Monday
September 18
SERIES DEBUT
10-11PM
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC, TV-14) Of course, Aaron Sorkin could’ve just written for SNL and saved us the time, but then he wouldn’t be working with decent actors. New network president Jordan (Amanda Peet) takes on a comedy show that has spiraled out of control, re-hiring the creative team of Matt and Danny (Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford, pictured), who were fired years before by network chairman Jack (Wings’ Steve Weber). (Well, Danny left to show loyalty to fired Matt, but you get the point; Jack’s going to take some lip in this episode and probably for many episodes to come.)
SERIES DEBUT
SYNDICATED*
The Megan Mullally Show Careful, Meg, drinking of the Will & Grace well thins the line between
you and Vicki Lawrence.
*check local listings
SERIES DEBUT
SYNDICATED*
Rachael Ray She wears mom jeans, calls extra virgin olive oil E.V.O.O., and
everything else ''delish''...and there's nothing you can do about it
because Oprah's got her back.
*check local listings
SEASON PREMIERE
11AM-NOON
The Price Is Right (CBS, TV-G)
Contestant haiku: Plinko hog! You said, ''Bob, I'll bid a dollar,
please.'' Please, indeed. Buck you!
SERIES DEBUT
6-6:30PM
Little Talent Show (MTV)
People with little talent—not what you were thinking.
SERIES DEBUT
8-8:30PM
The Class (CBS, TV-PG-DL)
Ethan Haas (Jason Ritter), the most smothering boyfriend ever, plans a
party with the seven dwarfs, Dopey, Grumpy, Homosexual and Suicidal — that
is, his 3rd grade classmates — to mark the day he met his fiancée. She
bolts (lucky for her!) seemingly taking all the actors of color with
her. The white ones who are left muse pseudo-philosophically about
turning, gasp, 30. ''It's kind of hard knowing that...the greatest thing
that happened to me already happened,'' says one. Hopefully, he's not
talking about this pilot. C+ —Henry Goldblatt
SEASON PREMIERE
8-10PM
Deal or No Deal (NBC) New season, same bald Howie Mandel and Robert Palmer back-up dancers. In this two-hour episode, $20 million will be given away.
8-9PM
Inside the Actors Studio (Bravo, TV-PG-L)
Teri Hatcher gives that ditzy-broad-who-pratfalls master class Lucille
Ball is no longer around to teach.
SEASON PREMIERE
8:30-9PM
How I Met Your Mother (CBS, TVPG-D) While Marshall is recovering from his break up with Lily, Ted and Robin are falling in love. Man, you two, why don’t you just rub his face in it?
9-10PM
Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater (HBO, TV-PG)
Go ahead: Tell Howie you're skipping Deal or No Deal to rehash the '64
election.
SEASON PREMIERE
9-9:30PM
Two and a Half Men (CBS, TV-14-DL)
Charlie was on my case recently, saying his show's only been in What to
Watch ''two or three times.'' Actually, it's been in 13 times, but a big
star like him shouldn't have to count for hisself. So, updated Sheen
Tally: 14.
SEASON PREMIERE
9:30-10PM
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, TVPG-D) Ritchie thinks his parents are back together when Richard starts hanging out at (Old) Christine’s house after he gets dumped by (New) Christine.
SEASON PREMIERE
10-11PM
CSI: MIAMI (CBS, TV-14 V) Horatio’s family problems and work problems become one and the same, as he and Delko hunt down Marisol's killer in Rio de Janeiro.
(Additional reporting by Kate Sullivan)
