CARISSA MARSH
A&E Editor
The beginning of fall marks the triumphant return of the beloved television shows that were sorely missed during the four-month long hiatus filled with reruns and reality TV. There are the regular favorites viewers TiVo every week as well as a healthy line-up of newcomers that have the potential to make their own loyal followers.
There is no lack of drama, comedy, action or scandal this season, so get ready to grab that remote and make a dent in your couch.
The following guide is an abbreviated list of the not-to-be-missed returning shows as well as the newbies that threaten to keep us glued to the tube.
RETURNING SHOWS
GREY’S ANATOMY
Premieres Sept. 21, Thursdays (new night) at 9 p.m. on ABC
The interns and doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital are back for a third season for more drama, comedy, strange medical cases and relationship mishaps.
Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) are dealing with the consequences of their past behavior, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) is facing an uncertain future without the hospital, Cristina (Sandra Oh) is busy supporting her boyfriend Dr. Burke who has a potentially career-ending hand tremor and nice guy George (T.R. Knight) is falling in love with the unlikely and strong-willed Dr. Callie Torres.
“I love Meredith,” said senior Amber Granados, a loyal fan of the show. “I can relate a lot to her.”
Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is still guiding the interns in her heavy-handed yet nurturing way, and The Chief is still running the show, though his past affair with Meredith’s mother has come to light.
THE OFFICE
Premiers Sept. 21 Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC
The Emmy winner for outstanding comedy series is back with more workplace drama at paper supplier Dunder Mifflin. The documentary-style follows the 9 to 5 workday of a group of cubicle-bound employees.
“If you’ve ever worked in an office, you know all the little petty stuff that goes on,” said senior Melia Smith. “The show hits home in a funny way.”
Boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell) offers up senseless advice and politically incorrect jokes, of which sweet office receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) usually takes the brunt. Smart sales guy Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) is secretly in love with the engaged Pam, and together the friends spend much of their daily grind teasing the strange Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) who thinks he is Scott’s second-hand man.
Last season ended with Jim finally declaring his true feelings for Pam and they shared a much-awaited kiss, fulfilling the desires of viewers who rooted for the office romance.
“I think it will make for a good storyline this year,” Smith said. “I can’t wait.”
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Premieres Sept. 24 Sundays at 9 p.m. on ABC
Picking up where it left off, the new season brings viewers back to Wisteria Lane, a quiet suburban street filled with secrets, scandal, lies and deceptions.
“I really like to watch drama,” said Granados, also a “Desperate” fan. “It’s like looking into what other people’s lives might be like behind closed doors.”
The primetime soap centers on a group of suburban women. There is Susan (Teri Hatcher), a divorced single mom who will do anything for love. Last season, sexpot Edie (Nicollette Sheridan) burned down Susan’s house in a jealous rage so Susan and her daughter are living in a trailer.
Then there is Lynette (Felicity Huffman), a busy mother of four and advertising executive. Lynette is dealing with the news that her husband Tom has a daughter from a past one-night stand. And the other woman is set on causing trouble.
Uptight perfectionist Bree (Marcia Cross) is still reeling from becoming a widow and losing control of her family. She even checked herself into a psychiatric hospital last season, but escaped the ward to protect her daughter from her murderous boyfriend.
Ex-model Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) caught her husband Carlos having an affair with their maid and threw him out but kept the maid since she is carrying the baby Gabrielle wants desperately.
LOST
Premieres Oct. 4 Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC
It has been 65 days since the surviving members of Oceanic Air Flight 815 crashed on the mysterious island they now call home. As loyal fans know, the island is not the only thing with secrets, as revealed in the castaways’ flashbacks.
One focus of last season was the hatch, which contained an old computer that the survivors had to input a sequence of numbers into to keep an unknown but potentially catastrophic event from happening.
In season’s finale, Locke (Terry O’Quinn) kept the sequence of numbers from being put into the computer, causing a major explosion on the island that might have killed himself, Desmond and Mr. Eko. Michael (Harold Perreneau) helped “the others” — a random group of people who are on the island for an unknown reason — capture Jack (Matthew Fox), Kate (Evangeline Lilly) and Sawyer (Josh Holloway) in exchange for a boat to get him and his son off the island to safety, leaving Lost fanatics wondering if they will see Michael again and whether he will help rescue the rest of the stranded group.
NEW SHOWS
STUDIO 60 ON THE
SUNSET STRIP
Premieres Sept. 18 Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC
Familiar “Friend” Matthew Perry returns to NBC in this new show that features an all-star cast as well as a behind the scenes look at Hollywood and what it takes to make a television show.
From Aaron Sorkin, the creator of “The West Wing,” the drama centers on the production of a weekly, sketch-comedy show. “Studio 60” spotlights the inner workings of a show, including the writers, producers and network executives, as well as the outer layer such as the talent and on-air personalities. Perry plays Matthew Albie, who is one part of the live-show’s creative writing team. The other half of the team, Daniel Tripp, is played by former “West Wing” star Bradley Whitford.
Amanda Peet of “The Whole Nine Yards” (and “Ten Yards”) fame plays stubborn network chief Jordan McDeere while D.L. Hughley acts the part of a star entertainer.
SIX DEGREES
Premieres Sept. 21 Thursdays at 10 p.m. after Grey’s Anatomy on ABC
The show is based off the idea that six people separate any one person from another and that how even in a big city like New York, we are all connected and can unknowingly affect each other.
The chain of six starts with Laura (Hope Davis), a grieving widow and now single mother who is trying to start anew. Next there is Whitney (Bridget Moynahan), a beautiful public relations executive who is a self-made success story. But her achievements in her professional life do not mirror her personal life as she suspects her boyfriend of cheating. Then there is Steven (Campbell Scott), an artist and photographer struggling to redeem himself and repair his family after a history of substance abuse. Next is Damian (Dorian Missick), who is trying to overcome is past and escape his criminal brother’s shadow by pursuing honest work. Fifth in the chain is Mae (Erika Christensen), a free-spirited young woman who is hiding from a dangerous past while trying to find her way in the big city. And finally there is good guy Carlos (Jay Hernandez), a public defender with a crush on Mae but does not know what he is in for.
HEROES
Premieres Sept. 25 Mondays at 9 p.m. on NBC
“Heroes” has caught the public’s attention with its new and unique premise about ordinary people across the globe who discover that they have extraordinary powers, and are in a word superhuman.
A high school cheerleader discovers that she is invincible, a Los Angeles cop realizes he can hear what people are thinking, a Japanese office worker can teleport at will, a male nurse learns he can fly, a single mom and stripper sees her reflection as a powerful alter ego, a fugitive finds he can always escape from prison and a drug-addicted artist learns that he can paint the future.
While watching the new superheroes discover their powers is entertaining enough, the twist is that they must use their new abilities to save the planet and humankind.
Starring Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia and Greg Grunberg.
THE NINE
Premieres Oct. 4 Wednesdays at 10 p.m. after Lost on ABC
When a Los Angeles bank robbery turns into a violent hostage situation the lives of the nine survivors change forever. The question of what exactly happened during the 52-hour-long hostage crisis is answered in chronological flashbacks. Bonding over their shared trauma, the survivors build relationships as they try to help each other get back to everyday life.
Starring Tim Daly, Chi McBride, Jessica Collins, Kim Raver, Scott Wolf, John Billingsley, Lourdes Benedicto, Camille Guaty, Owain Yeoman and Dana Davis.
09-14-2006
