struggles to break free from Orson and her inhibitions; Gaby is put to the test by Carlos’ teenaged niece, now in their care; and a new family with a dark past moves to Wisteria Lane, on “Desperate Housewives,” SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast: “Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Drea de Matteo as Angie Bolen, Maiara Walsh as Ana, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Jeffrey Nordling as Nick Bolen, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Beau Mirchoff as Danny Bolen, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Joshua Moore as Parker Scavo, Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo, Madison de la Garza as Juanita, and Mason Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino.

Brothers & Sisters S4.E1 “The Road Ahead” Preview

2009-09-27T04:37:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 27, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Kitty harbors a devastating secret that will rock the Walker family. Meanwhile, Nora and Holly begrudgingly team up to throw an elaborate engagement party for Justin and Rebecca, Tommy continues his personal spiritual journey in Mexico, and Sarah searches for new business prospects in France, on the fourth-season premiere of “Brothers & Sisters,” SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Cast and Crew: “Brothers & Sisters” stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

Guest starring are Ken Olin as David Caplan, Marion Ross as Ida Holden, Matt Gallant as the reporter, Phil Abrams as Harold Wallace, Jeff Lorch as Jeffrey, Cheryl Francis Harrington as Dr. Ruth Gibson, Matthew Kimbrough as Professor James Gray, Amy Aquino as Dr. Avadon, Alex Ball as Steve and Henry Dittman as date #3.

“The Road Ahead” was written by Molly Newman and Marjorie David and directed by Ken Olin.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 26, 2009

2009-09-26T06:49:00.001-07:00

8/7c:

* Cops (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Country Fried Home Videos (CMT)
* Divine Design (HGTV)
* iCarly (Nickelodeon)
* Sea Change (Planet Green, two-hour special)
* Unlikely Animal Friends (National Geographic)

8:30/7:30c:

* All Jacked Up (CMT)
* True Jackson, VP (Nickelodeon)

9/8c:

* America’s Most Wanted (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Children of the Corn (Syfy, original telefilm)
* Color Splash (HGTV)
* Househusbands of Hollywood (Fox Reality)
* The Locator (WE)
* Making His Band (MTV)
* Robin Hood (BBC America)
* Sea Change (Planet Green, two-hour special)
* Split Ends (Style)

9:30/8:30c:

* Ghostly Encounters (Bio, season finale)

10/9c:

* 48 Hours Mystery (CBS, season premiere)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Adoption Diaries (WE)
* The Dish (Style)
* Moving Up (TLC, season finale)
* Psychic Investigators (Bio)

11:30/10:30c:

* Saturday Night Live (NBC, season premiere)

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 25, 2009

2009-09-25T03:05:00.001-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* Smallville (The CW, season premiere)
* Ghost Whisperer (CBS, season premiere)
* Brothers (FOX, one-hour series premiere)
* Law & Order (NBC, season premiere)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* Making Over America with Trinny & Susannah (TLC, season finale)
* The Troop (Nickelodeon)
* Washington Week (PBS)
* Wolverine and the X-Men (Nicktoons)

8:30/7:30c:

* Ben 10: Alien Force (Cartoon Network)
* Now on PBS (PBS)
* The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel)

9/8c:

* Dollhouse (FOX, season premiere)
* Medium (CBS, season premiere, new network)
* Dateline NBC (NBC)
* Bathtastic! (DIY)
* Bill Moyers’ Journal (PBS)
* Clash of Wings (Military Channel)
* Dog Whisperer (National Geographic)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC America)
* Jockeys (Animal Planet)
* Monk (USA Network)
* Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)

9:30/8:30c:

* Bang For Your Buck (HGTV)
* Forensic Files (truTV)

10/9c:

* Numb3rs (CBS, season premiere)
* 20/20 (ABC)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* The Big Tease (Reelz)
* Brick City (Sundance, season finale)
* Crash (Starz)
* Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege, and Justice (truTV)
* House Hunters International (HGTV)
* Lock ‘n Load (History)
* Masters of Reception (TLC, season finale)
* Psych (USA Network)
* Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
* Rescue Ink Unleashed (National Geographic, series premiere)
* The Soup (E!)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)

Numb3rs S6.E1 “Hangman” Preview

2009-09-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 25, 2009 at 10/9c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Don and the team must protect high-profile activist Benjamin Polk at a political rally, but it soon becomes a manhunt when they search for a sniper trying to kill Polk. Also, Charlie awaits an answer from Amita about his marriage proposal, on the sixth season premiere of NUMB3RS, Friday, Sept. 25 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Don Eppes……………………………. Rob Morrow

Charlie Eppes…………………… David Krumholtz

Alan Eppes……………………………… Judd Hirsch

David Sinclair…………………………. Alimi Ballard

Amita Ramanujan…………………….. Navi Rawat

Colby Granger………………………… Dylan Bruno

Nikki Betancourt…………………. Sophina Brown

Liz Warner……………………………… Aya Sumika

Larry Fleinhart……………………. Peter MacNicol

GUEST CAST:

Shepard Crater………………………….. Gary Cole

Benjamin Polk…………………………… David Call

Wanda Schoemer…………….. Becky Wahlstrom

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Executive Producer Ken Sanzel

Medium S6.E1 “Deja Vu All Over Again” Preview

2009-09-24T14:42:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 25, 2009 at 9/8c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Allison and her family deal with the outcome of her brain surgery and its possible lasting effects. Also, a local television station owner asks Devalos and Scanlon to look into the possible stalking of his sportscaster, who is also his wife, on the season premiere of MEDIUM, Friday, Sept. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Allison Dubois…………………… Patricia Arquette

Joe Dubois……………………………… Jake Weber

District Attorney Devalos…….. Miguel Sandoval

Ariel Dubois………………………. Sofia Vassilieva

Bridgette Dubois………………………. Maria Lark

Detective Lee Scanlon……………… David Cubitt

Marie Dubois…………………. Miranda Carabello

GUEST CAST:

Sophie Cullen…………………………… Natalie Zea

Peter Winant………………….. Pruitt Taylor Vince

Dan Taper…………………………. J.C. Mackenzie

Drew Campbel…………………………… Ben Bodé

Doctor Messner………………… Deirdre Lovejoy

Tanner Campbel……………………… Joshua Rush

WRITTEN BY: Craig Sweeny and Robert Doherty

DIRECTED BY: Aaron Lipstadt

Brothers S1.E1 and S1.E2 “Pilot/House Rules-Anniversary” Preview

2009-09-24T14:39:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 25, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX (one-hour series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Mike Trainor seemingly has it all – he’s a good-looking, wealthy and recently retired NFL player living the high life in New York City. With one phone call from his mom, Adele, Mike’s life changes in an instant. He comes home to Houston to find that his brother Chill, whose life changed drastically after a car accident left him in a wheelchair, is struggling to keep his restaurant afloat and that his father’s memory is not as sharp as it used to be. When Adele reveals everyone’s secrets, the family decides it’s time for a fresh start.

Later, Mike’s date spends the night at his parents’ place propelling his mom, Adele, to set specific house rules for her very grown sons. As all the family members try to find their way living together again as adults, Mike and Chill are taken aback at their new assigned daily chores and strict limitations on overnight guests. Meanwhile, Coach forgets his and Adele’s anniversary and lands in the doghouse, forcing him to come up with a creative way to make it up to her in the “Pilot/House Rules-Anniversary” series premiere episode of BROTHERS airing Friday, Sept. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, S)

Cast: Michael Strahan as Mike; Daryl Chill Mitchell as Chill; CCH Pounder as Adele; Carl Weathers as Coach

Guest Cast: Jazsmin Lewis as Monica; Shvona Lavette as Janine

Ghost Whisperer S5.E1 “Birthday Presence” Preview

2009-09-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 25, 2009 at 8/7c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Melinda gives birth to a baby boy who also has the gift of seeing spirits, but with one important difference which will have far-reaching consequences, on the fifth season premiere of GHOST WHISPERER, Friday, Sept. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Melinda Gordon…………… Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jim Clancy…………………………… David Conrad

Delia Banks…………………….. Camryn Manheim

Ned Banks…………………….. Christoph Sanders

Eli James……………………………. Jamie Kennedy

GUEST CAST:

Aiden Lucas………………..Connor Gibbs

Dale Harmon………………… Alex Carter

Amber Heaton……………… …Zoe Boyle

Emily Harmon……….Andrea C. Robinson

Carl The Watcher………… David Clennon

Admitting Nurse……..Wendy Worthington

Male Ghost ……… Hugh Holub

Doctor Chase……………..Priscilla Garita Nurse……………………..Jennifer Weston

Tyler Harmon…………….Davis Cleveland

Screaming Nurse…………..Lucia Sullivan

Varsity Football Player……..Nick Thurston

Laboring Woman…………….Isabel Chavez

WRITTEN BY: Executive Producer P.K. Simonds & Laurie McCarthy

DIRECTED BY: Executive Producer Jennifer Love Hewitt

Smallville S9.E1 “Savior” Preview

2009-09-24T14:32:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 25, 2009 at 8/7c on The CW (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN (“TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES”) GUEST STARS AS JOHN CORBEN — Clark (Tom Welling) tells Jor-El he’s ready to start his training, but Jor-El sends him back to Metropolis to cut ties with Lois before he can begin. Chloe (Allison Mack) is shocked when Lois (Erica Durance) suddenly reappears after having been missing for weeks, but Lois has no recollection of vanishing into thin air with the Legion ring. While investigating a monorail crash, Lois meets John Corben (guest star Brian Austin Green), a new reporter at The Daily Planet, with a negative attitude toward the Red-Blue Blur. Chloe begs Clark to use the Legion ring to go back in time to save Jimmy, but he refuses, driving a wedge into their friendship. Meanwhile, Oliver (Justin Hartley) continues down a dark road, and Zod (Callum Blue) arrives at the Luthor mansion. Kevin Fair directed the episode written by Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 24, 2009

2009-09-24T04:34:00.001-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* FlashForward (ABC, series premiere)
* Survivor: Samoa (CBS)
* Bones (FOX)
* Vampire Diaries (The CW)
* Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday (NBC)
* Chowder (Cartoon Network)
* My First Place (HGTV)
* Pinks: All Out (Speed)
* WWE Superstars (WGN)

8:30/7:30c:

* Parks and Recreation (NBC)
* The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (Cartoon Network)

9/8c:

* Fringe (FOX)
* Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, two-hour season premiere)
* Supernatural (The CW)
* The Office (NBC)
* CSI (CBS, season premiere)
* 10 Things You Didn’t Know About…Avalanches (National Geographic, one-hour special)
* Animal Armageddon (Animal Planet, season finale)
* Blog Cabin (DIY)
* Deadly Women (ID)
* Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin (Food Network)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* How Do They Do It? (Science Channel)
* Marked (History)
* PBS Special Report on Health Care Reform (PBS, 90-minute special)
* Police Women of Broward County (TLC)
* Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory (MTV)
* Skins (BBC America)
* TNA iMPACT! (Spike)
* Total Drama Action (Cartoon Network)

9:30/8:30c:

* Community (NBC)
* Blog Cabin (DIY)
* Bully Beatdown (MTV)
* Stoked (Cartoon Network)

10/9c:

* Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, two-hour season premiere)
* The Mentalist (CBS, season premiere)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Ace of Cakes (Food Network)
* Behind the Music (VH1)
* Brick City (Sundance)
* It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
* LA Ink (TLC)
* Nitro Circus (MTV)
* Project Runway (Lifetime)
* The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo)
* Speeders (truTV, season finale)
* TNA iMPACT! (Spike)
* Wicked Attraction (ID)

10:30/9:30c:

* Pranked (MTV)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
* Models of the Runway (Lifetime)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Fringe S2.E2 “Night of Desirable Objects” Preview

2009-09-24T04:32:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: A highway construction worker in rural Pennsylvania goes missing when he is mysteriously drawn into an underground tunnel filled with human remains. Meanwhile, back in the lab, Walter is attempting to simulate travel between realities on frogs. When it’s discovered that the disappearance in Pennsylvania is not an isolated incident, the Fringe team travels to the crime scene to unearth evidence in the “Night of Desirable Objects” episode of FRINGE airing Thursday, Sept. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 L, V)

Cast: Anna Torv as Olivia Dunham; Joshua Jackson as Peter Bishop; John Noble as Walter Bishop; Lance Reddick as Phillip Broyles; Kirk Acevedo as Charlie Francis; Blair Brown as Nina Sharp; Jasika Nicole as Astrid Farnsworth

Supernatural S5.E3 “Free To Be You and Me” Preview

2009-09-24T04:30:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 9/8c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: ADRIANNE PALICIKI GUEST STARS — Not sure he trusts himself anymore, Sam (Jared Padalecki) decides to give up hunting, but a late-night visitor (guest star Adrianne Palicki) won’t let him off the hook that easily. Dean (Jensen Ackles), intent on stopping the Apocalypse, continues hunting on his own and teams up with Castiel (Misha Collins) to find the Archangel Raphael, as Castiel believes Raphael knows God’s location. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Jeremy Carver.

The Vampire Diaries S1.E3 “Friday Night Bite” Preview

2009-09-24T04:27:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 8/7c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: MYSTIC FALLS IS ROCKED BY VIOLENCE — Elena (Nina Dobrev) tries to ignore Bonnie’s (Katerina Graham) warnings about the disturbing vibes she got from Stefan (Paul Wesley). Tyler (Michael Trevino) tries to embarrass Stefan by throwing a football at him, but Stefan effortlessly catches and passes the ball back, impressing everyone with his skill. Mr. Tanner (guest star Benjamin Ayres) reluctantly lets Stefan join the football team. Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner, hoping that the two will bond, but the evening is disrupted by the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Caroline (Candice Accola). Finally, the town is shocked by an act of violence. Steven R. McQueen, Sara Canning, Zach Roerig and Kayla Ewell also star. John Dahl directed the episode written by Barbie Kligman & Bryan M. Holdman.

Grey’s Anatomy S6.E2 “Goodbye” Preview

2009-09-24T04:22:00.001-07:00

Note: If you do not want to know the fate of George, do not read on since this article contains spoilers.

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: “Grey’s Anatomy” returns for its sixth season with a two-hour event on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the second episode, entitled “Goodbye” (10:00-11:00 p.m.), time has passed… Everyone is struggling after losing one of their own and are turning to any distraction they can find. Meredith and Derek seem to be consummating their marriage anywhere and everywhere, while Cristina and Owen have been instructed to abstain from sex by Dr. Wyatt.

Grey’s Anatomy S6.E1 “Good Mourning” Preview

2009-09-24T04:18:00.000-07:00

Note: If you do not want to know the fate of George, do not read on. This article contains text and images that reveal his fate.

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 9/8c on ABC (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: “Grey’s Anatomy” returns for its sixth season with a two-hour event on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first hour, entitled “Good Mourning” (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the hospital staff is left to deal with the aftermath of George’s passing. Hitting the staff hard, they all find unique ways to get through the various stages of grief. George’s mom returns, faced with the difficult task of deciding what to do with his organs.

The Mentalist S2.E1 “Redemption” Preview

2009-09-24T04:16:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 10/9c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Jane and Lisbon learn that the Red John case has been reassigned to a new CBI team led by the straight-shooting officer Sam Bosco (Kinney), on the second season premiere of THE MENTALIST, Thursday, Sept. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Patrick Jane…………………………… Simon Baker

Teresa Lisbon……………………….. Robin Tunney

Kendall Cho………………………………. Tim Kang

Wayne Rigsby……………………. Owain Yeoman

Grace Van Pelt………………….. Amanda Righetti

RECURRING CAST:

Sam Bosco……………………………. Terry Kinney

GUEST CAST:

Virgil Minelli…………………………. Gregory Itzen

Rhonda Jarret…………………………….. Jane Daly

Bodhi Andros………………….. Carter MacIntyre

Ansel…………………………………… Jordan David

Candice…………………………………… Cindy Chiu

Captain………………………………. Geoffrey Rivas

Deputy……………………………… Dean Cudworth

Hollis………………………………… Raphael Sbarge

Humphrey………………………………. Phil Abrams

Kessie…………………………… Stacie Leah Rippy

Maggie………………………………. Rebecca Staab

Manager………………………… Floyd VanBuskirk

Mandy…………………………………… Laura Niemi

Neil……………………………………….. Jim Gleason

Realtor……………………………………. Jeff Witzke

Worker…………………………………….. Pete Pano

Reed………………………….. Andrew Ross Wynn

WRITTEN BY: Executive Producer Bruno Heller

DIRECTED BY: Chris Long, one of the series’ co-executive producers

Bones S5.E2 “The Bond in the Boot” Preview

2009-09-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 8/7c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Brennan and Booth investigate the body of a man murdered for the undisclosed contents of a briefcase. Early evidence leads the team to suspect secret operatives are at work, and their theories are supported when the liquefied remains of a CIA agent are discovered in the trunk of a car. When Brennan and Booth interrogate the CIA’s Assistant Director of Intelligence, they are left unsure of his allegiance to the U.S. Meanwhile, Brennan’s best-selling book leads to financial success and serves as a point of contention with Booth, and Jeffersonian intern Wendell (guest star Michael Grant Terry) loses his scholarship, leaving the team to look for alternative funding to keep him around in “The Bond in the Boot” episode of BONES airing Thursday, Sept. 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX (TV-14 V)

Cast: Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan; David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth; TJ Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins; Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro; Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan; John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets

Guest Cast: Michael Grant Terry as Wendell Bray; Christopher B. Duncan as Arthur Rutledge; Michael Arden as Harold Prescott; Emily Foxler as Lena Brodsky; Riki Lindhome as Mandy Summers; Katherine Kamhi as Officer Lisa Kopek; J.J. Soria as Pedro Marquez

CSI S10.E1 “Family Affair” Preview

2009-09-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 9/8c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: The CSI team, with the unexpected but welcome return of Sara, comes together to investigate the death of a famous young actress killed in a dubious traffic collision, on the tenth season premiere of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, Sept. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Jorja Fox reprises her role as Sara Sidle.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Dr. Raymond Langston…… Laurence Fishburne

Catherine Willows………….. Marg Helgenberger

Nick Stokes………………………….. George Eads

Captain Jim Brass………………….. Paul Guilfoyle

Greg Sanders………………………… Eric Szmanda

Dr. Robbins……………………. Robert David Hall

David Phillips……………………….. David Berman

Hodges………………………….. Wallace Langham

Wendy Simms…………………………… Liz Vassey

RECURRING CAST:

Sara Sidle………………………………….. Jorja Fox

Conrad Ecklie………………………….. Marc Vann

Henry Andrews……………………….. Jon Wellner

GUEST CAST:

Officer Akers………………………… Larry Sullivan

Tom O’Neill……………………….. Garret Dillahunt

Denny Ocampo………………………….. Brian Tee

Richard Wilkes……………………. Morgan Rusler

Olivia Hamilton………………………. Tahyna Tozzi

E.R. Doctor………………. Michael Bryan French

Hotel Manager……………………… David Sullivan

Paula Francis…………………………. Paula Francis

CSI Receptionist……………………… Toni Wynne

TELEPLAY BY: Bradley Thompson & David Weddle

STORY BY: Naren Shankar, one of the series’ executive producers

DIRECTED BY: Kenneth Fink

Glee S1.E4 “Preggers” Preview

2009-09-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 9/8c on FOX

Episode Synopsis: Kurt takes center stage when he tries out for the football team in order to impress his dad. Sandy and Sue join forces to carry out their plans for destroying the Glee Club. Meanwhile, Quinn and Finn’s relationship is tested when they receive some life-changing news in the “Preggers” episode of GLEE airing Wednesday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (TV-14 D, L, S)

Cast: Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester; Jessalyn Gilsig as Terri Schuester; Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester; Lea Michele as Rachel Berry; Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson; Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury; Dianna Agron as Quinn; Chris Colfer as Kurt; Kevin McHale as Artie; Amber Riley as Mercedes; Mark Salling as Puck; Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina

Guest Cast: Stephen Tobolowsky as Sandy Ryerson; Iqbal Theba as Principal Figgins; Patrick Gallagher as Ken Tanaka

Gary Unmarried S2.E1 “Gary Has a Dream” Preview

2009-09-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 8:30/7:30c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Gary tries to set an example for his unambitious son, Tom, by pursuing his own dream of becoming a radio sportscaster, on the second season premiere of GARY UNMARRIED, Wednesday, Sept. 23 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.

When Tom is pleased with his low scores on a career aptitude test, Allison persuades Gary to set a better example. On a lark, Gary calls his old buddy, Curtis (Keegan-Michael Key), who works at a radio station, and is surprised when he’s offered a job…that is, until the frazzled station manager, Sasha (Brooke D’Orsay), clarifies that he’s there to paint the building, not report the latest sports news. Meantime, Gary’s brother, Mitch (Rob Riggle), escorts Louise to her dance class.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Gary Brooks………………………………. Jay Mohr

Allison Brooks…………………….. Paula Marshall

Tom Brooks……………………….. Ryan Malgarini

Louise Brooks ………………Kathryn Newton

Curtis……………………….. Keegan-Michael Key

Sasha……………………………… Brooke D’Orsay

RECURRING CAST:

Mitch………………………………………. Rob Riggle

GUEST CAST:

Bradley …………………… Sterling Beaumon

WRITTEN BY: Mark Gross

DIRECTOR: James Burrows

The Beautiful Life S1.E2 “The Beautiful Aftermath” Preview

2009-09-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 9/8c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: NINA GARCIA (“PROJECT RUNWAY”) GUEST STARS — Chris (Ben Hollingsworth) believes his chances at a modeling career are over and prepares to leave New York City until he receives a surprise phone call from Claudia (Elle Macpherson). Claudia informs Raina (Sara Paxton) that she needs to focus more on her career and less on her new relationship with Chris. Isaac (Corbin Bleu) confronts Vivienne (guest star Jamie Murray, “Dexter”) about her behavior towards him at a go-see, and the two end up working out an arrangement that serves both their needs. Marissa (Ashley Madekwe) accuses Sonja (Mischa Barton) of stealing the Versace campaign from her and decides to seek revenge in a very public way, which leads Sonja to Cole (Nico Tortorella) for assistance. Marissa invites Raina’s brother, Alex (guest star Billy Magnussen, “As the World Turns”), to a party hosted by Nina Garcia (“Project Runway”), where more secrets about Raina’s past are revealed. Michael Lehmann directed the episode written by Anna Fricke and Mike Kelley.

FlashForward S1.E1 “No More Good Days” Preview

2009-09-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 24, 2009 at 8/7c on ABC (series premiere)

Show Description: What would you do if you were given a glimpse of the future? Would you accept what you saw and live life to its fullest, or would you do everything in your power to change your destiny? When the world’s population is given a glimpse of their future, it forces everyone to come to grips with whether their destinies can be fulfilled or avoided, on the premiere of “FlashForward,” THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (This program will repeat Friday, Sept. 25, from 8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Episode Synopsis: On the season premiere episode, “No More Good Days,” it’s just another normal day in Los Angeles. FBI agent Mark Benford and his partner, Demetri Noh, are in the middle of a car chase monitored by their boss, Stanford Wedeck, and colleague Janis Hawk; Mark’s wife, Dr. Olivia Benford, is in the middle of surgery; Dr. Bryce Varley is weighing a potentially life-ending decision; Mark’s friend, Aaron Stark, is working high above the ground on power lines; and Nicole Kirby — baby-sitter to Mark and Olivia’s daughter, Charlie — is in the throes of passion with her boyfriend when suddenly, and without warning, every person on Earth blacks out for two minutes and seventeen seconds and sees a series of events from their own future, taking place on April 29, 2010 at 10:00 p.m., Pacific Time. For some the future will be joyous and hopeful; for others, shockingly unexpected; and for a few, it simply doesn’t seem to exist.

Everyone in the world will eventually begin chronicling what they saw in their flashforwards on a worldwide website — the Mosaic Collective — that will further draw people together. And some of the flashforwards just might help Mark and his colleagues piece together the cause of the blackout.

Knowing their fate will alter each person’s life in one way or another, and poses the questions: Can destiny be changed? And by changing just one destiny, what effect would that have on those of others?

Cast and Crew: “FlashForward” stars Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, John Cho as Demetri Noh, Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe, Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley, Peyton List as Nicole Kirby, Dominic Monaghan as Simon, Br’an F. O’Byrne as Aaron Stark, Courtney B. Vance as Stanford Wedeck, Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford and Christine Woods as Janis Hawk.

Guest starring are Genevieve Cortese as Tracy, Lennon Wynn as Charlie Benford, Bryce Robinson as Dylan Simcoe, Daniel Zacapa as Hector, Blair Redford as Joel, Lee Thompson Young as Agent Gough, Barry Shabaka Henley as Agent Vreede, Alex Kingston as Fiona Banks, Rachel Roberts as Alda Hertzog, Kelly Galindo as distressed woman, Jim Lau as Asian man, Cooper Huckabee as trucker, Chyna Layne as nervous woman, Drake Kemper as teenaged boy, James Carraway as older man, Brandon Bell as paramedic #1, Pete Koch as paramedic #2, Cynthia Addai-Robinson as nurse, Loren Lester as neurologist, Kent Shocknek as medical correspondent, Ken Rudulph as pundit #1, Bill Lagattuta as pundit #2, Ted Garcia as pundit #3, Ammar Daraiseh as Arabic man #1 and Raj Maan as Arabic man #2.

“No More Good Days” was written by David S. Goyer and Brannon Braga and directed by David S. Goyer.

Eastwick S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC (series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: There was a time when Roxanne, Kat and Joanna didn’t get along because of their preconceived notions of each other. Roxie was the extrovert artist, Kat the overworked wife and mom, and Joanna the wallflower local reporter. But after a weird encounter in the park and a few martinis, these three women have suddenly become fast friends. Together, they wish for their lives to change. An unknown power within each of them is suddenly unlocked, bringing them together and changing each of their lives. And that’s when the mysterious and wealthy Darryl Van Horne arrives in town. He helps them discover their unique powers in ways they never could have imagined. But by igniting their hearts’ desires, he might just be opening Pandora’s Box.

The locals become understandably curious about just who Darryl Van Horne is. Among the curious is Joanna’s co-worker and best friend, Penny. Then there’s Bun, the head of the Eastwick Historical Society and the fun and kooky aunt that Roxie and her teen-aged daughter, Mia, never had, who may hold a key to Darryl’s real identity. Meanwhile, Joanna’s longtime crush, Will, and Kat’s layabout husband, Raymond, become unintentional targets for the ladies’ newfound powers.

Based on John Updike’s celebrated classic and the popular movie, “Eastwick” is brimming with romance, mystery and dangerous charm, offering a tempting vision of the ultimate wish-fulfillment fantasy.

Cast and Crew: “Eastwick” stars Ashley Benson as Mia Torcoletti, Jon Bernthal as Raymond Gardener, Veronica Cartwright as Bun Waverly, Jamie Ray Newman as Kat Gardener, Lindsay Price as Joanna Frankel, Rebecca Romijn as Roxanne (Roxie) Torcoletti, Sara Rue as Penny Higgins, Johann Urb as Will St. David and Paul Gross as Darryl Van Horne.

Guest starring are Matt Dallas as Chad, Jack Huston as Jamie, Christian Alexander as Gus, Torsten Voges as Fidel, Steve Hytner as Clyde, Mia Hays as Amy Gardener, V.C. Dupree as Edgar and Dinora Walcott as waitress.

“Pilot” was written by Maggie Friedman and directed by David Nutter.

CSI: NY S6.E1 “Epilogue” Preview

2009-09-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 10/9c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Following a spray of machine gunfire, the CSI team rises from the chaos. But when one member’s life is significantly changed, it proves to be the emotional motivation they need to piece together their lives and ultimately find the shooter, on the sixth season premiere of CSI: NY, Wednesday, Sept. 23 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Sarah Carter (”Shark”) guest-stars in a recurring role as Haylen Becall, a forensic school graduate who works as a crime scene clean up technician and has aspirations of being a CSI.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Det. Mac Taylor…………………… …. Gary Sinise

Det. Stella Bonasera……… Melina Kanakaredes

Danny Messer………………. Carmine Giovinazzo

Dr. Sheldon Hawkes………………….. Hill Harper

Det. Don Flack……………………….. Eddie Cahill

Lindsay Monroe……………………. Anna Belknap

Adam Ross……………………………… AJ Buckley

Dr. Sid Hammerback…………………. Robert Joy

GUEST CAST:

Haylen Becall…………………………. Sarah Carter

Risa Calaveras……………………….. Gloria Votsis

Jake Calaveras……………….. Andrew Lawrence

Tyson Menlo………………………….. Lexis Shontz

WRITTEN BY: Pam Vesey, one of the show’s executive producers

DIRECTED BY: David Von Acken

The New Adventures of Old Christine S5.E1 “Bahamian Rhapsody” Preview

2009-09-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 8/7c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: After Barb was thrown in jail by immigration during Richard’s and New Christine’s disastrous wedding in the cliffhanger season finale, Christine and Matthew head to the Bahamas to try to get her an illegal visa, on the fifth season premiere of THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, Wednesday, Sept. 23 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Christine……………………….. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Richard………………………………….. Clark Gregg

Matthew………………………….. Hamish Linklater

Ritchie……………………………….. Trevor Gagnon

New Christine…………………… Emily Rutherfurd

Barb…………………………………… Wanda Sykes

GUEST STARS:

Dave……………………………………. James Lesure

Jamie……………………………………. Alison White

Security Guard…………………………… Skyy John

WRITTEN BY: Executive Producer Kari Lizer and Jeff Astrof

DIRECTED BY: Executive Producer Andy Ackerman

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 22, 2009

2009-09-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* NCIS (CBS, season premiere)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* 90210 (The CW)
* Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* At the Movies (Reelz)
* Web Soup (G4)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

8:30/7:30c:

* Ruby & the Rockits (ABC Family, season finale)

9/8c:

* NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, series premiere)
* Melrose Place (The CW)
* The Biggest Loser (NBC, two-hour episode)
* Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, two-hour episode)
* 18 Kids & Counting (TLC)
* Dragons’ Den (BBC America)
* Planet Mechanics (Planet Green)
* Swords: Life on the Line (Discovery Channel)
* The Universe (History)
* Warehouse 13 (Syfy, season finale)
* World Series of Poker (ESPN)

10/9c:

* The Forgotten (ABC, series premiere)
* The Good Wife (CBS, series premiere)
* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World (Travel Channel)
* Brick City (Sundance)
* Chopped (Food Network)
* The Colony (Discovery Channel, season finale)
* Coolfuel (Planet Green)
* Daddy’s Girls (MTV, season finale)
* Deliver Me (Discovery Health)
* ECW (Syfy)
* Explorer (National Geographic)
* Flipping Out (Bravo)
* Frankie & Neffe (BET)
* Joe Buck Live (HBO, one-hour special)
* The Jon Dore Television Show (IFC)
* The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck (Oxygen, series premiere)
* Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel (truTV)
* The Secret Lives of Women (WE)
* Sons of Anarchy (FX)
* Sports Soup (Versus)
* Surviving Disaster (Spike)
* Table for 12 (TLC, season premiere)

10:30/9:30c:

* Deconstruction (DIY)
* Property Shop (HGTV)
* Table for 12 (TLC)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

11:30/10:30c:

* The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Modern Family S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 9/8c on ABC (series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes, and that is very evident in Jay Pritchett’s very full and very blended family. Jay and his new gorgeous and much younger wife, Gloria, are happily married and getting accustomed to their new life together. But when her pre-teen son develops a crush on a 16-year-old girl, it becomes apparent that Jay and Gloria may have some generational and cultural gaps to bridge. Jay’s grown daughter, Claire, has a family of her own — three kids and a husband, Phil, who is practically a giant kid himself. Things get a little tense when their teenage daughter, Haley, brings a boy home and Phil tries to adopt the cool, hip dad approach. Then son Luke misuses of his BB gun, which results in Phil and Claire turning it right back on to him. Jay’s other grown son, Mitchell, is in a committed relationship and has just adopted a baby girl from Vietnam with his life partner, Cameron. They’re going through the joys and anxieties of bringing a baby home for the first time, but Mitchell still has the daunting task of introducing their new addition to the whole family.

Cast and Crew: “Modern Family” stars Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Sof’a Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy, Ariel Winter as Alex Dunphy and Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado.

Guest cast include Reid Ewing as Dylan, Hayley Erin as Brenda Feldman, Lillian Adams as passenger #1, Duane Shepard Sr. as passenger #2, Heather Lee as passenger #3, Jenica Bergere as soccer mom, Matt Corboy as Josh, aka soccer dad, and Marcus Brown as security guard.

“Pilot” was written by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd, and directed by Jason Winer.

Cougar Town S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-22T07:02:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 23, 2009 at 9:30/8:30c on ABC (series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Courteney Cox stars as Jules, a recently divorced single mother exploring the honest truths about dating and aging in our beauty and youth obsessed culture, on “Cougar Town,” premiering WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. While most women in their twenties go through life experiencing the challenges and often humorous pitfalls of meeting men, Jules took on the responsibilities of marriage and raising a son. Now in her forties, she embarks on a journey to self-discovery whilst surrounded by fellow divorcees and singletons eager to live or re-live a time gone by.

Along for the journey are her friends and family: Laurie (Busy Philipps), the younger, feisty co-worker who encourages her to get out there and have some fun; Ellie (Christa Miller), the sarcastic, unapologetic confidante content with her life and marriage to her average, but loveable husband, Andy (Ian Gomez); ex-husband Bobby (Brian Van Holt), a classic under-achiever who’ll test her patience as they attempt to raise their teenage son, Travis (Dan Byrd); and newly divorced neighbor Grayson (Josh Hopkins), who proves to be a catalyst of sorts for Jules.

Cast: “Cougar Town” stars Courteney Cox as Jules, Busy Philipps as Laurie, Dan Byrd as Travis, Christa Miller as Ellie, Josh Hopkins as Grayson, Ian Gomez as Andy and Brian Van Holt as Bobby.

Melrose Place S1.E3 “Grand” Preview

2009-09-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 22, 2009 at 9/8c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: LIES, LIES, LIES — Jonah (Michael Rady) is furious when he learns that Riley (Jessica Lucas) hasn’t told her family or friends that she and Jonah are engaged. Upset over their fight, Riley turns to Auggie (Colin Egglesfield) for comfort. Caleb (guest star Victor Webster) reams Ella (Katie Cassidy) after her director bails on a job, so she recruits Jonah to fill in on a Boomkat music video at the last minute. However, the lead singer Kat (guest star Taryn Manning) might be more than Jonah can handle, putting Ella’s job on the line. Meanwhile, David (Shaun Sipos) accuses Michael (Thomas Calabro) of murdering Sydney (Laura Leighton), Lauren (Stephanie Jacobsen) applies to be on Michael’s team at the hospital, and Violet (Ashlee Simpson-Wentz) continues to make her move on Auggie (Colin Egglesfield). Allan Arkush directed the episode written by Caroline Dries.

NCIS: Los Angeles S1.E1 “Identity” Preview

2009-09-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Air Date: September 22, 2009 at 9/8c on CBS (series premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Newly located in a Los Angeles mission, the NCIS Office of Special Projects (OSP) welcomes Callen back to the team and races to solve a kidnapping case, on the series premiere of NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, Sept. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

NCIS Special Agent

G. Callen…………………………. Chris O’Donnell

NCIS Special Agent

Sam Hanna…………………………… LL COOL J

Henrietta “Hetty”

Lange……………………………………. Linda Hunt

Operational Psychologist

Nate Getz……………………………. Peter Cambor

NCIS Special Agent

Kensi Blye …………………………. Daniela Ruah

NCIS Special Agent

Dominic Vail ……………….. Adam Jamal Craig

RECURRING CAST:

NCIS Director Leon Vance Rocky Carroll

Tech Operator Eric Beal Barrett Foa

GUEST CAST:

Helen McGuire……………………….. Clare Carey

Bobby Nixon………………… Mathew St. Patrick

Luis Perez………………………….. Alex Fernandez

Emma Perez……………………………… Ariel Gade

Emilio………………………… Daniel Edward Mora

DIRECTED BY: James Whitmore, Jr.

WRITTEN BY: Shane Brennan

90210 S2.E3 “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” Preview

2009-09-22T06:53:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 22, 2009 at 8/7c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: JENNIE GARTH GUEST STARS — Annie (Shenae Grimes) is humiliated that the entire school received her sext message and is on a mission to reveal Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) as the sender of the revealing photo. Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) attempt to discuss Annie’s situation but the conversation only causes more tension, leading Harry to open up to Kelly (Jennie Garth) about his family problems.

Dixon (Tristan Wilds) meets his dream girl, Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, “Bones”) and sparks immediately begin to fly, though he fails to reveal his true age. Silver (Jessica Stroup) continues to get over Dixon while Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) and Navid (Michael Steger) deal with Teddy’s (guest star Trevor Donovan, “Days of Our Lives”) presence in their life. Liam (Matt Lanter), fed up with the lies between Naomi and Annie, retreats to his garage to work on a mysterious project. The gang joins Teddy on his father’s yacht for an afternoon of ocean-filled drama. Ryan Eggold also stars. Janice Cooke directed the episode written by Mark Driscoll.

NCIS S7.E1 “Truth Or Consequences” Preview

2009-09-22T06:51:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 22, 2009 at 8/7c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: As the hunt for Ziva’s replacement begins, Gibbs and his remaining team members must head back to work with the past still weighing heavily on their minds in the seventh season premiere of NCIS, Tuesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

NCIS Special Agent

Leroy Jethro Gibbs ……………. Mark Harmon

NCIS Special Agent

Anthony DiNozzo ……….. Michael Weatherly

Dr. Donald “Ducky”

Mallard …………………………… David McCallum

Abby Sciuto……………………….. Pauley Perrette

NCIS Special Agent

Timothy McGee ……………………. Sean Murray

Ziva David, Former

Mossad Liaison………………….. Cote de Pablo

NCIS Director

Leon Vance……………………….. Rocky Carroll

GUEST CAST:

Saleem Ulman ………………………. Omid Abtahi

DEA Agent

Claire Connell………………………… Noa Tishby

NCIS Special Agent

Chad Dunham……………………….. Todd Lowe

Police Officer

Heather Kincaid ………….. Mercedes Masöhn

Navy Petty Officer

Dominic Dimarco ……………… Marcus Brown

Captain Rebecca “Becky”

Hastings, USAF……………………. Sonita Henry

DIRECTED BY: Dennis Smith

WRITTEN BY: Jesse Stern

Two and a Half Men S7.E1 “818JKLPUZO” Preview

2009-09-20T10:20:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 21, 2009 at 9/8c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Charlie must decide between his fiancée, Chelsea, and his old flame, Mia, on the seventh season premiere of TWO AND A HALF MEN, Monday, Sept. 21 (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Rock Superstar Eddie Van Halen makes a cameo appearance as himself.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Charlie Harper………………………. Charlie Sheen

Alan Harper………………………………. Jon Cryer

Jake………………………………….. Angus T. Jones

Judith……………………………………. Marin Hinkle

Evelyn………………………………… Holland Taylor

Berta……………………………….. Conchata Ferrell

RECURRING CAST:

Chelsea………………………………. Jennifer Taylor

Dr. Linda Freeman……………………. Jane Lynch

Mia……………………………. Emmanuelle Vaugier

Melissa…………………………………. Kelly Stabler

GUEST CAST:

Andrew……………………………………. Will Sasso

Eddie Van Halen……………….. Eddie Van Halen

STORY BY: Executive Producers Chuck Lorre, Lee Aronsohn & Mark Roberts

TELEPLAY BY: Executive Producers Don Foster, Eddie Gorodetsky and Susan Beavers

DIRECTED BY: James Widdoes

The Good Wife S1.E1 “Pilot” Preview

2009-09-20T10:17:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 22, 2009 at 10/9c on CBS (series premiere)

Show Description: THE GOOD WIFE is a drama starring Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as a wife and mother who boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband’s very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. Pushing aside the betrayal and crushing public humiliation caused by her husband Peter, Alicia Florrick starts over by pursuing her original career as a defense attorney. As a junior associate at a prestigious Chicago law firm, she joins her longtime friend, former law school classmate and firm partner Will Gardner, who is interested to see how Alicia will perform after 13 years out of the courtroom. Alicia is grateful the firm’s top litigator, Diane Lockhart, offers to mentor her but discovers the offer has conditions and realizes she has to succeed on her own merit. Alicia’s main competition among the firm’s 20-something new recruits is Cary, a recent Harvard grad who is affable on the surface, but competitive to the core. Fortunately, Alicia finds an ally in Kalinda, the firm’s tough in-house investigator. Gaining confidence every day, Alicia transforms herself from embarrassed politician’s scorned wife to resilient career woman, especially for the sake of providing a stable home for her children, 14-year-old Zach and 13-year-old Grace. For the first time in years, Alicia trades in her identity as the “good wife” and takes charge of her own destiny.

Episode Synopsis: After having to return to work following her husband’s corruption scandal and incarceration, Alicia is assigned her first case - a straightforward retrial of a woman accused of murdering her ex-husband. Since her firm successfully deadlocked the first jury, sticking to the same strategy should work again, but Alicia soon discovers that she has a real fight on her hands, on the series premiere of THE GOOD WIFE, Tuesday, Sept. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Alicia Florrick…………………. Julianna Margulies

Diane Lockhart……………….. Christine Baranski

Will Gardner………………………….. Josh Charles

Kalinda Sharma……………………. Archie Panjabi

Cary Agos……………………………. Matt Czuchry

Zach Florrick……………………… Graham Phillips

Grace Florrick……………………. Makenzie Vega

GUEST CAST:

Peter Florrick…………………………… Chris Noth

Jackie Florrick…………………….. Mary Beth Peil

Sonia…………………………………… Gillian Jacobs

Matan Brody…………………………… Chris Butler

Sandra Pai………………………… Luisa D’Oliveira

Judge Richard Cuesta…………….. David Paymer

Jennifer Lewis……………………….. Katie Walder

SA Glenn Childs……………………. Titus Welliver

Mr. North……………………….. Simon Longmore

Cormac…………………………….. Kevin McNulty

Detective Briggs……………………. Fulvio Cecere

Bailiff…………………………………….. Dalias Blake

Cindy Combs………………….. Katharine Isabelle

Mrs. Duretsky……………………… Karin Konoval

Dr. Sobel…………………………….. Charles Siegel

Dr. Torrance………………………. Ingrid Torrance

Lanie………………………………… Chirstine Willes

Brian……………………………….. Cameron Cronin

Lilly Combs………………………. McKenna Laing

Prison Guard………………………… Forbes Angus

Busy Secretary………………. Elizabeth Weinstein

Political Ops………………………… Robert Clarke

Facile ND Lawyer……………… Stephen Holmes

Receptionist (28th fl)……… Johannah Newmarch

Will’s Paralegal…………………….. Sarah Penikett

Press Cnf. Reporter……………… Chris Nowland

Cindy’s brother Danny…………………. Jeff Sanca

Michael Lewis……………………… Phillip Mitchell

Amber………………………………….. Molly Slinger

Court Sec. Guard……….. Michael Adamthwaite

Jogging CEO…………………………. Ivan Cermak

WRITTEN BY: Robert King & Michelle King

DIRECTOR: Charles McDougall

This Week’s TV Premieres and Specials: September 20-26, 2009

2009-09-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 20, 2009:

* 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS, 8/7c, three-hour special)
* Holy Grail in America (History, 8/7c, two-hour special)
* Clive Barker’s Book of Blood (Syfy, 9/8c, original telefilm)
* Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO, 9/8c, 7th season premiere)
* Bored to Death (HBO, 9:30/8:30c, series premiere)
* Wedding Cake Wars (WE, 10/9c, one-hour special)

Monday, September 21, 2009:

* Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 8/7c, 9th season premiere)
* Heroes (NBC, 8/7c, two-hour 4th season premiere)
* House (FOX, 8/7c, two-hour 6th season premiere)
* How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8/7c, 5th season premiere)
* Accidentally on Purpose (CBS, 8:30/7:30c, series premiere)
* Two and a Half Men (CBS, 9/8c, 7th season premiere)
* The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9:30/8:30c, 3rd season premiere)
* Brick City (Sundance, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Castle (ABC, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)
* CSI: Miami (CBS, 10/9c, 8th season premiere)
* Madventures (Travel Channel, 10/9c, series premiere)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009:

* NCIS (CBS, 8/7c, 7th season premiere)
* NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 9/8c, series premiere)
* The Forgotten (ABC, 10/9c, series premiere)
* The Good Wife (CBS, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Joe Buck Live (HBO, 10/9c, one-hour special)
* The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck (Oxygen, 10/9c, series premiere)
* Table for 12 (TLC, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)

Wednesday, September 23, 2009:

* Mercy (NBC, 8/7c, series premeire)
* The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, 8/7c, 5th season premiere)
* Gary Unmarried (CBS, 8:30/7:30c, 2nd season premiere)
* Criminal Minds (CBS, 9/8c, 5th season premiere)
* Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 9/8c, 11th season premiere)
* Modern Family (ABC, 9/8c, series premiere)
* Cougar Town (ABC, 9:30/8:30c, series premiere)
* CSI: NY (CBS, 10/9c, 6th season premiere)
* Eastwick (ABC, 10/9c, series premiere)
* The True Adventures of True Life: 200th Episode (MTV, 10/9c, one-hour special)

Thursday, September 24, 2009:

* Flash Forward (ABC, 8/7c, series premiere)
* CSI (CBS, 9/8c, 10th season premiere)
* Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9/8c, two-hour 6th season premiere)
* The Mentalist (CBS, 10/9c, 2nd season premiere)

Friday, September 25, 2009:

* Brothers (FOX, 8/7c, one-hour series premiere)
* Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 8/7c, 5th season premiere)
* Law & Order (NBC, 8/7c, 20th season premiere)
* Smallville (The CW, 8/7c, 9th season premiere)
* Dollhouse (FOX, 9/8c, 2nd season premiere)
* Medium (CBS, 9/8c, 6th season premiere)
* Numb3rs (CBS, 10/9c, 6th season premiere)
* Jeff Garlin: Young and Handsome (Comedy Central, Midnight/11c, one-hour special)

Saturday, September 26, 2009:

* Children of the Corn (Syfy, 9/8c, original telefilm)
* 48 Hours Mystery (CBS, 10/9c, 13th season premiere)
* Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30/10:30c, 35th season premiere)

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 20, 2009

2009-09-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

6/5c:

* Live From the Red Carpet: 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards (E!, two-hour special)

7/6c:

* Football Night in America (NBC)
* 60 Minutes (CBS)
* About Our Children (MSNBC, two-hour special)
* Live From the Red Carpet: 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards (E!, two-hour special)

7:30/6:30c:

* Hannah Montana (Disney Channel)

8/7c:

* 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS, three-hour special)
* Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (NBC)
* About Our Children (MSNBC, two-hour special)
* Egyptian Secrets of the Afterlife (National Geographic, one-hour special)
* Holy Grail in America (History, two-hour special)

8:30/7:30c:

* JONAS (Disney Channel)

9/8c:

* 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS, three-hour special)
* Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (NBC)
* Bridezillas (WE)
* Clive Barker’s Book of Blood (Syfy, original telefilm)
* Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO, season premiere)
* Drop Dead Diva (Lifetime)
* Holy Grail in America (History, two-hour special)
* House Hunters (HGTV)
* How Do I Look? (Style)
* Race to Bury Tut (National Geographic, one-hour special)
* Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV)
* Tool Academy (VH1)
* Untamed & Uncut (Animal Planet)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

9:30/8:30c:

* Bored to Death (HBO, series premiere)
* House Hunters International (HGTV)

10/9c:

* 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS, three-hour special)
* Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (NBC)
* Antonio Project (HGTV, one-hour special)
* Army Wives (Lifetime)
* Egypt Unwrapped (National Geographic)
* Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami (E!)
* Mad Men (AMC)
* My Antonio (VH1)
* P. Diddy’s Starmaker (MTV)
* Pawn Star$ (History)
* Wedding Cake Wars (WE, one-hour special)
* Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (Speed)

10:30/9:30c:

* Entourage (HBO)
* Reality Hell (E!)

11/10c:

* For Rent (HGTV)

11:30/10:30c:

* Robot Chicken (Adult Swim)

Gossip Girl S3.E2 “The Freshmen” Preview

2009-09-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 21, 2009 at 9/8c on The CW

Episode Synopsis: IS NYU READY FOR BLAIR WALDORF? / MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG RETURNS AS GEORGINA — Blair (Leighton Meester), who is determined to maintain her Queen status in college, embarks on her first day at NYU, along with Dan (Penn Badgley) and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr). Unfortunately, Georgina (guest star Michelle Trachtenberg) turns up as Blair’s roommate in the dorms, determined to make Blair a social outcast. As Serena (Blake Lively) prepares to depart for Brown, she and Chuck (Ed Westwick) have a major falling out, so she recruits Chuck’s enemy, Carter (guest star Sebastian Stan), to help her get even. Nate (Chace Crawford) and Bree (guest star JoAnna Garcia) decide to explore their relationship further, knowing full well it could cause tension between their families who are political rivals. Taylor Momsen and Matthew Settle also star. Norman Buckley directed the episode written by Amanda Lasher.

Sneak Peak:

The Big Bang Theory S3.E1 “The Electric Can Opener Fluctuation” Preview

2009-09-19T15:08:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 21, 2009 at 9:30/8:30c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: Sheldon flees back to Texas in disgrace when he learns the guys tampered with his arctic expedition data, forcing the guys to follow him and threatening Leonard’s hopes for a romantic encounter with Penny, on the premiere of THE BIG BANG THEORY, Monday, Sept. 21 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Leonard…………………………….. Johnny Galecki

Sheldon………………………………….. Jim Parsons

Penny…………………………………… Kaley Cuoco

Wolowitz……………………………. Simon Helberg

Koothrappali ……………………….. Kunal Nayyar

GUEST CAST:

Mary………………………………… Laurie Metcalfe

Kripke……………………………..John Ross Bowie

STORY BY: Steven Molaro

DIRECTED BY: Mark Cendrowski

How I Met Your Mother S5.E1 “Definitions” Preview

2009-09-19T15:05:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 21, 2009 at 8/7c on CBS (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: When the gang finds out that Barney and Robin are hesitant to define their relationship, Lily forces them to confront their biggest fear…becoming boyfriend/girlfriend. Meanwhile, Ted is anxious about teaching his first lecture at Columbia, on the fifth season premiere of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, Monday, Sept. 21 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Cast and Crew:

SERIES REGULARS:

Ted………………………………………. Josh Radnor

Marshall…………………………………. Jason Segel

Barney………………………….. Neil Patrick Harris

Lily…………………………………. Alyson Hannigan

Robin ………………………………. Cobie Smulders

RECURRING CAST

Narrator…………………………………… Bob Saget

GUEST CAST:

Brad………………………………… Joe Manganiello

Professor Calzonetti…………Dale E. Turner

Girl #2………………………..Laura Ornelas

Guy #2……………………………………. Abhi Sinha

Girl…………………………..Kim Matula

Guy…………………………Brett Ryback

Student……………………Michael Busch

WRITTEN BY: Carter Bays and Craig Thomas

DIRECTED BY: Pamela Fryman

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 19, 2009

2009-09-19T03:48:00.001-07:00

7/6c:

* Focus Earth with Bob Woodruff (Planet Green)

8/7c:

* Cops (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Caught on Camera (MSNBC)
* Country Fried Home Videos (CMT)
* Divine Master Bedrooms with Candice Olson (HGTV)
* iCarly (Nickelodeon)
* Secrets of the Mangroves (National Geographic)

8:30/7:30c:

* All Jacked Up (CMT)
* True Jackson, VP (Nickelodeon)

9/8c:

* America’s Most Wanted (FOX)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Color Splash (HGTV)
* Georgia O’Keeffe (Lifetime, original telefilm)
* Househusbands of Hollywood (Fox Reality)
* The Locator (WE)
* Making His Band (MTV)
* Robin Hood (BBC America)
* Split Ends (Style)
* UFC 103: From Dallas (Spike, one-hour special)

9:30/8:30c:

* Ghostly Encounters (Bio)

10/9c:

* 48 Hours Mystery (CBS)
* Saturday Night College Football (ABC, three-hour special)
* Adoption Diaries (WE)
* The Dish (Style)
* Moving Up (TLC)
* Psychic Investigators (Bio)

Fringe is still Fringe-y

2009-09-18T19:54:00.001-07:00

So, how 'bout those shape-changers in last night's Season 2 premiere of Fringe? They were pretty trippy, eh? What with the electrical-socket-to-mouth business and the facial adjustments, I mean. And how about Olivia's (Anna Torv) re-entry into the real world? I know Fringe is all about paranormal and abnormal and quasi-normal stuff, but did anyone else find it a little weird that Olivia just shot out of the windshield of that car? Even dropping out of the sky would have been a little more believable, given the circumstances. Then again, these weird elements are very Fringe-y -- and we'd expect nothing less from J.J., right?

Josh Jackson said that we would learn a bit more about Peter (Jackson) this season -- and right off the bat, we see him spending time with his father in a grocery store, taking charge at a crime scene, and sitting with Olivia in the hospital. He's a catalyst on the team -- whether he knows it or not -- and his presence is felt even if no one really appreciates it yet. But we have to remember that this is parallel-universe Peter, not regular Peter. And judging from the fit Walter (John Noble) threw over Peter's birthday custard, he's obviously wrought with guilt over the "baby-snatching" ordeal. Guilt does not work well on a man with OCD (among other things). Which means things are going to get heavy. Which means they're going to get good.

Olivia's also got a few, um, demons to deal with with. When she woke up in the hospital, she scared the hell out of everyone watching and growled right in poor Peter's face. Almost as intense: that whole gun-loading sequence. But even in her frazzled state, Olivia was still an agent on a mission to retrieve her beloved firearm and kick some parallel-universe tail. Now she needs to remember what she saw there.

Obviously we're going to get some answers this season, but it wouldn't be a true J.J. Abrams masterpiece without a few WTF moments. So bring it, Abrams! Just give us more Lance Reddick and we'll love you forever.

Supernatural: War Sucks

2009-09-18T19:50:00.001-07:00

I think it's safe to say we've had our first "standalone" episode of Supernatural, and it was the typical satiating meal, with an appetizer of things to come, a meaty main course involving one of legend's most feared figures, and for dessert, a not-so-sweet twist on Sam and Dean's relationship.

In "Good God, Y'all!," Sam and Dean head off to Colorado to help Rufus, who is pinned down by demons in a small town. They arrive to find it almost completely abandoned, with carnage and blood making it clear that things haven't been going well. It becomes a reunion of hunters, as Ellen, Jo, and Rufus all make appearances. Ellen brings Sam and Dean to her headquarters, where some survivors are holed up. Apparently the demons are stationed on the other side, possibly with Rufus and Jo as captives. It's all-out war in this small Colorado town.

Ahhhh yes, War. The rug that Sera Gamble (the writer of this episode) pulls from under us is this: War is here. War, of course, is the second Horseman of the Apocalypse, and after riding in on a sweet cherry-red Ford Mustang, and he tricked the town's citizens into thinking demons have taken over. So while he's got everyone pouring holy water and salt on each another, it's up to Dean to convince them it's a trick and that everyone should just chill out. Of course, that's hard when the body count is piling up.

Eventually, War is driven out when the Brothers Winchester removes his ring -- his source of power -- from his hand. And in super-cool awesome fashion, they decide to lop off the whole finger ... just to be sure. Sera Gamble loves a little excess gore, and we love her for it.

Elsewhere, Castiel shows up at the beginning of the episode, and he's a bit ticked off that he put everything on the line for the brothers but got shafted because of the whole "you guys set off the Apocalypse" thing. Now he's boned out of a lot of angelic perks because he's "cut off from heaven." Still, Cas has a better idea: to kill Lucifer by going to the Big Man Himself, the notorious G-O-D. He borrows Dean's necklace, which Cas believes will help him find God ("Try New Mexico, I hear he's on a tortilla," says Dean. Oh Dean, LOL).

The episode ends with a shocker: Sam and Dean decide to go their separate ways. Sam is scared that he'll go back to sipping demon blood, and he thinks it isn't safe to be hunting, given the fact that the occupation involves spilling buckets of the drug he's trying to quit.

I have one question for creator Eric Kripke: when does all this "Sam and Dean come back together" business that you promised us begin? Season Four ripped them apart, and you said Season Five would bring them back together. But they're further apart than ever and now they're going their own separate ways? Eeesh!

All in all, another solid Supernatural outing. Questions raised: How long will Sam and Dean be apart? Will they meet up with the other Horsemen: Death, Conquest, and Famine? What's Lucifer up to?

Other notes:

-- Sort-of-important stats: The episode drew 2.8 million viewers and a 1.2 rating for adults 18-49. While those figures are down from last week, I think they hold up well against the competition: season premieres of The Office and Fringe.

-- Will Sam face any consequences for killing those two teens who weren't actually demons? I expect that incident to come back somehow.

-- This episode looked great. The empty town was creepy; it's nice to see some daytime action for a change.

-- Excellent use of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky."

-- Great performance by character actor Titus Welliver as War. He can be seen next in CBS' The Good Wife.

Castle S2.E1 “Deep in Death” Preview

2009-09-18T13:01:00.001-07:00

Air Date: September 21, 2009 at 10/9c on ABC (season premiere)

Episode Synopsis: When the new season begins, Castle (Nathan Fillion) is wrestling with how to repair his relationship with Beckett (Stana Katic), while struggling to finish his soon-to-be-published bestseller, Heat Wave. But circumstances force the pair back together to investigate the mysterious murder of a man found dead, tangled in the limbs of a tree. The Season Two premiere of “Castle” airs MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (10:01-11:00 p.m. ET) on ABC. Authors Stephen J. Cannell and Michael Connelly guest star as themselves in the episode.

Cast and Crew: “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Guest Cast: Stephen J. Cannell as himself, Michael Connelly as himself, Laurel Holloman as Sandy Allen, Elizabeth Ho as Amy Saunders, Robert Grant as Ron Bigby.

“Deep in Death” was written by Andrew Marlowe and directed by Rob Bowman.

What I’ll Be Watching This Fall: Friday

2009-09-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Watch Live:

* 8/7c-Smallville
* 9/8c-Dollhouse
* 10/9c-Nothing Live

Watch Online or Off Tape:

* Monk (USA Network)
* Psych/White Collar (USA Network)
* Ugly Betty
* Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel)
* Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network)
* Stargate Universe (Syfy)
* Ghost Whisperer
* Medium
* Brothers
* The Jay Leno Show

Friday’s usually suck but for a sci-fi fan, this year’s schedule isn’t too bad. “Smallville” had a pretty good season last year and its nice that I’ll actually be able to watch it live for once. “Dollhouse” is probably the fall show I’m most anticipating since the end of season one was great. I trust Joss Whedon will turn it into a top five show this year. “Monk,” “Psych,” “White Collar” (I’ve seen the pilot and its another good USA Network comedic drama), and “Ugly Betty” are all great shows I wish I could watch live.

Tonight’s TV Picks: September 18, 2009

2009-09-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Shows I recommend are in bold.

8/7c:

* Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX, season finale)
* 2009 ALMA Awards (ABC, two-hour special)
* Dateline NBC (NBC, two-hour episode)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* Making Over America with Trinny & Susannah (TLC, new time slot)
* The Troop (Nickelodeon, series premiere)
* Washington Week (PBS)
* Wolverine and the X-Men (Nicktoons)

8:30/7:30c:

* Ben 10: Alien Force (Cartoon Network)
* Now on PBS (PBS)
* The Suite Life on Deck (Disney Channel)
* The Troop (Nickelodeon)

9/8c:

* 2009 ALMA Awards (ABC, two-hour special)
* Dateline NBC (NBC, two-hour episode)
* Bill Moyers’ Journal (PBS)
* Dog Whisperer (National Geographic)
* Eureka (Syfy, season finale)
* Friday Night SmackDown! (My Network TV)
* Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC America)
* How It’s Made 6 (Science Channel)
* Jockeys (Animal Planet)
* Monk (USA Network)
* Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)
* The Troop (Nickelodeon)

9:30/8:30c:

* House Hunters (HGTV)
* Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 (HBO, season finale)
* Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)

10/9c:

* The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
* 20/20 (ABC)
* Catch It Keep It (Science Channel)
* Chefs vs. City (Food Network, season finale)
* Crash (Starz, season premiere)
* Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege, and Justice (truTV)
* Lock ‘n Load (History)
* Masters of Reception (TLC, new time slot)
* Psych (USA Network)
* Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
* The Soup (E!)

10:30/9:30c:

* Secret’s Out…with Leonard Maltin (Reelz)

11/10c:

* Chelsea Lately (E!)
* Mitch Fatel Is Magical (Comedy Central, one-hour special)

“Harper’s Island: The DVD Edition” DVD Review

2009-09-17T15:07:00.001-07:00

CBS usually isn’t known for anything but their crime dramas so I was excited when they announced a fun new murder mystery show. I was a fan of the reality series “Murder in Small Town X” and I figured this would be very similar, just completely scripted. Overall, I did enjoy “Harper’s Island” quite a bit but a few boring episodes bring the show down to the “above average” level instead of the “must-watch” category.

The concept of “Harper’s Island” was very unique in that it would only run thirteen episodes no matter how well it did ratings wise. If the show would have become a hit (unfortunately it wasn’t), the creators would have crafted a new story to run 13 or 22 episodes with a new title, characters, etc. Part of the reason “Harper’s Island” could only last thirteen episodes is that at least one main character would die each week at the hands of a serial killer. The main draw of the series was to figure out who the serial killer was and to see the amazing death scenes at the end of each episode.

“Harper’s Island” started off right with a great pilot that was probably the second best of the 2008-09 season (”Fringe” was slightly better in my opinion). I was instantly captivated and couldn’t wait for each episode to air. Unfortunately, the next few episodes declined in quality each week until the show was just about average in my book around episode 5. Something major then happened in episode five that helped the show reclaim the glory from the pilot. By the last few episodes, I was eagerly anticipating the next episode again and couldn’t wait for the finale. The problem is, the very last episode was a complete let-down for me mainly because I wasn’t happy with the reveal of the killer. So, is the show worth watching even though almost a third of the episodes are boring and the finale was disappointing? I would say yes because “Harper’s Island” is like nothing you’ve ever seen on television before (unless you were one of the very few people who watched the extremely underrated “Murder in Small Town X”).

Even though I would recommend readers to watch “Harper’s Island,” I’m not sure if I would recommend buying the DVD. Since the main focus is on figuring out who the serial killer is, the show has very limited replay value. I could maybe see some people re-watching the series once to look for clues but I’m guessing most people will watch this DVD twice at most. If you can rent this from your library or video store, I would probably go that route instead of paying $34.99 for a DVD you’ll watch just once or twice. If you can’t find an alternative way to watch it, I would wait for a sale since $34.99 for 13 episodes is a tad high in my opinion.

The video and audio on this release are both terrific but it was pretty obvious they would be since this is a brand new show. The transfers are extremely clear with no real issues whatsoever. The audio also comes in loud and clear.

For a show like this with limited re-playability, extras are very important. Luckily, Paramount has added a nice selection of bonus features:

* Promos-Pretty much every promotional spot CBS used to advertise the series premiere.
* 4 Commentaries-I don’t really like commentaries that much so I only watched the one on the pilot episode. I thought it was alright but probably just in the middle of the pack of commentaries.
* Deleted Scenes-Several minutes of extra scenes for most of the early episodes. Unlike most deleted scenes, some of these actually add to the show. It’s not essential that you get the DVD to watch these but if you are a big fan of the show you’ll probably want to take a look.
* Harper’s Globe Webisodes-16 minisodes that run about six minutes each. I didn’t really like these at all but I guess huge fans will appreciate them.
* “Casting Harper’s Island”-About a twenty-minute look at how each of the actors was cast. There’s some interesting tidbits but I personally thought this featurette went into detail a little too much.
* “One By One: The Making of Harper’s Island” (30:21)-A half-hour featurette that mainly focuses on the death scenes and how they were done. This is definitely the highlight of the bonus features and a must-watch.
* “Guess Who?” (2:45)-A short feature that asks just about every member of the cast and crew who they think is the killer.
* “The Grim Reaper” (2:50)-Another short feature this time about Karim Kreik and Dan Shotz, the co-executive producers/grim reapers who would always have to break the bad news to the week’s killed off cast member(s).

While I would advise readers to try to find another way to watch the show or wait for a sale, “Harper’s Island: The DVD Edition” is definitely worth watching. Big fans of the show who plan to watch it several times will want the DVD since the transfers are great and the extras are pretty solid.

* Release Date: September 8, 2009
* Publisher: Paramount
* Price: $34.99 on Amazon.com
* Rating: Not Rated
* Run Time: 541 minutes
* Special Features: Promos, Commentaries, “Casting Harper’s Island,” “One By One: The Making of Harper’s Island,” “Guess Who?,” “The Grim Reaper,” Harper’s Globe Webisodes, Deleted Scenes
* Starring: Christopher Gorham, Katie Cassidy, Elaine Cassidy, Jim Beaver, C.J. Thomason, Adam Campbell, Cameron Richardson, Christopher Gauthier, Harry Hamlin, Gina Holden, Richard Burgi
* Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror