Monday
Lone Star, 8 PM (Fox)
The Event, 8 PM (NBC)
Castle, 9 PM (ABC)

Lone Star looks like it's going to be a modern day Dallas with a twist. I'm with it for now, until the real Dallas comes back next year, or until Lone Star is canceled. I'm betting it's the latter. The Event is supposed to be crazy. Supposedly whatever the event is, we’re left wondering how there could possibly be a second episode after it happens. I’m leery, but intrigued. Some friends got me watching Castle (thank you Polly and Phillip), and I watched it over the summer. What I once thought was standard CBS-like procedural fare, actually turned out to be pretty good. I'll watch until my plate gets full.

Tuesday
Glee, 7 PM (Fox)
No Ordinary Family, 8 PM (ABC)
Caprica 9 PM (Syfy)

Here’s hoping Glee strikes the same balance of humor, drama, and music it had in the first half of the first season and doesn’t try too hard fitting the story around the songs they want to sing. Having judged close to a 1,000 talent shows over the past 3 years, the overly produced songs and sub-par lip syncing sometimes grate on my nerves. Of course, that may have to do with the fact I was actually in a show choir in high school. Nevertheless, Glee is a fun show. No Ordinary Family looks fairly decent. Although, I think Disney/ABC would have had better luckk with the original concept of an Incredibles live action series (which is basically what No Ordinary Family is). I spent most of the summer watching my Battlestar Galactica DVDs; so, I'm eager for the return of its spin-off, Caprica. The first half of the season one was glacially slow. It's no where near the brilliance of its parent show (the 2000s BSG, not the 1970s BSG). Still, the producers promise to take the viewers to the other planets in the colonies and away from the virtual worlds that caused the first half to move so slow. 

Wednesday
The Middle, 7 PM (ABC)
Modern Family, 8 PM (ABC)

The Middle sorta picked up in the latter half of the first season, so its return is welcome. However, it only makes it self look inferior when its placed along the brilliant Modern Family that The Middle follows. Hopefully, it will pick up by the time a 5th comedy joins the slate mid-season - Mr. Sunshine. The new comedy stars Matthew Perry as the manager of a sports arena and the wonderful Allison Janney as his boss.

Thursday
My Generation, 7 PM (ABC)
The Big Bang Theory, 7 PM (CBS)
$#*! My Dad Says, 7:30 PM (CBS)
30 Rock, 7:30 PM (NBC)
The Office, 8 PM (NBC)
Outsourced, 8:30 PM (NBC)

Yes. I know I have 3 series taking place at the same time, and my DVR only allows the recording of 2. Why is Thursday night so full, when Friday and Saturday nights are so dull? I guess I'll have to break out a spare VCR somewhere. My Generation looks like its my generation's Thirtysomething. The premise is about a group of friends who examine their lives 10 years after their graduation. I, for one, would have never pictured myself doing what I'm doing 10 years ago. The Big Bang Theory moves to Thursday night. It's the highest rated comedy on network television and CBS hopes it will anchor the new hour of comedy. $#*! My Dad Says looks like the perfect companion piece to Big Bang. $#*! stars geek-favorite William Shatner as the curmudgeon father of a son who moves in with him. It's based on very poplar blog of the same name. I'm curious as to how the older-skewing CBS will promote a show with profanity in the title. "$#*!" isn't exactly pronounceable. Perennial favorites 30 Rock and The Office are back. 30 Rock is throwing in some gags this season, like its live premier episode with guest star Matt Damon. This season of The Office will be Steve Carrell's last and will have to set up a premise to replace him. Outsourced looks like a very suitable companion to The Office, but it is filling 30 Rock's time slot and will have to step out of the latter's shadow.

Friday
Smallville, 7 PM (The CW)

This is Smallville's last year and promises to be one of the best. Even though the cast has been in Metropolis (and not Smallville) for the last 6 years, we may finally have some movement in the transition from Clark Kent to Superman. In the season previews, we see Lois opening a box with the super suit and hear her say the word "Superman" (which has only been uttered once before in the ten year old series - the pilot).

Saturday
Nothing

The broadcast networks have given up on Saturday nights. Where are shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, 227, or Amen? These were all blockbuster shows. Nobody watches Saturday nights because nobody programs for Saturday nights.

Sunday

The Amazing Race, 7:30 PM (CBS)
Desperate Housewives, 8 PM (ABC) 

The Amazing Race promises to continue to be the well-educated brother of reality shows. The watermelon launch-heard-round-the-world will surely boost viewers this year. Desperate Housewives is returning to its roots with the return of the husband of narrator/deceased star Mary Alice Young. Paul Young returns to Wisteria Lane, as does his nemesis, Felicia Tilman. Adding to the drama will be the recently released Ugly Betty star, Vanessa Williams. The only thing better than this would be the appearance of her Ugly Betty character, Wilhelmina Slater.